WARC bands
Encyclopedia
The WARC bands are three portions of the shortwave
radio spectrum used by licensed amateur radio
operators. They consist of 30 meters (10.100–10.150 MHz), 17 meters (18.068–18.168 MHz) and 12 meters (24.890–24.990 MHz). They were named after the World Administrative Radio Conference
, which in 1979 created a worldwide allocation of these bands for amateur use. The bands were opened for use in the early 1980s. Due to their relatively small bandwidth of 100 kHz or less, there is a sort of gentlemen's agreement
that the WARC bands may not be used for general contesting
.
Throughout most of the world, the 30 meter band cannot be used for phone communications except in emergency situations. However, part of Region 1 (Africa, south of the equator, during daylight hours) is permitted to use phone. The USA limits amateur radio users to 200 watts peak envelope power
on this band .
offers the bandplan below as a recommendation for use by radio amateurs in that country but it does not have the force of law and should only be considered a suggestion or guideline.
offers the bandplan below as a recommendation for use by radio amateurs in that country but it does not have the force of law and should only be considered a suggestion or guideline.
SSB may be used during emergencies involving the immediate safety of life and property and only by stations actually involved in the handling of emergency traffic.
The band segment 10.120 to 10.140 may only be used for SSB transmissions in the area of Africa south of the equator during local daylight hours.
offers the bandplan below as a recommendation for use by radio amateurs in that country but it does not have the force of law and should only be considered a suggestion or guideline.
Shortwave
Shortwave radio refers to the upper MF and all of the HF portion of the radio spectrum, between 1,800–30,000 kHz. Shortwave radio received its name because the wavelengths in this band are shorter than 200 m which marked the original upper limit of the medium frequency band first used...
radio spectrum used by licensed amateur radio
Amateur radio
Amateur radio is the use of designated radio frequency spectrum for purposes of private recreation, non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, and emergency communication...
operators. They consist of 30 meters (10.100–10.150 MHz), 17 meters (18.068–18.168 MHz) and 12 meters (24.890–24.990 MHz). They were named after the World Administrative Radio Conference
World Administrative Radio Conference
The World Administrative Radio Conference was a technical conference of the International Telecommunications Union where delegates from member nations of the ITU met to revise or amend the entire international Radio Regulations pertaining to all telecommunication services throughout the world...
, which in 1979 created a worldwide allocation of these bands for amateur use. The bands were opened for use in the early 1980s. Due to their relatively small bandwidth of 100 kHz or less, there is a sort of gentlemen's agreement
Gentlemen's agreement
A gentlemen's agreement is an informal agreement between two or more parties. It may be written, oral, or simply understood as part of an unspoken agreement by convention or through mutually beneficial etiquette. The essence of a gentlemen's agreement is that it relies upon the honor of the parties...
that the WARC bands may not be used for general contesting
Contesting
Contesting is a competitive activity pursued by amateur radio operators. In a contest, an amateur radio station, which may be operated by an individual or a team, seeks to contact as many other amateur radio stations as possible in a given period of time and exchange information...
.
Throughout most of the world, the 30 meter band cannot be used for phone communications except in emergency situations. However, part of Region 1 (Africa, south of the equator, during daylight hours) is permitted to use phone. The USA limits amateur radio users to 200 watts peak envelope power
Peak envelope power
Peak envelope power is the average power supplied to the antenna transmission line by a transmitter during one radio frequency cycle at the crest of the modulation envelope, under normal operating conditions. The United States Federal Communications Commission uses PEP to set maximum power...
on this band .
IARU Region 1
| License class | 24.890–24.915 | 24.915-24.925 | 24.925-24.929 | 24.929-24.931 | 24.931-24.940 | 24.940-24.990 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Effective 1 Jan 2008 |
IARU Region 2
| License class | 24.890–24.915 | 24.915-24.925 | 24.925-24.929 | 24.929-24.931 | 24.931-24.940 | 24.940-24.990 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Effective 1 Jan 2008 |
IARU Region 3
| License class | 24.890–24.920 | 24.920-24.9295 | 24.9295-24.9305 | 24.940-24.990 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Effective as of 2009 | 2 kHz max BW |
Canada
Canada is part of region 2 and as such is subject to the IARU band plan. Radio Amateurs of CanadaRadio Amateurs of Canada
Radio Amateurs of Canada , known in French as Radio Amateurs du Canada, is a member-based, non-profit organization of amateur radio enthusiasts in Canada...
offers the bandplan below as a recommendation for use by radio amateurs in that country but it does not have the force of law and should only be considered a suggestion or guideline.
| License class | 24.890–24.920 | 24.920-24.925 | 24.925-24.9295 | 24.9295-24.9305 | 24.9305-24.940 | 24.940-24.990 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic(+), Advanced |
United States
| License class | 24.890–24.930 | 24.930-24.990 |
|---|---|---|
| Extra, Advanced, General |
IARU Region 1
| License class | 18.068-18.095 | 18.095-18.105 | 18.105-18.109 | 18.109-18.111 | 18.111-18.120 | 18.120-18.168 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Effective 1 Jan 2008 |
IARU Region 2
| License class | 18.068-18.095 | 18.095-18.105 | 18.105-18.109 | 18.109-18.111 | 18.111-18.120 | 18.120-18.168 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Effective 1 Jan 2008 |
IARU Region 3
| License class | 18.068-18.095 | 18.095-18.105 | 18.105-18.1095 | 18.1095-18.1105 | 18.1105-18.168 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Effective as of 2009 |
Canada
Canada is part of region 2 and as such is subject to the IARU band plan. Radio Amateurs of CanadaRadio Amateurs of Canada
Radio Amateurs of Canada , known in French as Radio Amateurs du Canada, is a member-based, non-profit organization of amateur radio enthusiasts in Canada...
offers the bandplan below as a recommendation for use by radio amateurs in that country but it does not have the force of law and should only be considered a suggestion or guideline.
| License class | 18.068-18.095 | 18.095-18.105 | 18.105-18.1095 | 18.1095-18.1105 | 18.1105-18.168 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic(+), Advanced |
United States
| License class | 18.068-18.110 | 18.110-18.168 |
|---|---|---|
| Extra, Advanced, General |
IARU Region 1
| License class | 10.100-10.140 | 10.140-10.150 |
|---|---|---|
| Effective 1 Jan 2008 |
SSB may be used during emergencies involving the immediate safety of life and property and only by stations actually involved in the handling of emergency traffic.
The band segment 10.120 to 10.140 may only be used for SSB transmissions in the area of Africa south of the equator during local daylight hours.
IARU Region 2
| License class | 10.100-10.130 | 10.130-10.140 | 10.140-10.150 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Effective 1 Jan 2008 |
IARU Region 3
| License class | 10.100-10.140 | 10.140-10.150 |
|---|---|---|
| Effective 2009 |
Canada
Canada is part of region 2 and as such is subject to the IARU band plan. Radio Amateurs of CanadaRadio Amateurs of Canada
Radio Amateurs of Canada , known in French as Radio Amateurs du Canada, is a member-based, non-profit organization of amateur radio enthusiasts in Canada...
offers the bandplan below as a recommendation for use by radio amateurs in that country but it does not have the force of law and should only be considered a suggestion or guideline.
| License class | 10.100-10.130 | 10.130-10.140 | 10.140-10.150 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic(+), Advanced |
United States
| License class | 10.100-10.150 |
|---|---|
| Ext., Adv., Gen. (200 watts) |
Key for Band Plans
| = CW Continuous wave A continuous wave or continuous waveform is an electromagnetic wave of constant amplitude and frequency; and in mathematical analysis, of infinite duration. Continuous wave is also the name given to an early method of radio transmission, in which a carrier wave is switched on and off... only |
|
| = CW Continuous wave A continuous wave or continuous waveform is an electromagnetic wave of constant amplitude and frequency; and in mathematical analysis, of infinite duration. Continuous wave is also the name given to an early method of radio transmission, in which a carrier wave is switched on and off... , narrow band digital ( <= 500 Hz ) |
|
| = CW Continuous wave A continuous wave or continuous waveform is an electromagnetic wave of constant amplitude and frequency; and in mathematical analysis, of infinite duration. Continuous wave is also the name given to an early method of radio transmission, in which a carrier wave is switched on and off... , narrow band digital ( <= 500 Hz ), unattended stations |
|
| = CW Continuous wave A continuous wave or continuous waveform is an electromagnetic wave of constant amplitude and frequency; and in mathematical analysis, of infinite duration. Continuous wave is also the name given to an early method of radio transmission, in which a carrier wave is switched on and off... , narrow band digital ( <= 500 Hz ), wide band digital |
|
| = Beacons | |
| = CW Continuous wave A continuous wave or continuous waveform is an electromagnetic wave of constant amplitude and frequency; and in mathematical analysis, of infinite duration. Continuous wave is also the name given to an early method of radio transmission, in which a carrier wave is switched on and off... , phone |
|
| = All modes, unattended stations | |
| = All modes except phone | |
| = All modes |
See also
- Amateur radio frequency allocationsAmateur radio frequency allocationsAmateur radio frequency allocation is done by national telecommunications authorities. Globally, the International Telecommunication Union oversees how much radio spectrum is set aside for amateur radio transmissions...
- International Telecommunication UnionInternational Telecommunication UnionThe International Telecommunication Union is the specialized agency of the United Nations which is responsible for information and communication technologies...
- World Radiocommunication ConferenceWorld Radiocommunication ConferenceWorld Radiocommunication Conference is organized by ITU to review, and, as necessary, revise the Radio Regulations, the international treaty governing the use of the radio-frequency spectrum and the geostationary-satellite and non-geostationary-satellite orbits. It is held every three to four years...
- Regional Radiocommunication Conference
- Radio RegulationsRadio RegulationsThe Radio Regulations is an intergovernmental treaty text of the International Telecommunication Union , the Geneva-based specialised agency of the United Nations which coordinates and standardises the operation of telecommunication networks and services and advances the development of...
- Federal Communications CommissionFederal Communications CommissionThe Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
- Radio Amateurs of CanadaRadio Amateurs of CanadaRadio Amateurs of Canada , known in French as Radio Amateurs du Canada, is a member-based, non-profit organization of amateur radio enthusiasts in Canada...
- OfcomOfcomOfcom is the government-approved regulatory authority for the broadcasting and telecommunications industries in the United Kingdom. Ofcom was initially established by the Office of Communications Act 2002. It received its full authority from the Communications Act 2003...