A complete guide to amateur radio bands, what runs on each, and which license you need to get there.
The most popular ham band. VHF, with repeaters everywhere. Range of 20–60 miles via repeater. Technician license required — this is where about 90% of new hams start.
UHF, with better building penetration than 2m but shorter range. Many dual-band radios cover both 2m and 70cm. Popular in urban areas where buildings block VHF signals.
Shortwave. Talk worldwide with 100 watts and a wire antenna as signals bounce off the ionosphere. General or Extra license required. The magic of radio — reach Japan from your backyard.
The Magic Band. VHF with occasional long-distance propagation; when conditions are right, signals travel 1,000+ miles. Unpredictable and exciting.
DMR (digital voice via repeaters), FT8 (weak-signal contacts 1,000+ miles on 5 watts), Winlink (email over radio), and APRS (GPS tracking and messaging). Ham radio is not just voice anymore.