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