Talk:80 Meter Ham Radio Band

75 Meters

75 Meters : 3.600 MHz-4.000 MHz, With Phone emissions allowed.

80 Meters: 3.500 MHz- 3.600 MHz CW and RTTY/Data only

80 Meters: Sometimes referred to as the ENTIRE, CONTIGUOUS (U.S.) Amateur allocation from 3.5000-4.000 MHz; including the low end of the 80 Meter Amateur allocation, but including the 'phone portion of the 3.6-4.0 MHz allocation sometimes referred to as "75" Meters.

In the past, many ops referred to "80 Meters" as covering the entire 3.5-4.0 MHz band, as it was a continuous allocation; and since CW was a legal mode across the ENTIRE allocation, many OT's didn't bother with a distinction between 80 and 75 Meters. The real issue sort of was manufactured; because of the low frequency/long wavelengths, the classical "CW" and 'phone allocations DO actually have relatively significant differences in wavelength.

Think of it THIS way:

75 Meters: Phone operation below 4 MHz

80 Meters: May include the CW/Data AND phone operation areas, unless otherwise specified

x x x x x

The Federal Communications Commission which, by definition, is "the" ultimate source of Amateur Radio Service terminology in the United States and possessions, has declared, in 47 CFR Part 97 Section 97.301, that the frequency range of 3.500 MHz to 3.600 MHz is defined as the "80-meter" band and the frequency range of 3.600 MHz to 4.000 MHz is defined as the "75-meter" band.

They have made this distinction even though the actual frequency of 80-meters is 3.750 MHz!