TheQ band is a range of frequencies contained in themicrowave region of theelectromagnetic spectrum. Common usage places this range between 33 and 50 GHz, but may vary depending on the source using the term.^[1][2] The foregoing range corresponds to the recommended frequency band of operation ofWR22 waveguides. These frequencies are equivalent towavelengths between 6 mm and 9.1 mm in air/vacuum. The Q band is in theEHF range of theradio spectrum.

The term "Q band" does not have a consistently precise usage in the technical literature, but tends to be a concurrent subset of both theIEEE designatedK_a band (26.5–40 GHz) andV band (40–75 GHz). Neither theIEEE nor theITU-R recognize the Q band in their standards, which define the nomenclature of bands in the electromagnetic spectrum.^[3][4] TheISO recognizes the Q band; however, the range therefore defined is 36 to 46 GHz. Other ISO frequency band definitions do not precisely match the concurrent definitions of the IEEE and ITU-R.^[5]

The Q band is mainly used for satellite communications, terrestrial microwave communications and for radio astronomy studies such as theQUIET telescope. It is also used in automotive radar and in radar investigating the properties of the Earth's surface.^[6]

• Microwave bands
• Satellite broadcasting

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