15-meter band
 | The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with the United States and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (December 2010) |
The 15-meter band (also called the 21-MHz band or 15 meters) is an amateur radio frequency band spanning the shortwave spectrum from 21 to 21.45 MHz. The band is suitable for amateur long-distance communications, and such use is permitted in nearly all countries.[citation needed]
Because 15-meter waves propagate primarily via reflection off of the F-2 layer of the ionosphere, the band is most useful for intercontinental communication during daylight hours, especially in years close to solar maxima, but the band permits long-distance without high-power station equipment outside such ideal windows. The 15-meter wavelength is harmonically related to that of the 40-meter band, so it is often possible to use an antenna designed for 40 meters.
History
The 15-meter band was designated by the 1947 International Radio Conference of Atlantic City in part to compensate for the loss of the 160-meter band to amateurs by the introduction of LORAN during World War II. The 15-meter band opened to amateurs for CW operation only in the United States on May 1, 1952, and telephony operations were authorized above 21250 kHz on March 28, 1953.[1]
Frequency allocation
United States
| megahertz | 21.000–21.025 | 21.025–21.200 | 21.200–21.225 | 21.225–21.275 | 21.275–21.450 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Novice / Technician | |||||
| General | |||||
| Advanced | |||||
| Extra |
Key
| = CW, RTTY and data (US: < 1 kHz bandwidth) | |
| = CW, phone and image | |
| = CW only (US Novice/Technician: 200 W PEP maximum TPO) |
Canada
Canada is part of region 2 and as such is subject to the IARU band plan. Radio Amateurs of Canada offers the bandplan below as a recommendation for use by radio amateurs in that country but it does not have the force of law and should only be considered a suggestion or guideline.[2]
| License class | 21.000-21.070 | 21.070-21.080 | 21.080-21.083 | 21.083-21.090 | 21.090-21.125 | 21.125-21.150 | 21.150-21.340 | 21.340-21.343 | 21.343-21.450 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic(+), Advanced |
Key
| = CW only | |
| = CW, narrow band digital ( <= 500 Hz ) | |
| = CW, narrow band digital ( <= 500 Hz ), wide band digital | |
| = Beacons | |
| = CW, phone | |
| = CW, phone, image ( <= 2700 Hz ) | |
| = Digital only | |
| = Phone only | |
| = TV only |
See also
References
- ^ "We Get 21 Mc." QST, June 1952, p. 29.
- ^ Canadian 0-30 MHz Band Plan http://wp.rac.ca/wp-content/uploads/files/pdf/RAC%20Bandplan%20December%201%202015.pdf accessed 1 December 2015
- "ARRLWeb: US Amateur Bands". Archived from the original on 7 September 2005. Retrieved August 3, 2005.
- "ARRLWeb: ARRL Band Plans". Archived from the original on 3 August 2005. Retrieved August 3, 2005.
- "UK Amateur Radio Bandplans Band Plans". Retrieved August 3, 2005. Click the 15 Meter button at the bottom of the page
- "Ham Radio QRP". Archived from the original on September 24, 2005. Retrieved August 3, 2005.
- "IARU Region 1 Bandplan" (PDF). Retrieved January 1, 2006.
- "IARU Region 2 Bandplan" (PDF). Retrieved January 1, 2008.
- "IARU Region 3 Bandplan". Archived from the original on 2005-05-13. Retrieved August 3, 2005.
 | This article related to amateur radio is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |