The 70-centimeter or 440 MHz band is a portion of the UHF radio spectrum internationally allocated to amateur radio and amateur satellite use. The ITU amateur radio allocation is from 430 to 440 MHz; however, some countries, such as the United States, allocate hams 420 to 450 MHz. Depending on the country the band is shared with other radio services (in United States with government radar systems such as PAVE PAWS). 70 centimeters is a popular ham band due to the ready availability of equipment in both new and used markets. Most amateurs operating on 70 cm use either equipment purpose-built for ham radio, or commercial equipment designed for nearby land mobile frequencies. Amateurs predominately use the band for FM or digital voice communications through repeaters (useful for emergency communications), as well narrow band modes (analog and digital) for long-distance communications (called "DX", including Moonbounce). The band is also popular for Amateur Satellite Service. Due to its size, it's the lowest frequency ham band which can support amateur television transmissions. Band allocation The band's allocation varies regionally. In the United States and Trinidad and Tobago, the band ranges from 420 to 450 MHz with some geographical limitations. In Canada and Australia, the band is 430–450 MHz. In the UK, amateurs are allocated 430–440 MHz. By international treaty between the US and Canada, operation in the portion of the band from 420 to 430 MHz is prohibited north of Line A, which runs just south of the Canada–US border from Washington state to Maine, and east of Line C, which runs from northeast to southeast Alaska. Propagation characteristics 70-centimeter propagation characteristics lie midway between 2-meter and 33-centimeter (~900 MHz) bands. Above 200 MHz, as frequency increases, building penetration is reduced. Smaller obstacles may also block or reflect the signal. However, higher frequencies also present a lower noise floor, making it easier to overcome both natural and artificial interference, especially prevalent in urban environments. Comparison of the 2-meter and 70-centimeter bands Propagation considerations often take a back seat to channel availability or economic concerns in system planning. One practical concern when comparing the 70-centimeter band to the 2-meter band is that a quarter-wavelength antenna is much less unwieldy at 70 centimeters than it is at 2 meters. Portable antennas for 2 meters are generally continuously loaded coil spring or "rubber duck" types, while on 70 centimeters they can be a full quarter