160 m band
1.81 to 2 MHz, 190 kHz wide. Amateur radio is partly the primary, partly a secondary user here. Class A (up to 750 W PEP) and E (up to 100 W PEP) may transmit. The power limits are set by the Amateurfunkverordnung (AFuV, German amateur radio regulations), the segments are an agreement of IARU Region 1 and the DARC.
Where you can transmit
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Allocation under Annex 1 AFuV
Which class may transmit with how much power. The numbers refer to the additional conditions of use below; they are summarised here, the text of the regulations is binding.
| Range | Status | Class A | Class E | Class N | Provisions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,81 bis 1,85 MHz | primary | 750 W PEP | 100 W PEP | not allowed | 3 |
| 1,85 bis 1,89 MHz | secondary | 75 W PEP | 75 W PEP | not allowed | 3, 10, 12, 15 |
| 1,89 bis 2 MHz | secondary | 10 W PEP | 10 W PEP | not allowed | 3, 10, 15 |
- 3
- Occupied bandwidth at most 2.7 kHz.
- 10
- Remote-controlled stations not permitted (remote operation of your own station excepted), no contest operation.
- 12
- Unattended stations at most 50 W ERP.
- 15
- Weekend rule 1850 to 2000 kHz: class A up to 750 W PEP, class E up to 100 W PEP, contest operation allowed.
Band plan segments
Which mode goes where on the 160 m band. This is not a rule but an agreement of IARU Region 1 (on 70 cm the DARC band plan); people stick to it so that telegraphy, digital modes and voice don't get in each other's way.
| Range | Group | max. bandwidth | Mode | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,81 bis 1,838 MHz | Telegraphy | 200 Hz | CW | |
| 1,838 bis 1,84 MHz | Digital, narrowband | 500 Hz | Narrowband, digital modes | |
| 1,84 bis 1,843 MHz | All modes | 2700 Hz | All modes, digital modes | Set LSB no lower than 1.843 MHz |
| 1,843 bis 2 MHz | All modes | 2700 Hz | All modes, SSB |
Working Japan (split)
Japan has its own transmit ranges on 160 m. To work JA, listen where JA transmits and call in your own range. Anything outside your transmit range is listen-only for you.
| Range | Mode in JA | Class A | Class E |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,800 bis 1,810 MHz | all modes | listen only | listen only |
| 1,810 bis 1,825 MHz | CW only | transmit up to 750 W PEP | transmit up to 100 W PEP |
| 1,825 bis 1,875 MHz | all modes (secondary) | transmit: 750 W PEP, from 1.850 MHz 75 W PEP | transmit: 100 W PEP, from 1.850 MHz 75 W PEP |
| 1,9075 bis 1,9125 MHz | CW and narrowband data (JA window) | transmit up to 10 W PEP | transmit up to 10 W PEP |
Japan only transmits in these ranges. To work JA split: listen on the JA frequency, transmit in your own range, on CW usually between 1.810 and 1.835 MHz.
In Japan FT8 sits on 1.840 to 1.843 MHz, the same as here: no split needed for it.
Source: ARRL: Japan’s Radio Amateurs Gain Expanded Access to 160 and 80 Meters (21 Apr 2020).
SSB limit
Lowest LSB dial frequency on the 160 m band: 1.843 MHz. The phone range starts at 1.84 MHz, and on LSB the signal sits below the carrier shown. The sideband extends up to 2.7 kHz from the carrier, and the radio displays the carrier. Check this frequency
Meeting points on the 160 m band
The band plan says where a mode is allowed. The meeting points say where people actually are: the dial frequency you type into the radio to find someone.
| Mode | Dial frequency (MHz) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| CW QRP | 1,836 | Meeting point for low power telegraphy. |
| WSPR | 1,8366 | Beacon mode with a few milliwatts. Who hears me where? |
| FT8 | 1,84 | Dial frequency in USB, the signal sits 0 to 3 kHz above it. |
| JS8 | 1,842 | Like FT8, but for text instead of reports. Bring patience. |
From the band plan
- 1.836 MHz CW QRP
Dial frequency in upper sideband. Established meeting points, not rules; the band plan is what counts. Sources: FT8, FT4, WSPR: default frequencies of WSJT-X; JS8: default frequencies of JS8Call; Calling frequencies, mode windows: IARU Region 1 band plan; Emergency: Emergency Centres of Activity, IARU Region 1; Emergency DL: DARC emergency communications desk, emergency frequencies; Beacons: NCDXF/IARU International Beacon Project.
Other bands
2200 m 630 m 160 m 80 m 60 m 40 m 30 m 20 m 17 m 15 m 12 m 10 m 6 m 4 m 2 m 70 cm 23 cm 13 cm
All bands at a glance, with frequency search
Legal details from Annex 1 AFuV (conditions of use for the amateur service), retrieved 23 Aug 2026. Segments and markers from IARU Region 1 HF Band Plan (valid from 16 Oct 2020). Where they differ, the text of the regulations applies.