Changes

The radio frequency is traditionally separated in separate "slices" or "bands" of frequencies that have all their own use. By convention, certain bands are reserve to certain uses, most of the time because of the physical properties of the frequency or the environment.

The radio frequency is traditionally separated in separate "slices" or "bands" of frequencies that have all their own use. By convention, certain '''bands''' are reserve to certain uses, most of the time because of the physical properties of the frequency or the environment.

== Radio Bands ==

== Radio Bands ==

Those are the bands of the radio spectrum relevant to amateur radio. Although ham radio operators have been very creative at exploring the full range of the radio spectrum, most operations hold in those areas.

Those are the bands of the radio spectrum relevant to amateur radio. Although ham radio operators have been very creative at exploring the full range of the radio spectrum, most operations hold in those areas.

* LF  30 - 300 kHz

* LF  30 – 300 kHz

* MF  300 kHz - 3 MHz

* MF  300 kHz - 3 MHz

* [[HF]]  3 - 30 MHz (aka shortwave)

* [[HF]]  3 - 30 MHz (aka shortwave)

* [[VHF]] 30 - 300 MHz

* [[VHF]] 30 - 300 MHz

* [[UHF]] 300 MHz - 3000 MHz (3 GHz)

* [[UHF]] 300 MHz - 3000 MHz (3 GHz)

* SHF 3,000 - 30,000 MHz (see also [[Microwave and other bands]])

* SHF 3,000 - 30,000 MHz (see also [[Microwave and other bands]])

== Band characteristics and usage ==

== Band characteristics and usage ==

=== Regional Band Plans ===

=== Regional Band Plans ===

Within three regions around the world, different "plans" are agreed upon by Amateur Radio Operators to divide up the authorized band into sections.  Each section is targeted to a specific operating [[Modes|mode]] (e.g., [[Modes#Single-Sideband_Modulation (SSB)|SSB]], [[Modes#Frequency_Modulation (FM)|FM]], Digital, etc). The [[ITU]] separated the world in 3 separate regions:

Within three regions around the world, different "plans" are agreed upon by Amateur Radio Operators to divide up the authorized band into sections.  Each section is targeted to a specific operating [[Modes|mode]] (e.g., [[Modes#Single-Sideband Modulation (SSB)|SSB]], [[Modes#Frequency Modulation (FM)|FM]], Digital, etc). The [[ITU]] separated the world in 3 separate regions:

* '''[http://www.iaru-r1.org/Spectrumbp.htm Region 1]''' encompasses Africa, the Mediterranean, Europe, and Asiatic Russia

* '''[http://www.iaru-r1.org/Spectrumbp.htm Region 1]''' encompasses Africa, the Mediterranean, Europe, and Asiatic Russia

* The [[United States Band Plan]]

* The [[United States Band Plan]]

== See Also ==

== See also ==

* [[Amateur radio glossary]]

* [[Amateur radio glossary]]

* [[Records - Distance]]

* [[Records - Distance]]