Click here to return to the main page.
The shortwave radio spectrum is divided into several bands, each with specific frequency ranges and typical uses. Below is a general overview of the shortwave band plan:
| Band | Frequency Range (MHz) | Typical Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Out of Bands | ||
| ELF | 3 - 30 Hz | ELF radio waves are generated by lightning and by natural disturbances in Earth's magnetic field. |
| SLF | 30 - 300 Hz | This frequency range includes the frequencies of AC power grids (50 hertz and 60 hertz). |
| ULF | 300 Hz - 3 kHz | ULF radio waves are used for communication with submarines and for geophysical research. |
| VLF | 10 - 30 kHz | VLF time signals and submarine communication/military |
| LF | 30 - 100 kHz | Maritime communication, navigation, and time signals |
| Out of Bands | ||
| LF Teleswitch | 125 - 153 kHz | Teleswitch communication |
| LW Broadcast | 153 - 279 kHz | Long-wave broadcasting |
| Out of Bands | ||
| NDB | 284 - 472 kHz | Non-directional beacon, maritime communication |
| MF Amateur | 472 - 480 kHz | Amateur radio (limited use) |
| Out of Bands | ||
| MW Broadcast | 530 - 1700 kHz | Medium-wave broadcasting |
| UK Naval | 1700 - 1810 kHz | UK naval communication |
| 160m Amateur | 1810 - 2000 kHz | Amateur radio |
| Out of Bands | ||
| 120m Broadcast | 2300 - 2495 kHz | 120m broadcasting |
| Out of Bands | ||
| 2 MHz Aeronautical | 2850 - 3155 kHz | Aeronautical communication |
| Out of Bands | ||
| 90m Broadcast | 3200 - 3400 kHz | 90m broadcasting |
| 3 MHz Aeronautical | 3400 - 3500 kHz | Aeronautical communication |
| 80m Amateur | 3500 - 3800 kHz | Amateur radio |
| 3 MHz Aeronautical 2 | 3800 - 3900 kHz | Aeronautical communication |
| 75m Broadcast | 3900 - 4000 kHz | 75m broadcasting |
| Out of Bands | ||
| 4 MHz Maritime | 4065 - 4440 kHz | Maritime communication |
| Out of Bands 4440 - 4605 kHz | HF Military 4605 - 4650 kHz | |
| 4 MHz Aeronautical | 4650 - 4750 kHz | Aeronautical communication |
| 60m Broadcast | 4750 - 5060 kHz | 60m broadcasting |
| Out of Bands | ||
| 60m Amateur | 5250 - 5450 kHz | Amateur radio |
| 5 MHz Aeronautical | 5450 - 5730 kHz | Aeronautical communication |
| Out of Bands | ||
| 49m Broadcast | 5900 - 6200 kHz | 49m broadcasting |
| 6 MHz Maritime | 6200 - 6525 kHz | Maritime communication |
| 6 MHz Aeronautical | 6525 - 6765 kHz | Aeronautical communication |
| ISM Industrial, Scientific, and Medical | 6765 - 6795 kHz | Industrial, Scientific, and Medical applications |
| Out of Bands | ||
| 40m Amateur | 7000 - 7200 kHz | Amateur radio |
| 41m Broadcast | 7200 - 7450 kHz | 41m broadcasting |
| Out of Bands | ||
| 8 MHz Maritime | 8195 - 8815 kHz | Maritime communication |
| 8 MHz Aeronautical | 8815 - 9040 kHz | Aeronautical communication |
| 31m Broadcast | 9400 - 9900 kHz | 31m broadcasting |
| Out of Bands | ||
| 10 MHz Aeronautical | 10005 - 10100 kHz | Aeronautical communication |
| 30m Amateur | 10100 - 10150 kHz | Amateur radio |
| Out of Bands | ||
| 11 MHz Aeronautical | 11175 - 11400 kHz | Aeronautical communication |
| Out of Bands | ||
| 25m Broadcast | 11600 - 12100 kHz | 25m broadcasting |
| Out of Bands | ||
| 12 MHz Maritime | 12230 - 13200 kHz | Maritime communication |
| 13 MHz Aeronautical | 13200 - 13360 kHz | Aeronautical communication |
| Out of Bands | ||
| RFID - ISM Industrial, Scientific, and Medical | 13553 - 13567 kHz | RFID - Industrial, Scientific, and Medical applications |
| Out of Bands | ||
| 22m Broadcast | 13570 - 13870 kHz | 22m broadcasting |
| Out of Bands | ||
| 20m Amateur | 14000 - 14350 kHz | Amateur radio |
| Out of Bands | ||
| 15 MHz Aeronautical | 15010 - 15100 kHz | Aeronautical communication |
| 19m Broadcast | 15100 - 15800 kHz | 19m broadcasting |
| Out of Bands | ||
| 16m Broadcast | 17480 - 17900 kHz | 16m broadcasting |
| 17 MHz Aeronautical | 17900 - 18030 kHz | Aeronautical communication |
| Out of Bands | ||
| 17m Amateur | 18070 - 18170 kHz | Amateur radio |
| Out of Bands | ||
| 15m Broadcast | 18900 - 18920 kHz | 15m broadcasting |
| Out of Bands | ||
| 15m Amateur | 21000 - 21450 kHz | Amateur radio |
| 13m Broadcast | 21450 - 21850 kHz | 13m broadcasting |
| 22 MHz Aeronautical | 21850 - 22000 kHz | Aeronautical communication |
| 22 MHz Maritime | 22000 - 22855 kHz | Maritime communication |
| Out of Bands | ||
| 12m Amateur | 24890 - 24990 kHz | Amateur radio |
| Out of Bands | ||
| 25 MHz Maritime | 25070 - 25120 kHz | Maritime communication |
| Out of Bands | ||
| 11m Broadcast | 25600 - 26100 kHz | 11m broadcasting |
| Out of Bands | ||
| CB (Citizens Band) - ISM Industrial, Scientific, and Medical | 26965 - 27405 kHz | Citizens Band communication |
| Out of Bands | ||
| 10m Amateur | 28000 - 29700 kHz | Amateur radio |
| Radio Remote Control | 29700 kHz - 40 MHz | Remote control devices |
| 8m Amateur | 40 - 45 MHz | Amateur radio |
| Radio Remote Control | 45 - 47 MHz | Remote control devices |
| VHF Analog Broadcast | 47 - 50 MHz | VHF broadcasting for Analog TV |
| 6m Amateur | 50 - 54 MHz | Amateur radio |
| VHF Analog Broadcast | 54 - 58 MHz | VHF broadcasting for Analog TV |
| 5m Amateur | 58 - 60.1 MHz | Amateur radio |
| VHF Analog Broadcast | 60.1 - 68 MHz | VHF broadcasting for Analog TV |
| Out of Bands | ||
| 4m Amateur | 70 - 70.5 MHz | Amateur radio |
| Out of Bands | ||
| French Government Digital modes / Military / FM Broadcast (Asia) | 74.8 - 87.5 MHz | French Government Digital modes / Military / FM Broadcast (Asia) |
| FM Broadcast | 87.5 - 108 MHz | FM broadcasting |
| VHF Air Band | 108 - 137 MHz | VHF aeronautical band |
| ISL/VOR | 137 - 144 MHz | VHF aeronautical band |
| 2m Amateur | 144 - 148 MHz | Amateur radio |
| VHF Marine / AIS | 148 - 174 MHz | VHF Marine / AIS |
| DAB/DAB+ Broadcast | 174 - 223 MHz | DAB/DAB+ broadcasting |