FM radio remains one of the most popular sources of information and entertainment for motorists, despite the development of digital technologies. However, many drivers encounter problems when tuning the radio: some stations are received perfectly, others have interference, and others are not found at all. It's all about FM frequencies, which vary depending on the region, transmitter power and even time of day.

In this article we will look at What frequencies does FM radio operate on? in Russia and abroad, why some bands may be prohibited, how to properly configure the receiver in a car, and what to do if your favorite station suddenly disappears. You will also learn about little-known nuances, such as influence of solar activity on signal quality and why FM broadcasting is being phased out in some countries.

What is FM radio and how does it work

FM (Frequency Modulation, frequency modulation) is a method of radio signal transmission in which information is encoded by changing the frequency of the carrier wave. Unlike AM (amplitude modulation), FM provides higher sound quality and immunity to interference, making it the standard for music and talk stations.

Main features of FM broadcasting:

  • πŸ“‘ Frequency range: 87.5–108 MHz (in most countries), but there are exceptions.
  • 🎡 High sound quality compared to AM, especially at high frequencies.
  • πŸš—Widely used in car radios due to its resistance to electrical interference from the engine.
  • 🌍 The reception range depends on the transmitter power and the terrain (usually 50–100 km in the city).

It is important to understand that the FM signal propagates according to the principle line of sight. This means that if there is an obstacle between you and the transmitting tower (mountain, high-rise building), the reception quality will deteriorate. That is why in some areas of the city the same station can be received differently.

πŸ“Š How often do you listen to FM radio in the car?
Every day
Several times a week
Somewhat
Never

Standard FM radio bands around the world

Although most countries use the range 87.5–108 MHz, there are regional features. For example, in Japan FM broadcasting starts with 76 MHz, and in some Latin American countries the upper limit can reach 108.9 MHz. In Russia and the CIS countries, the standard European range applies, but with some nuances.

Region Frequency range Grid pitch (kHz) Notes
Russia, Europe, USA 87.5–108 MHz 100 Standard range for most countries.
Japan 76–90 MHz 100 Unique range, incompatible with European receivers.
Brazil, Argentina 87.5–107.9 MHz 200 Double grid spacing is used to reduce the number of stations.
South Africa, Australia 87.6–107.8 MHz 200 There may be local variations in some regions.
China 87–108 MHz 100 Extended lower limit for additional stations.

The range is officially approved in Russia 87.5–108 MHz in increments 100 kHz. However, in practice, some stations may broadcast at frequencies in increments 50 kHz (for example, 103.3 MHz and 103.8 MHz), which sometimes causes problems with tuning on older receivers, where the step is fixed.

πŸ’‘

If your radio does not pick up a station on a frequency in 50 kHz increments (for example, 106.3 MHz), try manually entering the frequency rather than using automatic search.

Why are some FM frequencies banned or not used?

Not all frequencies are in range 87.5–108 MHz available for broadcast. There are so-called "forbidden" or reserve frequencies, which may be used for special services, military needs, or simply not distributed by regulators. In Russia, frequency distribution is controlled by Roskomnadzor.

The main reasons why some frequencies may not be available are:

  • 🚨 Aviation and maritime services: Frequencies approx. 108 MHz sometimes reserved for navigation systems.
  • πŸ“‘ Local restrictions: In border areas, frequencies used by neighboring countries may be blocked to avoid interference.
  • πŸ”’ Military and intelligence services: Some bands are classified or used for private communications.
  • πŸ“» Technical limitations: At some frequencies there is strong interference from electrical equipment (for example, in industrial areas).
⚠️ Attention: In Russia it is prohibited to use homemade FM transmitters without a license, even low power ones. Illegal broadcasting is subject to fines of up to 50 000 β‚½ and confiscation of equipment (Article 13.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation).

Interesting fact: in some European countries (for example, Germany) frequencies are lower 87.6 MHz can be used for amateur radio communications, but not for commercial broadcasting. There is no such practice in Russia - the whole range 87.5–108 MHz dedicated to FM radio stations.

How to find free FM radio frequencies in your area

If you want to start your own radio station (for example, for broadcasting within a car service or campsite), you first need to make sure that the selected frequency is free. Here's how to do it:

  1. Check on the Roskomnadzor website: Go to radio frequency register and enter the range of interest. The system will show which frequencies are occupied in your region.
  2. Scanning the air: Use a professional scanner (such as Uniden Bearcat or Yaesu VX-6R) or even a smartphone with an application RF Analyzer (OTG adapter and SDR receiver required).
  3. Consultation with local radio amateurs: On forums like QRZ.RU You can find out which frequencies in your area are free from interference.

A license will be required for legal broadcasting, but if the transmitter power does not exceed 100 mW (enough to cover a small area), you can do without it - such devices belong to low-power household transmitters.

Ensure that the frequency is not used by military or emergency services|

Check the level of interference during the day and at night|

Check the maximum permitted transmitter power for your region|

Consult a lawyer regarding licensing issues (if power >100 mW)-->

Why does the FM radio in the car not pick up all stations?

Many motorists are faced with a situation where the station can be heard perfectly at home, but in the car there is interference or is not located at all. There are several reasons:

1. Antenna quality: Most cars use a passive antenna, which is inferior in sensitivity to its stationary counterparts. If the antenna is damaged (for example, the contacts have oxidized or the cable is broken), reception will deteriorate.

2. Electrical interference: The engine, generator and other vehicle components create electromagnetic interference, which is especially noticeable at low frequencies (for example, 88–92 MHz).

3. Terrain: In the mountains or among high-rise buildings, the signal may be reflected, creating the effect multipath propagation β€” the station appears and then disappears.

4. Transmitter power: Some local stations broadcast with power 0.1–1 kW, which is not enough to cover a large city. Large networks (eg. Europe Plus or Radio Chanson) use transmitters with power 10–50 kW.

⚠️ Attention: If your radio stops picking up all stations, check the antenna amplifier fuse (usually located in the fuse box under the hood or in the passenger compartment). Its designation: ANT, RADIO or AMP.

To improve reception, try:

  • πŸ”§ Replace the standard antenna with an active one (with an amplifier, for example, Bosch Autofun Pro).
  • πŸ“± Use an FM transmitter connected to a smartphone (but the quality will be worse).
  • πŸ”„ Move the car to another location - sometimes it’s enough to drive 100–200 meters.
  • πŸ”Š Adjust the receiver sensitivity in the radio menu (option FM Sensitivity or Local/DX).
Why does FM radio pick up distant stations at night?

Due to the characteristics of the Earth's ionosphere at night, VHF radio waves (including FM) can travel long distances due to reflection from the ionized layers of the atmosphere. This phenomenon is called tropospheric propagation and allows you to catch stations for 300–500 km from the transmitter. However, the sound quality often deteriorates due to interference.

The future of FM radio: why some countries are abandoning it

Despite its popularity, FM broadcasting is gradually losing ground. In some countries (for example, Norway) the transition to digital radio DAB+, which offers better sound quality, more stations and additional features (such as track title display).

Reasons for leaving FM:

  • πŸ“Ά Limited number of stations: In range 87.5–108 MHz fits only about 200 channels (in 100 kHz steps), while DAB+ allows you to stream hundreds.
  • πŸ’° High cost of licenses: Broadcasting in the FM range requires expensive equipment and payment for radio frequencies.
  • πŸ“± Competition with online services: Spotify, Apple Music and podcasts are replacing traditional radio.
  • 🌱 Environmental reasons: High-power FM transmitters consume a lot of power.

However, in Russia a complete abandonment of FM is unlikely in the near future. 10–15 years. Reasons:

  • πŸš— Large fleet of old cars without DAB+ support.
  • πŸ™οΈ Low density of digital transmitters outside large cities.
  • πŸ’Έ High cost of conversion for broadcasters.

However, some Russian radio stations are already testing broadcasting in the format DAB+ in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Sochi. If the trend continues, in a few years new cars may have hybrid receivers that support both standards.

πŸ’‘

FM radio will remain relevant in Russia until at least 2030, but digital technologies (DAB+, Internet radio) will gain popularity.

Practical tips for setting up FM radio in a car

To get the most out of your car radio, follow these guidelines:

1. Automatic search vs. manual setting:

  • πŸ” Auto search (AS or Seek) is convenient, but may miss stations with weak signals.
  • βš™οΈ Manual setting allows you to more accurately β€œcatch” the frequency, especially if the grid step is non-standard (for example, 103.3 MHz instead of 103.0 MHz).

2. Storing stations into memory:

  • Most radios have buttons 1–6 (sometimes up to 12) to save your favorite stations.
  • To store a station, you usually need to press and hold the memory button (MEM or PSET) during 2–3 seconds.

3. Setting up regional stations:

  • If you frequently travel between regions, save local stations (for example, Radio Dacha in Moscow broadcasts on 101.7 MHz, and in St. Petersburg - on 102.5 MHz).
  • Use apps like Radio Garden or TuneIn Radioto find out the frequencies of stations in different cities.

4. Elimination of interference:

  • If the station is picked up with noise, try switching the radio to Mono (in the sound menu). This will eliminate stereo artifacts.
  • Check if there is any source of interference (such as a phone charger) near the antenna.
πŸ’‘

If your radio has a function AF (Alternative Frequency), turn it on. It automatically switches the station to another frequency if the main one begins to be poorly received (relevant for network radio stations like Autoradio).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about FM radio frequencies

Is it possible to listen to FM radio via a smartphone without the Internet?

Yes, but for this you need a smartphone with a built-in FM receiver and headphones (they act as an antenna). For example, many models Samsung and Xiaomi support FM radio via APP NextRadio (available in the US and some other countries). In Russia, this function is often blocked by the manufacturer.

An alternative is to buy an external FM tuner with output to 3.5 mm or Bluetooth (eg Sangean DT-400W).

Why does the same station broadcast on different frequencies in different cities?

This is due to the distribution of radio frequencies. The same radio station cannot broadcast on the same frequency in all regions, as this will lead to interference. For example:

  • Europe Plus: Moscow β€” 106.2 MHz, St. Petersburg - 105.0 MHz, Ekaterinburg - 104.5 MHz.
  • Autoradio: Kazan β€” 101.6 MHz, Novosibirsk - 103.5 MHz.

To find out the frequency of a station in your city, use the official website of the radio station or service RadioMap.

Which FM band is better received in a car: lower (87–95 MHz) or upper (95–108 MHz)?

Upper range (95–108 MHz) is usually better caught for two reasons:

  1. Less interference from the vehicle's electrical equipment (generator, ignition system).
  2. Most powerful stations broadcast in this range.

However, in some regions the lower frequencies may be less congested, allowing weaker local stations to broadcast without interference.

Is it possible to make an FM transmitter yourself for broadcasting in a garage or in a country house?

Yes, but with reservations:

  • πŸ”Œ Transmitter power should be no more 100 mW (range of action - up to 50 meters).
  • πŸ“œ You cannot broadcast on frequencies occupied by licensed stations (check via Roskomnadzor).
  • πŸ› οΈ Chip-based modules can be used for assembly RH2020 or ready-made whales like BA1404 (sold on AliExpress).

Example of a simple transmitter circuit:



+5V ----[100Ξ©]----+-----┬---[10kΞ©]---+


| | |


  β”‚


Antenna (20 cm) | | β”‚


| β””---[1nF]----+


 [BA1404] β”‚


| β”‚


GND ------------β”΄-------------------β”΄

⚠️ Attention: Homemade transmitters may interfere with medical equipment and aircraft systems. Use them only in remote areas.

Why does FM radio sound better in Europe than in Russia?

Sound quality depends on several factors:

  1. Bandwidth: In Europe, many stations broadcast with the strip 150 kHz (against 75–100 kHz in Russia), which improves the stereo effect.
  2. Audio compression: Russian stations often use aggressive compression to make the sound louder, but this reduces the dynamic range.
  3. Transmitter power: In Western Europe, transmitters are updated more frequently, which reduces noise levels.

In addition, the EU has stricter interference standards, which has a positive effect on signal purity.