10meter

The 10meter band refers to the portion of the radio spectrum around 28 to 29.7 MHz that is allocated for amateur radio use in many countries. It sits between the traditional HF bands and the VHF region, and its exact allocations can vary by jurisdiction.

In most regions, the 10meter band is a licensed amateur band with rules set by national authorities and international agreements. Operators may use a range of modes, including CW (Morse), SSB, digital modes, and, in some areas, FM for local communications. Power limits are commonly in the range used on other HF bands, often up to 1,500 watts peak envelope power, subject to local regulations.

Propagation on 10meters is highly variable and closely tied to the sunspot cycle. During periods of high solar activity, the ionosphere can support long-distance contacts via high-frequency modes. Even when global propagation is limited, sporadic E openings in late spring and summer can produce regional to near-continental contacts that feel like a different band. The band can also support local line-of-sight contacts via ground-wave or short skip paths and supports various digital subtypes that are popular for contesting and long-distance work.

Common equipment for 10meters includes transceivers with 28–30 MHz coverage, suitable antennas such as verticals, dipoles, or small Yagi arrays, and appropriate tuning and filtering to manage the band’s wide range of operating modes. The band is used for both casual contacts and organized activities, including contests and emergency communications when required.

Overall, the 10meter band remains a versatile and historically important part of amateur radio, offering opportunities for both short-range and long-range communication under suitable conditions.