Amateur Band Plan and radio listening in one place.
Complete IARU Region 1 amateur band plan, from LF to 23 cm: CW, RTTY and digimode segments, beacons, SSB, FM, repeaters and satellites with every centre of activity. Switch to the SWL section for broadcast listening bands.
IARU/ARI Band Plan · SWL sectionAmateur radio Band Plan · HF, VHF and UHF
Complete IARU Region 1 band plan, band by band, in the style of the official plans: each bar shows the segments for CW, narrow band (digimodes, RTTY), unattended stations, beacons, all modes/SSB, FM simplex, repeaters, satellites and data. Triangles mark IARU centres of activity and common-use frequencies (FT8, FT4, WSPR). The table under each bar lists every range with maximum bandwidth, mode and usage. The band plan is an agreement between radio amateurs: legal limits are set by your national regulator.
Original RadioMeteo graphics. Data from: IARU Region 1 HF Band Plan (effective 16 October 2020) for 2200 m – 10 m; IARU Region 1 VHF Managers Handbook version 10.03 (2026) for 6 m, 4 m, 2 m, 70 cm and 23 cm. FT8, FT4 and WSPR frequencies are the common-use defaults of WSJT-X and are not part of the IARU plan. When in doubt, the original documents and your national regulations (allocations, licence class, power) prevail.
How to use the amateur radio band plan
The IARU band plan is a voluntary agreement among radio amateurs that lets different modes share the same band; legal limits (frequencies, power, licence classes) remain those set by national regulations. Following it avoids interference and makes it easier to find stations using your own mode.
LSB or USB?
By convention phone uses LSB on 160, 80 and 40 m and USB from 20 m up. Digital modes such as FT8, FT4, PSK and soundcard RTTY always use USB.
Where are FT8 and the other digital modes?
WSJT-X and JTDX suggest standard frequencies, for example 7.074, 14.074, 21.074 and 28.074 MHz for FT8: they sit inside the digital segments of the band plan. Before transmitting, always check that the frequency is clear.
What does “all modes” mean?
By IARU definition it covers CW, phone (SSB) and the modes listed as centres of activity, plus AM, used with consideration for adjacent channel users. The bandwidth limit in the table applies to every emission.
Where is RTTY?
RTTY is a narrow band mode: it belongs in the green “narrow band · digimodes” segments, for example 3580–3600, 7040–7050, 14080–14099, 21080–21110 and 28080–28150 kHz. During RTTY contests activity spreads further, but stays clear of the lower CW segments and of beacon frequencies.
What do “unattended stations” and “contest preferred” mean?
Striped segments also host data stations that transmit without an operator (for example Winlink, HF APRS, WSPR). “CW/SSB contest preferred” marks the portions where contest activity should be concentrated, leaving the rest of the band to non-participants.
Are there frequencies to keep clear?
Yes. Beacon frequencies, such as 14.099–14.101 MHz for the NCDXF/IARU network, are reserved for beacons. On the WARC bands (30, 17 and 12 m) no contests are held, by IARU agreement.
Explore a frequency or a band
Identify a signal
To find out which station transmits on a frequency, with the time and language of the programme, use the tool on the On Air Now page: it checks the frequency against the updated schedule.
Open On Air Now →Reverse lookup by band
Choose a band to see its frequency range, typical reception mode and operational notes.
Broadcast bands
Browse and filter the band cards. Select any card to show its range in the reverse lookup result.
How to interpret and monitor frequencies
Radio frequencies are expressed in kHz or MHz: 5900 kHz equals 5.900 MHz. To estimate wavelength in metres use λ = 299,792.458 / f(kHz), rounding only the displayed result. This is the electromagnetic wavelength, not the actual physical length of an antenna.
Does a listed band mean a station is on air?
No. Bands are allocated frequency ranges, not schedules or observed signals. Actual reception requires listening with a suitable receiver.
AM, FM or DRM: which mode should I use?
Analogue medium-wave and shortwave broadcasting typically use AM, while 87.5–108 MHz VHF radio usually uses FM. DRM is digital and requires a compatible receiver or software. A band allocation alone does not establish active DRM transmissions.
Why are some bands tropical or different between regions?
Radio allocations vary by ITU region and international agreements. Tropical bands apply only in areas defined by radio regulations. This guide is a reference aid, not a complete regulatory source.
Technical ranges checked against the ITU “Frequency Bands allocated to Terrestrial Broadcasting Services” page; original RadioMeteo presentation, no ITU tables, logos or imagery reproduced. Allocations vary by region. This module contains no feeds, cookies or third-party services. Verify permissions and the active SWL plugin version before publication.
ITU — Frequency Bands allocated to Terrestrial Broadcasting Services ↗See also: Band conditions · DX Cluster · WebSDR receivers · Satellites and ISS