1.25 meters band
“The 222 band”
1.25 meters — the “222” band — is an underused North American VHF allocation with great local performance and surprisingly little congestion.
Propagation & character
Line-of-sight like 2 meters, with similar tropospheric enhancement. Coverage and building penetration sit between 2 m and 70 cm.
What 1.25 meters is used for
FM repeaters and simplex, plus some SSB/CW weak-signal and digital activity.
Operating tips
- Radios are less common, but the band is quiet and effective for local nets.
- It makes a great “second band” to stand out from crowded 2 meters.
- It is a North American allocation and is not available to amateurs in much of the world.
Antennas for 1.25 meters
A half-wave dipole for 1.25 meters is about 2.1 ft (0.6 m) end to end. Work out an exact starting length with the antenna calculator, then trim for lowest SWR.
1.25 meters band FAQ
What frequencies is the 1.25 meters band?
The 1.25 meters band covers 222–225 MHz — part of the very high frequency (VHF) spectrum. Common modes are FM, SSB/CW, digital.
What is the 1.25 meters band used for?
FM repeaters and simplex, plus some SSB/CW weak-signal and digital activity.
What license do you need to use 1.25 meters?
All classes, including Technician.
How long is a dipole for 1.25 meters?
A half-wave dipole for 1.25 meters is about 2.1 ft (0.6 m) end to end, with each leg half that. Use the HamDaily antenna calculator for an exact starting length, then trim to resonance.