HAM radio Frequencies & Bands in the USA: Popular frequencies with chart

Being aware of HAM radio frequencies & Bands is an essential part of your journey of becoming a successful ham radio operator.

Here in this article I’ve tried to compile all information regarding Ham radio frequencies and bands that are allocated by the FCC. It has also been tried to give thorough information on frequencies within particular ham radio bands and mode of operations that are allowed by different class of license holders.

Table of Contents hide

1 HAM radio Frequencies & Bands: Regulations in the USA

2 HAM radio Frequencies & Bands pdf download

3 HAM radio Frequencies & Bands in the USA

3.1 HAM radio Low Frequecny Band (LF BAND)

3.1.1 2200 Meters

3.2 HAM radio Mid Frequecny Band (MF BAND)

3.2.1 630 Meters

3.2.2 160 Meters

3.3 HAM radio High Frequecny Band (HF BAND)

3.3.1 80 Meters

3.3.2 60 Meters: Five Specific Channels

3.4 HAM radio Very High frequency & Ultra High frequecy bands (VHF/UHF Bands)

3.5 HAM radio other Higher frequency bands (Above UHF)

4 HAM radio frequencies & bands: Conclusion

HAM radio Frequencies & Bands: Regulations in the USA

As already mentioned above and discussed in other blogs of this site, the regularity authority for frequency bands for ham radio is the FCC in the USA.

The FCC will decide which bands (i.e. frequencies) will be allotted to which class of Ham radio licensee? Over to that what operating modes (AM, FM, SSB, RTTY, Digital, CW etc) are allowed to hams of different license class?

Here is the image of Ham radio frequency bands in the USA for simple understanding.

Image Credit: arrl.org

HAM radio Frequencies & Bands pdf download

You can visit downloads section for free pdf download of above frequency chart.

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HAM radio Frequencies & Bands in the USA

HAM radio Low Frequecny Band (LF BAND)

As per the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) the LF band covers radio frequencies between 30–300 kHz.

2200 Meters

When it comes to Ham Radio, 2200 meters is only band allowed in LF band.

Frequency Range: 135.7-137.8 kHz
Operating Modes: CW, Phone, Image, RTTY/Data
License Class: General, Advanced, Amateur Extra class licensees

HAM radio Mid Frequecny Band (MF BAND)

The MF band covers radio frequencies between 300 kHz-3 MHz.

630 Meters

The 630 Meter frequencies are just below commercial AM broadcast bands.

Frequency Range: 472–479 kHz
Operating Modes: CW, Phone, Image, RTTY/Data
License Class: General, Advanced, Amateur Extra licensees

160 Meters

The 160 Meter Band frequencies are just above commercial AM broadcast bands.

Frequency Range: 1.800-2.000 MHz
Operating Modes: CW, Phone, Image, RTTY/Data
License Class: General, Advanced, Amateur Extra licensees

HAM radio High Frequecny Band (HF BAND)

The HF bands are where most of the long distance stations will operate.. These frequencies span from 3MHz-30MHz.

80 Meters

80 Meters consists of the frequencies from3MHz-30MHz (3500–4000 kHz). The band performs at night during the winter.

Frequency Range: 3.525-3.600 MHz
Operating Modes: CW only
License Class: Novice and Technician classes

Frequency Range: 3.525-3.600 MHz
Operating Modes: CW, RTTY/Data
License Class: General class

Frequency Range: 3.525-3.600 MHz
Operating Modes: CW, RTTY/Data
License Class: Advanced class

Frequency Range: 3.500-3.600 MHz
Operating Modes: CW, RTTY/Data
License Class: Amateur Extra

Frequency Range: 3.600-4.000 MHz
Operating Modes: CW, Phone, Image
License Class: Amateur Extra

60 Meters: Five Specific Channels

Frequency Range: 5332-5405 kHz
Operating Modes: USB only
License Class: General, Advanced and Amateur Extra classes

HAMs willing to use 60-meter band are allowed to access the band on five discrete 2.8 kHz channels provided that operating mode should be USB only and onus of not causing interference to any Government agency using it. Also their signal must be transmitted on channel center frequency which is 1.5 kHz lower than the original channel frequency.
Following table will make it easier to understand the specific tuning for using the 60 meter band:

Channel Center	Tuning Frequency for HAMs
5332 kHz	5330.5 kHz
5348 kHz	5346.5 kHz
5358.5 kHz	5357.0 kHz
5373 kHz	5371.5 kHz
5405 kHz	5403.5 kHz

40 Meters

The 40 meter band is most popular and reliable band for use during all seasons.

Frequency Range: 7.025-7.125 MHz
Operating Modes: CW only
License Class: Novice and Technician classes

Frequency Range: 7.025-7.125 MHz
Operating Modes: CW, RTTY/Data
License Class: General

Frequency Range: 7.175-7.300 MHz
Operating Modes: CW, Phone
License Class: General

Frequency Range: 7.125-7.300 MHz
Operating Modes: CW, Phone,
License Class: Advanced

Frequency Range: 7.000-7.125 MHz
Operating Modes: CW, RTTY/Data
License Class: Amateur Extra

Frequency Range: 7.125-7.300 MHz
Operating Modes: CW, Phone, Image
License Class: Amateur Extra

30 Meters

30 Meters is a narrow digital band spanning from 10.1–10.15 MHz and has a maximum power of 200 watts.

Frequency Range: 10.100-10.150 MHz
Operating Modes: CW, RTTY/Data
License Class: General, Advanced, Amateur Extra classes

20 Meters

20 meters band spans from 14.0–14.35 MHz. It is the most popular band between Hams and is most busy band during the day.

Frequency Range: 14.025 -14.150 MHz
Operating Modes: CW, RTTY/Data
License Class: General class

Frequency Range: 14.225 -14.350 MHz
Operating Modes: CW, Phone, Image
License Class: General class

Frequency Range: 14.025 -14.150 MHz
Operating Modes: CW, RTTY/Data
License Class: Advanced class

Frequency Range: 14.175 -14.350 MHz
Operating Modes: CW, Phone, Image
License Class: Advanced class

Frequency Range: 14.000 – 14.150 MHz
Operating Modes: CW, RTTY/Data
License Class: Extra class

Frequency Range: 14.150 -14.350 MHz
Operating Modes: CW, Phone, Image
License Class: Extra class

17 Meters

Frequency Range: 18.068-18.110 MHz
Operating Modes: CW, RTTY/Data
License Class: General, Advanced, Amateur Extra classes

Frequency Range: 18.110-18.168 MHz
Operating Modes: CW, Phone, Image
License Class: General, Advanced, Amateur Extra classes

15 Meters

Frequency Range: 21.025-21.200 MHz
Operating Mode: CW Only
License Class: Novice and Technician classes

Frequency Range: 21.025-21.200 MHz
Operating Mode: CW, RTTY/Data
License Class: General class

Frequency Range: 21.275-21.450 MHz
Operating modes: CW, Phone, Image
License Class: General class

Frequency Range: 21.025-21.200 MHz
Operating Modes: CW, RTTY/Data
License Class: Advanced class

Frequency Range 21.225-21.450 MHz
Operating Modes: CW, Phone, Image
License Class: Advanced class

Frequency Range: 21.000-21.200 MHz
Operating Modes: CW, RTTY/Data
License Class: Extra class

Frequency Range: 21.200-21.450 MHz
Operating Range: CW, Phone, Image
License Class: Extra class

12 Meters

Frequency Range: 24.890-24.930 MHz
Operating Modes: CW, RTTY/Data
License Class: General, Advanced, Amateur Extra classes

Frequency Range: 24.930-24.990 MHz
Operating Modes: CW, Phone, Image
License Class: General, Advanced, Amateur Extra classes

10 Meters

The 10 Meter band can be used in day lights for maximum performance.

Frequency Range: 28.000-28.300 MHz
Operating Modes: CW, RTTY/Data (Maximum power 200 watts)
License Class: Novice and Technician classes

Frequency Range: 28.300-28.500 MHz
CW, Phone (Maximum power 200 watts)
License Class: Novice and Technician classes

Frequency Range: 28.000-28.300 MHz
Operating Modes: CW, RTTY/Data
License Class: General, Advanced, Amateur Extra classes

Frequency Range: 28.300-29.700 MHz
Operating Modes: CW, Phone, Image
License Class: General, Advanced, Amateur Extra classes

HAM radio Very High frequency & Ultra High frequecy bands (VHF/UHF Bands)

The VHF band covers frequencies 30MHz-300MHz & the UHF band covers frequencies 300MHz-3GHz.

6 Meters

Frequency Range: 50.0-50.1 MHz
Operating Modes: CW Only
License Class: All Amateurs except Novices

Frequency Range: 50.1-54.0 MHz
Operating Modes: CW, Phone, Image, MCW, RTTY/Data
License Class: All Amateurs except Novices

2 Meters

Frequency Range: 144.0-144.1 MHz
Operating Modes: CW Only
License Class: All Amateurs except Novices

Frequency Range: 144.1-148.0 MHz
Operating Modes: CW, Phone, Image, MCW, RTTY/Data
License Class: All Amateurs except Novices

1.25 Meters

Frequency Range: 222.00-225.00 MHz
Operating Modes: CW, Phone, Image, MCW, RTTY/Data
License Class: Novice (limited to 25Watt), Technician, General, Advanced, Amateur Extra classes

Note: See Section 97.303(e) of the FCC Rules.

70 Centimeters

Frequency Range: 420.0-450.0 MHz
Operating Modes: CW, Phone, Image, MCW, RTTY/Data
License Class: All Amateurs except Novices

33 Centimeters

Frequency Range: 902.0-928.0 MHz
Operating Modes” CW, Phone, Image, MCW, RTTY/Data
License Class: All Amateurs except Novices

23 Centimeters

Frequency Range: 1270-1295 MHz
Operating Modes: CW, phone, Image, MCW, RTTY/Data (maximum power, 5 watts)
License Class: Novice

Frequency Range: 1240-1300 MHz
Operating Modes: CW, Phone, Image, MCW, RTTY/Data
License Class: All Amateurs except Novices

HAM radio other Higher frequency bands (Above UHF)

Bands of UHF covers SHF (Super High Frequencies), EHF (Extremely High Frequencies) and THF (Tremendously High Frequencies) having frequency ranges 3GHz-30GHz, 30GHz-300GHz and above 300GHz respectively.

All modes and licensees (except Novices) are authorized on the following bands as perFCC Rules, Part 97.301(a).

2300-2310 MHz
2390-2450 MHz
3300-3500 MHz
5650-5925 MHz
10.0-10.5 GHz
24.0-24.25 GHz
47.0-47.2 GHz
76.0-81.0 GHz*
122.25 -123.00 GHz
134-141 GHz
241-250 GHz
All above 300 GHz

HAM radio frequencies & bands: Conclusion

In the concluding words, it is important to know HAM radio frequencies and bands respective of license class you are holding. Also the modes should be operated carefully keeping in mind the interference it can cause with other operators. We have tried best to segregate the bands for ease of understanding. Do share your thoughts in the comments please.