40 metres

A section of the 40 metre band shared with broadcast stations (7.1 to 7.2) was due to be cleared of broadcast stations on 29th March 2009. Frequencies above 7.2 MHz remain in use by broadcasters in many countries, causing potentially-severe interference to radioamateur stations operating in this range due to the relatively high effective radiated power in use by the shortwave AM broadcasters.

Equipment
Related wiki pages: Transceivers, Receivers, Radio/PC Interfaces

Most HF amateur transceivers support this and other commonly-used bands in the 160m - 10m range. Receivers intended for SWL use are typically able to tune these frequencies, although some will be unable to demodulate CW and SSB signals on the band due to lack of usable BFO.

Modulation
Related wiki pages: Modes

As with other HF bands, the lower portion of the band is CW and the remainder is primarily SSB, with some limited use of digital modes.

Propagation
Related wiki pages: Propagation

Stations in this band may be heard overseas and often worldwide, especially after sunset, due to skywave propagation.

Australian bandplan
Access: All licence classes