Relax FM: what wave and frequency of broadcasting

The Relax FM station broadcasts exclusively in the ultrashort range FM, which corresponds to frequencies from 87.5 to 108.0 MHz, so when searching for a signal in older receivers labeled “VHF” (65-74 MHz), you will only hear static noise or extraneous interference. Modern digital tuners and car radios automatically scan the entire range, but in devices of previous generations or in regions with difficult terrain, you must manually set the exact frequency, since repeaters operate at different Hertz frequencies depending on the city. An error in choosing a band (FM instead of VHF or vice versa) is the most common reason why a user cannot catch the broadcast of this radio station.

For high-quality signal reception, the owner of a vehicle or stationary audio system must understand that the term “wave” in the context of modern radio stations is often replaced by the concept of frequency in megahertz. Relax FM uses frequency modulation, which provides high quality stereo sound, but requires direct visibility with the transmitting tower or the presence of a high-quality signal amplifier in urban areas. If your radio shows no signal, first check if the reception mode is switched to FM, not on AM or MW, since music broadcasting in this format is not carried out on long and medium waves.

In large cities, such as Moscow and St. Petersburg, the density of repeaters is high, and a station can be caught on several frequencies simultaneously, choosing the one where the signal is clearer. In remote areas or when driving along the highway, the radius of reliable reception narrows, and knowledge of the exact broadcast parameters becomes critical for tuning the antenna. Below we will analyze in detail the technical features of the range, frequency grids by city and methods for eliminating problems with signal reception.

Technical features of the FM and VHF bands

The main broadcasting medium for Relax FM is the band UKV-2, which in the international classification is known as FM (Frequency Modulation). This range covers frequencies from 87.5 to 108.0 MHz and is the standard for most music radio stations in Europe and Russia. A feature of this range is its high sensitivity to obstacles: the signal does not bend well around tall buildings and hills, but provides excellent sound quality with direct visibility. This is why reception often disappears completely in tunnels or deep gorges.

It is important not to confuse the modern FM band with the Soviet band UKV-1 (65–74 MHz), which is still found in the technical documentation of old car radios and some budget Chinese devices. The Relax radio station does not broadcast on low VHF frequencies, so attempts to find it in the 68–73 MHz range are doomed to failure. A device that supports the standard is required to receive the signal. OIRT (rare) or, more likely, standard CCIR (87.5–108.0 MHz).

• 📻 Frequency range: 87.5 – 108.0 MHz (main broadcast standard).
• 📡 Modulation type: Frequency (FM), providing stereophonic sound.
• 🚫 Absence in UKV-1: The station is not broadcast on frequencies 65–74 MHz.
• 🏙️ Dependence on terrain: The signal requires line of sight or proximity to the repeater.

⚠️ Attention: If your car radio was purchased abroad (for example, in Japan or the USA), it may have a frequency grid step of 0.2 MHz (for example, 87.9, 88.1), while in Russia and Europe the step is 0.1 MHz (87.9, 88.0). In this case, the exact frequency may “float” outside the grid, and the station will sound distorted or not be picked up at all.

Broadcasting frequencies in Moscow and Russian regions

The broadcasting frequency of “Relax FM” varies depending on the locality, since to cover the entire country, a network of repeaters operating on different Hertz frequencies is used so as not to create interference (interference) with each other. In Moscow and the Moscow region the main frequency resource is 90.8 MHz, where the signal is broadcast from the Ostankino TV tower and additional points. However, even within one region there may be local cut-ins at other frequencies to improve coverage in specific areas.

In St. Petersburg the station can be heard on the frequency 97.2 MHz, which is standard for the northern capital. In other large cities, frequencies are also assigned individually: for example, in Yekaterinburg it is 100.9 MHz, and in Novosibirsk it is 106.3 MHz. For residents of small towns and villages, a single frequency within an area is often used, but the transmitter power there can be significantly lower, which requires a more sensitive antenna.

Below is a table with the main broadcast frequencies in large cities with a population of over a million, which will help you quickly navigate when setting up your equipment:

It is worth noting that the frequency plan may change during planned work by Roskomnadzor or modernization of transmission equipment. If you notice that the usual frequency has stopped working, it makes sense to re-automatically search for stations (Auto Scan) in the menu of your radio. Also, up-to-date information can always be found on the official website of the radio station or in specialized applications.

Setting up a car radio on Relax FM

The process of setting up radio reception in a car depends on the model of the head unit, but the general algorithm of actions for most modern systems (Pioneer, Sony, Alpine, standard Android systems) remains similar. The first step is to switch to radio mode by pressing the button Source or Mode before the indicator appears FM. If the device is in USB or Bluetooth mode, searching for broadcast stations will not be possible.

Next, you should launch the automatic search function. On touch screens this is usually a magnifying glass icon or button Scan, on push-button models - long-hold the search arrow. The radio will go through the entire range and save the found stations in memory. Relax FM often has a strong signal in cities, so it should be one of the first to be identified. To manually enter the frequency, you can use the mode Manual Tune, where the tuning step is adjusted by short presses on the frequency buttons.

• 🔘 Mode/Source button: Switches inputs to FM Tuner mode.
• 🔍 Scan function: Automatically finds all available frequencies with a strong signal.
• 📝 Saving (Preset): Hold a number (1-6) to store the frequency in the Quick Memory.
• 📶 Indikator Stereo: Make sure the stereo indicator is on to confirm good reception.

If automatic search does not produce results, try disabling the function Local/DX (if it exists) and switch to mode DX (long-distance reception), which will increase the sensitivity of the tuner, but may add noise. Also check if the feature is enabled Mute or reducing the level of high frequencies, which can create the illusion of no signal.

Signal reception problems and interference

Even with the correct frequency settings, users may experience intermittent signal dropouts, hissing, or “croaking” sound. The main cause of such problems in a car is often not the radio station itself, but antenna amplifier or the quality of the antenna cable connection. If the amplifier is not receiving power (usually 12V via the blue wire ANT or P-CONT on the radio), the sensitivity of the active antenna drops significantly, and only powerful transmitters in the immediate vicinity are detected.

Another common problem is electrical noise from engine ignition systems or generator operation, which is especially noticeable at high frequencies. In this case, the “Relax FM” signal can break through the noise only when parked, and disappear when the engine is running. For diagnostics, it is necessary to compare the quality of reception with the engine turned off and on. If the difference is dramatic, the problem lies in interference with the antenna cable or poor body ground.

⚠️ Attention: The use of cheap Chinese sticker antennas without an amplifier in a metropolis with dense buildings often leads to the fact that “Relax FM” will be received intermittently. For stable reception while driving, it is recommended to use an active antenna with an amplifier mounted on a metal part of the body (roof or fender).

In some cases, adjacent frequencies may cause interference. If a powerful station with similar content or advertising inserts is broadcasting near the Relax FM frequency (for example, 90.7 or 90.9 MHz), cheap tuners can “capture” the adjacent channel. The solution lies in manually adjusting the frequency in 0.05 MHz steps or installing a higher-quality head unit with better selectivity.

Alternative listening methods: Internet and apps

In the era of digitalization, broadcasting has ceased to be the only way to access your favorite music. If you are in a “radio silence” zone, where Relax FM simply does not pick up due to the terrain or the distance of the repeater, listening via the Internet is the best solution. This allows you to listen to the station anywhere in the world where there is network coverage 3G/4G or Wi-Fi, without reference to a specific wave.

For smartphones, there are official radio station applications and aggregators, such as Yandex.Music (Radio section), TuneIn, or built-in players in the Yandex.Auto and Apple CarPlay systems. The sound quality in a digital stream is often superior to that of the broadcast, since the Internet broadcast is in AAC+ or MP3 format with a bitrate of 128-320 kbps, which eliminates noise and compression characteristic of the FM range.

• 📱 Mobile applications: The official Relax FM application is available for iOS and Android.
• 🌐 Web version: Live broadcasting on the official website does not require installation of programs.
• 🚗 Smart systems: Integration via Yandex.Auto, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
• 💾 Traffic savings: Streaming audio consumes about 50-60 MB per hour.

The only disadvantage of Internet radio is its dependence on the quality of the mobile Internet. In remote tunnels or on remote routes, the flow can be buffered, interrupted for loading. In such situations, the classic FM receiver still wins thanks to its autonomy and independence from telecom operators.

DAB+ digital broadcasting and the future of Relax FM

Technology DAB+ (Digital Audio Broadcasting) represents the next stage in the evolution of radio broadcasting, which is gradually being introduced in Russia and is already widespread in Europe. Unlike analog FM, the digital signal is transmitted in data packets, which allows you to transmit not only high-quality sound, but also text information about tracks, song names and artists directly to the radio screen. Relax FM is actively testing and implementing digital broadcast formats in large cities.

The advantage of DAB+ is the absence of noise, hiss and the “double sound” effect when moving between coverage areas of different transmitters. A digital receiver either receives a clean signal or does not receive it at all (clipping effect), which saves the listener from gradual deterioration in quality. However, to receive such waves, special equipment is required that supports the DAB+ standard, which is not yet widespread in the budget segment of car audio in the Russian Federation.

The transition to digital will free up frequency resources and increase the number of stations on the air. For now, analogue FM remains the main standard, but owners of new European-built cars should pay attention to the presence of the logo DAB+ on the control panel, as this may become the main way to receive radio in the near future.

⚠️ Please note: DAB+ antennas are different from regular FM antennas. For high-quality digital signal reception, it is often necessary to install an active room or car amplifier specifically designed for the L-band or V-band, depending on the network implementation in your region.