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Amateur Radio 160 m Band (ITU Regions 2 & 3)
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According to the ITU, the propagation characteristics in this band "allow short-range communications during daytime hours, and medium and long-range communications during night-time hours. This band is particularly useful during sunspot minima, when the maximum usable frequency (MUF) is below 3500 kHz."
The band is often referred to as "160 meters", referring to its approximate wavelength.
In the United States, the following 160 m band plan has been adopted by the ARRL, the National Association for Amateur Radio. Some or all of this band plan may apply in other countries as well. By FCC rules, the entire band is available for RTTY, data, phone, and image for General, Advanced, and Extra class operators, although adherence to the band plan is recommended.
ARRL BAND PLAN:
| Frequency (kHz) | Use |
| 1800 - 2000 | CW |
| 1800 - 1810 | Digital Modes |
| 1810 | CW QRP |
| 1843-2000 | SSB, SSTV, and other wideband modes |
| 1910 | SSB QRP |
| 1995-2000 | Experimental |
| 1999-2000 | Beacons |
EXTRA, ADVANCED, AND GENERAL:
| Range (kHz) | Authorized Use(s) |
| 1800-2000 | RTTY, data, phone, and image |
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Frequency Bands |
| Band | Use | Service | Table |
| 1800 - 2000 kHz | Amateur Radio 160 m Band (ITU Regions 2 & 3) | AM | N |
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AM Broadcast Band
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The band 535-1705 kHz is used for AM broadcast in the U.S. (among other countries). Stations are assigned center frequencies every 10 kHz starting at 540 kHz and ending at 1700 kHz, and each analog broadcast has a bandwidth of approximately 5 kHz. There is a total of 117 available AM broadcast frequencies in the band.
Because radio signals in this range can travel a long distance by bouncing off the ionosphere (especially at night, when the densest parts of the ionosphere are at very high altitude), careful frequency coordination of the AM broadcast band is required. Some stations are required to reduce power at night, or go off the air completely, to avoid interference to other stations using the same frequency.
Some AM stations are also transmiting an "In-Band, On-Channel" (IBOC) digital signal, which is implemented using far-out sidebands of the analog signal. Digital broadcasting has not had a large uptake in the U.S., and there are lingering problems and concerns with the digital sidebands creating interference to other stations, especially at night when propagation can reach great distances.
As of March, 2012, there were 4,762 AM broadcast stations on the air in the U.S., or about 41 stations per channel on average.
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Frequency Bands |
| Band | Use | Service | Table |
| 535 - 1705 kHz | AM Broadcast | Broadcasting | N |
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Access Broadband over Power Line (Access BPL)
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According to the FCC's definition, Access BPL is "a carrier current system installed and operated on an electric utility service as an unintentional radiator that sends radio frequency energy on frequencies between 1.705 MHz and 80 MHz over medium voltage lines or over low voltage lines to provide broadband communications and is located on the supply side of the utility service’s points of interconnection with customer premises. Access BPL does not include power line carrier systems as defined in § 15.3(t) or In-House BPL as defined in § 15.3(gg)."
Low voltage lines are defined as lines carrying, for example, 240/120 volts from a distribution transformer to a customer's premises. Medium voltage lines carry between 1,000 and 40,000 volts from a power substation to neighborhoods, and may be overhead or underground.
Access BPL is an unlicensed service operated under Subpart G of Part 15 of the FCC's rules. Radiated emission limits from medium voltage lines in the 1.705-30 MHz range must not exceed the limits in 47 CFR 15.209, and those from 30-80 MHz must not exceed the limits in 15.109(b). Systems that operate on low voltage lines must comply with 15.109(a) limits across the entire 1.705-80 MHz range.
When Access BPL systems must use notch filters to protect licensed services, the notch must be at least 25 dB below applicable Part 15 limits in the 1.705-30 MHz band, and at least 10 dB below the limits in the 30-80 MHz band.
There are 12 sub-bands in which Access BPL systems are not allowed to operate anywhere to protect aeronautical (land) stations and aircraft receivers. Those excluded bands are listed in 15.615(f), and are excluded in the list of Access BPL bands in this entry.
Access BPL systems are not allowed to operate within the sub-band 2173.5-2190.5 kHz within 1 km of coast station facilities listed in 47 CFR 15.615(f)(2)(i), to protect the internationally-recognized standard maritime calling frequency of 2182 kHz.
No Access BPL emissions are allowed in the 73.0-74.6 MHz radio astronomy band on overhead medium voltage lines within 65 km of the Very Large Array radio telescope in New Mexico (34 04 43.5N, 107 37 03.82W), or within 47 km of the VLA on underground power lines or overhead low voltage lines.
Access BPL operators must consult at least 30 days in advance when deploying systems near various FCC field offices, aeronautical and maritime stations, radar systems, radio astronomy stations, and research areas. Details are in 47 CFR 15.615(f)(3).
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