RobL's world of wonder

A recent conversation with a (very) learned amateur chum indicated that there seems to be a need for a basic and straightforward guide to the HF bands, not on the frequencies, we have the band plans for that but rather to give some sort of guidance as to the nature of the bands. This is a subject which has been written about extensively over many years and this is at best a brief introduction so is intended as nothing more. Deliberate omission is 136kHz which can be classified as an LF band.

‘Top band’ – 160 metres (1.81-2.00MHz)

just above the medium wave broadcast band

in daylight hours best suited to local communications

after dark range achievable increases significantly and potentially intercontinental contacts are possible particularly in the winter

high levels of atmospheric noise especially during summertime

popular at the sunspot minimum with long ranges possible

80 metres (3.50-3.80MHz)

in daylight hours relatively easy communications up to 300km, very popular band for such local contacts

after dark range achievable increases greatly

round the world contacts possible at dusk and dawn, especially during the winter

60 metres (5.2585, 5.2785, 5288.5, 5.3985 & 5.4035MHz USB – channelised)

only available for full licensees who have applied for and hold an NOV to be able to use this temporary and experimental allocation

channelised as noted as only specific frequencies are available for use

interesting DX possible with the long distance qualities of 40 metres but without the shortwave broadcast QRM

40 metres (7.00-7.20MHz)

small band but good for DX (long distance) contacts

long distance contacts possible during the day but increases significantly after dark and during the winter

particularly popular around the sunspot minimum as long range contacts are still possible

dusk and dawn long distance (greyline propagation) stations can be heard

7.1 to 7.2MHz is a relatively recent addition to the band in the UK but on a secondary basis. This means the band is shared with other users, foreign broadcast stations who have precedence so DON’T INTERFERE!

30 metres (10.10-10.15MHz)

Narrow band modes such as CW (morse code) and digimodes only other than for emergency use

Again radio amateurs are secondary users of this band

20 metres (14.00-14.35MHz)

this is the main long distance band but is affected by the time of day, season and the sunspot cycle, the band can close late at night

dusk and dawn long distance stations can be heard

during the sunspot maximum the band can remain open during the night

there are few times when some form of DX stations are not contactable even using relatively low power and basic antennas

17 metres (18.068-18.168MHz)

relatively narrow band but capable of giving good results

quieter than 20metres as there is no contest activity

propagation conditions are similar to 20metres but being higher in frequency generally works better during the day and closes earlier at night as well as being more affected by the sunspot cycle

15 metres (21.00-21.45MHz)

very popular band though more affected by the state of the sun

during sunspot minimum no stations may be heard and will often close at night

signal strengths can be higher than on 20metres and at sunspot maximum the band will remain open well into the night

broadcast band immediately above this band can give a good indication as to whether the band is open

12 metres (24.89-24.99MHz)

narrow band (similar to 17metres) but similar in propagation to 10 metres a little higher in frequency

relatively high frequency means band is greatly affected by the sunspot cycle but when it is open the band can give good results

after dark signals fall away and in the morning it takes a time for long distance stations to emerge

10 metres (28.00-29.70MHz)