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
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 |