🌐 Summary
1 MHz (range 1–2 MHz) is part of 160m Amateur Band / Maritime within the MF/HF spectrum.
Quick summary: 1 MHz is allocated to 160 Meter Amateur Band / Maritime Mobile. Used for amateur radio, maritime communications. Applications include ham radio dx, maritime distress (2182 khz), coastal communications. Operated by amateur radio enthusiasts. Technology: SSB, CW, digital modes. Amateur radio license required.
Primary use: Amateur radio, maritime communications
Common applications: Ham radio DX, maritime distress (2182 kHz), coastal communications
Technology: SSB, CW, digital modes
Quick Facts Longwave and amateur radio territory. Used for experimental long-distance communications and radio navigation beacons. Amateur operators experiment with extremely long wavelengths in this portion of spectrum.
Source: 47 CFR 97.301, Part 80
2182 kHz international distress frequency
📶 Band & Identity
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Frequency (MHz) | 1 |
| Lower Band Edge (MHz) | 1 |
| Upper Band Edge (MHz) | 2 |
| Band Name | 160m Amateur Band / Maritime |
| Spectrum Block | MF/HF |
| Popular Name | |
| Allocation Status | Active |
| Exclusive / Shared | Shared |
| Protected Services | |
| Related Frequencies | -4-6 MHz band |
📜 FCC Rules & Licensing
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| FCC Service Type | AMATEUR / MARITIME MOBILE |
| FCC Secondary Services | See primary allocation |
| FCC Part Number | Part 97 / Part 80 |
| FCC Rule Section | 47 CFR 97.301, Part 80 |
| License Required | Yes |
| License Type | Amateur license / Ship station license |
| License Fee Type | Application fee |
| Annual Regulatory Fee | No |
| License Term (Years) | 10 |
| Renewal Expectancy | High |
| Auction History | Not auctioned (comparative licensing) |
| Refarming Status | Stable |
| Geographic Restrictions | Border coordination may apply near Canada/Mexico |
| Quiet Zones | |
| Coordination Required | Frequency coordination required |
| Warnings / Notices | Federal exclusive spectrum – unauthorized use prohibited |
⚙️ RF & Technical
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Technology | SSB, CW, digital modes |
| Modulation | SSB (J3E), CW (A1A), PSK31, FT8 |
| Typical Bandwidth | 3-6 kHz |
| Transmitter Type | Amateur transceivers, marine SSB radios |
| Receiver Type | HF receivers, marine radios |
| Typical Power (W) | 10-1500 |
| Maximum Power Limit | 1500 W (amateur) |
| ERP Limit | Varies |
| Antenna Height Limits | Varies |
| Antenna (Quarter-Wave) | |
| Duplex Mode | Simplex |
| Paired Frequency | Not paired (simplex) |
| Channelization | Variable |
| Guard Bands (kHz) | Varies |
| Emission Designator | Varies |
| Emission Mask | FCC standards |
| Part 15 Device Limits | Not applicable (licensed spectrum) |
| Spread Spectrum Allowed | No |
| Frequency Hopping Allowed | No |
| Power Control Required | No |
🌤️ Propagation
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Propagation Mode | Ground wave, ionospheric skip (night) |
| Typical Range (Miles) | 100-1000+ |
| Day vs Night Differences | Better night propagation |
| Atmospheric Effects | Strong ionospheric effects |
| Interference Concerns | Standard adjacent channel and co-channel interference |
🛡️ Ecosystem
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Primary Use | Amateur radio, maritime communications |
| Common Applications | Ham radio DX, maritime distress (2182 kHz), coastal communications |
| Can You Listen? | |
| Encryption Status | |
| Popular Radio Models | |
| License Holders | Amateur radio operators, maritime vessels |
| Major Operators | Ham operators, Coast Guard, commercial ships |
| Government Use | Yes |
| Military Use | Yes |
| Public Safety | No |
| Critical Infrastructure | No |
| Amateur Radio | Yes |
| ISM Band | No |
| Unlicensed Operation | No |
| Consumer Equipment | Yes |
| Common Devices | Icom, Yaesu, Kenwood transceivers, marine SSB |
| Receive Only | No |
| Radio Astronomy | No |
| Satellite Downlink | No |
| Passive Service | No |
| Spectrum Occupancy (Estimated) | 20-40% |
| Urban vs Rural | More rural |
| Deployment Density | Light |
🌎 International
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| ITU Region 2 Allocation | AMATEUR / MARITIME MOBILE |
| International Harmonization | Yes (global) |
| Cross-Border Coordination | No |
| Year Allocated | 1927 |
| Legacy Uses | Historical allocations stable |
| Future Plans | Stable |
🧾 Compliance
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| FCC Certification Required | Yes |
| Equipment Authorization Type | Government authorization |
| FCC ID Required | No |
| Compliance Testing | FCC equipment authorization required |