Ham Radio Bands
Ham radio bands are specific frequency ranges allocated for amateur radio use by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Each band has unique propagation characteristics that make it suited for different types of communication — from local simplex contacts to intercontinental DX. Bands are grouped into HF (High Frequency), VHF (Very High Frequency), and UHF (Ultra High Frequency) categories.
HF Bands (3 – 30 MHz)
HF signals can travel thousands of miles by bouncing off the ionosphere, making these bands ideal for long-distance and worldwide communication. Propagation varies with the solar cycle, time of day, and season.
160 Meters 1.8 – 2.0 MHz
The "Top Band." Behaves similarly to AM broadcast — best for regional communication at night when the ionosphere is quiet. Requires a large antenna and is susceptible to atmospheric noise. Popular for low-band DX contests.
80 Meters 3.5 – 4.0 MHz
One of the most active HF bands, especially at night. Used heavily for ragchewing (casual conversation), traffic nets, and emergency communications. Daytime range is mostly regional; nighttime range can be continental or intercontinental.
60 Meters 5.3305 – 5.4035 MHz
A small secondary allocation shared with other services. Used almost exclusively for emergency and disaster communications. Operators are limited to specific USB channels and a strict power limit.
40 Meters 7.0 – 7.3 MHz
Reliable day and night. One of the best all-around bands — daytime range reaches 1,000–2,000 miles, while at night signals can span continents. Heavily used for DX, contesting, nets, and casual contacts.
30 Meters 10.1 – 10.15 MHz
A narrow WARC (World Administrative Radio Conference) band — no phone or image modes allowed, only CW and digital modes. Excellent for digital weak-signal work such as FT8/FT4. Not available for contesting.
20 Meters 14.0 – 14.35 MHz
The most popular DX band in the world. Open almost 24 hours a day during moderate to high solar activity. Excellent for intercontinental contacts. The first band many new hams use for worldwide communication.
17 Meters 18.068 – 18.168 MHz
A WARC band with no contest operation allowed. Often less crowded than 20 meters while providing similar DX capability during daylight hours. Popular for SSB and digital modes.
15 Meters 21.0 – 21.45 MHz
Excellent for DX during the day, particularly around solar maximum. Can support worldwide contacts. More quiet than 20 meters and opens up great paths to other continents during active solar conditions.
12 Meters 24.89 – 24.99 MHz
A WARC band that performs best near solar maximum. Good for DX when open; can be very quiet during solar minimum. No contest operation permitted.
10 Meters 28.0 – 29.7 MHz
The highest HF band and the most dynamic. During solar maximum it can support worldwide contacts with very low power. During solar minimum it may only support local contacts via ground wave. Also supports FM simplex and repeaters in the upper portion of the band.
VHF Bands (30 – 300 MHz)
VHF signals generally travel in straight lines (line-of-sight), making these bands ideal for local and regional communication. Repeaters greatly extend their range. Occasional long-distance propagation occurs via tropospheric ducting, sporadic-E, and meteor scatter.
6 Meters 50 – 54 MHz
Known as the "Magic Band" because of its unpredictable and exciting propagation. During sporadic-E openings (common in late spring and early summer) contacts of 500–1,500 miles are possible with modest antennas. Also supports local FM simplex and repeaters.
2 Meters 144 – 148 MHz
The most widely used VHF band. The backbone of local ham radio — used daily for local FM simplex, repeaters, APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System), and emergency communication. Most new hams start here with a handheld (HT) radio.
1.25 Meters (222 MHz) 222 – 225 MHz
A US-only allocation not found in most other countries. Less crowded than 2 meters with similar range. Used for FM simplex, repeaters, and linking. Requires a Technician or higher license.
UHF Bands (300 MHz – 3 GHz)
UHF signals are strictly line-of-sight but can penetrate buildings better than VHF in some cases. These bands support repeaters, digital voice, satellite operation, and weak-signal work using specialized antenna systems.
70 Centimeters 420 – 450 MHz
The most popular UHF amateur band. Widely used for FM repeaters, D-STAR, DMR, and other digital voice modes. Also used for ATV (Amateur Television), satellite uplinks, and weak-signal EME (Earth-Moon-Earth) contacts.
33 Centimeters 902 – 928 MHz
A US-only secondary allocation shared with Part 15 devices. Used for FM, digital voice, and ATV. Less common but growing in use for broadband experimentation and mesh networking (e.g., AREDN).
23 Centimeters 1240 – 1300 MHz
Used for weak-signal work, ATV, satellite communication, and high-speed data links. Antennas are small and dish-based systems are practical, making it popular for microwave experimentation and EME.
Ham Radio Allocations
In the United States, amateur radio allocations are managed by the FCC under Part 97 of the Code of Federal Regulations. License class determines which bands and modes are available — Technician licensees have full privileges on VHF/UHF and limited HF privileges, while General and Amateur Extra licensees have progressively more HF access. The ARRL Band Plan provides recommended usage within each band to minimize interference and support various modes and activities.