Operator’s Verdict: HF (3–30 MHz) uses the ionosphere for worldwide contacts; VHF/UHF (30–3,000 MHz) is primarily line-of-sight for local use. Start on 40m (7 MHz) for HF or 2m (144 MHz) for VHF. Each band has its own character — here’s the map.
The Spectrum Overview
Amateur radio occupies dozens of frequency allocations spread across the electromagnetic spectrum. Rather than being contiguous, amateur allocations appear at intervals alongside commercial, military, and government services.
The core amateur bands are:
| Band Name | Frequency Range | Wavelength | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 160m | 1.8–2.0 MHz | 160 metres | Night DX, local nets |
| 80m | 3.5–4.0 MHz | 80 metres | Regional nets, night DX |
| 60m | 5 channels near 5.3 MHz | ~60 metres | Emergency comms |
| 40m | 7.0–7.3 MHz | 40 metres | All-round DX, NVIS |
| 30m | 10.1–10.15 MHz | 30 metres | Digital modes, WARC |
| 20m | 14.0–14.35 MHz | 20 metres | Primary DX band |
| 17m | 18.068–18.168 MHz | 17 metres | DX, WARC |
| 15m | 21.0–21.45 MHz | 15 metres | Solar-enhanced DX |
| 12m | 24.89–24.99 MHz | 12 metres | Solar max DX, WARC |
| 10m | 28.0–29.7 MHz | 10 metres | Solar max DX, local FM |
| 6m | 50–54 MHz | 6 metres | Es, F2, tropo VHF DX |
| 2m | 144–148 MHz | 2 metres | VHF primary, repeaters |
| 70cm | 430–440 MHz | 70 cm | UHF, FM, satellite |
| 23cm | 1240–1300 MHz | 23 cm | Microwave, ATV |
Pro Tip: Monitor DXRadar’s solar weather dashboard for real-time space weather data — check it before every operating session.
HF Bands: The Ionospheric Bands
All HF bands (3–30 MHz) use the ionosphere for propagation. The key differences:
Low HF: 160m, 80m, 60m, 40m
These bands have the longest wavelengths and are most affected by D-layer absorption during daylight hours. The D layer (60–90 km altitude) forms during daylight from solar UV radiation and absorbs lower-frequency HF signals.
At night: D layer dissipates. All low HF bands come alive for long-distance propagation. 40m consistently provides 1,000–4,000 km contacts overnight. 80m extends to 3,000 km. 160m can reach 5,000+ km under ideal conditions.
During the day: 40m NVIS works well for 300–800 km regional coverage. 80m is limited to short NVIS paths. 160m is essentially not useful for long distances during daylight.
Mid HF: 30m, 20m
20 metres is the most consistently useful HF DX band. It’s open for long-distance propagation during daylight hours across the solar cycle (though better at solar maximum). A working 20m signal represents an ionospheric reflection from the F2 layer at approximately 300–400 km altitude.
30 metres is primarily a digital mode band (FT8, FT4, JS8Call). Its WARC allocation means no contests, making it quieter than adjacent bands.
High HF: 17m, 15m, 12m, 10m
These bands require good solar conditions to propagate. The F layer electron density must be high enough to reflect signals at these frequencies — which depends on solar flux (SFI).
At solar maximum (SFI > 150): All high HF bands are productive. 10m can provide spectacular worldwide DX contacts with very modest equipment. 15m is open most of the day. 17m and 12m are the least crowded DX bands.
At solar minimum (SFI < 80): 10m may be completely closed for weeks. 12m and 17m are marginal. 15m still produces contacts but with reduced reliability.
VHF Bands: The Clear-Weather Bands
6 metres (50–54 MHz)
The “Magic Band” sits at the transition between HF and VHF. It usually behaves like VHF (line-of-sight only) but periodically opens for remarkable DX via:
- Sporadic-E: May–August primarily; unpredictable, spectacular
- F2 propagation: During solar maximum (SFI > 150), worldwide contacts possible
- Trans-equatorial propagation: For stations near 25–35° geographic latitude
When 6m opens, it’s dramatic — signals from thousands of kilometres away suddenly appear at full strength.
2 metres (144–148 MHz)
The most popular VHF band worldwide. Primarily used for:
- FM voice via repeaters (local, up to ~150 km radius)
- Weak signal SSB/CW DX via tropo ducting, EME, meteor scatter
- Digital modes (FT8, MSK144)
Under normal conditions: line-of-sight, roughly 50–150 km. During tropo duct events: 500–2,000 km.
70 centimetres (430–440 MHz) and Higher
UHF bands are primarily for local communication, FM repeaters, and specialised modes (amateur satellites, ATV — amateur television). Very long-distance propagation is rarer but possible via tropo ducting.
How to Check Current Band Conditions
Rather than memorising every factor, use DXRadar’s best-bands-now page for a synthesised view of current conditions across all bands. The colour-coded table shows which bands are currently productive for DX based on live propagation data and solar indices.
For specific band details, each band page (/band/40m, /band/20m, /band/10m, etc.) shows current and historical conditions alongside propagation spot maps filtered to that frequency.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many frequency bands does amateur radio have?
Amateur radio has allocations in over 30 separate frequency bands, from 135.7 kHz (extremely low frequency) to 248 GHz (microwave). The most commonly used bands by the majority of licensed operators are: HF (160m through 10m), VHF (6m, 2m, 70cm), and UHF (23cm). Many operators focus on just 2–5 bands that match their interests and equipment. Each band has distinct propagation characteristics, antenna size requirements, and typical uses that make it suited to specific operating activities.
What band should a beginner start with?
Most new HF operators start on 40 metres (7 MHz). It’s reliable year-round, works both day and night, supports both local and DX contacts, and has high activity levels. Antennas for 40m are practical — a dipole is about 20 metres (66 feet) long. On VHF, beginners typically start on 2 metres (144 MHz) using FM through local repeaters, as this requires minimal equipment and provides easy local communication for learning procedure and etiquette. Once comfortable, expanding to other bands adds new propagation experiences.
Why do different bands have different propagation characteristics?
Propagation differences between bands result from how the ionosphere interacts with different frequencies. Lower HF frequencies (80m, 40m) are absorbed or reflected by lower ionospheric layers (D and E), limiting them to shorter distances or nighttime propagation when D-layer dissipates. Higher HF frequencies (15m, 10m) pass through lower layers and reflect off the F layer, enabling very long distances when solar conditions support it — but they need sufficient solar flux to maintain F-layer electron density. VHF frequencies (above 30 MHz) generally pass through the ionosphere entirely, limiting them to line-of-sight unless special conditions (sporadic-E, tropo ducting) create temporary reflection.
What does ‘band conditions’ mean?
Band conditions describe how well a specific frequency band is currently supporting radio propagation between regions. When operators say ‘20m is good today’, they mean that the 20 metre band (14 MHz) is currently supporting contacts across the distances typical for that band, with reasonable signal strengths. Conditions depend on: solar flux index (SFI) for high bands, time of day (D-layer absorption cycle), geomagnetic activity (Kp index), and for VHF bands, local weather (tropo) or ionospheric sporadic-E events. DXRadar’s best-bands-now page shows current conditions for each band in a colour-coded summary.
What is the difference between 80m day and night propagation?
80 metres (3.5 MHz) behaves very differently between day and night because of the D layer — a low ionospheric layer that absorbs HF signals during daylight hours. During the day, the D layer absorbs 80m signals before they can reach the higher-altitude F layer that provides long-distance propagation. This limits 80m daytime coverage to roughly 0–600 km. At night, the D layer dissipates, allowing 80m signals to reach the F layer and propagate to 1,000–4,000 km. This is why 80m is primarily used for evening/overnight DX, while being mainly a local NVIS band during the day.