Band Plans

You are here: / Band Plans
Amateur Radio Operating Guide

Amateur Radio Band Plans

Amateur radio band plans help operators understand where different communication modes and activities commonly take place. They make it easier for thousands of radio operators to share limited spectrum while reducing interference between voice, digital, repeater, satellite, weak-signal and other operations.

A Band Plan Is Not a Substitute for FCC Regulations

Operators must always confirm that a frequency, mode, bandwidth and power level are permitted under current FCC rules and authorized for their amateur radio license class.

What Is an Amateur Radio Band Plan?

A guide for organizing amateur radio frequencies by activity, mode and signal type.

Amateur Radio Bands

Allocated Frequency Ranges

Amateur radio operators have access to specific portions of the radio spectrum. These frequency ranges are called amateur radio bands.

Bands are frequently identified by their approximate wavelength, such as 20 meters, 2 meters or 70 centimeters, rather than only by their frequency.

Example: The 2-meter amateur band is located near 144 MHz, while the 70-centimeter band is located near 420 to 450 MHz in the United States.

Band Plans

Recommended Spectrum Organization

A band plan divides an amateur band into smaller segments for different types of communication and radio activity.

Typical Activities

  • Morse code and narrowband digital modes
  • Single-sideband and AM voice
  • FM simplex and repeaters
  • Amateur radio satellites
  • Beacons and weak-signal operation
  • Image, data and experimental modes

FCC Rules Versus Voluntary Band Plans

These two resources serve different purposes and should not be confused.

Legally Enforceable

FCC Regulations

The Federal Communications Commission regulates amateur radio in the United States under Title 47, Part 97 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

  • Establish amateur frequency allocations
  • Define license-class privileges
  • Control permitted emission types
  • Establish power limitations
  • Set station identification requirements
  • Define operating restrictions
Recommended Practice

Voluntary Band Plans

Organizations such as the ARRL and regional frequency coordinators publish recommended plans for organizing amateur radio activity.

  • Separate incompatible modes
  • Identify common calling frequencies
  • Designate repeater and simplex areas
  • Protect satellite and weak-signal activity
  • Reduce unnecessary interference
  • Promote courteous spectrum sharing

Which One Takes Priority?

FCC regulations always take priority. A voluntary band plan may recommend where an activity should occur, but it cannot authorize an operator to use a frequency, mode or power level that is prohibited by federal regulations.

Amateur Radio License-Class Privileges

Frequency and mode privileges depend on the operator's license class.

Technician

Provides extensive privileges above 30 MHz, including most common VHF and UHF amateur bands. Technicians also receive limited privileges on certain HF bands.

General

Provides access to substantial portions of nearly every amateur band, including broad HF voice, CW and digital operating privileges.

Amateur Extra

Provides all U.S. amateur frequency privileges, including portions of several HF bands that are not available to Technician or General licensees.

Important: A frequency appearing inside an amateur band does not automatically mean that every licensed operator may transmit there. Always verify the frequency segment and permitted mode for your license class.

Common Amateur Radio Bands

An overview of frequently used U.S. amateur radio frequency ranges.

Band Approximate Frequency Common Uses
160 Meters 1.8 MHz Regional HF communication, CW, voice and digital modes
80 Meters 3.5 MHz Regional voice, nets, CW and digital communication
60 Meters Near 5 MHz Channelized HF operation with special restrictions
40 Meters 7 MHz Regional and worldwide HF contacts
30 Meters 10 MHz CW and digital operation
20 Meters 14 MHz Worldwide voice, CW and digital contacts
17 Meters 18 MHz Worldwide voice, CW and digital operation
15 Meters 21 MHz Medium- and long-distance contacts
12 Meters 24 MHz Worldwide communication during favorable propagation
10 Meters 28 MHz Local, regional and worldwide communication
6 Meters 50 MHz Local, weak-signal and sporadic long-distance contacts
2 Meters 144 MHz Repeaters, simplex, satellites and weak-signal operation
1.25 Meters 222 MHz Repeaters, simplex and experimental operation
70 Centimeters 420 MHz Repeaters, digital voice, satellites and data
33 Centimeters 902 MHz Repeaters, linking, data and experimentation
23 Centimeters 1240 MHz Repeaters, data, satellites and weak-signal operation
Frequency note: This table is only a general introduction. Exact band limits, license privileges and operating restrictions should be verified using a current FCC or ARRL band chart before transmitting.

Understanding Common Band-Plan Labels

Band charts use several abbreviations to identify modes and activities.

CW

Continuous-Wave Morse Code
Morse Code Narrowband

CW refers to Morse code sent using a continuous-wave carrier. CW signals occupy very little bandwidth and are commonly found near the lower portions of HF bands.

RTTY and Data

Computer-Based Communications
FT8 PSK31 RTTY

Data portions support radio teletype and computer-generated modes such as FT8, FT4, PSK31, Olivia and JS8Call.

Not every digital signal is appropriate throughout the entire data segment. Operators should consider bandwidth and established operating frequencies.

Phone

Voice Communication
SSB FM AM Digital Voice

Phone means voice communication. It may include single sideband, FM, AM and certain digital voice emissions.

On HF, lower sideband is traditionally used below 10 MHz and upper sideband is generally used above 10 MHz.

Image

Picture Transmission
SSTV Digital Images

Image operations include slow-scan television and other systems used to transmit photographs, graphics and digital picture files by radio.

Beacon

Propagation and Identification Signals
Propagation Automated

Beacons transmit identifying or propagation-related signals at scheduled intervals. Normal conversations should be kept away from established beacon frequencies.

Satellite

Space Communications
Uplink Downlink

Satellite subbands support amateur spacecraft communication. Operators should avoid unrelated terrestrial communication inside designated satellite segments.

Weak Signal

Narrowband VHF, UHF and Microwave
SSB CW EME

Weak-signal areas support narrowband activities such as SSB, CW, meteor scatter, Earth-Moon-Earth communication and specialized digital modes.

Wideband FM and repeater operation should generally be kept away from weak-signal portions of a band.

Experimental

Technical and Development Activities
Research New Modes

Experimental portions may support new modulation methods, high-speed data systems, microwave projects and other technical investigations permitted within amateur radio regulations.

Repeater Band Plans

How coordinated input and output frequencies are organized.

Repeater Operation

Two-Frequency Communication

A repeater receives an operator's signal on one frequency and retransmits it on another frequency. This allows mobile and handheld stations to communicate over a wider area.

Common Programming Information

  • Repeater output frequency
  • Repeater input frequency
  • Positive or negative offset
  • CTCSS tone or DCS code
  • Analog or digital operating mode

Offset or Split

Difference Between Input and Output

The difference between the repeater's receive and transmit frequencies is called the offset or split.

  • 2-meter repeaters frequently use a 600 kHz offset
  • 70-centimeter repeaters frequently use a 5 MHz offset
  • Other bands use locally coordinated arrangements
These are common practices rather than universal rules. Always use the published information for the specific repeater.
Repeater Output 442.425 MHz
Repeater Input 447.425 MHz
Regional coordination: Frequency coordinators help assign repeater channels, offsets and spacing to reduce interference between systems. Local practices may differ from national examples.

Simplex Frequencies

Direct station-to-station communication without a repeater.

What Is Simplex?

One Frequency for Transmit and Receive

In simplex operation, all stations transmit and receive on the same frequency. No repeater or separate input frequency is used.

Simplex is commonly used for local contacts, field operations, emergency communications and direct communication between nearby stations.

Calling Frequencies

Establish Contact, Then Move

A calling frequency is generally used to establish contact with another operator. When the channel is busy, longer conversations should be moved to another appropriate simplex frequency.

Calling frequencies should not be treated as permanently assigned conversation channels.

Before Using a Simplex Frequency

  1. Confirm that the frequency is inside an amateur allocation.
  2. Verify that your license class permits operation on the frequency.
  3. Confirm that your selected mode is appropriate for that band segment.
  4. Listen carefully to determine whether the frequency is already occupied.
  5. Ask whether the frequency is in use before beginning a conversation.
  6. Use the minimum transmitter power necessary for reliable communication.

HF Band-Plan Operation

License segments, mode areas and occupied signal bandwidth.

Mode Segments

CW, Data and Voice Areas

Lower portions of many HF bands are commonly associated with CW and narrow digital modes. Voice operation generally occurs farther up the band within authorized phone segments.

Exact privileges vary by band and license class. Operators should use a current license-privilege chart rather than relying on memory.

Occupied Bandwidth

The Entire Signal Must Remain Legal

Operators must consider the frequency occupied by the entire transmitted signal, not only the frequency shown on the radio's display.

A single-sideband voice signal occupies several kilohertz. When operating near the edge of an authorized segment, enough space must be left to keep the complete signal inside the permitted range.

Important: A radio's displayed carrier or dial frequency may not represent the outer edge of the transmitted signal.

Shared and Secondary Allocations

Amateur Radio may share certain bands with other radio services.

Secondary Operating Status

Protecting Primary Users

In some frequency bands, amateur stations operate with secondary status. This generally means amateur operators must protect primary users from harmful interference.

Secondary Users Generally Must

  • Not cause harmful interference to primary users
  • Accept interference from primary users
  • Reduce power, change frequency or stop transmitting when necessary
  • Observe special geographic or power restrictions
Some amateur bands have special antenna, power, notification or geographic requirements. Review current regulations before operating on an unfamiliar band.

Local and Regional Differences

National privileges remain the same, but local operating practices vary.

Regional Frequency Coordination

FCC license privileges apply nationally, but repeater and simplex arrangements may differ between regions.

Regional Differences May Include

  • Repeater channel spacing
  • Positive and negative repeater offsets
  • Preferred simplex frequencies
  • Packet and digital channels
  • Auxiliary and control frequencies
  • Linked repeater systems
  • Emergency communication channels
  • Local coordination recommendations
Operators should consult both a current national band plan and the appropriate regional frequency coordinator.

Why Band Plans Matter

Good operating practices protect other users and reduce interference.

Problems Band Plans Help Prevent

  • Wide FM signals interfering with weak-signal contacts
  • Voice transmissions covering narrow digital activity
  • Simplex operation interfering with repeater inputs
  • Terrestrial contacts disrupting satellite operations
  • High-power stations interfering with beacon networks
  • Incompatible digital modes sharing the same channel

Cooperative Spectrum Use

Amateur radio spectrum is a shared resource. Operators should make reasonable efforts to choose frequencies and modes that minimize disruption to other users.

Following established operating practices demonstrates courtesy, technical competence and respect for the amateur radio community.

Before You Transmit

A practical band-plan and operating checklist.

  • Is this frequency inside an amateur radio allocation?
  • Does my license class authorize operation here?
  • Is my selected emission type permitted?
  • Will my entire transmitted signal remain inside the authorized segment?
  • Is this frequency commonly reserved for another activity?
  • Is the frequency or adjacent spectrum already in use?
  • Am I using the minimum power required for reliable communication?
  • Are there regional band-plan or coordination practices I should follow?

Final Reminder

A band plan is a roadmap for responsible spectrum use, but it does not replace FCC regulations. Keep a current amateur radio band chart available in your radio room, vehicle or field kit, and verify your privileges before transmitting on an unfamiliar frequency.

Operating information changes: Frequency allocations, operating rules and regional coordination practices may change. Always consult current official resources before relying on a printed or saved chart.
View ARRL Band Plans View FCC Part 97