Why do VHF channels start at 2?

Question

I know there's a reason for it, but I can't remember what it is.

Answer 1

There IS a Channel 1, but you can't see it. It was designed for use by the Government only to broadcast emergency transmissions in days gone by. With the advent of modern communications, Channel 1 has pretty much become obsolete.

Answer 2

Much older b&w tv's had a ch1. The early Helacrafters (cira 1944) had push buttons from 1 to 13. Ch 1 was used (in some areas) for transmision of test patterns to be used for antenna tracking use. You could tune to ch 1, rotate your antenna for best reception, and then switch to the local channel for the regular broadcasts. During the war years though, (1940's) that was no longer needed as transmissions got better and the antenna rotor came on the market in a big way and the FCC neaded to expand the Ham bands to help with the war effort so the ch1 became the 6 meter ham band (50 to 54 Mhz) and the TV band started at ch 2 (56 to 62 Mhz). The six meter band was bad for TVI as more and more people got TV's and most hams only used it for SSB and CW as AM caused too much interference. It was a very popular mobile band though and I operated there for many years. It now has quite a bit of repeater operation and other special uses, but it is now and will remain an ameture radio band.

Answer 3

Depends which country you are in ! In Australia they start at 0 and go to 12, also has Chan 5a. Bit different again in NZ. Cheers Pete. OH they do transmit programmes on them too !!!Cheers Pete