Amateur radio bands and Propagation

The bands listed here are the most common DX bands used and are not a full listing of all DX bands.

Due to the location of New Zealand in the Southern Hemisphere and away from other crowded ham countries plus the ozone problem and sun spot cycle, the following propagation data is to be taken as a guide only. New Zealand experiences a lack of signals during the midday period on most bands, especially in mid summer.

160 metres

1.8 MHz - 1.95 MHz

LF (low frequency)

A band shared with navigation, although navigation is slowly being phased out. This is a local working band which can be noisy. Propagation is by ground wave and sky wave. Propagation - 100 km during the day to several hundred kilometres over night. Australia and America are probable with an average system and Europe possible with a good system, using the grey line.

All modes allowed

80 metres

3.5 MHz - 3.9 MHz

HF (high frequency)

A good local band and used for ZL/VK nets on the weekends and at nights. Propagation is by ground wave and sky wave.

Propagation is several hundred kilometres during the day and several thousand kilometres at night. America is probable with an average system and Europe possible with a good system. Best times are during spring and autumn.

All modes allowed.

40 metres

7.0 MHz - 7.3 MHz

HF

Good local band and DX band. Used for ZL/VK nets on the weekends and at nights. Propagation by ground wave limited, sky wave propagation normal.

Propagation is several hundred kilometres day and several thousand kilometres at night. America and Europe probable with an average system. Best during spring and autumn evening/nights and early morning, however sunspot cycle does affect the propagation.

All modes allowed

30 metres

10.1 MHz - 10.150 MHz

HF commonly called a "WARC" band

An under used band mainly used for CW and data modes like FT8. Propagation is similar to 40 metres. Excellent world-wide DX contacts can be made just before sunrise into Europe, Africa and the Pacific. Around sunset the band opens to USA and Europe with good signals at times. It is possible to work DXCC on this band alone and most DXpeditions now make good use of this band

CW and data modes only allowed, except in Australia. Look for the upsurge in FT8 activity in recent months.

20 metres

14.0 MHz - 14.35 MHz

HF

The most consistent DX band. World-wide communications are possible at various times of day and night with average system and power. Whilst low power (QRP) can give good DX contacts most working is with 100 Watts or more. Band is affected by sunspot cycle but normally remains open to somewhere. Propagation by ground wave limited to a few kilometres but sky wave propagation over 5000 km during day.

Dawn and dusk best times for DX but may close at night and usually closed over midday in New Zealand.

All modes allowed

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17 metres

18.068 MHz - 18.168 MHz

HF commonly called a "WARC" band

An under used band, mainly CW working by the Americans although the last few years have seen a big increase in SSB working, becoming popular with DXpeditions. This band is under used and easy to work. The pile-ups are usually smaller.

Similar to 20 metres but even more affected by the sunspot cycle.

All modes allowed

15 metres

21.0 MHz - 21.45 MHz

HF

A good DX band when open but severely affected by sunspot cycle. Used by some as a "band opening" monitor as it is the first "DX" band above 14 MHz  to show signs of an opening, heralding possible openings in the 10 and 6 metres DX bands.

One hundred watts can work the world when open. Propagation by ground wave limited to a few kilometres but sky wave propagation over 5000 km during day. Best in spring and late autumn.

All modes allowed

12 metres

24.89 MHz - 24.99 MHz

HF commonly called a "WARC" band

Again an under used band mainly CW working by the Americans. Becoming more popular. Watch this space!

Similar to 15 metres but even more affected by the sunspot cycle.

All modes allowed

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10 metres

28.0 MHz - 29.7 MHz

HF

An excellent DX band when open but severely affected by sunspot cycle. A few watts can work the world when open. Can open and close very quickly, sometimes within a few minutes. Easily used mobile for SSB and FM. Very little ground wave propagation, mainly sky wave. A few kilometres to several thousand kilometres possible with often a large gap of several hundred kilometres in the "skip zone" i.e. not workable. Usually closes at night but can remain open to a few hundred kilometres at night.

10 metres forms the break between HF and VHF, and is the first band where FM is not frowned upon.

All modes allowed.

6 metres

50.0 MHz - 54.0 MHz

VHF (very high frequency)

DX band, offering good DX when open. Very dependant upon the sunspot cycle, but when open can give world-wide contacts.

As a VHF band, it is often subject to sporadic E propagation and tunnelling, giving short-term DX openings. Normal low sunspot propagation is line of site up to several tens of kilometres.

All modes allowed