B band

NATO B band

Frequency range	250 to 500 MHz
Wavelength range	1.2 m to 60 cm
Related bands	VHF UHF

The NATO B band is the obsolete designation given to the radio frequencies from 250 to 500 MHz (equivalent to wavelengths between 1.20 and 0.60 m) during the cold war period. Since 1992 frequency allocations, allotment and assignments are in line to NATO Joint Civil/Military Frequency Agreement (NJFA).^[1]

However, in order to identify military radio spectrum requirements, e.g. for crises management planning, training, Electronic warfare activities, or in military operations, this system is still in use.

The B band overlaps with the P band of the older IEEE classification system.

NATO Radio spectrum designation
LATEST SYSTEM			ALTERNATIVE SYSTEM
BAND	FREQUENCY (MHz)		BAND	FREQUENCY (MHz)
A	0 – 250		I	100 – 150
B	250 – 500		G	150 – 225
C	500 – 1 000		P	225 – 390
D	1 000 – 2 000		L	390 – 1 550
E	2 000 – 3 000		S	1 550 – 3 900
F	3 000 – 4 000		C	3 900 – 6 200
G	4 000 – 6 000		X	6 200 – 10 900
H	6 000 – 8 000		K	10 900 – 36 000
I	8 000 – 10 000		Ku	10 900 – 20 000
J	10 000 – 20 000		Ka	20 000 – 36 000
K	20 000 – 40 000		Q	36 000 – 46 000
L	40 000 – 60 000		V	46 000 – 56 000
M	60 000 – 100 000		W	56 000 – 100 000

References

1. NATO Joint Civil/Military Frequency Agreement (NJFA)