No. This page follows IARU Region 1 operating guidance, but national allocations, power limits, and privileges can vary by country. Treat it as a practical regional reference and verify your national regulator or band-planning authority when an exact legal detail matters.
IARU Region 1 Amateur Radio Band Plan (Europe)
IARU Region 1 Frequency Allocations
⚠️ Important: This band plan follows IARU Region 1 recommendations. Actual
allocations may vary by country. Always check your national telecommunications authority for exact
frequency privileges and power limits.
Who this page is for
This page is for operators who want a practical Region 1 reference before diving into a country-specific document. It summarizes the IARU Region 1 amateur radio band plan so you can move quickly from a search such as “40m band plan Europe,” “2m calling frequency,” or “70cm FM calling” into the matching segment and notes.
It is a working operating aid, not a substitute for national rules. Final authority still comes from your national regulator and any current country-specific band-planning guidance. Use this page for fast orientation, then verify local requirements when a legal detail matters.
160 Meter Band (1.810 - 2.000 MHz)
Low Frequency (HF) • Lower Side Band (LSB)
| Frequency | Modes | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 1.810 - 1.838 MHz | CW | CW only, intercontinental QSO preferred |
| 1.838 - 1.840 MHz | Narrow Digital | Narrow band modes (up to 500 Hz) |
| 1.840 - 1.843 MHz | Digital | All digital modes |
| 1.843 - 2.000 MHz | Phone | All modes (SSB preferred) |
Band Notes:
- 1.836 MHz: CW QRP centre of activity
- 1.838 MHz: PSK centre of activity
- 1.840 MHz: FT8/FT4 centre of activity
- 1.843 MHz: Digital voice centre of activity
- 1.910 MHz: SSB QRP centre of activity
- Best propagation during night time
- Requires large or efficient antennas
80 Meter Band (3.500 - 3.800 MHz)
High Frequency (HF) • Lower Side Band (LSB)
| Frequency | Modes | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 3.500 - 3.510 MHz | CW | Intercontinental QSO |
| 3.510 - 3.560 MHz | CW | CW contest preferred |
| 3.560 - 3.580 MHz | CW | CW QSO |
| 3.580 - 3.590 MHz | Narrow Digital | Narrow band modes (up to 500 Hz) |
| 3.590 - 3.600 MHz | Digital | All digital modes (RTTY contest preferred) |
| 3.600 - 3.620 MHz | Phone | All modes, digital modes and automatic systems |
| 3.600 - 3.650 MHz | Phone | All modes, SSB contest preferred |
| 3.650 - 3.700 MHz | Phone | All modes, SSB QSO |
| 3.700 - 3.800 MHz | Phone | All modes, SSB contest preferred, emergency centre 3.760 |
Band Notes:
- 3.555 MHz: Image modes (SSTV, FAX) centre of activity
- 3.560 MHz: CW QRP centre of activity
- 3.573 MHz: FT8/FT4 centre of activity
- 3.690 MHz: SSB QRP centre of activity
- 3.735 MHz: Image modes (SSTV) centre of activity
- 3.760 MHz: Region 1 emergency centre of activity
- Primary regional and DX band, day and night
60 Meter Band (5.3515 - 5.3665 MHz)
Secondary allocation • 15 kHz channels • Max 100W EIRP
| Channel | Centre Frequency | Modes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Channel 1 | 5.3515 MHz | USB CW Digital | USB carrier 5.354 |
| Channel 2 | 5.3545 MHz | USB CW Digital | USB carrier 5.357 |
| Channel 3 | 5.3575 MHz | USB CW Digital | USB carrier 5.360 |
| Channel 4 | 5.3605 MHz | USB CW Digital | USB carrier 5.363 |
| Channel 5 | 5.3635 MHz | USB CW Digital | USB carrier 5.366 |
Band Notes:
- Maximum EIRP: 100 watts (15W in UK)
- Secondary allocation, must not cause interference
- Channel operation only, no tuning within channels
- Not available in all IARU Region 1 countries
- Check your national regulations before operating
- Excellent for NVIS and regional communications
- Similar propagation characteristics to 80m
40 Meter Band (7.000 - 7.200 MHz)
High Frequency (HF) • Lower Side Band (LSB)
| Frequency | Modes | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 7.000 - 7.040 MHz | CW | CW only |
| 7.040 - 7.047 MHz | Narrow Digital | Narrow band modes (up to 500 Hz) |
| 7.047 - 7.050 MHz | Digital | All digital modes |
| 7.050 - 7.053 MHz | Phone | All modes, digital modes and automatic systems |
| 7.053 - 7.060 MHz | Phone | All modes, SSB contest preferred |
| 7.060 - 7.100 MHz | Phone | All modes, SSB QSO preferred |
| 7.100 - 7.130 MHz | Phone | All modes, SSB QSO and SSB contest |
| 7.130 - 7.175 MHz | Phone | All modes, SSB QSO preferred |
| 7.175 - 7.200 MHz | Phone | All modes, SSB contest preferred, emergency centre 7.110 |
Band Notes:
- 7.030 MHz: CW QRP centre of activity
- 7.040 MHz: RTTY/Digital centre of activity
- 7.047 MHz: FT8/FT4 centre of activity
- 7.055 MHz: Image modes centre of activity
- 7.070 MHz: Digital voice centre of activity
- 7.090 MHz: SSB QRP centre of activity
- 7.110 MHz: Region 1 emergency centre of activity
- Primary DX band, excellent day and night propagation
30 Meter Band (10.100 - 10.150 MHz)
WARC Band • CW and Digital only • Max 150W
| Frequency | Modes | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 10.100 - 10.140 MHz | CW | CW only |
| 10.140 - 10.150 MHz | Narrow Digital | Narrow band digital modes |
Band Notes:
- 10.116 MHz: CW QRP centre of activity
- 10.136 MHz: FT8 centre of activity
- 10.140 MHz: PSK centre of activity
- Maximum power: 150 watts PEP
- NO phone operations allowed
- Secondary allocation, must not interfere with other services
- Excellent for low-power DX
- No contests allowed on WARC bands
20 Meter Band (14.000 - 14.350 MHz)
High Frequency (HF) • Upper Side Band (USB)
| Frequency | Modes | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 14.000 - 14.060 MHz | CW | CW contest preferred |
| 14.060 - 14.070 MHz | CW | CW QSO |
| 14.070 - 14.089 MHz | Narrow Digital | Narrow band modes |
| 14.089 - 14.099 MHz | Digital | All digital modes, IBP beacons |
| 14.099 - 14.101 MHz | IBP Beacons | International beacon project - no transmitting |
| 14.101 - 14.112 MHz | Phone | All modes, digital modes and automatic systems |
| 14.112 - 14.125 MHz | Phone | All modes |
| 14.125 - 14.300 MHz | Phone | All modes, SSB contest preferred |
| 14.300 - 14.350 MHz | Phone | All modes, SSB QSO and contest |
Band Notes:
- 14.060 MHz: CW QRP centre of activity
- 14.070 MHz: PSK centre of activity
- 14.074 MHz: FT8 centre of activity (most popular digital frequency)
- 14.130 MHz: Digital voice centre of activity
- 14.230 MHz: Image modes (SSTV) centre of activity
- 14.285 MHz: SSB QRP centre of activity
- 14.300 MHz: Global emergency centre of activity
- Most popular worldwide DX band
17 Meter Band (18.068 - 18.168 MHz)
WARC Band • High Frequency (HF) • Upper Side Band (USB)
| Frequency | Modes | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 18.068 - 18.095 MHz | CW | CW only |
| 18.095 - 18.109 MHz | Narrow Digital | Narrow band digital modes |
| 18.109 - 18.111 MHz | IBP Beacons | International beacon project |
| 18.111 - 18.120 MHz | Phone | All modes, automatic digital systems |
| 18.120 - 18.168 MHz | Phone | All modes |
Band Notes:
- 18.086 MHz: CW QRP centre of activity
- 18.100 MHz: FT8 centre of activity
- 18.130 MHz: SSB QRP centre of activity
- 18.160 MHz: Image modes centre of activity
- No contests on WARC bands
- Excellent for DX during daylight hours
- Often overlooked but very productive
15 Meter Band (21.000 - 21.450 MHz)
High Frequency (HF) • Upper Side Band (USB)
| Frequency | Modes | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 21.000 - 21.070 MHz | CW | CW only |
| 21.070 - 21.110 MHz | Narrow Digital | Narrow band digital modes |
| 21.110 - 21.120 MHz | Digital | All digital modes (except automatic) |
| 21.120 - 21.149 MHz | Digital | All narrow band modes |
| 21.149 - 21.151 MHz | IBP Beacons | International beacon project |
| 21.151 - 21.450 MHz | Phone | All modes |
Band Notes:
- 21.060 MHz: CW QRP centre of activity
- 21.074 MHz: FT8 centre of activity
- 21.080 MHz: RTTY/Digital centre of activity
- 21.180 MHz: Digital voice centre of activity
- 21.285 MHz: SSB QRP centre of activity
- 21.340 MHz: Image modes (SSTV) centre of activity
- Excellent daytime DX band during solar cycle peaks
- Can remain open 24 hours during high solar activity
12 Meter Band (24.890 - 24.990 MHz)
WARC Band • High Frequency (HF) • Upper Side Band (USB)
| Frequency | Modes | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 24.890 - 24.915 MHz | CW | CW only |
| 24.915 - 24.929 MHz | Narrow Digital | Narrow band digital modes |
| 24.929 - 24.931 MHz | IBP Beacons | International beacon project |
| 24.931 - 24.990 MHz | Phone | All modes |
Band Notes:
- 24.906 MHz: CW QRP centre of activity
- 24.915 MHz: FT8 centre of activity
- 24.950 MHz: SSB QRP centre of activity
- No contests on WARC bands
- Great for low-power DX
- Best during high solar activity
10 Meter Band (28.000 - 29.700 MHz)
High Frequency (HF) • Upper Side Band (USB) • FM
| Frequency | Modes | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 28.000 - 28.070 MHz | CW | CW only |
| 28.070 - 28.190 MHz | Narrow Digital | Narrow band digital modes |
| 28.190 - 28.199 MHz | Digital | Regional time shared beacons |
| 28.199 - 28.201 MHz | IBP Beacons | International beacon project |
| 28.201 - 28.225 MHz | Digital | Continuous duty beacons |
| 28.225 - 28.300 MHz | Digital | All modes beacons |
| 28.300 - 28.320 MHz | Phone | All modes, automatic digital systems |
| 28.320 - 29.100 MHz | Phone | All modes |
| 29.100 - 29.200 MHz | FM | FM simplex, 10 kHz channels |
| 29.200 - 29.300 MHz | FM | Automatic digital systems |
| 29.300 - 29.510 MHz | FM | FM satellite |
| 29.510 - 29.590 MHz | FM | FM guard channel, non-channel call |
| 29.600 MHz | FM | FM calling frequency |
| 29.610 - 29.700 MHz | FM | FM simplex, repeater inputs, 10 kHz channels |
Band Notes:
- 28.060 MHz: CW QRP centre of activity
- 28.074 MHz: FT8 centre of activity
- 28.120 MHz: Digital voice centre of activity
- 28.360 MHz: SSB QRP centre of activity
- 28.680 MHz: Image modes (SSTV) centre of activity
- 29.600 MHz: FM calling frequency
- Solar cycle dependent - excellent DX during peaks
- Sporadic E propagation in summer months
6 Meter Band (50 - 52 MHz)
Very High Frequency (VHF) • "The Magic Band"
| Frequency | Modes | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 50.000 - 50.100 MHz | CW | CW, beacons |
| 50.100 - 50.500 MHz | SSB/CW | SSB, CW |
| 50.500 - 51.000 MHz | Digital | All modes, digital preferred |
| 51.000 - 52.000 MHz | FM | All modes, FM preferred |
Band Notes:
- 50.090 MHz: CW calling frequency
- 50.110 MHz: CW DX calling (non-EU)
- 50.150 MHz: SSB calling frequency
- 50.200 MHz: MS (Meteor Scatter) calling
- 50.313 MHz: FT8 centre of activity
- 50.510 MHz: FM calling frequency
- Sporadic E propagation in summer
- Tropo, Aurora, and Meteor Scatter propagation
- Not available in all countries - check local regulations
4 Meter Band (70 - 70.5 MHz)
Very High Frequency (VHF) • UK, Ireland, and some EU countries
| Frequency | Modes | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 70.000 - 70.100 MHz | CW | CW, beacons |
| 70.100 - 70.250 MHz | SSB/CW | SSB, CW, MGM |
| 70.250 - 70.300 MHz | Digital | All modes, beacons |
| 70.300 - 70.500 MHz | FM | All modes, FM channels |
Band Notes:
- 70.030 MHz: CW calling frequency
- 70.200 MHz: SSB calling frequency
- 70.450 MHz: FM calling frequency
- NOT available in most European countries
- Available in: UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, and others
- Check local regulations before operating
- Excellent for local and medium distance communications
- Good tropo and Sporadic E propagation
2 Meter Band (144 - 146 MHz)
Very High Frequency (VHF) • Most popular VHF band
| Frequency | Modes | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 144.000 - 144.035 MHz | CW | CW EME |
| 144.035 - 144.150 MHz | CW | CW |
| 144.150 - 144.400 MHz | SSB | CW, SSB |
| 144.400 - 144.490 MHz | Beacons | Beacons exclusive |
| 144.490 - 144.500 MHz | Digital | Guard channel, 144.500 digital |
| 144.500 - 144.794 MHz | Digital | All modes, digital and linear satellites |
| 144.794 - 145.194 MHz | FM | FM, digital, repeater inputs (R0-R7) |
| 145.194 - 145.594 MHz | FM | FM, digital, repeater outputs (R0-R7) |
| 145.594 - 145.794 MHz | FM | FM, digital, simplex (S16-S23) |
| 145.794 - 145.806 MHz | APRS | APRS (144.800 most common) |
| 145.806 - 146.000 MHz | Digital | All modes, satellite |
Band Notes:
- 144.050 MHz: CW calling frequency
- 144.174 MHz: FT8 centre of activity
- 144.300 MHz: SSB calling frequency
- 144.800 MHz: APRS frequency (some areas use 144.390 MHz)
- 145.200 MHz: Calling channel (S20)
- 145.500 MHz: Mobile calling channel (S23)
- Repeater offset: 600 kHz
- Most popular VHF band in Europe
- Excellent for local communications and contests
70 Centimeter Band (430 - 440 MHz)
Ultra High Frequency (UHF) • Popular repeater band
| Frequency | Modes | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 430.000 - 432.000 MHz | CW SSB | All modes, CW/SSB preferred, satellite |
| 432.000 - 432.150 MHz | Digital | CW EME |
| 432.150 - 432.400 MHz | SSB | CW, SSB |
| 432.400 - 432.490 MHz | Beacons | Beacons exclusive |
| 432.500 - 432.800 MHz | Digital | All modes, linear transponder input |
| 432.800 - 433.000 MHz | Digital | All modes, linear transponder output |
| 433.000 - 434.600 MHz | FM | All modes, FM preferred |
| 434.600 - 435.000 MHz | FM | FM, repeater inputs (RU368-RU399) |
| 435.000 - 438.000 MHz | Satellite | Satellite exclusive (no uplink) |
| 438.000 - 440.000 MHz | FM | FM, repeater outputs |
Band Notes:
- 432.050 MHz: CW calling frequency
- 432.174 MHz: FT8 centre of activity
- 432.200 MHz: SSB calling frequency
- 433.500 MHz: FM calling frequency
- Repeater offset: 1.6 MHz (inputs -1.6 MHz from output)
- Excellent for local and medium distance communications
- Popular for FM repeaters and digital voice
- Shared with other services in some regions
23 Centimeter Band (1240 - 1300 MHz)
Ultra High Frequency (UHF) • 23cm band
| Frequency | Modes | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 1240.000 - 1258.000 MHz | CW SSB | All modes, narrow band preferred |
| 1258.000 - 1260.000 MHz | Beacons | Beacons exclusive |
| 1260.000 - 1270.000 MHz | Digital | All modes, digital preferred |
| 1270.000 - 1296.000 MHz | All Modes | All modes, wideband modes |
| 1296.000 - 1300.000 MHz | Satellite | All modes, satellite |
Band Notes:
- 1296.200 MHz: Calling frequency
- Excellent for EME (Moonbounce)
- Popular for ATV (Amateur Television)
- Line-of-sight propagation
- Good for local and medium distance communications
13 Centimeter Band (2320 - 2450 MHz)
2.4 GHz • Shared with WiFi/ISM devices
| Frequency | Modes | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 2320.000 - 2320.025 MHz | CW | CW EME |
| 2320.025 - 2320.150 MHz | SSB/CW | CW, narrow band modes |
| 2320.150 - 2320.800 MHz | SSB | All narrow band modes |
| 2320.800 - 2321.000 MHz | Beacons | Beacons exclusive |
| 2321.000 - 2322.000 MHz | Digital | All modes, MS meteorscatter |
| 2322.000 - 2355.000 MHz | All Modes | All modes, wideband modes |
| 2355.000 - 2365.000 MHz | Satellite | Satellite, digital, FM |
| 2365.000 - 2400.000 MHz | All Modes | All modes, wideband modes, repeater links |
| 2400.000 - 2450.000 MHz | ISM Band | All modes (shared with ISM devices) |
Band Notes:
- 2320.150 MHz: SSB/CW calling frequency
- 2400-2450 MHz: ISM band - high noise from WiFi, Bluetooth
- Excellent for wideband experiments
- Popular for high-speed digital links
- Line-of-sight propagation
- Good for amateur television
- Moderate EME activity
Microwave Bands (3.4 GHz and above)
Multiple allocations • Experimental territory
| Band | Frequency Range | Wavelength | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.4 GHz (9 cm) | 3400 - 3475 MHz | 9 cm | All modes, EME popular |
| 5.7 GHz (6 cm) | 5650 - 5850 MHz | 6 cm | All modes, shared with ISM |
| 10 GHz (3 cm) | 10000 - 10500 MHz | 3 cm | Most popular microwave band |
| 24 GHz (1.2 cm) | 24000 - 24250 MHz | 1.2 cm | All modes, narrow ISM band at 24.125 |
| 47 GHz (6 mm) | 47000 - 47200 MHz | 6 mm | All modes |
| 76 GHz (4 mm) | 75500 - 81000 MHz | 4 mm | All modes, large allocation |
| 122 GHz (2.5 mm) | 122250 - 123000 MHz | 2.5 mm | All modes |
| 134 GHz (2 mm) | 134000 - 141000 MHz | 2 mm | All modes, wide band |
| 241 GHz (1.2 mm) | 241000 - 250000 MHz | 1.2 mm | All modes |
| Above 275 GHz | Various allocations | < 1 mm | Multiple bands available |
Band Notes:
- 3456.200 MHz: 9cm calling frequency
- 5760.200 MHz: 6cm calling frequency
- 10368.200 MHz: 3cm calling frequency (most popular)
- 24048.200 MHz: 1.2cm calling frequency
- Highly directional antennas required
- Line-of-sight propagation only
- Weather dependent (rain fade at higher frequencies)
- Excellent for EME on lower microwave bands
- Popular for contests and DX expeditions
- Equipment often homebrew or converted surplus
- Active community especially on 10 GHz and 24 GHz
Getting Started:
- 10 GHz: Most accessible microwave band with plenty of activity
- Equipment: Can be built from WiFi/satellite components
- Antennas: Dishes, horns, or patch arrays
- Contests: Several annual microwave contests in Europe
- Transverters: Used to convert HF/VHF radios to microwave
How to use this Region 1 band plan page
Start with the search field when you already know a frequency, such as 14.074, 145.500, or 433.500. If you are still choosing a band, use the band buttons first and then scan the table and notes together. The table shows the organized segment, while the notes surface the common calling frequencies and activity centres most operators care about first.
This page works best as the regional reference layer in a larger workflow. It is especially useful when you want Region 1 operating context before checking a national plan or deciding whether a signal belongs in a specific segment.
Region 1 calling frequencies and common lookups
Many operators arrive here looking for a calling frequency rather than a whole allocation. On this page, the 2m and 70cm notes are especially useful because they surface the calling spots and then place them back inside the broader VHF and UHF operating picture. That is more useful than memorizing one number without remembering the surrounding segment.
The same pattern applies across HF. If the question is really about a digital centre of activity, use this page for the band-first overview and then move into Digital Mode Frequency Finder for the mode-first version of the answer.
40 meter band plan and Region 1 operating context
The 40 meter section is one of the most useful parts of the Region 1 plan because it carries everyday HF activity, weak-signal work, digital use, and phone operation inside a band that operators check constantly. The value of the page is not just the range itself. It is the way the segment layout and the notes work together to show how that space is commonly used.
Use the table to understand where the mode families sit, then use the notes to find the common activity centres more quickly. After that, listen before transmitting and compare your national rules if a country-specific variation may apply.
National plans still matter inside Region 1
Region 1 guidance is useful because it gives a common operating framework across a large geographic area, but it does not replace national allocations or licensing rules. That is especially important for VHF, UHF, calling-channel practice, power limits, and country-level restrictions that may differ from the broad regional picture.
When you need a country-specific answer, step from this regional page into the relevant national plan, such as the UK Band Plan. Use the Region 1 plan to orient yourself first, then tighten the answer with the local authority when the detail matters.