TERMIUM Plus®
From: Translation Bureau
On social media
Consult the Government of Canada’s terminology data bank.
USABLE FREQUENCY [9 records]
Record 1 - internal organization data 2025-04-07
Record 1, English
Record 1, Subject field(s)
- Telecommunications Transmission
- Military Communications
- Waveguides
Record 1, Main entry term, English
- maximum usable frequency
1, record 1, English, maximum%20usable%20frequency
correct, noun, NATO, standardized
Record 1, Abbreviations, English
- MUF 2, record 1, English, MUF
correct, noun, NATO, standardized
Record 1, Synonyms, English
Record 1, Textual support, English
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 OBS
In radio transmission, maximum usable frequency(MUF) is the highest radio frequency that can be used for transmission between two points on Earth by reflection from the ionosphere... at a specified time, independent of transmitter power. This index is especially useful for shortwave transmissions. 3, record 1, English, - maximum%20usable%20frequency
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 2 OBS
maximum usable frequency; MUF : designations standardized by NATO. 4, record 1, English, - maximum%20usable%20frequency
Record 1, French
Record 1, Domaine(s)
- Transmission (Télécommunications)
- Transmissions militaires
- Guides d'ondes
Record 1, Main entry term, French
- fréquence maximale utilisable
1, record 1, French, fr%C3%A9quence%20maximale%20utilisable
correct, feminine noun, NATO, standardized
Record 1, Abbreviations, French
- MUF 2, record 1, French, MUF
correct, feminine noun
Record 1, Synonyms, French
Record 1, Textual support, French
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 OBS
fréquence maximale utilisable : désignation normalisée par l'OTAN. 3, record 1, French, - fr%C3%A9quence%20maximale%20utilisable
Record 1, Spanish
Record 1, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Transmisión (Telecomunicaciones)
- Comunicaciones militares
- Guías de ondas
Record 1, Main entry term, Spanish
- máxima frecuencia utilizable
1, record 1, Spanish, m%C3%A1xima%20frecuencia%20utilizable
correct, feminine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, Spanish
- MUF 1, record 1, Spanish, MUF
feminine noun
Record 1, Synonyms, Spanish
- frecuencia máxima utilizable 2, record 1, Spanish, frecuencia%20m%C3%A1xima%20utilizable
correct, feminine noun
- MUF 3, record 1, Spanish, MUF
feminine noun
- MUF 3, record 1, Spanish, MUF
Record 1, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Frecuencia másl alta que puede ser utilizada en un momento determinado para la propagación entre dos puntos específicos mediante reflexión ionosférica. 1, record 1, Spanish, - m%C3%A1xima%20frecuencia%20utilizable
Record 1, Key term(s)
- MUF de explotación
Record 2 - internal organization data 2014-03-21
Record 2, English
Record 2, Subject field(s)
- Radio Waves
- Telecommunications Transmission
- Signals (Military)
Record 2, Main entry term, English
- lowest usable frequency
1, record 2, English, lowest%20usable%20frequency
correct
Record 2, Abbreviations, English
- LUF 1, record 2, English, LUF
correct
Record 2, Synonyms, English
- lowest useful frequency 2, record 2, English, lowest%20useful%20frequency
correct
- LUF 2, record 2, English, LUF
correct
- LUF 2, record 2, English, LUF
Record 2, Textual support, English
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 DEF
The lowest frequency effective at a specified time for ionospheric propagation of radio waves between two specified points. (STWG) 3, record 2, English, - lowest%20usable%20frequency
Record 2, French
Record 2, Domaine(s)
- Ondes radioélectriques
- Transmission (Télécommunications)
- Transmissions de campagne (Militaire)
Record 2, Main entry term, French
- fréquence minimale utilisable
1, record 2, French, fr%C3%A9quence%20minimale%20utilisable
correct, feminine noun
Record 2, Abbreviations, French
- LUF 2, record 2, French, LUF
correct, feminine noun
Record 2, Synonyms, French
Record 2, Textual support, French
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Fréquence la plus basse permettant, à un instant donné, d'établir une liaison radioélectrique de qualité acceptable entre deux points donnés par l'intermédiaire de l'ionosphère. (GTTT) 2, record 2, French, - fr%C3%A9quence%20minimale%20utilisable
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 OBS
fréquence minimale utilisable : terme et définition uniformisés par le Groupe de travail de terminologie des transmissions (GTTT). 2, record 2, French, - fr%C3%A9quence%20minimale%20utilisable
Record 2, Spanish
Record 2, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Ondas radioeléctricas
- Transmisión (Telecomunicaciones)
- Transmisiones de campaña (Militar)
Record 2, Main entry term, Spanish
- frecuencia mínima utilizable
1, record 2, Spanish, frecuencia%20m%C3%ADnima%20utilizable
correct, feminine noun, Mexico
Record 2, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 2, Synonyms, Spanish
- mínima frecuencia utilizable 1, record 2, Spanish, m%C3%ADnima%20frecuencia%20utilizable
feminine noun
- LUF 1, record 2, Spanish, LUF
feminine noun
- LUF 1, record 2, Spanish, LUF
Record 2, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Frecuencia más baja entre alrededor de 2 MHz (Mc/s) y alrededor de 30 MHz (Mc/s) que puede ser utilizada para un servicio determinado en un tiempo específico. 1, record 2, Spanish, - frecuencia%20m%C3%ADnima%20utilizable
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 OBS
A menudo es la misma que la de la frecuencia límite de absorción para la capa F2. Una excepción es cuando la posterior es menor que la de la frecuencia de corte de una capa inferior. LUF es la abreviatura del término inglés "lowest usable frequency". 1, record 2, Spanish, - frecuencia%20m%C3%ADnima%20utilizable
Record 3 - internal organization data 2010-03-12
Record 3, English
Record 3, Subject field(s)
- Radio Waves
Record 3, Main entry term, English
- maximum usable frequency factor 1, record 3, English, maximum%20usable%20frequency%20factor
Record 3, Abbreviations, English
Record 3, Synonyms, English
- MUF factor 2, record 3, English, MUF%20factor
correct
Record 3, Textual support, English
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Since the ionosphere lying over the great circle determines the mode of propagation, a method for determining the MUF over that path suggests itself: we must first determine the critical frequency at the midpoint of the path at a particular layer height. Knowing the path length will enable us to determine what the MUF factor will be. 3, record 3, English, - maximum%20usable%20frequency%20factor
Record 3, French
Record 3, Domaine(s)
- Ondes radioélectriques
Record 3, Main entry term, French
- facteur de fréquence maximale utilisable
1, record 3, French, facteur%20de%20fr%C3%A9quence%20maximale%20utilisable
correct, masculine noun
Record 3, Abbreviations, French
Record 3, Synonyms, French
Record 3, Textual support, French
Record 3, Spanish
Record 3, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Ondas radioeléctricas
Record 3, Main entry term, Spanish
- factor de máxima frecuencia utilizable
1, record 3, Spanish, factor%20de%20m%C3%A1xima%20frecuencia%20utilizable
correct, masculine noun
Record 3, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 3, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 3, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Relación entre la frecuencia máxima utilizable y la frecuencia crítica en el punto medio del salto. 1, record 3, Spanish, - factor%20de%20m%C3%A1xima%20frecuencia%20utilizable
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 OBS
símbolo: Md; en una transmisión de simple salto. 1, record 3, Spanish, - factor%20de%20m%C3%A1xima%20frecuencia%20utilizable
Record 4 - internal organization data 2010-01-29
Record 4, English
Record 4, Subject field(s)
- Radio Waves
- Telecommunications Transmission
Record 4, Main entry term, English
- lowest useful high frequency
1, record 4, English, lowest%20useful%20high%20frequency
correct
Record 4, Abbreviations, English
- LUHF 2, record 4, English, LUHF
correct
Record 4, Synonyms, English
- lowest usable high frequency 3, record 4, English, lowest%20usable%20high%20frequency
correct
- LUHF 3, record 4, English, LUHF
correct
- LUHF 3, record 4, English, LUHF
Record 4, Textual support, English
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 DEF
In radio transmission, the lowest frequency effective at a specified time for ionospheric propagation of radio waves between any two points, excluding frequencies below several megahertz. 4, record 4, English, - lowest%20useful%20high%20frequency
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 OBS
[The lowest usable high frequency] is determined by such factors as absorption, transmitter power, antenna gain, receiver characteristics, type of service, and noise conditions. 4, record 4, English, - lowest%20useful%20high%20frequency
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 2 OBS
The high frequency band is set between 3 to 30 MHz. 5, record 4, English, - lowest%20useful%20high%20frequency
Record 4, French
Record 4, Domaine(s)
- Ondes radioélectriques
- Transmission (Télécommunications)
Record 4, Main entry term, French
- haute fréquence minimale utilisable
1, record 4, French, haute%20fr%C3%A9quence%20minimale%20utilisable
proposal, feminine noun
Record 4, Abbreviations, French
Record 4, Synonyms, French
Record 4, Textual support, French
Record 4, Spanish
Record 4, Textual support, Spanish
Record 5 - internal organization data 2005-09-09
Record 5, English
Record 5, Subject field(s)
- Audiovisual Techniques and Equipment
- Audio Technology
Record 5, Main entry term, English
- bass extension
1, record 5, English, bass%20extension
correct
Record 5, Abbreviations, English
Record 5, Synonyms, English
Record 5, Textual support, English
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 DEF
... how low in frequency a loudspeaker or subwoofer can still operate to produce usable output. 1, record 5, English, - bass%20extension
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 OBS
A typical bookshelf-sized speaker may manage a bass extension of 80 hertz (... at - 10dB), a good floorstanding speaker may manage 30 or 40 hertz, an inexpensive subwoofer 40 hertz, a middling one 25 to 30 hertz, an expensive one 16 hertz. 1, record 5, English, - bass%20extension
Record 5, French
Record 5, Domaine(s)
- Audiovisuel (techniques et équipement)
- Électroacoustique
Record 5, Main entry term, French
- extension des basses
1, record 5, French, extension%20des%20basses
feminine noun
Record 5, Abbreviations, French
Record 5, Synonyms, French
- extension des graves 2, record 5, French, extension%20des%20graves
feminine noun
Record 5, Textual support, French
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Mesure des fréquences les plus basses reproduites par un haut-parleur ou un caisson d'extrêmes graves fonctionnant avec une puissance de sortie acceptable. 3, record 5, French, - extension%20des%20basses
Record 5, Spanish
Record 5, Textual support, Spanish
Record 6 - internal organization data 2002-12-13
Record 6, English
Record 6, Subject field(s)
- Radio Waves
Record 6, Main entry term, English
- two-control-point method
1, record 6, English, two%2Dcontrol%2Dpoint%20method
correct
Record 6, Abbreviations, English
Record 6, Synonyms, English
Record 6, Textual support, English
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 DEF
In ionospheric propagation over distances sufficiently long that one-hop transmission is precluded by the curvature of the Earth; an empirical method of estimating the maximum usable frequency for transmission between two points by way of a specified ionospheric layer from a knowledge of the properties of the ionosphere at the two control points. 2, record 6, English, - two%2Dcontrol%2Dpoint%20method
Record 6, Key term(s)
- two control point method
Record 6, French
Record 6, Domaine(s)
- Ondes radioélectriques
Record 6, Main entry term, French
- méthode des deux points directeurs
1, record 6, French, m%C3%A9thode%20des%20deux%20points%20directeurs
correct, feminine noun
Record 6, Abbreviations, French
Record 6, Synonyms, French
Record 6, Textual support, French
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Méthode empirique d'estimation de la fréquence maximale utilisable, dans la transmission entre deux points au moyen d'une couche ionosphérique donnée basée sur les propriétés de l'ionosphère en deux points directeurs; cette méthode est appliquée dans la propagation ionosphérique sur des distances suffisamment grandes pour que la courbure de la Terre exclue la transmission par un seul saut. 2, record 6, French, - m%C3%A9thode%20des%20deux%20points%20directeurs
Record 6, Spanish
Record 6, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Ondas radioeléctricas
Record 6, Main entry term, Spanish
- método de los dos puntos de control
1, record 6, Spanish, m%C3%A9todo%20de%20los%20dos%20puntos%20de%20control
correct, masculine noun
Record 6, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 6, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 6, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Método empírico de estimación de la frecuencia máxima útil, en la transmisión entre dos puntos por medio de una capa ionosférica determinada, basada en las propiedades de la ionosfera en dos puntos de control. 2, record 6, Spanish, - m%C3%A9todo%20de%20los%20dos%20puntos%20de%20control
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 OBS
En propagación ionosférica sobre distancias lo suficientemente largas para que la transmisión de un solo salto no pueda ser posible por la curvatura de tierra. 2, record 6, Spanish, - m%C3%A9todo%20de%20los%20dos%20puntos%20de%20control
Record 7 - internal organization data 1994-12-19
Record 7, English
Record 7, Subject field(s)
- Signals (Military)
- Air Communications (Air Forces)
- Radio Transmission and Reception
Record 7, Main entry term, English
- usable frequency
1, record 7, English, usable%20frequency
correct
Record 7, Abbreviations, English
Record 7, Synonyms, English
Record 7, Textual support, English
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 CONT
These soundings can take many seconds-even minutes depending on the number of available frequencies, and after all of this, the radio switches over to the manual mode if it fails to find a usable frequency. 1, record 7, English, - usable%20frequency
Record 7, French
Record 7, Domaine(s)
- Transmissions de campagne (Militaire)
- Communications aériennes (Forces aériennes)
- Émission et réception radio
Record 7, Main entry term, French
- fréquence utilisable
1, record 7, French, fr%C3%A9quence%20utilisable
correct, feminine noun
Record 7, Abbreviations, French
Record 7, Synonyms, French
Record 7, Textual support, French
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Ces tests prennent plusieurs secondes (parfois même des minutes si le nombre de canaux à explorer est grand) après quoi le poste se commute sur le mode manuel s'il ne trouve pas de fréquence utilisable. 1, record 7, French, - fr%C3%A9quence%20utilisable
Record 7, Spanish
Record 7, Textual support, Spanish
Record 8 - internal organization data 1994-12-19
Record 8, English
Record 8, Subject field(s)
- Signals (Military)
- Air Communications (Air Forces)
- Radio Transmission and Reception
Record 8, Main entry term, English
- switch
1, record 8, English, switch
correct, verb
Record 8, Abbreviations, English
Record 8, Synonyms, English
Record 8, Textual support, English
Record number: 8, Textual support number: 1 CONT
These soundings can take many seconds-even minutes depending on the number of available frequencies, and after all of this, the radio switches over to the manual mode if it fails to find a usable frequency. 1, record 8, English, - switch
Record 8, French
Record 8, Domaine(s)
- Transmissions de campagne (Militaire)
- Communications aériennes (Forces aériennes)
- Émission et réception radio
Record 8, Main entry term, French
- commuter
1, record 8, French, commuter
correct, verb
Record 8, Abbreviations, French
Record 8, Synonyms, French
Record 8, Textual support, French
Record number: 8, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Ces tests prennent plusieurs secondes (parfois même des minutes si le nombre de canaux à explorer est grand) après quoi le poste se commute sur le mode manuel s'il ne trouve pas de fréquence utilisable. 1, record 8, French, - commuter
Record 8, Spanish
Record 8, Textual support, Spanish
Record 9 - internal organization data 1990-12-28
Record 9, English
Record 9, Subject field(s)
- Telecommunications Transmission
- Radio Transmission and Reception
Record 9, Main entry term, English
- operational MUF 1, record 9, English, operational%20MUF
Record 9, Abbreviations, English
Record 9, Synonyms, English
Record 9, Textual support, English
Record number: 9, Textual support number: 1 DEF
The highest frequency that permits acceptable operation between given points at a given time, and under specified working conditions. 2, record 9, English, - operational%20MUF
Record number: 9, Textual support number: 1 OBS
MUF : Maximum Usable Frequency. 3, record 9, English, - operational%20MUF
Record 9, French
Record 9, Domaine(s)
- Transmission (Télécommunications)
- Émission et réception radio
Record 9, Main entry term, French
- MUF d'exploitation
1, record 9, French, MUF%20d%27exploitation
feminine noun
Record 9, Abbreviations, French
Record 9, Synonyms, French
Record 9, Textual support, French
Record number: 9, Textual support number: 1 DEF
La fréquence la plus élevée qui permet, à un moment donné, d'assurer un service de qualité acceptable entre des points donnés, dans des conditions d'exploitation spécifiées. 2, record 9, French, - MUF%20d%27exploitation
Record number: 9, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Le terme MUF est le sigle de l'expression anglaise «Maximum Usable Frequency». 3, record 9, French, - MUF%20d%27exploitation
Record 9, Spanish
Record 9, Textual support, Spanish
Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank
© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2026
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau
Features
GCtranslate (available on the Government of Canada network only)
Use this artificial intelligence prototype to translate Government of Canada content up to and including Protected B. Available to employees of selected departments and agencies only.
Writing tools
The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.
Glossaries and vocabularies
Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.
- Date Modified:


