The Complete Guide to TETRA Antennas and Frequencies for UK Emergency Services
TETRA (Terrestrial Trunked Radio) has been the backbone of UK emergency services communications for over two decades. With the transition to the Emergency Services Network (ESN) well underway, the antenna requirements for emergency services fleet vehicles and infrastructure are in a period of genuine complexity. TETRA and ESN systems are running in parallel, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
TETRA Frequencies in the UK
TETRA radio frequencies are allocated in the UHF band, and the frequencies used depend on who is operating the network:
- Public safety (Airwave): the UK emergency services network uses the 380–400 MHz band, harmonised across Europe for public safety. Mobile and handheld radios transmit in the lower part of the band (380–385 MHz) and base stations transmit 10 MHz higher (390–395 MHz).
- Civil and commercial TETRA: airports, ports, utilities, transport operators and large industrial sites typically use allocations in the 410–430 MHz and 450–470 MHz ranges.
TETRA uses 25 kHz channels, each carrying four time slots, so one carrier can support several simultaneous calls. Because uplink and downlink sit on separate frequencies, base station antenna systems usually include duplex filtering. Our guide to duplexers, combiners and couplers explains how that works.
Airwave TETRA: The UK Emergency Services Network Today
Airwave, operated by Motorola Solutions, is the national TETRA network used by the UK police, fire and ambulance services. It provides mission-critical voice, group calls and limited data across Great Britain. Airwave TETRA continues to carry the bulk of emergency services voice traffic while the LTE-based Emergency Services Network is rolled out, with shutdown currently targeted for 31 December 2029.
What Makes TETRA Antenna Selection Different
Because TETRA operates in the 380–400 MHz frequency band, antenna physical size is inherently larger than at cellular frequencies. A quarter-wave monopole at 390 MHz is approximately 19 cm: something that matters when specifying vehicle-mount solutions where profile and aesthetics are considerations. Low-profile TETRA antennas using loading coil designs offer reduced physical height while maintaining acceptable gain figures, and are widely used on police and fire vehicles.
Vehicle-mount TETRA antennas typically offer between 0 dBi and 5 dBi gain. Higher gain omnidirectional designs improve range in flat, open terrain but can cause issues in hilly or urban environments. For most emergency services vehicle applications, a balanced omnidirectional pattern with moderate gain is the practical optimum.
Omnidirectional vs. Directional for TETRA
Omnidirectional antennas are the standard for vehicle-mounted TETRA applications. They radiate and receive equally in all directions on the horizontal plane, which suits mobile platforms where the direction of the nearest base station is always changing.
Directional antennas have a role in fixed-site applications: for example, boosting TETRA coverage into a building, tunnel or remote site where the base station direction is known and fixed. Yagi-type directional antennas for TETRA can provide substantial gain but require accurate alignment and are not suitable for mobile use.
The ESN Layer: What It Adds
The Emergency Services Network operates on EE's 4G LTE network at standard cellular frequencies: primarily 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz. A fully ESN-capable vehicle installation therefore requires antennas covering both TETRA frequencies and the LTE bands used by ESN devices.
As noted in Panorama Antennas' public safety communications guidance: "300,000 frontline users will depend on ESN from the police, fire and rescue, and ambulance services, to the coast guard, local authorities, and utility services." The antenna infrastructure supporting those users needs to be reliable, well-specified and future-proof.
ESN Compliance: What to Check
Band coverage. ESN uses Band 20 (800 MHz), Band 3 (1800 MHz) and Band 1 (2100 MHz). Antennas must cover all relevant bands with adequate gain.
VSWR. For mission-critical communications, a VSWR of 2:1 or better is typically specified across the operating band.
Interference rejection. Emergency services operate in environments with significant RF noise. Antennas with good rejection of out-of-band interference improve reliability in congested RF environments.
Durability. IP67 rating or better is the baseline for most fleet specifications.
TETRA Isn't Going Anywhere Soon
The UK's Airwave TETRA network shutdown is currently targeted for 31 December 2029. For fleet managers and procurement teams, the implication is straightforward: specify antenna systems that support both TETRA (380–400 MHz) and the LTE bands used by ESN now, and you won't need to retrofit hardware when the full ESN transition completes.
View Renair's TETRA and ESN antenna range at renair.co.uk/products, or contact our team to discuss a fleet or site specification.
Frequently Asked Questions
What frequency does TETRA use in the UK?
TETRA for public safety in the UK operates in the 380–400 MHz band, with radios transmitting at 380–385 MHz and base stations at 390–395 MHz. Civil and commercial TETRA networks generally use the 410–430 MHz and 450–470 MHz ranges.
What is Airwave TETRA?
Airwave is the national TETRA network used by the UK's police, fire and ambulance services. It is operated by Motorola Solutions and runs in the 380–400 MHz public safety band.
Do I need to replace my TETRA antenna when transitioning to ESN?
Your TETRA antenna can remain in place for TETRA communications. ESN communications require a separate LTE antenna (or a combination unit covering both). The addition of an LTE antenna for ESN is typically a simpler installation than a full antenna replacement.
Can a single antenna cover both TETRA and LTE?
Yes, wideband combination antennas capable of covering 380–400 MHz (TETRA) and 700 MHz–2100 MHz (LTE) are available. These reduce the number of antennas on the vehicle roof, which is particularly useful for vehicles with limited roof space.
How long will the Airwave TETRA network remain active?
The current target for Airwave shutdown is 31 December 2029, though this date has been revised previously. All emergency services vehicles should maintain TETRA capability until the transition is fully confirmed and complete.
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