What does it mean if a satellite is operating in U/V mode?

Amateur radio satellites often receive signals on one band and retransmit them on another. This cross-band operation is described using a two-letter shorthand indicating the Uplink (transmit to satellite) and Downlink (receive from satellite) bands. In the 'U/V' designation, the 'U' stands for UHF (Ultra High Frequency), which corresponds to the 70-centimeter amateur band. The 'V' stands for VHF (Very High Frequency), corresponding to the 2-meter band. Therefore, U/V mode means you uplink on 70 centimeters and downlink on 2 meters. Distractors like 'ultraviolet' or 'usually variable' are simply fabricated to match the letters U and V. Always remember the order is Uplink first, then Downlink.