4meter

4meter refers to the 4-meter band in amateur radio, a portion of the VHF spectrum centered around 70 MHz. The exact frequencies designated for the 4-meter band vary by country, but it commonly includes around 70.0 to 70.5 MHz, with some administrations allowing adjacent allocations. The band has been allocated to amateur use in various regions at different times and remains less widely used than neighboring bands such as 6 meters or 2 meters.

The 4-meter band supports a range of modes, with FM voice on simplex and through repeaters being the most common in many areas. Where equipment and licensing permit, other modes such as SSB, CW, and digital communications are also employed. Antenna options include verticals, J-poles, dipoles, and directional arrays like Yagis. Operators often use transverters to adapt equipment from other VHF bands to 4 meters.

Propagation characteristics on 4 meters are primarily line-of-sight, with signal range largely determined by terrain and antenna height. The band can exhibit sporadic-E openings in summer, offering occasional longer-range contacts, as well as atmospheric ducting under certain conditions. Activity levels are typically lower than those on 6 and 2 meters, making it a niche but valued part of some regional amateur communities.

Regulatory status varies by country; access is typically limited to licensed amateurs and may be subject to secondary use or interference rules. Amateurs interested in 4 meters should consult their national associations and regulator for current allocations and permissible activities.

Note: The term 4meter can appear in brand names or product contexts, but in radio terms it primarily denotes the 70 MHz band.