| 160 m |
1.8 - 2.0 |
Amateur (region-dependent) |
DX at night; NVIS for local communications; narrow bandwidths. |
| 120 m |
2.3 - 2.495 |
International broadcast (ITU) |
Tropical-region broadcasts; technically MF but often listed with shortwave. |
| 90 m |
3.2 - 3.4 |
International broadcast (ITU) |
Local tropical broadcasts; limited long-distance propagation at night. |
| 80 m |
3.5 - 4.0 |
Amateur / shared with broadcast (region-dependent) |
Nighttime DX; regional propagation; regional allocation differences. |
| 75 m |
3.9 - 4.0 |
International broadcast (ITU) |
Primarily used in Eastern Hemisphere after dark; overlaps 80 m amateur in some regions. |
| 60 m (broadcast) |
4.75 - 4.995 |
International broadcast (ITU) |
Tropical local broadcasts; time stations near 5 MHz. |
| 60 m (amateur) |
≈5.332 - 5.405 |
Amateur (channelized, country-specific) |
Special channelized allocations; regulations vary by country. |
| 49 m |
5.9 - 6.2 |
International broadcast (ITU) |
Good year-round nighttime band; poor daytime long-distance propagation. |
| 41 / 40 m |
7.0 - 7.45 |
Broadcast + Amateur (region-dependent) |
41 m broadcast ~7.2-7.45 MHz; 40 m amateur excellent for night DX and NVIS. |
| 31 m |
9.4 - 9.9 |
International broadcast (ITU) |
Heavily used for international broadcasting; strong nighttime performance. |
| 30 m |
10.100 - 10.150 |
Amateur (IARU) |
CW and data only; effective for regional and long-haul propagation. |
| 25 m |
11.6 - 12.1 |
International broadcast (ITU) |
Good during summer and around sunset. |
| 22 m |
13.57 - 13.87 |
International broadcast (ITU) |
Widely used in Eurasia; similar propagation to 19 m band. |
| 20 m |
14.000 - 14.350 |
Amateur (IARU) + other allocations |
Primary long-distance DX band; excellent daytime propagation. |
| 19 m |
15.1 - 15.83 |
International broadcast (ITU) |
Strong daytime performance; best in summer; includes time stations. |
| 17 m |
18.068 - 18.168 |
Amateur (IARU) |
Good daytime DX and sunset paths; quieter than adjacent bands. |
| 16 m |
17.48 - 17.9 |
International broadcast (ITU) |
Good daytime reception with seasonal variation. |
| 15 m |
21.000 - 21.450 |
Amateur (IARU) + some broadcast |
Daytime DX during moderate to high solar activity; quieter at night. |
| 13 m |
21.45 - 21.85 |
International broadcast (ITU) |
Erratic daytime propagation; minimal night reception. |
| 12 m |
24.890 - 24.990 |
Various services (region-dependent) |
Often allocated to non-amateur services; check local regulations. |
| 11 m |
25.67 - 26.1 / 26.965 - 27.405 |
Broadcast / CB / mobile |
Mostly local; long-distance propagation during high solar cycles. |
| 10 m |
28.000 - 29.700 |
Amateur (IARU) |
VHF-like behavior during solar maxima; excellent daytime DX. |
| HF overall |
3 - 30 |
ITU High Frequency band |
Used for broadcasting, amateur, maritime, aeronautical, and fixed services; ionospheric skywave propagation. |