For decades, the 1.25-meter band (222–225 MHz) has been called “the forgotten band.” It sits quietly between the 2 meter and 70 centimeter bands, offering clear frequencies and excellent propagation with remarkably low noise. Most hams rarely use this band—but that may be about to change. In the late 1980s, the FCC reallocated part of the 220 MHz spectrum (220–222 MHz) to commercial users (UPS mostly, who never even developed the radio network to use it), leaving amateurs with only 3 MHz of space.
Manufacturers pulled back, equipment options dried up, and the band slowly faded from daily use. For years, only a handful of repeaters and operators remained active on 222 MHz. Yet 222 MHz is one of the most enjoyable corners of the VHF spectrum. Its signals travel farther than 70cm but are less affected by urban noise than 2m—the best of both worlds. Antennas are compact, easy to build, and with so few users, open frequencies are plentiful for experiments or simplex rag-chews.
Some repeater networks rely on the band for control links, and it’s an excellent platform for digital work like packet, APRS, or newer modes such as M17. Another reason the band has stayed under the radar is geography. The 1.25-meter allocation is primarily available only to amateurs in ITU Region 2—the Americas—while most countries in Europe and Asia lack access. Japan, for example, reserves nearby frequencies for other services.
With much of the amateur world outside the band, major manufacturers have had little incentive to design gear for it, which explains the long scarcity of dedicated 222-MHz rigs.
That’s why Kenwood’s return to the band in 2025 is turning heads. The TM-D750A Digital Tri-Band Mobile Transceiver covers 144/222/440 MHz and brings modern APRS and digital features with full-power operation on all three bands. It’s the first major production radio in years from a top-tier manufacturer to include 222 MHz support—a welcome sign that the industry is paying attention again.
The D750A arrives at just the right time. Many new handhelds and mobile DMR rigs, such as the AnyTone 578UVIII, already include 222 MHz capability. Repeater groups across the country are reactivating systems, breathing new life into a long-neglected band. The beauty of 222 MHz is that it’s clean, quiet, and wide open—an ideal VHF sandbox for experimentation.
