Glossary

channel

Definition: A specified frequency band for the transmission and reception of electromagnetic signals, used in conjunction with a predetermined letter, number, or codeword. (Sources: thefreedictionary.com; its.bldrdoc.gov)
French: canal
Associated words and phrases: frequency
Technical note: For television, each channel designation refers to a broadcast or cable band that is 6 MHz wide (for example, "channel 2" refers to the broadcast or cable band of 54 to 60 MHz; "channel 54" refers to the broadcast or cable band of 710 to 716 MHz). For FM radio, each channel designation (from 203 to 300) corresponds to a specific frequency band (from 88.5 to 107.9 MHz). Channel designation does not exist for AM radio. (Sources: CRTC staff; Wikipedia, "television channel," 16 March 2009; http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2007/octqtr/pdf/47cfr73.201.pdf)
Usage note: "Frequency" is a variable used in determining where a service will operate (or is operating) within the usable electromagnetic spectrum, which in turn allows engineers to know which propagation model, antenna and components to use. "Channels" are better suited to determine channel adjacencies; they make it easier for consumers to locate the desired station and also make it easier to count the number of stations in a given system. (Source: CRTC Staff)

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