List of amateur radio frequency bands in India explained

Amateur radio or ham radio is a hobby that is practised by over 16,000 licensed users in India.[1] Licences are granted by the Wireless and Planning and Coordination Wing (WPC), a branch of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. In addition, the WPC allocates frequency spectrum in India. The Indian Wireless Telegraphs (Amateur Service) Rules, 1978 lists five licence categories:[2]

To obtain a licence, candidates must pass the Amateur Station Operator's Certificate examination conducted by the WPC.[3] The examination consists of two 50-mark written sections: Radio theory and practice, Regulations; and a practical test consisting of a demonstration of Morse code proficiency in sending and receiving.[4] After passing the examination, the candidate must clear a police interview. After clearance, the WPC grants the licence along with the user-chosen call sign. This procedure can take up to one year.[5] This licence is valid for up to five years.[6]

Each licence category has certain privileges allotted to it, including the allotment of frequencies, output power, and the emission modes. This article list the various frequencies allotted to various classes, and the corresponding emission modes and input DC power.

Allotted spectrum

The following table lists the frequencies that amateur radio operators in India can operate on.

scope=col Band[7] scope=col class="unsortable" Frequency (MHz)[8] scope=col Wavelength[9] scope=col Type[10]
50.1357–0.13782200 mLF
50.472–0.479630 mMF
61.800–1.825160 mMF
73.500–3.70080 mHF
73.890–3.90080 mHF
75.3515–5.366560 mHF
77.000–7.20040 mHF
710.100–10.15030 mHF
714.000–14.35020 mHF
718.068–18.16817 mHF
721.000–21.45015 mHF
724.890–24.99012 mHF
728.000–29.70010 mHF
850.000–54.0006 mVHF
8144–1462 mVHF
9434–44070 cmUHF
91240–130023 cmUHF
92300–231013 cmUHF
103300–35009 cmSHF
105650–58505 cmSHF
1010000–105003 cmSHF
  1. News: Government to promote amateur radio. Ramchandran. Ramesh. 2005-03-03. The Tribune. 2008-07-27.
  2. Annexure V Web site: The Indian Wireless Telegraphs (Amateur Radio) Rules, 1978. 1979. Ministry of Communications, Government of India. Controller of Publications, Civil Lines, New Delhi. 34. 2008-08-03. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20081010160640/http://www.arsi.info/images/wpc78full.pdf. 2008-10-10.
  3. Appendix II Web site: The Indian Wireless Telegraphs (Amateur Radio) Rules, 1978. 1979. Ministry of Communications, Government of India. Controller of Publications, Civil Lines, New Delhi. 34. 2008-08-03. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20081010160640/http://www.arsi.info/images/wpc78full.pdf. 2008-10-10.
  4. Annexure III, Appendix I, Section 2.3 Web site: The Indian Wireless Telegraphs (Amateur Radio) Rules, 1978. 1979. Ministry of Communications, Government of India. Controller of Publications, Civil Lines, New Delhi. 34. 2008-08-03. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20081010160640/http://www.arsi.info/images/wpc78full.pdf. 2008-10-10.
  5. News: Ham operators are a cut above the rest. https://web.archive.org/web/20121018093101/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-05-21/india/27883754_1_ham-radio-licence-operators. dead. 2012-10-18. 2007-05-21. The Times of India. 2008-07-25.
  6. Section 12 Web site: The Indian Wireless Telegraphs (Amateur Radio) Rules, 1978. 1979. Ministry of Communications, Government of India. Controller of Publications, Civil Lines, New Delhi. 34. 2008-08-03. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20081010160640/http://www.arsi.info/images/wpc78full.pdf. 2008-10-10.
  7. Band refers to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) radio band designation
  8. [Frequency]
  9. [Wavelength]
  10. Type refers to the radio frequency classification

External links

Emission designations

See main article: Types of radio emissions.

The International Telecommunication Union uses an internationally agreed system for classifying radio frequency signals. Each Type of radio emission is classified according to its bandwidth, method of modulation, nature of the modulating signal, and Type of information transmitted on the carrier signal. It is based on characteristics of the signal, not on the transmitter used.

An emission designation is of the form BBBB 123 45, where BBBB is the bandwidth of the signal, 1 is a letter indicating the Type of modulation used, 2 is a digit representing the Type of modulating signal, 3 is a letter corresponding to the Type of information transmitted, 4 is a letter indicating the practical details of the transmitted information, and 5 is a letter that represents the method of multiplexing. The 4 and 5 fields are optional. For example, an emission designation would appear read as 500H A3E, where 500H translates to 500 Hz, and A3E is the emission mode as permitted.

The WPC has authorized the following emission modes:[11]

EmissionDetails
A1A
A2A
  • Single channel containing digital information, using a subcarrier,
  • Aural telegraphy, intended to be decoded by ear, such as Morse code
A3E
  • Double-sideband amplitude modulation (AM radio),
  • Single channel containing analogue information,
A3X
  • Single channel containing analogue information,
  • None of the other listed types of emission
A3F[12]
  • Single channel containing analogue information,
  • Video (television signals)
F1B
  • Frequency modulation,
  • Single channel containing digital information, no subcarrier,
  • Electronic telegraphy, intended to be decoded by machine (radioteletype and digital modes)
F2B
  • Frequency modulation,
  • Single channel containing digital information, using a subcarrier,
  • Electronic telegraphy, intended to be decoded by machine (radioteletype and digital modes)
F3E
  • Frequency modulation,
  • Single channel containing analogue information,
  • Telephony (audio)
F3C
  • Frequency modulation,
  • Single channel containing analogue information,
  • Facsimile (still images)
H3E
  • Single-sideband with full carrier,
  • Single channel containing analogue information,
  • Telephony (audio)
J3E
  • Single-sideband with suppressed carrier (e.g. Shortwave utility and amateur stations),
  • Single channel containing analogue information,
  • Telephony (audio)
R3E
  • Single-sideband with reduced or variable carrier,
  • Single channel containing analogue information,
  • Telephony (audio)

Licence categories

Two categories of amateur radio licence exist.

Restricted Grade

The Amateur Wireless Telegraph Station Licence, Restricted licence requires the same scores as the old term Grade II.The minimum age is 12 years.[13] The licence allows the user to make radiotelegraphy (Morse code) and radiotelephony transmission in 12 frequency bands. The maximum power allowed is 100 W.

A Restricted Grade licence holder was previously authorized the use of radio telephony emission on frequency bands below 30 MHz on submission of proof that 100 contacts have been made with other amateur operators using CW (Morse code). This has now since changed with restricted license holders being allowed phone (SSB) bands with the only restriction being the PEP(peak envelope power) limited to 50 W. Now Morse Code is not necessary for this exam

scope=col width="2%" Bandscope=col width="18%" class="unsortable" Frequency (MHz)scope=col width="8%" class="unsortable" Wavelengthscope=col width="8%" Typescope=col class="unsortable" width="56%" Emissionscope=col width="8%" Power (W)
61.800–1.825[14] 160 mMFA3E, H3E, J3E, R3E50
73.500–3.70080 mHFA3E, H3E, J3E, R3E50
73.890–3.90080 mHFA3E, H3E, J3E, R3E50
77.000–7.200[15] 40 mHFA3E, H3E, J3E, R3E50
714.000–14.35020 mHFA3E, H3E, J3E, R3E50
718.068–18.168[16] 17 mHFA3E, H3E, J3E, R3E50
721.000–21.45015 mHFA3E, H3E, J3E, R3E50
724.890–24.99012 mHFA3E, H3E, J3E, R3E50
728.000–29.70010 mHFA3E, H3E, J3E, R3E50
850.000–54.0006 mVHFF1B, F2B, F3C, F3E10[17]
8144–1462 mVHFF1B, F2B, F3C, F3E10
9434–438[18] 70 cmUHFF1B, F2B, F3C, F3E10

General Grade

The Amateur Station Operator's Licence, General Grade, requires a minimum of 50% in each section of the written examination, and 60% overall, and a demonstration of proficiency in sending and receiving Morse code at 8 words per minute (without errors for each).[19] The minimum age is 12 years. The licence allows a user to make radiotelegraphy and radiotelephony transmission in 13 frequency bands. The maximum power allowed is 400 W. In addition, satellite communication, facsimile, and television modes are permitted.

scope=col width="2%" Bandscope=col width="18%" class="unsortable" Frequency (MHz)scope=col width="8%" class="unsortable" Wavelengthscope=col width="8%" Typescope=col width="56%" class="unsortable" Emissionscope=col width="8%" Power (W)
61.800–1.825160 mMFA1A, A2A, A3E, H3E, R3E, J3E, F1B, F2B, A3C, A3F400
73.500–3.70080 mHFA1A, A2A, A3E, H3E, R3E, J3E, F1B, F2B, F3E, F3C, A3C, A3F400
73.890–3.90080 mHFA1A, A2A, A3E, H3E, R3E, J3E, F1B, F2B, F3E, F3C, A3C, A3F400
77.000–7.20040 mHFA1A, A2A, A3E, H3E, R3E, J3E, F1B, F2B, F3E, F3C, A3C, A3F400
710.100–10.15030 mHFA1A, A2A, F1B, F2B, 400
714.000–14.35020 mHFA1A, A2A, A3E, H3E, R3E, J3E, F1B, F2B, F3E, F3C, A3C, A3F400
718.068–18.16817 mHFA1A, A2A, A3E, H3E, R3E, J3E, F1B, F2B, F3E, F3C, A3C, A3F400
721.000–21.45015 mHFA1A, A2A, A3E, H3E, R3E, J3E, F1B, F2B, F3E, F3C, A3C, A3F400
724.890–24.99012 mHFA1A, A2A, A3E, H3E, R3E, J3E, F1B, F2B, F3E, F3C, A3C, A3F400
728.000–29.70010 mHFA1A, A2A, A3E, H3E, R3E, J3E, F1B, F2B, F3E, F3C, A3C, A3F400
850.000–54.0006 mVHFF1A, F2B, F3C, F3E25
8144–1462 mVHFF1A, F2B, F3C, F3E25
9434–43870 cmF1A, F2B, F3C, F3E25
91240–1300[20] 23 cmUHFA1A, A2A, A3E, H3E, R3E, J3E, F1B, F2B, F3E, F3C, A3X, A3F (This band rescinded, please verify with WPC)25
103300–34009 cmSHFA1A, A2A, A3E, H3E, R3E, J3E, F1B, F2B, F3E, F3C, A3X, A3F (This band rescinded, please verify with WPC)25
105725–58405 cmSHFF1A, F2B, F3C, F3E25

See also

Notes

  1. News: Government to promote amateur radio. Ramchandran. Ramesh. 2005-03-03. The Tribune. 2008-07-27.
  2. Annexure V Web site: The Indian Wireless Telegraphs (Amateur Radio) Rules, 1978. 1979. Ministry of Communications, Government of India. Controller of Publications, Civil Lines, New Delhi. 34. 2008-08-03. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20081010160640/http://www.arsi.info/images/wpc78full.pdf. 2008-10-10.
  3. Appendix II Web site: The Indian Wireless Telegraphs (Amateur Radio) Rules, 1978. 1979. Ministry of Communications, Government of India. Controller of Publications, Civil Lines, New Delhi. 34. 2008-08-03. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20081010160640/http://www.arsi.info/images/wpc78full.pdf. 2008-10-10.
  4. Annexure III, Appendix I, Section 2.3 Web site: The Indian Wireless Telegraphs (Amateur Radio) Rules, 1978. 1979. Ministry of Communications, Government of India. Controller of Publications, Civil Lines, New Delhi. 34. 2008-08-03. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20081010160640/http://www.arsi.info/images/wpc78full.pdf. 2008-10-10.
  5. News: Ham operators are a cut above the rest. https://web.archive.org/web/20121018093101/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-05-21/india/27883754_1_ham-radio-licence-operators. dead. 2012-10-18. 2007-05-21. The Times of India. 2008-07-25.
  6. Section 12 Web site: The Indian Wireless Telegraphs (Amateur Radio) Rules, 1978. 1979. Ministry of Communications, Government of India. Controller of Publications, Civil Lines, New Delhi. 34. 2008-08-03. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20081010160640/http://www.arsi.info/images/wpc78full.pdf. 2008-10-10.
  7. Band refers to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) radio band designation
  8. [Frequency]
  9. [Wavelength]
  10. Type refers to the radio frequency classification
  11. Book: Verma , Rajesh . ABC of Amateur Radio and Citizen Band . EFY Publications . 1988 .
  12. For A3F emission, the transmission is restricted to call sign of the station, location and other particulars. This is limited to point-to-point test transmission that employs a standard interlace and scanning with a bandwidth not more than 4 kHz.
  13. Section 5 Web site: The Indian Wireless Telegraphs (Amateur Radio) Rules, 1978. 1979. Ministry of Communications, Government of India. Controller of Publications, Civil Lines, New Delhi. 34. 2008-08-03. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20081010160640/http://www.arsi.info/images/wpc78full.pdf. 2008-10-10.
  14. On primary shared basis as per the regular provisions of radio regulations.
  15. Web site: Saquib . 2022-01-25 . HF NET India on 40 Meters . 2022-10-23 . It's HAM RADIO . en-GB.
  16. Authorization on non-interference and non-protection basis.
  17. [Terrestrial radio|Terrestrial service]
  18. On secondary basis as per the regular provisions of radio regulations. The above authorization is subject to site clearance as per the procedure prescribed by the Standing Advisory Committee on Radio Frequency Allocation (SACFA) as applicable.
  19. Annexure III, Appendix I Web site: The Indian Wireless Telegraphs (Amateur Radio) Rules, 1978. 1979. Ministry of Communications, Government of India. Controller of Publications, Civil Lines, New Delhi. 34. 2008-08-03. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20081010160640/http://www.arsi.info/images/wpc78full.pdf. 2008-10-10.
  20. Earth to satellite service only. Satellite service is permitted in accordance with radio regulations and in those cases where the maximum output RF power is 30 dbw.