10-meter band
A wide HF band with variable propagation and many modes.
The 10-meter band is a slice of the shortwave spectrum set aside for amateur radio and amateur satellite use. It runs from 28.000 to 29.700 MHz. Because it’s quite wide for high-frequency work, it hosts a variety of transmission modes: Morse code and other narrowband signals live near the bottom, SSB starts around 28.300 MHz, and wider modes like AM and FM sit in the upper part of the lower section. Digital modes, including PSK-31, are also permitted higher up, with 28.120 MHz a common spot for PSK-31.
This band was first allocated worldwide on 4 October 1927 by the International Radiotelegraph Conference in Washington, DC, at 28–30 MHz. In 1947, the International Radio Conference of Atlantic City removed 300 kHz (29.700–30.000 MHz) from amateur use. On 21 March 1987, U.S. Novice and Technician licensees gained access to CW and SSB segments on 10 meters. After Morse code testing was dropped for U.S. amateurs in February 2007, Technician-class licensees who hadn’t passed a code test could operate with up to 200 W PEP using CW and SSB in a portion of the band.
Propagation on 10 meters can be tricky. At the solar cycle’s peak, when sunspots are plentiful, the band comes alive with very long-distance signals bouncing off the ionosphere’s F2 layer. The best propagation usually happens during local daylight, but during high sunspot activity, openings can start before sunrise and last into the night. Long-distance F2 paths tend to follow the sun: in North America, for example, Europe and western Asia come in during the morning, the Americas at midday, and the Pacific and East Asia in late afternoon and early evening. Even at solar minimum, when F2 propagation is nearly absent, the band still offers long-distance possibilities via Sporadic E, which can bring signals from a hundred to a few thousand miles away. Sporadic E on 10 meters is mostly seasonal—late spring and early summer are prime, with a shorter, less intense period in mid-winter around the holidays. Off-peak openings can occur almost anytime. During solar minimum, F2 openings also happen on transequatorial paths, like Europe to Southern Africa or Pacific North America to eastern Pacific islands. In tropical latitudes, 10 meters is open throughout the sunspot cycle, though propagation often stays along the equator—for instance, a good path from West Africa to the Caribbean exists even at solar minimum.
- Frequency range
- 28.000–29.700 MHz
- Original allocation
- 28–30 MHz (1927)
- Allocation removed
- 29.700–30.000 MHz (1947)
- Novice technician segments granted
- 21 March 1987
- Morse code test elimination
- February 2007
- Popular psk31 frequency
- 28.120 MHz
- Worldwide calling fm
- 29.600 MHz
Lore & Background
The 10-meter band was allocated on a worldwide basis by the International Radiotelegraph Conference in Washington, DC, on 4 October 1927, with a frequency allocation of 28–30 MHz. A 300 kHz segment, from 29.700–30.000 MHz, was removed from the amateur radio allocation in 1947 by the International Radio Conference of Atlantic City. American Novice and Technician class licensees were granted CW and SSB segments on the 10 meter band as of 21 March 1987. With the elimination of Morse code testing requirements for U.S. amateurs in February 2007, Technician-class licensees who have not passed a code test may operate with up to 200 W PEP using CW and SSB modes in a portion of the 10 meter band.
Propagation on 10 meters can be challenging. At peak times of the solar cycle, 10 meters can be alive with extremely long-distance signals refracting from the F2 layer. Long-distance opportunities via F2 seem to follow the sun across the globe. Even during solar minimum, sporadic E propagation can bring in signals from a hundred to a few thousand miles away, mainly in late spring and early summer. In tropical latitudes, 10 meters is open throughout the sunspot cycle, often confined to areas along the equator.
The band has a voluntary band plan adhered to by amateurs worldwide. The most active part of the band is probably 28.300–28.500 MHz, where operation is almost exclusively SSB. Beacon sub-bands fall between 28.100–28.300 MHz. The AM sub-band is from 29.000 to 29.200 MHz, the satellite sub-band from 29.300 to 29.510 MHz, and the FM sub-band from 29.000 to 29.700 MHz, channelized into repeater and simplex frequencies.
Reader's Guide
The 10-meter band is notable for its unique spot in the spectrum, offering both challenging and rewarding propagation. At solar cycle peaks, it enables extremely long-distance communication via F2 layer refraction, with openings that can begin before sunrise and continue into the night. Even at solar minimum, sporadic E and transequatorial paths provide long-distance possibilities. The band's width allows for a variety of modes, from narrowband CW and digital modes at the bottom to wideband AM and FM near the top. The band plan includes sub-bands for beacons, satellites, and FM repeaters, with a worldwide calling frequency of 29.600 MHz. The major group of enthusiasts is Ten-Ten, organized since the 1960s. Propagation beacons are important for gauging current conditions, and many amateur radio satellites have uplinks or downlinks in the 29 MHz range.
Did You Know?
- The most active part of the band is 28.300–28.500 MHz, used almost exclusively for SSB.
- The worldwide FM calling frequency on 10 meters is 29.600 MHz.
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