Amateur radio band chart (United States)

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: US privileges by band