Editing FM broadcast band (section)

{{short description|Radio broadcast band}}
[[File:FM BCST ALLOTMENTS.svg|thumb|upright=2.0|Graphical depiction of FM broadcasting allotments.]]
The '''FM broadcast band''' is a range of [[Radio frequency|radio frequencies]] used for [[FM broadcasting]] by [[radio station]]s. The range of frequencies used differs between different parts of the world. In Europe and Africa (defined as [[International Telecommunication Union]] (ITU) [[ITU region|region]] 1) and in Australia and New Zealand,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.acma.gov.au/broadcasting-transmitter-apparatus-licences#where-you-can-broadcast|title=Australian Broadcasting Licences|website=www.acma.gov.au|access-date=23 June 2020}}</ref> it spans from 87.5 to 108 [[hertz#SI multiples|megahertz]] (MHz) - also known as VHF [[Band II]] - while in the Americas (ITU region 2) it ranges from 88 to 108&nbsp;MHz. The FM broadcast band in [[FM broadcasting in Japan|Japan]] uses 76 to 95&nbsp;MHz, and in [[FM extended band in Brazil|Brazil]], 76 to 108&nbsp;MHz. The [[International Radio and Television Organisation]] (OIRT) band in [[Eastern Europe]] is from 65.9 to 74.0&nbsp;MHz, although these countries now primarily use the 87.5 to 108&nbsp;MHz band, as in the case of [[Russia]]. Some other countries have already discontinued the OIRT band and have changed to the 87.5 to 108&nbsp;MHz band.

Narrow band [[Frequency Modulation]] was developed and demonstrated by [[Hanso Idzerda]] in 1919.

Wide band [[Frequency modulation]] radio originated in the [[United States]] during the 1930s; the system was developed by the American [[electrical engineer]] [[Edwin Howard Armstrong]]. However, FM broadcasting did not become widespread, even in [[North America]], until the 1960s.

Frequency-modulated radio waves can be generated at any frequency. All the bands mentioned in this article are in the [[very high frequency]] (VHF) range, which extends from 30 to 300&nbsp;MHz.