Frequencies & Band Plan
Complete U.S. amateur radio band allocations, FT8 frequencies, common calling frequencies, and propagation characteristics for each band.
U.S. Amateur Radio Bands
Amateur radio operators are allocated frequency bands across the radio spectrum. Each band has different propagation characteristics, making some better for local communication and others for worldwide DX. The bands you can use depend on your license class.
Common Calling Frequencies
| Purpose | Frequency | Mode | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2m FM Simplex Calling | 146.520 MHz | FM | National calling frequency |
| 70cm FM Simplex Calling | 446.000 MHz | FM | National calling frequency |
| 2m SSB Calling | 144.200 MHz | USB | SSB/CW calling |
| 6m SSB Calling | 50.125 MHz | USB | SSB calling |
| 20m SSB (General) | 14.285 MHz | USB | Common activity center |
| 40m SSB (General) | 7.185 MHz | LSB | Common activity center |
| 20m SSTV | 14.230 MHz | USB | SSTV calling frequency |
| APRS (2m) | 144.390 MHz | Packet | North America APRS |
FT8 Frequencies
FT8 activity is concentrated on specific frequencies on each band. These are the standard dial frequencies where WSJT-X should be set.
| Band | FT8 Frequency | FT4 Frequency | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| 160m | 1.840 MHz | 1.840 MHz | USB |
| 80m | 3.573 MHz | 3.575 MHz | USB |
| 60m | 5.357 MHz | - | USB |
| 40m | 7.074 MHz | 7.047.5 MHz | USB |
| 30m | 10.136 MHz | 10.140 MHz | USB |
| 20m | 14.074 MHz | 14.080 MHz | USB |
| 17m | 18.100 MHz | 18.104 MHz | USB |
| 15m | 21.074 MHz | 21.140 MHz | USB |
| 12m | 24.915 MHz | 24.919 MHz | USB |
| 10m | 28.074 MHz | 28.180 MHz | USB |
| 6m | 50.313 MHz | 50.318 MHz | USB |
| 2m | 144.174 MHz | - | USB |
| 70cm | 432.174 MHz | - | USB |
Understanding Propagation
Radio propagation. how radio waves travel from transmitter to receiver. is one of the most fascinating aspects of amateur radio. HF signals can bounce off the ionosphere to travel thousands of miles, while VHF/UHF signals are generally limited to line-of-sight distances.
Solar activity directly affects HF propagation. During solar maximum (high sunspot numbers), higher-frequency HF bands like 10m, 12m, and 15m come alive with worldwide signals. During solar minimum, these bands may be nearly silent while lower bands like 40m, 80m, and 160m provide reliable regional communication.
Time of day matters greatly. Lower HF bands (40m, 80m, 160m) are generally better at night. Higher bands (20m, 15m, 10m) are daytime bands. 40 meters is unique in offering good propagation both day and night.
Tools for propagation monitoring:
- SolarHam: Real-time solar and geomagnetic data
- PSKReporter: Real-time digital mode reception map
- VOACAP: HF propagation prediction
- WSPRnet: Weak signal propagation reporter network
Repeater Offsets
When using a repeater, you transmit on a different frequency than you receive. The standard offsets are:
| Band | Standard Offset | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Meters (50-54 MHz) | -1 MHz or -500 kHz | Varies by region |
| 2 Meters (144-148 MHz) | +/- 600 kHz | Most common repeater band |
| 1.25 Meters (222-225 MHz) | -1.6 MHz | Standard offset |
| 70 Centimeters (420-450 MHz) | +/- 5 MHz | Second most common |
| 23 Centimeters (1240-1300 MHz) | -12 MHz | Varies |