2200 meters band
The 2200 meter band is amateur radio’s lowest allocation — a sliver of longwave spectrum near 136 kHz where signals creep along the ground for remarkable distances at tiny radiated power.
Propagation & character
Propagation is by ground wave plus low-angle skywave, and the band is extremely narrow (about 2.1 kHz) and noise-limited. Contacts are made with very slow CW and specialized digital modes, often spanning hundreds of miles on milliwatts of effective radiated power.
What 2200 meters is used for
Almost entirely experimental: QRSS (ultra-slow CW), WSPR, and other weak-signal digital modes. There is no voice — the band is far too narrow.
Operating tips
- Antennas are the real challenge — a full-size dipole would be over half a mile long, so operators use short, heavily loaded verticals with large loading coils and extensive ground/radial systems.
- Radiated power is capped very low (1 W EIRP in the US), so antenna efficiency, not transmitter power, sets your range.
- Many contacts use ultra-slow CW that takes minutes to send a single callsign — patience is part of the fun.
Antennas for 2200 meters
A half-wave dipole for 2200 meters is about 3,424 ft (1,043 m) end to end — impractically long at this frequency, which is why these bands use shortened, loaded verticals and loops instead of full dipoles. Work out an exact starting length with the antenna calculator, then trim for lowest SWR.
2200 meters band FAQ
What frequencies is the 2200 meters band?
The 2200 meters band covers 135.7–137.8 kHz — part of the low frequency (LF) spectrum. Common modes are CW (incl. QRSS), WSPR & weak-signal digital.
What is the 2200 meters band used for?
Almost entirely experimental: QRSS (ultra-slow CW), WSPR, and other weak-signal digital modes. There is no voice — the band is far too narrow.
What license do you need to use 2200 meters?
All US license classes, within a 1 W EIRP limit.
How long is a dipole for 2200 meters?
A half-wave dipole for 2200 meters is about 3,424 ft (1,043 m) end to end, with each leg half that — impractically long at this frequency, which is why these bands use shortened, loaded verticals and loops instead of full dipoles. Use the HamDaily antenna calculator for an exact starting length, then trim to resonance.