Radio Control Frequencies Used In
The UK
27Mhz band - allociated to general use
35Mhz band - allociated to model aircraft use only
40Mhz band - allociated to surface vehicle use only
459Mhz band - allociated to general use and telemetry
R/C Equipment Type Approval
The vast majority of model flying in the UK is on the 35Mhz band,
and I would recommend that you only purchase one of these radio
sets.
The 35Mhz Band
The 35Mhz band is identified by an orange flag with white channel
number.
35
Mhz channel numbers |
Channel |
Frequency |
Channel |
Frequency |
Channel |
Frequency |
55 |
34.95 |
67 |
35.07 |
79 |
35.19 |
56 |
34.96 |
68 |
35.08 |
80 |
35.20 |
57 |
34.97 |
69 |
35.09 |
81 |
35.21 |
58 |
34.98 |
70 |
35.10 |
82 |
35.22 |
59 |
34.99 |
71 |
35.11 |
83 |
35.23 |
60 |
35.00 |
72 |
35.12 |
84 |
35.24 |
61 |
35.01 |
73 |
35.13 |
85 |
35.25 |
62 |
35.02 |
74 |
35.14 |
86 |
35.26 |
63 |
35.03 |
75 |
35.15 |
87 |
35.27 |
64 |
35.04 |
76 |
35.16 |
88 |
35.28 |
65 |
35.05 |
77 |
35.17 |
89 |
35.29 |
66 |
35.06 |
78 |
35.18 |
90 |
35.30 |
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The 27 MHz Band
This band is legally shared by other users, in particular, model
cars, model boats and citizens band operators (CB). It may still
be used for model aircraft but I don't recommend you use this frequency
band to fly, after all you don't want to increase the risk of crashing
that lovely model. The 35 MHz band is just for model aircraft and
under no circumstances must it be used for any other purpose.
Identification is by coloured pendant.
26.975Mhz - Black |
27.145Mhz - Yellow |
26.995Mhz - Brown |
27.170Mhz - Yellow/Green |
27.020Mhz - Brown/Red |
27.195Mhz - Green |
27.045Mhz - Red |
27.220Mhz - Green/Blue |
27.070Mhz - Red/Orange |
27.245Mhz - Blue |
27.095Mhz - Orange |
27.270Mhz - Blue/Grey |
27.120Mhz - Orange/Yellow |
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The 40 MHz band
This is for surface vehicles only and under no circumstances must
it be used for the control of model aircraft.
It is usually identified by a green flag with white channel number.
I won't list them as we are only interested in model flying, arn't
we?
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The 459 MHz Band
This band is shared with various telemetry operations. In particular,
channels 12 to 24 are used for specialised telemetry and users of
these particular channels should be aware of the possibility of
more potential interference being present.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Contrary to some peoples thinking, 72
MHz is not a legal frequency for model control in the UK.
R/C Equipment Type Approval
As far as model flying is concerned, type approval only applies
to 35 Mhz equipment. It is essential that the radio control equipment
you use carries an SMAE/MHTF type approval sticker.
It is the only assurance you have that your set was designed and
manufactured to comply with the standards laid down by the UK government
for the equipment we use. When buying your RC set, make a special
point of looking for the sticker. This is especially important as
increasing numbers of grey imports are appearing in
the UK and the type approval sticker is the only way you can be
sure that you are operating a UK legal set of equipment. From October
1998, all RC transmitters must carry a CE mark.
Conclusion
If you want to fly model aircraft in the UK, stick to the 35Mhz
band, it's safest!
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