🌐 Summary
10 MHz (range 10–10.15 MHz) is part of 30m Amateur Band within the HF spectrum.
Quick summary: 10 MHz is allocated to 30 Meter Amateur Band. Used for amateur radio (cw/data only). Applications include digital modes, cw. Technology: CW, PSK31, FT8, RTTY. Amateur radio license required.
Primary use: Amateur radio (CW/data only)
Common applications: Digital modes, CW
Technology: CW, PSK31, FT8, RTTY
Quick Facts The 30-meter amateur band is here. It’s a relatively narrow band (200 kHz) reserved for CW (morse code) and data modes only. No voice transmissions allowed on 30 meters.
Source: 47 CFR Part 97
CW and digital only – no SSB voice
📶 Band & Identity
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Frequency (MHz) | 10 |
| Lower Band Edge (MHz) | 10 |
| Upper Band Edge (MHz) | 10.15 |
| Band Name | 30m Amateur Band |
| Spectrum Block | HF |
| Popular Name | 30 Meter Band |
| Allocation Status | Active |
| Exclusive / Shared | Yes (30m amateur band 10.1-10.15 is exclusive) |
| Protected Services | Amateur radio (FCC Part 97 protections) |
| Related Frequencies | 5-15 MHz band |
📜 FCC Rules & Licensing
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| FCC Service Type | AMATEUR |
| FCC Secondary Services | See primary allocation |
| FCC Part Number | Part 97 |
| FCC Rule Section | 47 CFR Part 97 (Amateur Radio Service) |
| License Required | Yes |
| License Type | Amateur radio license (Technician, General, or Amateur Extra) |
| License Fee Type | Application fee |
| Annual Regulatory Fee | Varies |
| 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 | No |
| Coordination Required | Frequency coordination required |
| Warnings / Notices | Unauthorized transmission is illegal and subject to FCC enforcement |
⚙️ RF & Technical
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Technology | CW, PSK31, FT8, RTTY |
| Modulation | CW, digital (no voice) |
| Typical Bandwidth | 2.8 kHz (SSB) / 6 kHz (AM) |
| Transmitter Type | Amateur radio transmitter (various) |
| Receiver Type | AM receiver |
| Typical Power (W) | 5-1500 |
| Maximum Power Limit | 1500W PEP (amateur radio) |
| ERP Limit | 1500W PEP (transmitter power, not ERP) |
| Antenna Height Limits | Varies |
| Antenna (Quarter-Wave) | 23.40 ft (713.2 cm) |
| 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 | Ionospheric skip |
| Typical Range (Miles) | 500-5000 |
| Day vs Night Differences | Significant (ionospheric changes) |
| Atmospheric Effects | Ionospheric effects |
| Interference Concerns | Standard adjacent channel and co-channel interference |
🛡️ Ecosystem
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Primary Use | Amateur radio (CW/data only) |
| Common Applications | Digital modes, CW |
| Can You Listen? | Yes – amateur radio (public communications) |
| Encryption Status | Not encrypted (prohibited by FCC rules for amateur radio) |
| Popular Radio Models | Icom IC-7300, Yaesu FT-991A, Elecraft K3/K4, Elecraft KX3/KX2 (QRP), QRP Labs QCX (CW kit), Xiegu X6100 |
| License Holders | Amateur radio operators (licensed hams) |
| Major Operators | Amateur radio operators worldwide (CW and digital modes only) |
| Government Use | No |
| Military Use | No |
| Public Safety | No |
| Critical Infrastructure | No |
| Amateur Radio | Yes |
| ISM Band | No |
| Unlicensed Operation | No |
| Consumer Equipment | No |
| Common Devices | HF transceivers (Icom IC-7300, Yaesu FT-991A, Elecraft K3), QRP radios (Elecraft KX series, Xiegu X6100), SDR receivers, antenna tuners |
| Receive Only | No |
| Radio Astronomy | No |
| Satellite Downlink | No |
| Passive Service | No |
| Spectrum Occupancy (Estimated) | Low-Moderate (10-40%) |
| Urban vs Rural | Varies by location |
| Deployment Density | Low-Medium |
🌎 International
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| ITU Region 2 Allocation | Amateur / Fixed (10.1-10.15 MHz amateur, 10.0-10.1 fixed) |
| International Harmonization | Globally harmonized (ITU amateur radio allocations) |
| Cross-Border Coordination | No |
| Year Allocated | 1979 (30m band added to amateur radio) |
| Legacy Uses | Historical allocations stable |
| Future Plans | Stable |
🧾 Compliance
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| FCC Certification Required | No |
| Equipment Authorization Type | Certification (amateur equipment) |
| FCC ID Required | No |
| Compliance Testing | FCC equipment authorization required |