High Frequency (HF) bands, ranging from 3 MHz to 30 MHz, are used extensively in amateur radio, maritime communication, aviation, and military operations. These bands allow for long-distance communication, especially under favorable conditions. Below is a list of commonly used HF frequencies, including amateur radio allocations and other notable frequencies.
HF Amateur Radio Bands (ITU Region 2 – Americas)
80 meters (3.5 – 4.0 MHz)
- 3.500 – 3.525 MHz: CW (Morse code) only.
- 3.525 – 3.600 MHz: CW and data modes (RTTY, PSK31, etc.).
- 3.600 – 4.000 MHz: CW, SSB (Single Sideband), and other voice modes.
60 meters (5.3305 – 5.4035 MHz)
- 5.332 MHz
- 5.348 MHz
- 5.368 MHz
- 5.373 MHz
- 5.405 MHz
- These channels are allocated for specific types of communications, often used for emergency and inter-agency communication.
40 meters (7.0 – 7.3 MHz)
- 7.000 – 7.025 MHz: CW only.
- 7.025 – 7.125 MHz: CW and data modes.
- 7.125 – 7.300 MHz: CW, SSB, and other voice modes.
30 meters (10.1 – 10.15 MHz)
- 10.100 – 10.150 MHz: CW and data modes only.
20 meters (14.0 – 14.35 MHz)
- 14.000 – 14.070 MHz: CW only.
- 14.070 – 14.150 MHz: CW and data modes.
- 14.150 – 14.350 MHz: CW, SSB, and other voice modes.
17 meters (18.068 – 18.168 MHz)
- 18.068 – 18.110 MHz: CW and data modes.
- 18.110 – 18.168 MHz: CW, SSB, and other voice modes.
15 meters (21.0 – 21.45 MHz)
- 21.000 – 21.070 MHz: CW only.
- 21.070 – 21.200 MHz: CW and data modes.
- 21.200 – 21.450 MHz: CW, SSB, and other voice modes.
12 meters (24.890 – 24.990 MHz)
- 24.890 – 24.930 MHz: CW and data modes.
- 24.930 – 24.990 MHz: CW, SSB, and other voice modes.
10 meters (28.0 – 29.7 MHz)
- 28.000 – 28.070 MHz: CW only.
- 28.070 – 28.190 MHz: CW and data modes.
- 28.190 – 29.700 MHz: CW, SSB, FM, and other voice modes.
Notable HF Frequencies for Other Uses
Maritime Mobile Service
- 2.182 MHz: International distress, urgency, and safety frequency.
- 8.291 MHz: International ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communications.
- 12.290 MHz: International maritime communications.
Aviation
- 3.023 MHz: International aircraft communication.
- 5.680 MHz: Long-range aviation communications.
- 8.867 MHz: Aircraft to ground station communication.
Shortwave Listening (SWL) Bands
- 3.900 – 4.000 MHz: International broadcast.
- 5.900 – 6.200 MHz: International broadcast.
- 9.400 – 9.900 MHz: International broadcast.
Military and Government
- 4.724 MHz: US Coast Guard and military communication.
- 6.507 MHz: US military communications.
- 8.992 MHz: US Air Force Global HF System.
Citizen Band (CB) Radio
- 26.965 – 27.405 MHz: CB radio channels (40 channels for general use).
International Distress and Emergency Frequencies
- 2.182 MHz: International distress frequency for maritime communications.
- 5.650 MHz: Emergency and inter-agency coordination.
- 8.364 MHz: Primary HF frequency for international distress and safety communications.
Utility and Weather Frequencies
- 2.500 MHz: WWV time signal.
- 5.000 MHz: WWV time signal.
- 10.000 MHz: WWV time signal.
- 15.000 MHz: WWV time signal.
These frequencies cover a broad spectrum of uses and can provide valuable communication capabilities for amateur radio operators, emergency responders, and general users.