Amateur Radio

US amateur radio band chart

Complete US amateur band allocations showing frequencies, modes, power limits, and license class privileges for every band from 160 meters through 23 centimeters.

US amateur radio band chart

Complete US amateur radio frequency allocations with license class privileges.

HF bands

160 meters (1.8-2.0 MHz)

  • 1.800-2.000 MHz: All license classes, all modes, 1500W PEP
  • The "top band." Propagation is best at night, especially in winter. Large antennas required (half-wave dipole is 260 feet). Atmospheric noise is high.

80 meters (3.5-4.0 MHz)

  • 3.500-3.600 MHz: Extra CW/data; General CW/data 3.525-3.600; Tech CW 3.525-3.600
  • 3.600-3.700 MHz: Extra all modes
  • 3.700-3.800 MHz: Extra all modes (Advanced privileges in this segment)
  • 3.800-4.000 MHz: Extra/General all modes
  • The ragchew band. Regional propagation at night. Noisy. 75m phone (3.8-4.0) is where evening nets live.

60 meters (5 MHz region)

  • 5 channelized frequencies: 5.332, 5.348, 5.358.5, 5.373, 5.405 MHz
  • USB only, 100W ERP maximum. General and Extra only. Shared with government.

40 meters (7.0-7.3 MHz)

  • 7.000-7.125 MHz: Extra CW/data; General CW/data 7.025-7.125; Tech CW 7.025-7.125
  • 7.125-7.175 MHz: Extra all modes (General does not have this segment)
  • 7.175-7.300 MHz: Extra/General all modes
  • The workhorse band. Regional by day, intercontinental at night. Best all-around HF band.

30 meters (10.1-10.15 MHz)

  • 10.100-10.150 MHz: General and Extra, CW and data only, 200W PEP maximum
  • Shared with government. Always open somewhere. The quiet digital and CW band.

20 meters (14.0-14.35 MHz)

  • 14.000-14.150 MHz: Extra CW/data; General CW/data 14.025-14.150
  • 14.150-14.175 MHz: Extra all modes
  • 14.175-14.225 MHz: Extra all modes (Advanced privileges)
  • 14.225-14.350 MHz: Extra/General all modes
  • The primary DX band. Open during daylight hours. Most worldwide contacts happen here.

17 meters (18.068-18.168 MHz)

  • 18.068-18.110 MHz: Extra CW/data; General CW/data 18.068-18.110
  • 18.110-18.168 MHz: Extra/General all modes
  • WARC band (no contests). Similar to 20m but less crowded.

15 meters (21.0-21.45 MHz)

  • 21.000-21.200 MHz: Extra CW/data; General CW/data 21.025-21.200; Tech CW 21.025-21.200
  • 21.200-21.225 MHz: Extra all modes
  • 21.225-21.275 MHz: Extra all modes (Advanced)
  • 21.275-21.450 MHz: Extra/General all modes
  • Excellent DX band during solar maximum. Needs sunspots.

12 meters (24.89-24.99 MHz)

  • 24.890-24.930 MHz: Extra CW/data; General CW/data 24.890-24.930
  • 24.930-24.990 MHz: Extra/General all modes
  • WARC band. Sporadic openings. Exciting when open.

10 meters (28.0-29.7 MHz)

  • 28.000-28.300 MHz: Extra CW/data; General CW/data 28.000-28.300; Tech CW 28.000-28.300
  • 28.300-28.500 MHz: Extra/General/Tech all modes
  • 28.500-29.700 MHz: Extra/General all modes (includes FM repeater segment 29.5-29.7)
  • The solar cycle band. Worldwide during solar max. Sporadic-E short-distance openings. Technicians have SSB privileges here.

VHF bands

6 meters (50-54 MHz)

  • 50.0-54.0 MHz: All classes, all modes, 1500W PEP
  • The Magic Band. Sporadic-E propagation creates unpredictable band openings. SSB calling frequency: 50.125 MHz. FM calling: 52.525 MHz.

2 meters (144-148 MHz)

  • 144.0-148.0 MHz: All classes, all modes, 1500W PEP
  • The workhorse VHF band. FM repeaters, SSB weak-signal, satellite, APRS. Simplex calling: 146.520 MHz.

1.25 meters (222-225 MHz)

  • 222.0-225.0 MHz: Tech and above, all modes, 1500W PEP
  • Limited repeater infrastructure. Less crowded than 2m or 70cm. Regional activity varies.

UHF bands

70 centimeters (420-450 MHz)

  • 420.0-450.0 MHz: Tech and above, all modes, 1500W PEP
  • FM repeaters, ATV (amateur television), satellite, DMR, D-STAR. Simplex calling: 446.000 MHz.

33 centimeters (902-928 MHz)

  • Shared with ISM devices. Limited amateur activity.

23 centimeters (1240-1300 MHz)

  • Microwave entry. ATV, satellite uplinks, weak-signal. Shared with GPS (interference concerns).

Quick reference

Band Novice/Tech CW General phone Extra phone Key mode
160m — 1.800-2.000 1.800-2.000 CW, digital, SSB
80m 3.525-3.600 3.800-4.000 3.500-4.000 Ragchew, nets
40m 7.025-7.125 7.175-7.300 7.000-7.300 Workhorse
20m — 14.225-14.350 14.000-14.350 Primary DX
15m 21.025-21.200 21.275-21.450 21.000-21.450 Solar max DX
10m 28.000-28.300 28.300-29.700 28.000-29.700 Solar/sporadic-E
6m — All All Magic Band
2m — All All FM/SSB/satellite
70cm — All All FM/digital