Getting Started with the 160-Meter Amateur Radio Band

The 160-meter amateur radio band is a great place to start your radio adventures. It operates on frequencies between 1.8 and 2 megahertz.

To get started, you'll need a radio that's specifically designed for this band, which often requires a larger antenna to perform well.

The 160-meter band is a great choice for beginners because it's relatively easy to set up and requires less equipment than other bands.

This band is also known for its long-distance propagation, making it a great option for working with stations around the world.

Discover more: S Meter

The 160-meter band has a unique frequency allocation, which varies depending on the region. In ITU Region 1, which includes Europe, Greenland, Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia, frequencies from 1.81–2 MHz are allocated for amateur radio operations.

The rest of the world has a slightly different allocation, with frequencies from 1.8–2 MHz available for amateur radio operations.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Amateur Radio Frequency Allocations

The 160-meter band, also known as the LF (Low Frequency) band, spans a range of 1.810–1.850 MHz in ITU Region 1, and 1.800–2.000 MHz in ITU Region 3.

This band is a popular choice for amateur radio operators due to its ability to penetrate through obstacles and reach distant locations.

The 160-meter band is also known for its unique propagation characteristics, which allow for long-distance communication even at low power levels.

The main frequency range for the 160-meter band is 1.810–1.850 MHz in ITU Region 1, and 1.800–2.000 MHz in ITU Region 3.

Here are the frequency allocations for the 160-meter band in different ITU regions:

These frequency allocations are subject to variation by country, so be sure to check with your local authorities for specific regulations.

Propagation on the 160-meter band can be quite fascinating, but also unpredictable at times.

During the day, propagation is limited to local contacts, making it ideal for working with nearby stations.

Long distance contacts are possible at night, especially around sunrise and sunset, when the ionosphere is more active.

Sunspot minima periods also offer opportunities for long distance propagation.

Much about ionospheric and propagation on 160 meters is still not completely understood, leaving room for investigation and discovery.

Phenomena such as "chordal hop" propagation are frequently observed, and researchers are still trying to figure out the underlying mechanisms.

Inexplicable radio blackouts can occur on the 160-meter band, sometimes also affecting the AM broadcast band.

Building a 160-meter wire antenna can be a challenge, but it's doable with the right approach. Brian (K3ES) shares a guest post on how to build a 160-meter wire antenna.

Brian's VK160 antenna was built to add 160m capability to his portable station, which had previously struggled with making unscheduled POTA contacts on 2m and 70cm. He found that contacts were seasonal and elusive, so he created the VK160 antenna to improve his chances.

For your interest: S Band

A crooked 160m dipole can actually work quite well, as demonstrated by the author's experiment. By extending the length of his 80m dipole and bending the ends to fit his lot, he was able to create a functional 160m dipole.

The author's dipole was installed at a height of about 40 feet, which resulted in most of the radiation going straight up. This setup has given him access to many more stations in the US and Canada, but he still struggles with DX.

To improve his receive-only antennas, the author plans to experiment with Beverage antennas on 160m. He'll be sharing his results soon, which will be an interesting development to follow.

The 160-meter band is a unique and fascinating aspect of amateur radio. It's often considered part of the HF bands, but technically it's an MF (medium frequency) band.

Most modern HF radios cover 160 meters, providing a great introduction to the band. You'll experience a more relaxed and respectful atmosphere, earning it the nickname "The Gentleman's Band."

The current state of amateur radio bands is quite interesting. The band experienced a resurgence with the demise of LORAN-A in the United States in December 1980.

Power restrictions were a major issue for amateur radio operators. Power restrictions above 1.9 MHz were removed in March 1984, allowing for more flexibility in operating on the 160-meter band.

The 160-meter band is no longer considered "abandoned" as it once was. This is because 160 meters is no longer the only mediumwave band, and no longer the lowest-frequency amateur band.

The 160 meter band, also known as the "top band", is the lowest frequency band commonly in use by amateurs, and is technically an MF (medium frequency) band.

It's considered a regional band with good ground wave coverage for nearby contacts, but under the right conditions, it can open up for long-distance QSOs.

The primary reason you won't hear much traffic on 160 meters is due to antenna requirements, as a 160 meter vertical is huge at 123 feet tall, and an inverted V or dipole is massive at 246 feet long.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Lte Band Frequencies

However, there are solutions to fit a full-sized 160 meter antenna in a small lot, such as the DX Engineering's 160 Meter Thunderbolt Vertical Antenna, which comes with a custom-designed capacity hat system and checks in at only 55 feet.

At night, when the D-layer in the ionosphere disappears, communication distances increase, and it may be possible to hear stations several hundred or more miles away.

Grey line, the area where night and day meet, is important to propagation on 160 meters, and stations in this grey line zone have an increased chance of making long-distance QSOs.

Long-distance propagation for this band is often better around sunspot minimum when solar activity is low and noise levels are lower, and December through March is prime time for this band.

Using an 80m dipole on 160m is also possible, and tying the two wires from the ladder line together and connecting that to the unbalanced antenna connector on the tuner can work well enough to get you started.

QRN and News can be a challenge on the 160-meter band. Interference from thunderstorm activity is a primary problem, as lightning creates radio noise that's reflected off the ionosphere.

The good news is that thunderstorm activity drops off during the winter, allowing for better operating conditions on 160 and 80 meters. This makes winter a great time to try your hand at these bands.

160 and 80 meters are best at night, offering a viable alternative to other HF frequencies 15 meters and above following sunset. However, they can sometimes suffer from interference from man-made and atmospheric noise.