Quoted By:
>Meet the HF (high frequency) bands:
>160 Meters (1.8-2.0 MHz)
A neighbor to the AM Broadcast band, 160 has very similar conditions to what you hear on AM Broadcast, quite localized during the day, with long distance capability at night. During the summer months the long distances at night can be several hundreds of miles and during the winter it can be several thousand miles.
>80 Meters (3.5-4.0 MHz)
80 Meters is very similar to 160 meters but with greater distances especially at night. 80 tends to be a very reliable band less subject to variations of the sunspot cycle and is used a lot for regular net operations and message handling and "local rag chewing".
>60 Meters (5.332 - 5.405)
Not actually a "Ham Band" but a cluster of 5 frequencies shared with Government users. Many restrictions apply to technical requirements of ham transmitters and antennas.
>40 Meters (7.0-7.3 MHz)
This is many ham's favorite band. It is always open somewhere. During the summer daytime distances of 300-400 miles and night time distances of 1000 miles are very common. Winter days with 500 miles or more are usual and night time conditions bring DX intercontinental communications.
>30 Meters (10.10-10.15 MHz)
A lot like 40 meters but can only be used on CW and RTTY. No broadcast interference and has slightly longer range than 40 meters. Daytime ranges of 1000 miles are quite common.
>20 Meters (14.000-14.350 MHz)
Just about all of the serious DXers hang out on 20 meters! This can be a VERY exciting band with some of the best DX found on any band. Around the world daytime communications are generally possible and when the sunspot cycle is peaking 20 can be used around the clock! Not likely to be used for short-range communications.
>17 Meters (18.068-18.168 MHz)
This seems to be a very popular band when hams go mobile and lots of fun can be expected. You will meet some of the finest Hams in the world on 17 meters. A very cordial band!
