General notes to the Band Plan
ITU-R Recommendation SM.328 (extract)
Necessary bandwidth: For a given class of emission, the width of the frequency band which is just sufficient to ensure the transmission of information at the rate and with the quality required under specified conditions.
The use of Amplitude Modulation (AM) is acceptable in the all modes segments but users are asked to consider adjacent channel activity when selecting operating frequencies.
Foundation and Intermediate Licence holders are advised to check their licences for the permitted power limits and conditions applicable to their class of licence.
Jump to a specific section:
136KHz band
| Frequency | Bandwidth | Preferred Modes and Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 135.7 – 137.8 KHz | 200 Hz | CW, QRSS and narrow band digital modes |
Notes
- RR 5.67A Stations in the amateur service using frequencies in this band shall not exceed a maximum radiated power of 1 W (e.i.r.p.) and shall not cause harmful interference to stations of the radio navigation service operating in countries listed in No. 5.67. (WRC-07)
- RR 5.67B The use of this band in Algeria, Egypt, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Lebanon, Syrian Arab Republic, Sudan and Tunisia is limited to the fixed and maritime mobile services. The amateur service shall not be used in the above-mentioned countries in the band 135.7-137.8 kHz, and this should be taken in account by the countries authorising such use. (WRC-07)
160m (Top Band – 1.8 MHz)
| Frequency | Bandwidth | Preferred Modes and Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 1.810 – 1.838 MHz | 200 Hz | CW – 1.836 MHz: QRP (low power) Centre of activity |
| 1.838 – 1.840 MHz | 500 Hz | Narrow band modes |
| 1.840 – 1.843 MHz | 2.7 KHz | All modes |
| 1.843 – 2.000 MHz | 2.7 KHz | Telephony – Lowest LSB carrier frequency (dial setting) should be 1.843 MHz |
Notes
- 1.810-1.850 MHz – Primary User: 1.810-1.830 MHz on a non-interference basis to stations outside of the UK.
- 1.850-2.000 MHz – Secondary User: 32W (15dBW) Maximum
- AX25 packet should not be used on the 1.8 MHz (160m) band.
80m (3.5 MHz)
| Frequency | Bandwidth | Preferred Modes and Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 3.500-3.510 MHz | 200 Hz | CW – Priority for inter-continental operation |
| 3.510 – 3.560 MHz | 200 Hz | CW – contest preferred – 3.555 MHz: QRS (slow CW) Centre of Activity |
| 3.560 – 3.570 MHz | 200 Hz | CW – 3.560 MHz: QRP (low power) Centre of Activity |
| 3.570 – 3.580 MHz | 200 Hz | Narrow band modes |
| 3.580 – 3.590 MHz | 500 Hz | Narrow band modes |
| 3.590 – 3.600 MHz | 500 Hz | Narrow band modes – automatically controlled data stations (unattended) |
| 3.600 – 3.620 MHz | 2.7 KHz | All modes – automatically controlled data stations (unattended) (Note 1) |
| 3.600 – 3.650 MHz | 2.7 KHz | All modes – Phone contest preferred (Notes 1 and 2) |
| 3.650 – 3.700 MHz | 2.7 KHz | All modes – Telephony, CW 3.663 MHz may be used for UK emergency comms traffic. 3.690 MHz SSB QRP (low power) Centre of Activity. |
| 3.700 – 3.775 MHz | 2.7 KHz | All modes – Phone contest preferred 3.735 MHz Image mode Centre of Activity 3.760 MHz IARU Region 1 Emergency Centre of Activity |
| 3.775 – 3.800 MHz | 2.7 KHz | All modes – Phone contest preferred Priority for inter-continental telephony (SSB) operation |
Notes
- Lowest LSB carrier frequency (dial setting) should be 3.603 MHz.
- 3.630 MHz – digital voice Center of Activity
- Shared with other user services
60m (5 MHz)
| Frequency | Bandwidth | Preferred Modes and Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 5.258 – 5.264 MHz | 5.5 KHz | 5.262 MHz – CW QRP (low power) Centre of Activity |
| 5.276 – 5.284 MHz | 8 KHz | 5.2785 MHz – may be used for UK emergency comms traffic |
| 5.288 – 5.292 MHz | 3.5 KHz | Beacons on 5.290 MHz (Note 2), WSPR |
| 5.298 – 5.307 MHz | 9 KHz | |
| 5.313 – 5.323 MHz | 10 KHz | AM – 5.317 MHz with 6kHz max. bandwidth |
| 5.333 – 5.338 MHz | 5 KHz | |
| 5.354 – 5.358 MHz | 4 KHz | |
| 5.362 – 5.3745 MHz | 12.5 KHz | 5.362-5.370 MHz – Digital mode activity in the UK |
| 5.378 – 5.383 MHz | 4 KHz | |
| 5.395 – 5.4015 MHz | 6.5 KHz | |
| 5.403 – 5.4065 MHz | 3 KHz | 5.4035 MHz – USB common international frequency |
Notes
- Upper Sideband is recommended for SSB activity.
- Activity should avoid interference to the experimental beacons on 5.290 MHz
- Amplitude Modulation is permitted with a maximum bandwidth of 6kHz, on frequencies with at least 6kHz available width
- Full Licensees only – Secondary User: 100W max
Note that specific conditions regarding operating, transmission bandwidth, power and antennas are specified in the Licence.
40m (7 MHz)
| Frequency | Bandwidth | Preferred Modes and Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 7.000 – 7.040 MHz | 200 Hz | CW – 7.030 MHz QRP (low power) Centre of Activity |
| 7.040 – 7.047 MHz | 500 Hz | Narrow band modes (Note 2) |
| 7.047 – 7.050 MHz | 500 Hz | Narrow band modes, automatically controlled data stations (unattended) |
| 7.050 – 7.053 MHz | 2.7 KHz | All modes, automatically controlled data stations (unattended), (Note 1) |
| 7.053 – 7.060 MHz | 2.7 KHz | All modes, digimodes |
| 7.060 – 7.100 MHz | 2.7 KHz | All modes, SSB Contest Preferred Segment 7.070 MHz: Digital voice 7.090 MHz: SSB QRP Centre of Activity |
| 7.100 – 7.130 MHz | 2.7 KHz | All modes, 7.110 MHz – Region 1 Emergency Centre of Activiity. |
| 7.130 – 7.200 MHz | 2.7 KHz | All modes, SSB Contest Preferred Segment 7.165 MHz: Image Centre of Activity |
| 7.175 – 7.200 MHz | 2.7 KHz | All modes, priority for intercontinental operation |
Notes
- Lowest LSB carrier frequency (dial setting) should be 7.053 MHz.
- PSK31 activity starts from 7.040 MHz
30m (10 MHz)
| Frequency | Bandwidth | Preferred Modes and Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 10.100 – 10.130 MHz | 200 Hz | CW – 10.116 MHz – QRP (low power) Centre of Activity |
| 10.130 – 10.150 MHz | 500 Hz | Narrow band modes |
Notes
- Automatically controlled data stations (unattended) should avoid the use of the 10 MHz band
- The 10 MHz band is allocated to the Amateur Service only on a Secondary basis.
- The IARU has agreed that only CW and other narrow bandwidth modes are to be used on this band. Likewise the band is not to be used for contests and bulletins.
- SSB may be used on the 10 MHz band during emergencies involving the immediate safety of life and property, and only by stations actually involved with the handling of emergency traffic
- The band segment 10,120-10,140 kHz may only be used for SSB transmissions in the area of Africa south of the equator during local daylight hours.
of writing i am as well delighted to share my know-how here with colleagues.