List of amateur radio frequency bands in India

{{Short description|none}}

File:Vu2gmn antenna.jpg

Amateur radio or ham radio is a hobby that is practised by over 16,000 licensed users in India.{{cite news|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050304/nation.htm#10|title=Government to promote amateur radio|last=Ramchandran|first=Ramesh|date=2005-03-03|work=The Tribune|access-date=2008-07-27}}

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:Annexure V {{cite web|url=http://www.arsi.info/images/wpc78full.pdf|title=The Indian Wireless Telegraphs (Amateur Radio) Rules, 1978|year=1979|work=Ministry of Communications, Government of India|publisher=Controller of Publications, Civil Lines, New Delhi|pages=34|access-date=2008-08-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010160640/http://www.arsi.info/images/wpc78full.pdf|archive-date=2008-10-10}}

To obtain a licence, candidates must pass the Amateur Station Operator's Certificate examination conducted by the WPC.Appendix II {{cite web|url=http://www.arsi.info/images/wpc78full.pdf|title=The Indian Wireless Telegraphs (Amateur Radio) Rules, 1978|year=1979|work=Ministry of Communications, Government of India|publisher=Controller of Publications, Civil Lines, New Delhi|pages=34|access-date=2008-08-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010160640/http://www.arsi.info/images/wpc78full.pdf|archive-date=2008-10-10}} 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.Annexure III, Appendix I, Section 2.3 {{cite web|url=http://www.arsi.info/images/wpc78full.pdf|title=The Indian Wireless Telegraphs (Amateur Radio) Rules, 1978|year=1979|work=Ministry of Communications, Government of India|publisher=Controller of Publications, Civil Lines, New Delhi|pages=34|access-date=2008-08-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010160640/http://www.arsi.info/images/wpc78full.pdf|archive-date=2008-10-10}} 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.{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Ham-operators-are-a-cut-above-the-rest/articleshow/2063133.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018093101/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-05-21/india/27883754_1_ham-radio-licence-operators|url-status=live|archive-date=2012-10-18|title=Ham operators are a cut above the rest|date=2007-05-21|work=The Times of India|access-date=2008-07-25}} This licence is valid for up to five years.Section 12 {{cite web|url=http://www.arsi.info/images/wpc78full.pdf|title=The Indian Wireless Telegraphs (Amateur Radio) Rules, 1978|year=1979|work=Ministry of Communications, Government of India|publisher=Controller of Publications, Civil Lines, New Delhi|pages=34|access-date=2008-08-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010160640/http://www.arsi.info/images/wpc78full.pdf|archive-date=2008-10-10}}

Each licence category has certain privileges allotted to it, including the allotment of frequencies, output power, and the emission modes. This article lists 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.

class="wikitable sortable" width="50%" style="text-align: center;"
scope=col | BandBand refers to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) radio band designation

! scope=col class="unsortable" | Frequency (MHz)Frequency is measured in megahertz

! scope=col | WavelengthWavelength is measured in metres and centimetres

! scope=col | TypeType refers to the radio frequency classification

5

| {{ntsh|0.1357}}0.1357–0.1378

| {{ntsh|2200}}2200 m

| LF

5

| {{ntsh|0.472}}0.472–0.479

| {{ntsh|630}}630 m

| MF

6

| {{ntsh|1820}}1.800–1.825

| {{ntsh|160}}160 m

| MF

7

| {{ntsh|3500}}3.500–3.700

| {{ntsh|80}}80 m

| HF

7

| {{ntsh|3890}}3.890–3.900

| {{ntsh|80}}80 m

| HF

7

| {{ntsh|5351.5}}5.3515–5.3665

| {{ntsh|60}}60 m

| HF

7

| {{ntsh|7000}}7.000–7.200

| {{ntsh|40}}40 m

| HF

7

| {{ntsh|10000}}10.100–10.150

| {{ntsh|30}}30 m

| HF

7

| {{ntsh|14000}}14.000–14.350

| {{ntsh|20}}20 m

| HF

7

| {{ntsh|18068}}18.068–18.168

| {{ntsh|17}}17 m

| HF

7

| {{ntsh|21000}}21.000–21.450

| {{ntsh|15}}15 m

| HF

7

| {{ntsh|24890}}24.890–24.990

| {{ntsh|12}}12 m

| HF

7

| {{ntsh|28000}}28.000–29.700

| {{ntsh|10}}10 m

| HF

8

| {{ntsh|28000}}50.000–54.000

| {{ntsh|6}}6 m

| VHF

8

| {{ntsh|144000}}144–146

| {{ntsh|2.0}}2 m

| VHF

9

| {{ntsh|432000}}434–440

| {{ntsh|0.70}}70 cm

| UHF

9

| {{ntsh|1260000}}1240–1300

| {{ntsh|0.23}}23 cm

| UHF

9

| {{ntsh|2300000}}2300–2310

| {{ntsh|0.13}}13 cm

| UHF

10

| {{ntsh|3300000}}3300–3500

| {{ntsh|0.09}}9 cm

| SHF

10

| {{ntsh|5650000}}5650–5850

| {{ntsh|0.05}}5 cm

| SHF

10

| {{ntsh|10000000}}10000–10500

| {{ntsh|0.03}}3 cm

| SHF

Emission designations

{{main|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:{{cite book

| last = Verma

| first = Rajesh

| title = ABC of Amateur Radio and Citizen Band

| publisher = EFY Publications

| year = 1988

}}

class="wikitable"

! width="15%" scope=col | Emission

! width="85%" scope=col | Details

align="center" | A1A

|

align="center" | A2A

|

  • Single channel containing digital information, using a subcarrier,
  • Aural telegraphy, intended to be decoded by ear, such as Morse code
align="center" | A3E

|

  • Double-sideband amplitude modulation (AM radio),
  • Single channel containing analogue information,
align="center" | A3X

|

  • Single channel containing analogue information,
  • None of the other listed types of emission
align="center" | A3FFor 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.

|

  • Single channel containing analogue information,
  • Video (television signals)
align="center" | F1B

|

  • Frequency modulation,
  • Single channel containing digital information, no subcarrier,
  • Electronic telegraphy, intended to be decoded by machine (radioteletype and digital modes)
align="center" | F2B

|

  • Frequency modulation,
  • Single channel containing digital information, using a subcarrier,
  • Electronic telegraphy, intended to be decoded by machine (radioteletype and digital modes)
align="center" | F3E

|

  • Frequency modulation,
  • Single channel containing analogue information,
  • Telephony (audio)
align="center" | F3C

|

  • Frequency modulation,
  • Single channel containing analogue information,
  • Facsimile (still images)
align="center" | H3E

|

  • Single-sideband with full carrier,
  • Single channel containing analogue information,
  • Telephony (audio)
align="center" | J3E

|

align="center" | R3E

|

  • Single-sideband with reduced or variable carrier,
  • Single channel containing analogue information,
  • Telephony (audio)

Licence categories

{{further|Amateur radio licence categories in India}}

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.Section 5 {{cite web|url=http://www.arsi.info/images/wpc78full.pdf|title=The Indian Wireless Telegraphs (Amateur Radio) Rules, 1978|year=1979|work=Ministry of Communications, Government of India|publisher=Controller of Publications, Civil Lines, New Delhi|pages=34|access-date=2008-08-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010160640/http://www.arsi.info/images/wpc78full.pdf|archive-date=2008-10-10}} 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

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;"
scope=col width="2%" | Band

! scope=col width="18%" class="unsortable" | Frequency (MHz)

! scope=col width="8%" class="unsortable" | Wavelength

! scope=col width="8%" | Type

! scope=col class="unsortable" width="56%" | Emission

! scope=col width="8%" | Power (W)

6

| 1.800–1.825On primary shared basis as per the regular provisions of radio regulations.

| 160 m

| MF

| A3E, H3E, J3E, R3E

| 50

7

| 3.500–3.700

| 80 m

| HF

| A3E, H3E, J3E, R3E

| 50

7

| 3.890–3.900

| 80 m

| HF

| A3E, H3E, J3E, R3E

| 50

7

| 7.000–7.200{{Cite web |last=Saquib |date=2022-01-25 |title=HF NET India on 40 Meters |url=https://itshamradio.com/hf-net-india-on-40-meters/ |access-date=2022-10-23 |website=It's HAM RADIO |language=en-GB}}

| 40 m

| HF

| A3E, H3E, J3E, R3E

| 50

7

| 14.000–14.350

| 20 m

| HF

| A3E, H3E, J3E, R3E

| 50

7

| 18.068–18.168Authorization on non-interference and non-protection basis.

| 17 m

| HF

| A3E, H3E, J3E, R3E

| 50

7

| 21.000–21.450

| 15 m

| HF

| A3E, H3E, J3E, R3E

| 50

7

| 24.890–24.990

| 12 m

| HF

| A3E, H3E, J3E, R3E

| 50

7

| 28.000–29.700

| 10 m

| HF

| A3E, H3E, J3E, R3E

| 50

8

| {{ntsh|50000}}50.000–54.000

| {{ntsh|6}}6 m

| VHF

| F1B, F2B, F3C, F3E

| 10Terrestrial service only

8

| 144–146

| 2 m

| VHF

| F1B, F2B, F3C, F3E

| 10

9

| 434–438On 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.

| 70 cm

| UHF

| F1B, F2B, F3C, F3E

| 10

=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).Annexure III, Appendix I {{cite web|url=http://www.arsi.info/images/wpc78full.pdf|title=The Indian Wireless Telegraphs (Amateur Radio) Rules, 1978|year=1979|work=Ministry of Communications, Government of India|publisher=Controller of Publications, Civil Lines, New Delhi|pages=34|access-date=2008-08-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010160640/http://www.arsi.info/images/wpc78full.pdf|archive-date=2008-10-10}} 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.

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;"
scope=col width="2%" | Band

! scope=col width="18%" class="unsortable" | Frequency (MHz)

! scope=col width="8%" class="unsortable" | Wavelength

! scope=col width="8%" | Type

! scope=col width="56%" class="unsortable" | Emission

! scope=col width="8%" | Power (W)

6

| 1.800–1.825

| 160 m

| MF

| A1A, A2A, A3E, H3E, R3E, J3E, F1B, F2B, A3C, A3F

| 400

7

| 3.500–3.700

| 80 m

| HF

| A1A, A2A, A3E, H3E, R3E, J3E, F1B, F2B, F3E, F3C, A3C, A3F

| 400

7

| 3.890–3.900

| 80 m

| HF

| A1A, A2A, A3E, H3E, R3E, J3E, F1B, F2B, F3E, F3C, A3C, A3F

| 400

7

| 7.000–7.200

| 40 m

| HF

| A1A, A2A, A3E, H3E, R3E, J3E, F1B, F2B, F3E, F3C, A3C, A3F

| 400

7

| 10.100–10.150

| 30 m

| HF

| A1A, A2A, F1B, F2B,

| 400

7

| 14.000–14.350

| 20 m

| HF

| A1A, A2A, A3E, H3E, R3E, J3E, F1B, F2B, F3E, F3C, A3C, A3F

| 400

7

| 18.068–18.168

| 17 m

| HF

| A1A, A2A, A3E, H3E, R3E, J3E, F1B, F2B, F3E, F3C, A3C, A3F

| 400

7

| 21.000–21.450

| 15 m

| HF

| A1A, A2A, A3E, H3E, R3E, J3E, F1B, F2B, F3E, F3C, A3C, A3F

| 400

7

| 24.890–24.990

| 12 m

| HF

| A1A, A2A, A3E, H3E, R3E, J3E, F1B, F2B, F3E, F3C, A3C, A3F

| 400

7

| 28.000–29.700

| 10 m

| HF

| A1A, A2A, A3E, H3E, R3E, J3E, F1B, F2B, F3E, F3C, A3C, A3F

| 400

8

| 50.000–54.000

| 6 m

| VHF

| F1A, F2B, F3C, F3E

| 25

8

| 144–146

| 2 m

| VHF

| F1A, F2B, F3C, F3E

| 25

9

| 434–438

| 70 cm

| UHF

| F1A, F2B, F3C, F3E

| 25

9

| 1240–1300Earth 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.

| 23 cm

| UHF

| A1A, A2A, A3E, H3E, R3E, J3E, F1B, F2B, F3E, F3C, A3X, A3F (This band rescinded, please verify with WPC)

| 25

10

| 3300–3400

| 9 cm

| SHF

| A1A, A2A, A3E, H3E, R3E, J3E, F1B, F2B, F3E, F3C, A3X, A3F (This band rescinded, please verify with WPC)

| 25

10

| 5725–5840

| 5 cm

| SHF

| F1A, F2B, F3C, F3E

| 25

See also

Notes

References

{{Reflist|30em}}

  • {{Indian law copyright|Indian Wireless Telegraphs (Amateur Service) Rules, 1978}}