Hobbies And Interests
Government Frequencies
Because many local and national government groups use communications frequencies in their work, many frequencies are designated by the FCC specifically for government use. Local police, firefighters and emergency medical teams require their own private radio frequencies, as do the military and other vital agencies. Interference with the operation of these agencies through the illegal use of their radio frequencies is considered an endangerment of public safety. The FCC punishes such crimes with fines, the confiscation of broadcasting equipment and, in some cases, jail time.
Commercial Frequencies
Many FCC frequencies are designed for use by various commercial parties, including television and radio stations. If a frequency is used for public or semi-public broadcast, in most cases the FCC reserves the right to regulate the content transmitted on the frequency. Parties that broadcast material that is deemed offensive, dangerous or otherwise illegal face fines or other penalties, including the possible revocation of their broadcasting licenses. Many frequencies also are designated for public use. The frequencies from 50 to 54 megahertz (MHz) are designated for amateur radio.
Cable Television Channels
The FCC also regulates broadcast television channels, which exist from 54 to 806 MHz. Channels are numbered 2 through 69; channel 1 was removed in the 1960s for use by amateur radio. Channels are divided into two bands -- very high frequency (VHF), from 54 to below 300 Mhz, and ultra-high frequency (UHF), from above 300 to 806 MHz. Each television channel occurs not just a single frequency but a band of about 6 MHz. Channel 37 is not used by television; it is assigned to radio astronomy instead. Many of these channels are in the process of being cleared and reassigned as the US converts to digital television.
Frequency Auctions
The FCC occasionally will auction off various frequencies to the highest bidders. Some of the frequencies are on the spectrum reserved for radio and television, with bidders in various markets competing for the right to broadcast to their local areas, and other frequencies, higher on the spectrum, are designated for national wireless communications. A company that purchases a particular frequency receives a license granting permission to use it for certain designated functions. Although these frequencies are licensed to private parties, those who illegally impinge on licensed frequencies face government sanctions.