The 30 metre amateur band covers 10.100 to 10.150 MHz. It’s one of the most interesting HF bands for long-distance communications. It is popular with Morse code enthusiasts, low-power operators and those using digital modes such as FT8.
Unlike many other amateur bands, 30 metres is not normally used for voice communications. Its narrow bandwidth and distinctive propagation characteristics make it especially attractive for DX (long-distance) operation.
The band was allocated to amateur radio following the 1979 World Administrative Radio Conference (WARC-79), along with the 17 and 12 metre bands. These became known as the WARC bands.
| Frequency | Preferred activity |
|---|---|
| 10.100–10.130 MHz | CW (Morse code) |
| 10.116 MHz | QRP low-power CW centre |
| 10.130–10.150 MHz | Narrowband digital modes |
| 10.136 MHz | Popular FT8 dial frequency |
| 10.140 MHz | Common FT4 dial frequency |
The recommended necessary bandwidth is 200 Hz for the CW section and 500 Hz for the narrowband section.
Propagation
The 30 metre band occupies an interesting position between the 40 metre and 20 metre amateur bands. It combines some of the characteristics of both.
Daytime operation
During daylight, 30 metres can provide reliable contacts across Europe and beyond. Distances of approximately 500–3,000 km are common when conditions are favourable, with intercontinental contacts also possible.
Evening and night time
The band frequently remains open after sunset, sometimes supporting long-distance contacts well into the night. It is often particularly effective around sunrise and sunset.
The band’s performance depends on the solar cycle, ionospheric conditions, season and time of day. During periods of high solar activity, absorption may increase during the day, while at other times 30 metres can remain useful when higher-frequency bands have closed.
30 metres is popular because
- Excellent DX potential: Worldwide contacts are possible using comparatively modest equipment.
- Low-power operation: CW and modern digital modes can deliver good results with just a few watts.
- No contest activity: The band is generally quieter than the 20 and 40 metre bands during major amateur radio contests.
- Less congestion: With no routine SSB conversations, narrowband signals can be easier to separate.
- Interesting propagation: The changing conditions make it useful for studying HF propagation.