Changes

== Band characteristics and usage ==

== Band characteristics and usage ==

Each of those band have particular characteristics. Since the vast majority of operations (if we lump together the [[160m]] band within [[HF]]) happens within [[HF]], [[VHF]] and [[UHF]], we're going only to look at those here.

Each of those band have particular characteristics. Since the vast majority of operations (if we lump together the [[160m]] band within [[HF]]) happens within HF, [[VHF]] and UHF, we're going only to look at those here.

=== HF Bands ===

=== HF Bands ===

There are a number of amateur [[HF]] bands used worldwide, although the bands and frequencies legally available vary from country to country. HF is renowned for its capability of long range communication, because of the way [[sky waves]] [[Propagation|propagate]].

There are a number of amateur [[HF]] bands used worldwide, although the bands and frequencies legally available vary from country to country. HF is renowned for its capability of long range communication, because of the way [[sky waves]] [[Propagation|propagate]].

[[HF]] bands used today include:

HF bands used today include:

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

=== VHF/UHF/Microwave Bands ===

=== VHF/UHF/Microwave Bands ===

[[VHF]], [[UHF]], and [[Microwave and other bands|Microwave]] bands and frequencies available to amateurs vary more widely from country to country than HF bands do.

[[VHF]], UHF, and [[Microwave and other bands|Microwave]] bands and frequencies available to amateurs vary more widely from country to country than HF bands do.

Amateur bands used today include:

Amateur bands used today include:

== Actual allocations ==

== Actual allocations ==

What those band allocation mean in term of frequencies that the ham operators are allowed to work with varies according from region to region. This is regulated by the [[ITU]], or more precisely the [[IARU]], which manages regulations for each of the 3 [[ITU]] regions. Countries then make up their own local allocation in accordance (generally) with the region they are in.

What those band allocation mean in term of frequencies that the ham operators are allowed to work with varies according from region to region. This is regulated by the [[ITU]], or more precisely the [[IARU]], which manages regulations for each of the 3 ITU regions. Countries then make up their own local allocation in accordance (generally) with the region they are in.

=== 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