Frequency Bands

Which bands work best for POTA?

Learn the strengths of VHF and HF bands for portable park activations.

160 M 80M 60M 40M 20M 10M 2M
Band overview

Choose bands based on range, conditions, and the equipment you have available.

Most used HF Bands
Band Frequency Features Notes
160m 1.800
-
2.000		 Daytime Groundwave
Winter nights (skywave) 		Part of MF Band
Dipole Antenna lengths are huge.
80m 3.500
-
4.000		 Winter night (skywave)
Effective at solor minimum 		Varies by region
60m 5.330
-
5.336		 Reigonal -limited power
Effective at solor minimum 		Limited: Max 9.15 W 5351.5 kHz - 5366.5 kHz
Max 100 W (Discrete Channel) 5330.5 kHz, 5346.5 kHz, 5371.5 kHz, and 5403.5 kHz
40m 7.000
-
7.2000		 Daytime up to 500 km NVIS
Winter night skywave DX
Effective at solar minimum
 7.0-7.3 MHz in Region 2
30m 10.100 - 10.150 Day/night all-year skywave WARC, CW and digimodes.
20m 14.000 - 14.350 Day/night all-year skywave The optimal DX band
17m 18.068 - 18.168 Peak daytime skywave
Higher solar activity 		WARC
15m 21.000 - 21.450 Peak daytime skywave
Higher solar activity 		Popular during solar max
12m 24.890 - 24.990 Highly affected by solar activity WARC
10m 28.000 - 29.700 Highly affected by solar activity The widest HF band

Daytime HF bands    Top

The primary HF (High Frequency) bands for daytime ham radio operations include 20 meters (14 MHz), 17 meters (18 MHz), and 15 meters (21 MHz), which are renowned for long-distance (DX) communication. During the day, sunlight charges the ionosphere, allowing radio waves to bounce over massive distances.


Primary Daytime Bands
  • 20 Meters (14.0 - 14.35 MHz):
    Often called the "King of daytime DX", this is the most reliable long-distance band. It is active globally day and night, but truly peaks during daylight hours.
  • 17 Meters (18.068 - 18.168 MHz):
    A great alternative to 20m, this is highly reliable during the day. Because it is a WARC band (no contesting allowed), it is much quieter and generally used for relaxed "rag-chewing".
  • 15 Meters (21.0 - 21.45 MHz):
    This band thrives during daylight, especially when solar activity is high. It provides excellent intercontinental contacts in the afternoon.
  • 40 Meters (7.0 - 7.3 MHz):
    While known as an excellent night band for global reach, 40m acts as an excellent regional/medium-range band during the day (up to ~1,000 miles) because the higher daytime frequencies absorb signals for shorter hops.

160 meter    Top

Activating Parks on the Air (POTA) on the 160-meter "Top Band" is a rewarding but challenging endeavor. The most critical considerations involve managing its massive physical footprint, operating after dark, and dealing with extreme atmospheric and park noise.

Details
  • Nighttime propagation enables global contacts via F2 skip layer
  • Can get high noise levels from man-made sources
  • Winter nights can offer good DX
  • Favors rural, low noise locations
Antennas
  • A full 1/2-wave dipole for 160m requires roughly 260 feet (80m) of wire, making it incredibly difficult to deploy in most parks.
Frequency Usage
1.800 - 1.830 MHz CW, RTTY, and narrow digital modes
1.800 - 1.810 MHz Primary digital mode sub-band (e.g., FT8)
1.830 - 1.840 MHz Dedicated DX window for weak or far-off stations
1.840 0 2.000 MHz Single Sideband (SSB) phone and image transmissions

80 Meter    Top

Operating on the 80-meter band during a Parks on the Air (POTA) activation requires dealing with the physical realities of its large wavelength. Because a half-wave dipole is roughly 133 feet (about 40 meters) long, setting up an efficient antenna in a portable environment can be a logistical challenge.
However, many activators successfully use the 80m band for "late shift" activations (evening/nighttime).

Details
  • Mostly a nighttime band
  • Typical daytime rage is less than 200mi
  • Nighttime rand is worldwide
  • Prone to static
  • Common for nets and ragchewing
Depending on how you want to approach your POTA activation, here are the best practices:
Best Antenna Options for 80m
End-Fed Half-Wave (EFHW):
One of the most popular POTA antennas. You can use an 80m EFHW, but it requires a very long wire and a matching 49:1 unun.
Dipole:
A standard half-wave dipole will give you the most efficient signal, but stringing up nearly 134 feet of wire in a park requires finding two appropriately spaced trees.
Portable Verticals with Coils:
If trees aren't available, portable telescoping verticals (like the Chelegance MC-750, JPC-350, or Radioddity HF-010) rely on dedicated 80m loading coils to shorten the physical length while maintaining resonance.
Tips for 80m POTA Success
Timing: The 80-meter band is predominantly a nighttime and gray-line band due to D-layer absorption during the day. You will have better luck making your required 10 contacts right before sunset or after dark.
Propagation:
It's generally excellent for regional, short-to-medium distance contacts (up to ~500 miles/800 km), making it perfect for contacting "hunters" in your broader area.

Frequency Usage
3.500 - 3.570 MHz: CW (Morse code) and continuous wave DX windows.
3.573 MHz: The designated frequency for FT8 digital operations.
3.570 - 3.600 MHz: RTTY and general digital data modes.
3.790 - 3.800 MHz: The international DX window for long-distance voice contacts.
3.845 MHz: Slow Scan Television (SSTV).
3.885 MHz: The standard AM calling frequency for legacy amplitude modulation stations.
General Class Priviledges
Allowed CW/Data from 3.525 - 3.600 MHz and Voice/Phone from 3.800 - 4.000 MHz.

60 Meter    Top

The 60-meter (5 MHz) band can be used for POTA activations. However, operating on 60m requires strictly following specific frequency channels and regional power limitations.
POTA Rules & Frequencies for 60m
Channelized Operation: In the US, amateurs are generally restricted to five specific, channelized frequencies for USB voice, CW, and digital modes.
Frequency/Power Rules:

  • 5332 kHz (100W ERP limit)
  • 5348 kHz (100W ERP limit)
  • 5358.5 kHz ( 100W ERP limit)
  • 5373 kHz (100W ERP limit)
  • 5405 kHz (100W ERP limit)
General Band Allocation:
There is a contiguous worldwide band segment at 5351.5 - 5366.5 kHz where all modes are allowed, but power is restricted to a maximum of 9.15 Watts ERP
POTA Award Exclusions: Be aware that 60m is not required or counted towards the POTA N1CC (Worked All Bands) award.

40 Meter (7.0 - 7.3 MHz)   Top

Commonly known as the Workhorse of HF
Considered the most dependable low band all season DX band.
40-meter operations for Parks on the Air (POTA) provide excellent day-to-day NVIS (Near Vertical Incidence Skywave) propagation and regional coverage, especially in the mornings and at night.
Building or purchasing an antenna for this band which requires elements around 33 to 66 feet is a cornerstone of a successful portable setup.
Common POTA 40m Antennas

  • End-Fed Half-Wave (EFHW): Extremely popular for POTA. A half-wave on 40m is roughly \(66\) feet of wire. It requires a 49:1 unun and can be easily thrown over a tree branch.
  • Linked Dipole: Highly resonant and efficient. It lets you cut \(33\) feet of wire per leg, with links so you can drop down to 20m if the band isn't cooperating.
  • Loaded Verticals: If you are restricted by trees or space, verticals with a loading coil (like those from Wolf River Coils) require only a mast and radials.
Frequencies to Know
To avoid stepping on established nets, stick to the recognized POTA watering holes:
  • SSB (Voice): (7.244) MHz (though you will often find activations anywhere between (7.175 - 7.250) MHz)
  • CW (Morse): (7.030) MHz.
  • FT8/FT4: (7.074) MHz.

20 Meter    Top

Solid for long-distance contacts and dependable daytime HF operation.

Frequency Usage
14.000 - 14.070 MHz: CW (Morse code) and DX calling
14.070 - 14.095 MHz: RTTY and digital data modes
14.074 MHz: Primary FT8 digital frequency
14.095 - 14.099 MHz: Packet radio and experimental data
14.099 - 14.101 MHz: International Beacon Project (propagation beacons—do not transmit here)
14.150 - 14.350 MHz: Phone / Voice operation, using Upper Sideband (USB)
14.060 MHz: QRP (low power) CW calling frequency
14.285 MHz: QRP (low power) SSB voice calling frequency
General Class Priviledges
CW/Data from 14.025 - 14.150 MHz; Phone from 14.225 - 14.350 MHz.

10 Meter    Top

Great during sunny propagation peaks for longer skip distances.

Frequency Usage
28.000 - 28.070 CW (Morse code)
28.070 - 28.150 RTTY and digital modes (e.g., FT8 at 28.074 MHz)
28.150 - 28.300 Propagation beacons and CW
28.300 - 29.300 Phone (Voice via Upper Sideband / USB)
29.000 - 29.200 AM voice operations
29.300 - 29.510 Amateur satellite downlinks
29.520 - 29.590 FM repeater inputs (100 kHz split)
29.600 FM simplex calling frequency
29.610 - 29.700 FM repeater outputs
28.060 MHz: CW QRP (low power) calling
28.074 MHz: FT8 digital activity (highly active for testing propagation)
28.400 MHz: Primary SSB voice calling frequency
29.600 MHz: Primary FM simplex calling frequency
General Class Priviledges
General & Extra Class: Have full access to the entire band (28.000 MHz - 29.700 MHz) using all legal transmission modes up to 1,500 watts PEP.

2 meter    Top

Best for local FM nets and short-range simplex contacts from the park.

Frequency Usage
144.000 - 144.050 MHz: Earth-Moon-Earth (EME / Moonbounce) CW only.
144.050 - 144.100 MHz: General Continuous Wave (CW / Morse Code) and weak signals.
144.100 - 144.275 MHz: Weak-signal Single Sideband (SSB) using Upper Sideband (USB).
144.200 MHz National SSB Calling Frequency:
144.275 - 144.300 MHz: Propagation beacons.
144.300 - 144.500 MHz: Satellite (OSCAR) subband and digital APRS communications (144.390 MHz).
144.500 - 144.900 MHz: FM Repeater inputs.
144.900 - 145.100 MHz: Packet radio and digital store-and-forward systems.
145.100 - 145.500 MHz: FM Repeater outputs.
145.500 - 145.800 MHz: Miscellaneous and experimental operating modes.
145.800 - 146.000 MHz: Satellite Only (OSCAR subband).
146.010 - 146.385 MHz: FM Repeater inputs.
146.400 - 146.595 MHz: FM Simplex frequencies.
146.520 MHz National FM Simplex Calling Frequency
146.610 - 147.390 MHz: FM Repeater outputs.
147.405 - 147.585 MHz: FM Simplex frequencies.
147.600 - 147.990 MHz: FM Repeater inputs.