Band plan

Band Ranges

 * HF 3 MHz to 30 MHz
 * VHF 30 MHz to 300 MHz
 * UHF 300 MHz to 3 000 MHz (3GHz)
 * Microwave and other bands above 3 GHz

HF Bands
There are a number of amateur HF bands used worldwide, although the bands and frequencies legally available vary from country to country.

HF bands used today include 160 metres, 80 metres, 60 metres, 40 metres, 30 metres, 20 metres, 17 metres, 15 metres, and 10 metres. (Although 160 meters is often considered a Medium Frequency (MF) band, we lump it in with the HF bands for simplicity.)

VHF/UHF/Microwave Bands
VHF, UHF, and microwave bands and frequencies available to amateurs vary more widely from country to country than HF bands do.

Amateur bands used today include 6 metres, 4 metres, 2 metres, 1.25 metres, 70 centimetres, 33 centimetres, 23 centimetres, and 3 centimetres.

Band Plans
Within three regions around the world, different "plans" are agreed upon by Amateur Radio Operators to divide up the authorized band into sections. Each section is targeted to a specific operating mode (for example, SSB, FM, Digital, ...).

Region Band Plans
From the IARU website.

Region 1 encompasses Africa, the Mediterranean, Europe, and Asiatic Russia


 * IARU Region 1 website

Region 2 encompasses North America, South America, and Greenland


 * IARU Region 2 website

Region 3 encompasses India, Australia, Southeast Asia, China, Japan, New Zealand, and Pacific nations.


 * IARU Region 3 website

Country Band Plans (Alphabetical)

 * The Australian Band Plan can be downloaded in pdf from the Wireless Institute of Australia


 * The New Zealand Band Plan can be found at NZART


 * United States Band Plan

Extended Electromagnetic Spectrum Information
Boundary frequency

and wavelength Name Notes 0Hz

30Hz un-named 10Mm

300Hz Extra Low Frequency – ELF Mains power is in this range usually 50Hz or 60Hz 1Mm

3kHz Voice Most useful voice is in this range although frequencies outside may be audible 100km

30kHz Very Low Frequency - VLF Omega navigation system 10kHz and 14kHz 10km

300kHz Low Frequency - LF Some Radio navigation beacons in this band 1km

3MHz Medium frequency - MF AM  broadcast radio stations 1km

30MHz High Frequency - HF  AM CB at 27MHz

10m, 12m, 15m, 17m, 20m, 30m, 40m, 80m ham bands 10m

300MHz Very High Frequency – VHF FM broadcast stations VHF marine 2m, 6m ham bands 1m

3GHz Very High Frequency – VHF FM broadcast stations VHF marine 2m, 6m ham bands 1m

3GHz Ultra High Frequency - UHF UHF CB, Mobile phones UHF TV, Microwave ovens 1.25m, 70cm, 23cm ham bands 10cm

30GHz Super High Frequency – SHF 1cm

300GHz Extra High Frequency – EHF 1mm

300THz Infrared 1um Visible light Ultra Violet