Meter Bands
November 19, 2012, Submitted by: Ken (Admin)
A list of shortwave radio and amateur radio (Ham radio) ‘meter’ bands. It is a general list of ‘bands’, their associated frequencies, and a general description of what to expect.
Depending on your specific shortwave radio, you can receive lots of international broadcasts as well as some or all of the amateur radio (Ham radio) bands. The bands (meter bands) vary regarding what is better during the day or better at night.
Your shortwave radio may have some of these ‘meter’ bands labeled, or the frequencies themselves. Other radios require that you enter the frequency directly.
By the way, the meter bands themselves represent the approximate height of the signal’s wavelength. For example the popular 31 meter international broadcast band consists of ‘invisible’ wavelengths of about 31 meters from bottom to top (about 100 feet!).
Download and/or print your own copy:
Shortwave and Amateur (Ham) Radio METER BANDS
Meter Band Frequency (kHz) Condition Comments:
120 2300 – 2495 Night Mainly used ‘locally’ in tropical regions
Also used by government in North America
90 3200 – 3400 Night Mainly used ‘locally’ in tropical regions
Used by various agencies of U.S. government
80 3500 – 4000 Night Amateur (Ham radio) band
LSB (voice) and CW (Morse code) mode
75 3900 – 4000 Night Mainly used in Eastern Hemisphere
Mainly Europe, Africa
60 4750 – 5060 Night Mainly used ‘locally’ in tropical regions
Best reception during Fall and Winter
49 5900 – 6200 Night Popular band for nighttime broadcasting
The best overall nighttime band for Int’l broadcasting
41 7100 – 7350 Night / Day Int’l Broadcast, except North-South America
which is reserved for Amateur radio
40 7000 – 7300 Night / Day Amateur (Ham radio) band
LSB (voice) and CW (Morse code) mode
31 9400 – 9990 Night / Day Most Popular Int’l broadcasting band
Best mid-afternoon to mid-morning
25 11600 – 12100 Mostly Day Popular Int’l band for daytime broadcasting
Good any time of day
22 13570 – 13870 Mostly Day Int’l broadcasting
Not heavily used
20 14000 – 14350 Mostly Day Amateur (Ham radio) band (Popular long-distance DX)
USB (voice) and CW (Morse code) mode
19 15030 – 15800 Mostly Day Int’l broadcasting
The best overall daytime band for Int’l broadcasting
17 18068 – 18168 Day Amateur (Ham radio) band
USB (voice) and CW (Morse code) mode
16 17480 – 17900 Day Int’l broadcasting
15 21000 – 21450 Day Amateur (Ham radio) band
USB (voice) and CW (Morse code) mode
13 21450 – 21850 Day Int’l broadcasting
Seldom used
12 24890 – 24990 Day Amateur (Ham radio) band
USB (voice) and CW (Morse code) mode, Best during sunspots
11 25670 – 26100 Day Int’l broadcasting
Seldom used
10 28000 – 29700 Day Amateur (Ham radio) band
USB (voice) and CW (Morse code) mode, Best during sunspots
Most popular portable shortwave radio, Sony ICF-SW7600GR
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ETA:
Chart in PDF form for downloading
even after a couple of attempts that chart still don't look like it should....save your time and download the PDF chart