3 Meter FM Broadcast Radio

In the United States FM Modulated Broadcast Radio runs from 88 MHz to 108 MHz. This is unofficially known as the 3-Meter band, although usage of the designation is rejected by Ham Radio operators. In other countries such as Japan the 3-Meter FM broadcast band extends lower, from 76 MHz to 108 MHz.

The United States FCC has considered expanding FM broadcast radio down to 76 Mhz. Frequencies 76–88 MHz were formerly used by NTSC Analog Television channels 5 and 6. The allocation is no longer used as the frequencies are unsuitable for the new digital television system.

The country of Brazil in South America is another country planning to expand FM broadcast radio down to 76 MHz after their own conversion to digital television is complete.

FM Broadcast Radio

In the United States FM radio stations broadcast at frequencies of 87.8–107.9 MHz, this is often rounded to 88 - 108 MHz. The allocation as of 2015 spans 20.2 MHz, with channels on every odd tenth decimal place 87.9, 88.1, 88.3, 88.5, ... with 101 channels spaced .2 MHz apart. Commercial broadcasting is licensed only between 92.1 and 107.9 MHz.

On June 27, 1945 the FCC officially allocated frequencies between 88 and 108 MHz for FM broadcast radio. On March 1, 1941 W47NV began operations in Nashville, Tennessee, becoming the first modern commercial FM radio station. It wasn't until the 1970s when FM radio listenership exceeded that of the old AM broadcast radio. Credit to the technology belongs to a man named Edwin Armstrong who demonstrated FM radio to the FCC.