Radio frequency spectrum is a global and limited resource. As it does not follow administrative borders, it needs to be regulated on global level. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the global organisation where the Radio Regulations https://www.itu.int/pub/R‑REG-RR are discussed. Amateur Radio Service is also regulated by this document (ARTICLE 25).
The radio frequency spectrum allocated to the amateur service is regulated. This regulation, developed within the International Telecommunication Union, specifies the access modalities and defines in particular:
- the frequency bands which are allocated to radio amateurs,
- the conditions required to be authorized to transmit in these frequency bands.
Although the frequencies allocated to the amateur service are internationally coordinated, each country transposes into its national legislation the conditions required for using amateur radio equipment. There is therefore no single regulation valid everywhere.
To find out the regulations in force in your country, we recommend that you contact your national Amateur Radio association. You will find the list of amateur radio associations on the IARU website : https://www.iaru.org/reference/member-societies/
Band Plan
The different frequency bands are organized into “band plan”.
These band plans are designed to ensure optimal coexistence of the different transmission modes used by radio amateurs. This makes it possible, for example, to group CW (Morse Code) users, digital signals or even telephony into specific portions of the spectrum. While band plans may vary between countries, there’s often an effort to align them internationally, especially for HF bands used for long-distance communication.
Note that band plans are voluntary agreements among radio amateurs, not legally binding regulations. However, adhering to them is considered good operating practice. Band plans are essential tools for organizing amateur radio activities, promoting harmonious coexistence of different operating modes, and ensuring efficient use of the limited spectrum available to amateur radio operators.
The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) is proposing a band plan for the amateur spectrum, and the latest version can always be found here: https://www.iaru.org/on-the-air/band-plans/