Amateur Radio Frequency Bands Available in Poland
Amateur radio operator SP5HNK at a portable field station. Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)
Poland's amateur radio frequency allocations are governed by the national frequency plan (Plan zagospodarowania częstotliwości), published by UKE in alignment with the European Common Allocation Table and IARU Region 1 band plans. The specific bands and modes available to a licensed operator depend on their licence category — Category A (HAREC) or Category B (VHF/UHF only).
HF Bands (Shortwave — Category A Only)
The following HF allocations are available to Category A licence holders. These bands support long-distance (DX) communication via ionospheric propagation and are commonly used for SSB voice, CW (Morse), and digital modes such as FT8 and JS8.
| Band | Frequency Range | Max Power (PEP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 160 m | 1.810 – 2.000 MHz | 400 W | Shared allocation; restricted hours may apply |
| 80 m | 3.500 – 3.800 MHz | 750 W | Good evening DX propagation |
| 60 m | 5 specific channels | 15 W (EIRP) | Secondary allocation; USB only per IARU guidance |
| 40 m | 7.000 – 7.200 MHz | 750 W | Reliable day/night band; crowded during contests |
| 30 m | 10.100 – 10.150 MHz | 150 W | No phone (voice) modes; CW and digital only |
| 20 m | 14.000 – 14.350 MHz | 750 W | Primary DX band; intercontinental contacts possible |
| 17 m | 18.068 – 18.168 MHz | 750 W | WARC band; no contests permitted |
| 15 m | 21.000 – 21.450 MHz | 750 W | Solar cycle dependent; excellent near solar maximum |
| 12 m | 24.890 – 24.990 MHz | 750 W | WARC band; no contests permitted |
| 10 m | 28.000 – 29.700 MHz | 750 W | Wide allocation; includes FM and satellite segments |
Power figures are expressed as peak envelope power (PEP) at the antenna connector. Actual radiated power depends on antenna gain and feedline losses. The figures above are maxima — operators are expected to use the minimum power needed for a reliable contact (good amateur practice).
VHF Bands
VHF bands are accessible to both Category A and Category B licence holders. The 2-metre band (144 MHz) is the most active VHF allocation in Poland, supporting FM voice through local repeaters and SSB for weak-signal work.
| Band | Frequency Range | Max Power | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 m | 50.000 – 52.000 MHz | 200 W (Cat A) | Sporadic-E openings; SSB, FM, CW |
| 4 m | 70.000 – 70.500 MHz | 50 W | Regional use; limited repeater infrastructure |
| 2 m | 144.000 – 146.000 MHz | 750 W (Cat A), 100 W (Cat B) | FM local/repeater, SSB, satellite, APRS |
A portable station during a 2-metre band contest. Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)
UHF Bands
UHF allocations include the popular 70-centimetre band (430 MHz), which hosts a dense network of FM repeaters across Polish cities. At UHF and above, the propagation characteristics are essentially line-of-sight, making repeaters and satellite links important for extending range.
| Band | Frequency Range | Max Power | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70 cm | 430.000 – 440.000 MHz | 750 W (Cat A), 100 W (Cat B) | FM repeaters, digital voice (DMR, C4FM), ATV |
| 23 cm | 1240 – 1300 MHz | 750 W (Cat A) | ATV, EME, weak-signal; limited repeater network |
| 13 cm | 2320 – 2450 MHz | 750 W (Cat A) | Shared with ISM; microwave experimentation |
Bands Above 3 GHz
Category A licence holders in Poland also have access to several microwave bands: 5.7 GHz (5650–5850 MHz), 10 GHz (10.0–10.5 GHz), 24 GHz (24.0–24.25 GHz), and higher allocations up to 250 GHz. These bands are used primarily for EME (Earth-Moon-Earth) communication, microwave contests, and experimental propagation research. Commercial equipment at these frequencies is rare; most activity uses home-built or modified systems.
Operating Modes and Band Segments
Within each band, IARU Region 1 segment plans define which portions are allocated for specific modes. CW (Morse code) typically occupies the lower portion of each HF band. SSB phone is in a middle segment, while the upper portions of wider bands include FM, digital modes, and satellite activity. The IARU band plan is a recommendation, not a legal requirement, but it is widely followed among Polish operators and observed during PZK-organised contests.