Skip to main content

Interesting Listening

This is a fairly comprehensive list of frequencies and bands that might be interesting to radio enthusiasts of many types.

Frequency Range Band / Service User / License Mode Details: Gen Class Privileges & "Must Listen" Targets
< 135.7 kHz VLF / LF Military / Sci Data / CW Submarine comms, Lightning Sferics. 60 kHz: WWVB Time Signal.
135.7 – 137.8 kHz 2200 Meters Amateur (Gen) All Modes 1 W EIRP Max. Fixed stations only. UTC Registration Required.
160 – 190 kHz Lowfer Experimental CW Unlicensed hobby beacons (Low Frequency Experimental Radio).
190 – 405 kHz NDB Band Aviation CW Non-Directional Beacons (Slow Morse Code IDs).
472 – 479 kHz 630 Meters Amateur (Gen) All Modes 5 W EIRP Max. (1W in AK). UTC Registration Required.
490 / 518 kHz NAVTEX Marine SITOR-B 518 kHz: Intl Marine Safety/Weather Text (English).
530 – 1710 kHz AM Broadcast Commercial AM Medium Wave News/Music. Nighttime DX.
1.800 – 1.840 MHz 160M CW/Data Amateur (Gen) CW / Dig Gen Privileges: 1500W. 1.840: FT8 Calling.
1.840 – 2.000 MHz 160M Voice Amateur (Gen) LSB Gen Privileges: 1500W. "Top Band" Nighttime Ragchew.
2.182 MHz Marine Distress Marine USB International Medium Frequency Distress Channel.
2.300 – 2.495 MHz 120 Meter SW Broadcast AM Tropical Band (Domestic SW).
2.500 MHz Time Station Gov (NIST) AM WWV / WWVH Time Signal.
2.850 – 3.150 MHz Aero (Pacific) Civil Aviation USB Trans-Pacific route reports.
3.200 – 3.400 MHz 90 Meter SW Broadcast AM Tropical Band. 3.330 MHz: CHU Canada.
3.500 – 3.525 MHz 80M Extra CW Amateur (Extra) CW No General Privileges. (DX Window).
3.525 – 3.600 MHz 80M CW/Data Amateur (Gen) CW / Dig Gen Privileges: 1500W. 3.573: FT8. 3.560: QRP Call.
3.600 – 3.800 MHz 80M/75M Mix Amateur (Adv/Ex) LSB No General Privileges. (Extra/Adv Voice).
3.800 – 4.000 MHz 75M Voice Amateur (Gen) LSB Gen Privileges: 1500W. 3.840: W. Coast Ragchew. 3.985: QRP SSB.
4.063 – 4.438 MHz Marine (4 MHz) Marine USB 4.125 MHz: Distress/Calling.
4.625 MHz The Buzzer Military AM UVB-76: Russian Number Station (Constant Buzz).
4.724 MHz HF-GCS US Air Force USB "Skyking" Messages / EAMs (Backup Freq).
4.750 – 5.060 MHz 60 Meter SW Broadcast AM Tropical Band.
5.000 MHz Time Station Gov (NIST) AM WWV / WWVH Time Signal.
5.330 – 5.405 MHz 60 Meters Amateur (Gen) USB Gen Privileges: 100W ERP. Channels: 5332, 5348, 5358.5, 5373, 5405.
5.450 – 5.730 MHz Aero (Atlantic) Civil Aviation USB 5.598: NY/Gander Oceanic. 5.616: Shannon Volmet.
5.900 – 6.200 MHz 49 Meter SW Broadcast AM Major Band. BBC, VOA, Radio Havana. Evening/Night.
6.200 – 6.525 MHz Marine (6 MHz) Marine USB 6.215 MHz: Distress/Calling.
6.604 MHz Gander Volmet Civil Aviation USB N. American Aviation Weather Reports.
6.900 – 7.000 MHz Pirate Radio Unlicensed AM / SSB 6.925 MHz: Weekend Hobby Pirate Broadcasts.
7.000 – 7.025 MHz 40M Extra CW Amateur (Extra) CW No General Privileges. (CW DX Window).
7.025 – 7.125 MHz 40M CW/Data Amateur (Gen) CW / Dig Gen Privileges: 1500W. 7.074: FT8 (High Traffic). 7.035: PSK31.
7.125 – 7.175 MHz 40M Adv Voice Amateur (Adv/Ex) LSB No General Privileges.
7.175 – 7.300 MHz 40M Voice Amateur (Gen) LSB Gen Privileges: 1500W. 7.200: "The Zoo".
7.300 – 7.450 MHz 41 Meter SW Broadcast AM European Broadcasters (Interference in Ham Band).
7.850 MHz Time Station Gov (NRC) AM CHU Canada Time Signal.
8.195 – 8.815 MHz Marine (8 MHz) Marine USB 8.291 MHz: Distress/Calling.
8.864 MHz Aero Control Civil Aviation USB Active Trans-Atlantic/Polar traffic.
8.992 MHz HF-GCS US Air Force USB Primary EAM Freq. "Skyking" Messages.
9.400 – 9.900 MHz 31 Meter SW Broadcast AM Workhorse Band. Reliable global listening.
10.000 MHz Time Station Gov (NIST) AM WWV / WWVH Time Signal.
10.100 – 10.150 MHz 30 Meters Amateur (Gen) CW / Dig Gen Privileges: 200W Max. No Voice. 10.136: FT8.
11.175 MHz HF-GCS US Air Force USB #1 EAM Freq. Most active military channel on HF.
11.600 – 12.100 MHz 25 Meter SW Broadcast AM Afternoon/Evening Band.
12.230 – 13.200 MHz Marine (12M) Marine USB 12.290 MHz: Distress/Calling.
13.200 – 13.360 MHz Aero (Day) Civil Aviation USB International flights (Daytime).
13.560 MHz ISM / RFID Unlicensed Data RFID tags, Medical devices, Heaters.
13.570 – 13.870 MHz 22 Meter SW Broadcast AM Daytime Band.
14.000 – 14.025 MHz 20M Extra CW Amateur (Extra) CW No General Privileges. (CW DX Window).
14.025 – 14.150 MHz 20M CW/Data Amateur (Gen) CW / Dig Gen Privileges: 1500W. 14.074: FT8. 14.100: IBP Beacons.
14.150 – 14.225 MHz 20M Adv Voice Amateur (Adv/Ex) USB No General Privileges.
14.225 – 14.350 MHz 20M Voice Amateur (Gen) USB Gen Privileges: 1500W. 14.230: SSTV. 14.300: Maritime Net.
15.000 MHz Time Station Gov (NIST) AM WWV / WWVH Time Signal.
15.100 – 15.600 MHz 19 Meter SW Broadcast AM Primary Daytime DX Band.
16.360 – 17.410 MHz Marine (16M) Marine USB 16.420 MHz: Distress/Calling.
17.480 – 17.900 MHz 16 Meter SW Broadcast AM Daytime Band.
17.900 – 18.030 MHz Aero (Asia) Civil Aviation USB Long range Asia/Australia routes.
18.068 – 18.168 MHz 17 Meters Amateur (Gen) All Modes Gen Privileges: Full Band (1500W). 18.100: FT8/PSK31.
20.000 MHz Time Station Gov (NIST) AM WWV Time Signal (Sporadic reception).
21.000 – 21.025 MHz 15M Extra CW Amateur (Extra) CW No General Privileges.
21.025 – 21.200 MHz 15M CW/Data Amateur (Gen) CW / Dig Gen Privileges: 1500W. 21.074: FT8.
21.200 – 21.275 MHz 15M Adv Voice Amateur (Adv/Ex) USB No General Privileges.
21.275 – 21.450 MHz 15M Voice Amateur (Gen) USB Gen Privileges: 1500W. Daytime DX.
21.450 – 21.850 MHz 13 Meter SW Broadcast AM Deep Daytime DX (Solar Peak).
24.890 – 24.990 MHz 12 Meters Amateur (Gen) All Modes Gen Privileges: Full Band (1500W). 24.915: FT8.
25.670 – 26.100 MHz 11 Meter SW Broadcast AM Rarely active.
26.100 – 26.950 MHz Remote Pickup Commercial FM / AM "Marti" RPU Units (Radio Station Links).
26.965 – 27.405 MHz CB Radio Public AM / SSB Ch 19: Truckers. Ch 6: Superbowl. Ch 38: LSB DX.
27.405 – 28.000 MHz Freeband Pirate USB Illegal CB DX ("Triple 5" 27.555 Call).
28.000 – 28.300 MHz 10M CW/Data Amateur (Gen) CW / Dig Gen Privileges: 1500W. 28.074: FT8.
28.300 – 29.700 MHz 10M Voice Amateur (Gen) USB / FM Gen Privileges: 1500W. 28.400: SSB Call. 29.600: FM Call.
30.00 – 50.00 MHz VHF Low Pub / Biz / Mil FM 30-39: Biz/Farm. 39-46: Police (Old). 47-50: Mil. Skip DX.
50.000 – 54.000 MHz 6 Meters Amateur (Gen) All Modes Gen Privileges: Full Band (1500W). 50.125: USB Call. 50.313: FT8.
54.00 – 72.00 MHz TV Low Broadcast ATSC TV Channels 2-4.
72.00 – 76.00 MHz RC Control Public FM Radio Control Aircraft (72 MHz) & Surface (75 MHz).
76.00 – 88.00 MHz TV Mid Broadcast ATSC TV Channels 5-6.
88.00 – 108.00 MHz FM Broadcast Commercial WFM Standard FM Radio.
108.00 – 117.95 MHz Nav (VOR) Aviation AM VOR/ILS Beacons (Morse ID only).
118.00 – 136.97 MHz Civil Air Aviation AM 121.5: Emergency. 123.45: Pilot Chat. 131.55: ACARS Data.
137.00 – 138.00 MHz Weather Sat Gov (NOAA) WFM NOAA APT (Images): 137.100, 137.620.
144.000 – 148.00 MHz 2 Meters Amateur (Gen) All Modes Gen Privileges: Full Band. 146.52: Call. 144.39: APRS. 145.80: ISS.
150.00 – 156.00 MHz VHF Biz/Pub Commercial FM / P25 Towing, Taxis, Rural Police. 151.82-154.60: MURS (No Lic).
156.00 – 157.425 MHz Marine VHF Marine FM Ch 16 (156.8): Call/Distress. Ch 22A: Coast Guard.
160.20 – 161.60 MHz Railroad Transport FM AAR Channels 07-97. Telemetry & Voice.
161.975 / 162.025 AIS Marine Digital Marine Position Tracking Data (Plots ships on map).
162.400 – 162.550 NOAA WX Gov FM 7 Continuous Weather Channels.
162.00 – 174.00 MHz Fed / Pub Gov / Biz FM / P25 Federal Agencies / Public Safety.
219.00 – 220.00 MHz 1.25M Data Amateur (Gen) Digital Gen Privileges: Fixed Pt-to-Pt Only.
220.00 – 222.00 MHz PTC Railroad Digital Positive Train Control (Data).
222.00 – 225.00 MHz 1.25M Voice Amateur (Gen) FM / SSB Gen Privileges: Full Band. 223.500: FM Call.
225.00 – 380.00 MHz MilAir Military AM 243.0: Guard. 255.55: Satcom Pirates. Fighters/Tankers.
315.00 MHz Keyfobs Unlicensed Data Car Remotes / TPMS Sensors.
380.00 – 400.00 MHz Mil Trunking Military P25 Intra-base handhelds.
400.15 – 406.00 MHz Radiosondes Gov (NWS) Digital Weather Balloons (Digital Chirps).
406.00 – 420.00 MHz Federal Gov P25 USPS, FBI, Marshals, Border Patrol.
420.00 – 430.00 MHz 70cm (Low) Amateur (Gen) ATV/Link Gen Privileges: Full Band (Except North of Line A).
430.00 – 450.00 MHz 70cm (High) Amateur (Gen) FM / Dig Gen Privileges: Full Band. 446.00: FM Call. 433.92: LPD/ISM.
450.00 – 460.00 MHz UHF Biz Commercial FM / DMR RPU (Remote Pickup). News Crews.
460.00 – 462.550 UHF Pub Public Safety FM / P25 Police/Fire Dispatch (Cities).
462.55 – 467.725 GMRS / FRS Public FM Ch 1: 462.5625. Ch 20: 462.675 (Repeater).
470.00 – 608.00 MHz UHF TV Broadcast ATSC Digital TV Channels 14-36.
608.00 – 614.00 MHz Radio Astro Science Noise Channel 37 (Reserved).
617.00 – 652.00 MHz 600 MHz Cell Mobile LTE / 5G T-Mobile Band 71 (Downlink).
769.00 – 805.00 MHz 700 MHz PS Public Safety P25 Primary Police/Fire Trunking Core.
806.00 – 869.00 MHz 800 MHz PS Public Safety P25 Older Police/Fire/Business Trunking.
902.00 – 928.00 MHz 33cm / ISM Amateur (Gen) Spread Gen Privileges: Full Band. Smart Meters, LoRa, Ham Mesh.
935.00 – 940.00 MHz 900 MHz Biz Commercial DMR/NXDN Utility dispatch, Delivery fleets.
960.0 – 1215.0 MHz Aero Nav Aviation Pulse DME / TACAN (Distance Measuring). 1090 MHz: ADS-B.
1215.0 – 1240.0 MHz GPS L2 Satellite Spread 1227.6 MHz: GPS L2 Signal.
1240.0 – 1300.0 MHz 23cm Ham Amateur (Gen) All Modes Gen Privileges: Full Band. 1296.1: Calling. 1240-1260: ATV.
1300.0 – 1350.0 MHz L-Band Radar Gov (FAA) Pulse ARSR-4: Long Range Air Search Radar.
1370.0 – 1390.0 MHz Mil Sat Military Digital Wireless Medical Telemetry / Sat Downlinks.
1420.405 MHz H-Line Science Noise Hydrogen Line (Radio Astronomy).
1525.0 – 1559.0 MHz Inmarsat Satellite Digital 1541.45: SafetyNET (Marine). ACARS (Aero).
1575.420 MHz GPS L1 Satellite Spread Primary GPS Signal.
1610.0 – 1626.5 MHz Iridium Satellite Digital Sat Phones (Uplink & Downlink).
1691.0 – 1694.1 MHz GOES WX Gov (NOAA) Digital HRIT: High-Res Weather Images (Dish required).
2300.0 – 2310.0 MHz 13cm (Low) Amateur (Gen) Data Gen Privileges: Full Band. High Speed Mesh.
2320.0 – 2345.0 MHz Sat Radio XM / Sirius Digital Satellite Radio Downlink.
2390.0 – 2450.0 MHz 13cm (High) Amateur (Gen) Data Gen Privileges: Full Band. Shared with Wi-Fi Ch 1-6.
2400.0 – 2483.5 MHz ISM Band Unlicensed Spread Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Microwave Ovens.
2.700 – 2.900 GHz S-Band Radar Gov (FAA/NWS) Pulse NEXRAD (Weather Radar) & Airport Surveillance.
3.300 – 3.500 GHz 9cm Ham Amateur (Gen) Data Gen Privileges: Full Band. Shared with Navy Radar.
3.700 – 4.200 GHz C-Band DL Satellite Digital "Big Dish" Satellite TV Downlinks.
5.600 – 5.650 GHz TDWR Gov (FAA) Pulse Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (Airports).
5.650 – 5.925 GHz 5cm Ham Amateur (Gen) Data Gen Privileges: Full Band. Shared w/ 5.8 GHz Wi-Fi / Drone Video.
9.300 – 9.500 GHz X-Band Radar Marine/Air Pulse Marine Navigation Radar / Airborne WX Radar.
10.00 – 10.50 GHz 3cm Ham Amateur (Gen) SSB/Dig Gen Privileges: Full Band. 10.368 MHz: Calling.
10.525 GHz Police Radar Police Doppler X-Band Speed Radar.
10.70 – 12.75 GHz Ku-Band DL Satellite Digital Standard Satellite TV (Dish/DirectTV).
13.40 – 14.50 GHz Ku-Band UL Satellite Digital Starlink User Uplinks.
24.00 – 24.25 GHz 1.2cm Ham Amateur (Gen) Exp Gen Privileges: Full Band. Millimeter Wave.
24.125 GHz K-Band Radar Police/Civ Doppler K-Band Speed Radar, Door Openers, Blind Spot Monitors.
33.40 – 36.00 GHz Ka-Band Radar Police Doppler Primary Police Speed Radar ("Stalker" Units).
47.00 – 47.20 GHz 6mm Ham Amateur (Gen) Exp Gen Privileges: Full Band.
76.00 – 77.00 GHz Auto Radar Automotive FMCW Suspended Amateur Use. Long Range Car Cruise Control Radar.
77.00 – 81.00 GHz 4mm Ham Amateur (Gen) Exp Gen Privileges: Full Band. Shared with Auto Radar.

No comments to display

Back to top