15-meter band

The 15-meter band (also called the 21-MHz band or 15 meters) is an amateur radio frequency band spanning the shortwave spectrum from 21 to 21.45 MHz. The band is suitable for amateur long-distance communications, and such use is permitted in nearly all countries.

This article is about the amateur radio band. For the international shortwave radio band, see shortwave bands.
Right a HB9XBG-vertical-Antenna for the 15m-Band. (Left a HB9XBG-Antenne for the 20m-Band)

Because 15-meter waves propagate primarily via reflection off of the F-2 layer of the ionosphere, the band is most useful for intercontinental communication during daylight hours, especially in years close to solar maxima, but the band permits long-distance without high-power station equipment outside such ideal windows. The 15-meter wavelength is harmonically related to that of the 40-meter band, so it is often possible to use an antenna designed for 40 meters.

History

The 15-meter band was designated by the 1947 International Radio Conference of Atlantic City in part to compensate for the loss of the 160-meter band to amateurs by the introduction of LORAN during World War II.[1] The 15-meter band opened to amateurs for CW operation only in the United States on May 1, 1952, and telephony operations were authorized above 21.25 MHz and Novice CW operations between 21.100 and 21.250 MHz on March 28, 1953.[2]

Frequency allocation

United States
Megahertz 21.000–21.025 21.025–21.200 21.200–21.225 21.225–21.275 21.275–21.450
Novice / Technician
General
Advanced
Extra

Key
= CW, RTTY and data (US: < 1 kHz bandwidth)
= CW, phone and image
= CW only (US Novice/Technician: 200 W PEP maximum TPO)

Canada

Canada is part of region 2 and as such is subject to the IARU band plan. Radio Amateurs of Canada offers the bandplan below as a recommendation for use by radio amateurs in that country but it does not have the force of law and should only be considered a suggestion or guideline.[3]

License class 21.000-21.070 21.070-21.080 21.080-21.083 21.083-21.090 21.090-21.125 21.125-21.150 21.150-21.340 21.340-21.343 21.343-21.450
Basic(+), Advanced

Japan

Changed on September 25, 2023.

License class 21.000–21.070 21.070–21.150 21.150–21.450
All Class narrow-band All modes


Key
= CW only
= CW, narrow band digital ( <= 500 Hz )
= CW, narrow band digital ( <= 500 Hz ), wide band digital
= Beacons
= CW, phone
= CW, phone, image ( <= 2700 Hz )
= Digital only
= Phone only
= TV only

See also

References
  1. "Radio Regulations Annexed To The International Telecommunication Convention (Atlantic City, 1947)" (PDF). www.itu.int. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 July 2012. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  2. "We Get 21 Mc." QST, June 1952, p. 29.
  3. Canadian 0-30 MHz Band Plan http://wp.rac.ca/wp-content/uploads/files/pdf/RAC%20Bandplan%20December%201%202015.pdf accessed 1 December 2015


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