HF Bands - Mike Dylan Poppelaars

HF bands reference

Ranges are approximate and region-dependent. For actual operating, always check your local band plan.

Band	Frequency range (MHz)	Type / allocations	Typical uses / notes
160 m	1.8 – 2.0	Amateur (region-dependent)	DX at night; NVIS for local comms; narrow bandwidths; noisy but fun.
120 m	2.3 – 2.495	International broadcast (ITU)	"Tropical band" broadcasting; technically MF but often listed with shortwave.
90 m	3.2 – 3.4	International broadcast (ITU)	Tropical broadcasts; mainly nighttime/early morning.
80 m	3.5 – 4.0	Amateur / shared (region-dependent)	Nighttime DX; solid regional propagation; allocation differences by ITU region.
75 m	3.9 – 4.0	International broadcast (ITU)	Mostly Eastern Hemisphere after dark; overlaps 80 m amateur in some regions.
60 m (broadcast)	4.75 – 4.995	International broadcast (ITU)	Tropical local broadcasts; aviation weather and time signals nearby.
60 m (amateur)	≈5.332 – 5.405	Amateur (often channelized)	Rules vary by country; great "in-between" propagation when 40 m is long and 80 m is short.
49 m	5.9 – 6.2	International broadcast (ITU)	Good year-round nighttime band; weak daytime long-distance.
41 m / 40 m	7.0 – 7.45	Broadcast + Amateur (region-dependent)	41 m broadcast ~7.2–7.45 MHz; 40 m amateur = classic night DX + NVIS.
31 m	9.4 – 9.9	International broadcast (ITU)	Busy international broadcast band; often strong evenings/nights.
30 m	10.100 – 10.150	Amateur (IARU)	CW + data only; reliable for regional and long-haul.
25 m	11.6 – 12.1	International broadcast (ITU)	Often good around sunset and during summer daytime.
22 m	13.57 – 13.87	International broadcast (ITU)	Similar feel to 19 m; daytime band with seasonal variation.
20 m	14.000 – 14.350	Amateur (IARU) + other services	Primary long-distance DX band; excellent daytime propagation.
19 m	15.1 – 15.83	International broadcast (ITU)	Strong daytime performance; includes time/standard-frequency stations nearby.
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)	Daytime band; can open surprisingly far with decent solar conditions.
15 m	21.000 – 21.450	Amateur (IARU) + some broadcast	Daytime DX during moderate/high solar activity; quiet at night.
13 m	21.45 – 21.85	International broadcast (ITU)	Mostly daytime; can be erratic; minimal night reception.
10 m	28.000 – 29.700	Amateur (IARU)	VHF-like at solar maxima; excellent daytime DX when it opens.
HF overall	3 – 30	ITU High Frequency band	Broadcasting, amateur, maritime, aero, and fixed services; ionospheric skywave propagation.

Tip: If you’re tuning around, try USB for aviation/maritime services, AM for broadcasters, and CW / narrow filters for beacons and time stations.

Interesting HF frequencies to listen for

These are well-known, “sticky” spots that are fun to check when you want quick proof that HF is alive. Availability varies by region and time of day.

VOLMET (aviation weather)

Shannon VOLMET: 3413, 5505, 8957, 13264 kHz (USB)
RAF VOLMET (UK military): 5450, 11253 kHz (USB) — heard widely in Europe when conditions are right

Time / frequency stations

WWV (USA, NIST): 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20 MHz (AM)
CHU (Canada, NRC): 3330, 7850, 14670 kHz (time signals)

Weatherfax (RADIOFAX)

USCG Boston (NMF) Atlantic: 4235 (night), 6340.5, 9110, 12750 kHz (fax / charts)

Maritime HF distress / calling

HF voice distress (commonly listed): 4125, 6215, 8291, 12290, 16420 kHz (USB; actual monitoring practices vary by coast stations)

Bonus

HFDL (aircraft data link): try scanning around 8–11 MHz at night and 11–18 MHz by day (digital bursts in ~3 kHz channels).
Shortwave broadcasters: evenings on 49 m and 41 m; daytime on 19 m and 16 m. A web schedule helps a lot, since broadcasters move frequencies seasonally.