International Telecommunication Union

Radiocommunication Sector

Report ITU-R M.2532-0

(09/2023)
M Series: Mobile, radiodetermination, amateur
and related satellite services

Amateur and amateur-satellite services

characteristics and usage in the
1 240-1 300 MHz frequency band
ii Rep. ITU-R M.2532-0

Foreword
The role of the Radiocommunication Sector is to ensure the rational, equitable, efficient and economical use of the radio-
frequency spectrum by all radiocommunication services, including satellite services, and carry out studies without limit
of frequency range on the basis of which Recommendations are adopted.
The regulatory and policy functions of the Radiocommunication Sector are performed by World and Regional
Radiocommunication Conferences and Radiocommunication Assemblies supported by Study Groups.

Policy on Intellectual Property Right (IPR)

ITU-R policy on IPR is described in the Common Patent Policy for ITU-T/ITU-R/ISO/IEC referenced in Resolution
ITU-R 1. Forms to be used for the submission of patent statements and licensing declarations by patent holders are
available from http://www.itu.int/ITU-R/go/patents/en where the Guidelines for Implementation of the Common Patent
Policy for ITU-T/ITU-R/ISO/IEC and the ITU-R patent information database can also be found.

Series of ITU-R Reports

(Also available online at https://www.itu.int/publ/R-REP/en)

Series Title
BO Satellite delivery
BR Recording for production, archival and play-out; film for television
BS Broadcasting service (sound)
BT Broadcasting service (television)
F Fixed service
M Mobile, radiodetermination, amateur and related satellite services
P Radiowave propagation
RA Radio astronomy
RS Remote sensing systems
S Fixed-satellite service
SA Space applications and meteorology
SF Frequency sharing and coordination between fixed-satellite and fixed service systems
SM Spectrum management
TF Time signals and frequency standards emissions

Note: This ITU-R Report was approved in English by the Study Group under the procedure detailed in Resolution
ITU-R 1.

Electronic Publication
Geneva, 2023
© ITU 2023
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, by any means whatsoever, without written permission of ITU.
 Rep. ITU-R M.2532-0 1

REPORT ITU-R M.2532-0

Amateur and amateur-satellite services characteristics and usage

in the 1 240-1 300 MHz frequency band
(2023)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 2
2 Abbreviations and definitions......................................................................................... 2
3 Relevant publications (ITU Recommendations and Reports and others)....................... 2
4 Amateur and amateur-satellite service band plans in the 1 240-1 300 MHz
frequency band ............................................................................................................... 3
5 Applications and typical operational characteristics of the amateur and
amateur-satellite services operating in the frequency band 1 240-1 300 MHz .............. 4
5.1 Amateur and amateur-satellite applications and station categories ...................... 4
5.2 Typical amateur station antenna characteristics in the 1 240-1 300 MHz band ... 7
5.3 Typical amateur station power level distribution in the 1 240-1 300 MHz band . 8
5.4 Representative antenna heights ............................................................................. 9
5.5 Amateur station 1 240-1 300 MHz band usage patterns ....................................... 9
5.6 Activity factors of amateur transmitting stations in the 1 240-1 300 MHz band .. 11
5.7 User density of amateur transmitting stations in the 1 240-1 300 MHz
band .......................................................................................................................
11
5.8 Table of transmitter characteristics and parameters .............................................
(extracted from Recommendation ITU-R M.1732) .............................................. 12
5.9 Band plan(s) .......................................................................................................... 13
5.10 IARU-R1 band plan for the frequency band 1 240-1 300 MHz ........................... 15
6 Relationship between RNSS system frequencies in 1 240-1 300 MHz and
amateur service application band plans .......................................................................... 16
7 Summary......................................................................................................................... 17
2 Rep. ITU-R M.2532-0

1 Introduction
The frequency band 1 240-1 300 MHz is allocated worldwide to the amateur service on a secondary
basis and is used for a range of applications. The amateur-satellite service (Earth-to-space) may
operate in the frequency band 1 260-1 270 MHz under No. 5.282 of the Radio Regulations (RR).
The frequency band 1 240-1 300 MHz is also allocated worldwide to the radionavigation-satellite
service (RNSS) in the space-to-Earth and space-to-space direction on a primary basis. Many RNSS
systems are operational, and various types of RNSS receivers are being used. Report ITU-R M.2458
summarizes the RNSS applications in this frequency band, and Recommendation ITU-R M.1902
gives the technical characteristics and protection criteria of the RNSS (space-to-Earth) receivers in
the frequency band 1 240-1 300 MHz.
The number of RNSS receivers in the frequency band will increase significantly with the ubiquitous
deployment of receivers used in many applications.
Resolution 774 (WRC-19) invited ITU-R to study possible technical and operational measures to
ensure the protection of RNSS (space-to-Earth) receivers from the amateur and amateur-satellite
services in the frequency band 1 240-1 300 MHz, without considering the removal of these amateur
and amateur-satellite service allocations.
This Report was developed in response to resolves 1 of Resolution 774 (WRC-19) to perform a
detailed review of the different systems and applications used in the amateur service and amateur-
satellite service allocations in the frequency band 1 240-1 300 MHz.

2 Abbreviations and definitions

ATV Amateur television, digital or analogue
AFSK Audio frequency shift keying
D-STAR Digital Smart Technology for Amateur Radio (Proprietary standard for digital voice and
data communication
e.i.r.p. Effective isotropic radiated power
FM-TV Analogue (FM) Amateur TV
FSK Frequency shift keying
IARU International Amateur Radio Union
ITU-R International Telecommunication Union, Radiocommunications Sector
MGM Machine generated modes
PSK31 Phase Shift Keying Mode (31 Hz)
RNSS Radionavigation-satellite service
RTTY Radio teletype
SSTV Slow scan TV
WSJT Weak Signal Joe Taylor – Weak signal applications named after their inventor Dr Joe
Taylor

3 ITU relevant publications

Recommendation ITU-R M.1732 – Characteristics of systems operating in the amateur and amateur-
satellite services for use in sharing studies
 Rep. ITU-R M.2532-0 3

Recommendation ITU-R M.2034 – Telegraphic alphabet for data communication by phase shift
keying at 31 baud in the amateur and amateur-satellite services
Report ITU-R M.2458 – Radionavigation-satellite service applications in the 1 164-1 215 MHz,
1 215-1 300 MHz and 1 559-1 610 MHz frequency bands
Report ITU-R M.2513 – Studies regarding the protection of the primary radionavigation-satellite
service (space-to-Earth) by the secondary amateur and amateur-satellite services in the
frequency band 1 240-1 300 MHz
Question ITU-R 48-7/5 – Related results of ITU-R work on the Study Question on techniques and
frequency usage in the amateur service and amateur-satellite service
Handbook– Amateur and amateur-satellite services

4 Amateur and amateur-satellite service band plans in the frequency band

1 240-1 300 MHz
Before going into the details of the individual amateur and amateur-satellite services applications in
the frequency band 1 240-1 300 MHz, it is necessary to understand the general way in which amateur
and amateur-satellite services activities are organised to maximise usage of the various frequency
bands and minimise interference between incompatible amateur service applications. This is achieved
through the use of band plans which recommend where particular applications are used within each
amateur and amateur-satellite service allocations. The International Amateur Radio Union1 (IARU)
develops such band plans on behalf of all amateur services.
Amateur and amateur-satellite services band planning is achieved on a regional basis in order to take
into account the regional differences with the frequency allocations. The current IARU recommended
band plans for the frequency range 1 240-1 300 MHz across the three regions are summarized in
Table 1.
The usage of the frequency range by the amateur and amateur-satellite services is driven by the varied
operational and experimental interests of the users themselves. To support this, each regional band
plan is developed to maintain order, avoid conflict and interference between amateur service
applications, provide understanding of the most suitable frequencies for specific activities and form
a basis for intra and inter-service coordination when required.
The band plans are not mandatory in regional regulations but are strongly recommended for adoption
and in general are followed by the individual national societies. In some cases, the regional IARU
band plan may be adopted to some extent in national regulations, and it may need to be adjusted on a
national basis to facilitate national coordination and sharing with other services in the band.
Respecting the band plan is common practice in the amateur service and is necessary to facilitate
successful radio contacts especially between countries and for inter-regional communications.
The band plan is reviewed periodically and may be adjusted to reflect new technologies and evolving
applications in the amateur services. External influences driven by the requirements to share with
other services can also be taken into account. The regional band plans are maintained, published and
approved by the IARU regional bodies.

1 The IARU coordinates and represents the interests of radio amateurs through its national member-
associations. Three IARU regional organizations correspond to the ITU Radio Regions and are recognized
as representing the amateur and amateur-satellite services by the regional telecommunications
organizations.
4 Rep. ITU-R M.2532-0

The published band plans for each of the three regions may differ and may not be fully harmonised
at the detailed level for every amateur service application. However, it is necessary to harmonise parts
of the band for specific applications where these could involve inter-regional communications. This
applies particularly to parts of the band recommended for narrowband weak signal applications.
Furthermore, the blocks identified for ATV use can accommodate a number of systems depending on
the bandwidth occupied by the technology in use. The actual assignments are planned on a national
basis.

TABLE 1
Global summary of amateur service and amateur-satellite-service IARU band plans
Frequency Applications Comments
range
(MHz)
1 240-1 260 Low bandwidth telegraphy, voice Organised into channelized groups for voice and
and data modes up to around 20 Hz. data applications in some regions.
Amateur TV (ATV using analogue One 16.75 MHz block is identified for ATV in
or digital technologies). this range in Region 1.
Two 6 MHz blocks are identified for ATV in
Region 2.
1 260-1 270 Satellite uplink band. In Region 2 simplex ATV is also identified for
experimental use in this range.
1 270-1 296 Low bandwidth telegraphy, voice Organised into channelized groups for voice and
and data modes up to around data applications in some regions.
20 kHz. One 18.994 MHz block is identified for ATV in
Amateur TV (ATV using analogue this range in Region 1.
or digital technologies). Two 6 MHz blocks are identified for ATV in
Region 2.
1 296-1 297 Low bandwidth telegraphy, voice Focused on narrowband weak signal applications
and data modes up to 3 kHz. in all three regions including beacons. No
channelization.
1 297-1 300 Low bandwidth voice and data Organized into channelized groups for voice and
modes up to around 20 kHz. data applications in some regions.
Medium bandwidth data up to
150 kHz bandwidth.

5 Applications and typical operational characteristics of the amateur and amateur-

satellite services operating in the frequency band 1 240-1 300 MHz

5.1 Amateur and amateur-satellite applications and station categories

The detailed list of amateur and the amateur-satellite services applications in the band
1 240-1 300 MHz can be divided into three categories:
Home station
This refers to equipment located at the station licence holder’s home address.
 Rep. ITU-R M.2532-0 5

Temporary “portable” station

A temporarily sited station is usually located in an advantageous position (usually high ground) away
from a home station location and operational for a short period radiosport contest, an experimental
long-distance communication test or a time-limited special activity event.
Permanent installation (sometimes referred to as “automatic” or “unmanned” stations)
Permanent installations refer to stations installed away from a home station. They operate as
propagation beacons, voice, amateur television (ATV) or data repeaters. As permanently installed
stations, these are licensed by the national authority in their own right for their designated location,
operating frequency and output power. The licence and responsibility of the station operation are
usually associated with an already licensed radio amateur operator known as the “keeper” of the
installation.
Propagation beacons are usually intended to operate continuously and are required to transmit a short
repeating message using on/off keying or a narrow-band FSK signal with call sign ID and location
information.
Voice repeaters usually re-transmit narrow-band analogue and digital voice traffic when activated
with a signal on the input frequency and are mostly associated with extending geographic coverage
area. Data and ATV repeater stations transmit wider bandwidth amateur signals and ATV repeater
stations may transmit test signals when not being accessed by a user station on the input channel. All
repeater stations are required by national regulations to transmit identification information.
Satellite communications (1 260-1 270 MHz, Earth-to-space only; see RR No. 5.282) and mobile
stations are possible, but these are rare in this frequency band. Tables 2 and 3 provide a matrix of the
amateur and amateur-satellite applications versus station categories:

TABLE 2
Narrow-band amateur and amateur satellite applications against the station category
Station type
Application Installation Max. bandwidth Comments
Home Temporary
Repeater Beacon
Long distance tropospheric
Voice weak signal
Yes Yes 2 700 Hz
(Analogue SSB) communications. Radiosport
operation (incl.EME).
12 500 and 25 000 Local neighbourhood
Voice
Yes Yes Yes Hz (channel width communications.
(Analogue NBFM)
dependent) Satellite communications.
Voice Local neighbourhood
Yes Yes 12 500 Hz
(Digital) communications
Long distance tropospheric
Telegraphy weak signal
(Morse code On/Off Yes Yes Yes 500 Hz communications.
keying) Radiosport2 operation
(incl. EME).

2 See the Handbook Amateur and amateur-satellite services (https://www.itu.int/pub/R-HDB-52-2014) for

further details of radiosport activities.
6 Rep. ITU-R M.2532-0

TABLE 2 (end)
Station type
Application Installation Max. bandwidth Comments
Home Temporary
Repeater Beacon
Machine Generated Local and long distance
Modes e.g. RTTY, 6 to 2 700 Hz tropospheric weak signal
Yes Yes Yes
SSTV3, PSK314, Mode dependent communications.
WSJT5 (incl. EME). Imaging
Data e.g. AFSK 1k2,
Yes 12.5 to 150 kHz Local neighbourhood
FSK 9k6, D-STAR6, Yes
(Mobile)
Yes
communication links.
Mode dependent
Digital Data 128 kbit/s

TABLE 3
Wide band amateur applications against the station category
Station type

Application Installation Max. bandwidth Comments

Home Temporary
Repeater Beacon
Analogue ATV Legacy technology,
Yes Yes Yes 20 MHz
(FM-TV) deployments decreasing.
1-8 MHz
Digital ATV State of the art technology,
Yes Yes Yes Symbol rate
(DVB Standards) deployments increasing
dependent

Modern ATV installations employ spectrally efficient digital TV transmitters based on

DVB-S/MPEG-2 signals. Symbol rates of 2 MBd or 4 MBd operate in lower bandwidth channels and
further experimentation continues to increase the spectrum efficiency of amateur TV signals. It has
been shown possible to transmit HD MPEG-4 signals with symbol rates less than 333 kBd in a
bandwidth as little as 500 kHz.

3 Slow Scan Television (SSTV) is an imaging protocol which is used to transmit images at a relatively low
speed by using a frequency modulated subcarrier or digital encoding. Such transmissions are designed to fit
within the bandwidth of a voice channel.
4 See Recommendation ITU-R M.2034 which establishes a telegraphic alphabet and transmission protocols for
phase shift keying at 31 baud (PSK31) in the amateur and amateur-satellite services.
5 These WSJT applications consist of a number of highly structured data modes which send a limited amount
of data with strong Forward Error Correction which allows the data to be recovered at very low signal-to-
noise ratios. WSJT modes –Weak Signal Joe Taylor– are named after their inventor Dr Joe Taylor.
6 D-STAR (Digital Smart Technologies for Amateur Radio) is a digital voice and data protocol specification
for amateur radio. The system was developed in the late 1990s by the Japan Amateur Radio League and
uses minimum-shift keying in its packet-based standard.
 Rep. ITU-R M.2532-0 7

5.2 Typical amateur station antenna characteristics in the 1 240-1 300 MHz band
There is no standard amateur station and in most cases the antenna installation at any individual
amateur station is constrained or influenced by the physical location and town planning restrictions.
The following antenna types are typical and based on deployments detailed in published information
relating to activity periods and reports from radiosport contests. In general home and temporary
stations use highly directional, narrow beam width antennas in this frequency range.
Home station and temporary “portable” station antennas
Home stations generally use a single directional antenna; however, in a few cases multiple antennas
are combined to increase the array gain. This is more usual for Earth-Moon-Earth (EME)7 operators
for whom high antenna gain is essential for overcoming the high path and reflection loss. A higher
performance EME station might use instead a medium size dish antenna. Table 4 contains the antenna
details:

TABLE 4
Typical home station and temporary “portable” station antennas
Antenna type Gain 3 dB beam width
(dBi) (degrees)
Single Yagi beam (23 to 55 element) 18 to 21 18 to 10
Multiple Yagi beams (for EME) 21 10
Dish antenna (for EME) 32 (4 m diameter) 4

Permanent installation antennas

Permanent installations operate for different applications using a variety of antenna types
characterized by different gain and directivity figures. However, most permanent installations
antennas are less directional and (in the case of repeaters) are generally intended to provide coverage
over a local area. It should be noted that the antenna type used depends not only on the application
but also on the local topography8. Table 5 summarizes antenna characteristics with indications of
minimum, median and maximum parameter values of a typical installation.

7 Earth-Moon-Earth (EME) communications use the Moon as a passive reflector which allows long distance
communications between stations that have a simultaneous view of the moon. The reflected signals are very
weak, though modern digital signal processing techniques and structured data modes reduce the need for
high power transmitters.
8 According to the extract from the database of one administration on unmanned amateur radio stations
parameters, the antenna gain for 25th percentile, median and 75th percentile are 8.1 dBi, 11.2 dBi and
12.7 dBi. Minimum and maximum gain are found to be 2.15 dBi and 21.5 dBi. However, a gain of 21.5 dBi
is exceptionally high in this application. It should be noted that those installations mostly operate in hilly
and mountainous areas.
8 Rep. ITU-R M.2532-0

TABLE 5
Antenna characteristic of a typical permanent installation
Antenna types Gain9 Beamwidth in the azimuth
plane
Minimum = 2.15 dBi
Various (e.g. linear slot, co-linear Median = 13 dBi Median = 60° (−3 dB)
array, horn, flat panel etc.) Maximum: refer to footnote 7 for Maximum = Omnidirectional
information

Antennas with linear polarization are mainly used, but occasionally circular polarization can also be
found.

5.3 Typical amateur station power level distribution in the 1 240-1 300 MHz band
Typical power level distribution can be derived from published information about the stations that
submit information resulting from national activity periods and reports from radiosport contests.
NOTE – In the following Tables, the power is specified differently because of the different sources of
information.
Home station and temporary “portable” station

TABLE 6
Transmitter power ranges in use
Transmitter power Percentage Percentage
(W) home stations temporary stations
(%) (%)
Up to 10 47 61.5
11 – 25 9 7.5
26 – 100 26 7.5
101 – 300 12 15
Over 300 6 7.5

Permanent installation
Propagation beacon and repeater station directories can be consulted to gather information on the
permanent stations deployed within a territory. They are usually licensed to operate at a specific ERP.
Table 7 summarises information on stations in current use extracted from published information from
a number of countries:

9 Feeder loss not included which may be up to 3 dB.

 Rep. ITU-R M.2532-0 9

TABLE 7
Transmitter radiated power ranges in use
ERP Percentage Percentage
(W) propagation beacons repeaters
(%) (%)
Up to 10 69 16
11 – 25 8 76
26 – 100 20 8
101 – 300 1 0
Over 300 1 0

According to the information in Table 7, no repeater is currently in use with an ERP of more than
100 W. However, based on the extract from the license database of one administration on unmanned
amateur radio stations parameters, it is indicated that some repeater / relay – stations are licensed to
operate with a radiated power up to 380 W ERP10, but the operational status of these stations is
unknown. Note that there is a limit on the radiated power of unmanned stations given by national
regulation and licensing conditions.

5.4 Representative antenna heights

The following antenna heights are representative of typical amateur station installations:
– Typical antenna height for a home station; 12 m above ground level.
– Typical antenna height for a temporary station; 3 m to 15 m above ground level.
– Typical height for a permanent installation station; 25 m above ground level.
Permanent installation stations are often installed at an advantageous location so as to take advantage
of elevated local terrain or tall structures in order to increase the effective antenna height.

5.5 Amateur station 1 240-1 300 MHz band usage patterns

For all home and temporary “portable” station applications, narrow-band or wideband, the highest
number of actively transmitting amateur stations can be found during the scheduled operating and
radiosport contest periods. Table 8 summarises the total scheduled operating and contest periods
scheduled in one region for a typical year. As these activities are usually formalised in the amateur
operator calendars, the published national results11 can be consulted to determine the number of
transmitting stations that were active during any one activity or contest period.

10 According to the extract from the license database of one administration on unmanned amateur radio
stations parameters, 30% of repeaters are licensed to operate with an ERP of more than 100 W.
11 The analysed results were published by the national radio amateur societies in several European countries.
10 Rep. ITU-R M.2532-0

TABLE 8
Scheduled operating periods and active operating station numbers
Active temporary
Annual scheduled Total active stations per scheduled stations per
Usage type
operating periods operating period scheduled operating
period
Narrow-band Total, on average From 9 to 140 maximum depending on 15 to 20 maximum
activity period and 108 hours over a the country reviewed. depending on the
radiosport (in the year country reviewed.
1 296-1 297 MHz
portion)
EME activity (in 5 × 24-hour contest Up to 10 maximum depending on the None
the 1 296- periods country reviewed.
1 297 MHz (Maximum < 70 across the European
portion) area)
Wideband Total, on average From 1 to 24 maximum depending on 10 maximum
(typically ATV) 120 hours over a the country reviewed. depending on the
activity period and year (Maximum < 100 across the European country reviewed.
radiosport (in any area)
portion identified
for ATV
applications)

The figures presented in Table 8 can be used to estimate the amount of time over a one year period
when certain parts of the band (depending on the activity) are at their busiest with the highest number
of actively transmitting amateur stations. For those activities concentrated in the 1 296-1 297 MHz
portion of the band and assuming the moon is visible for 24 hours (an over estimation) then the
following can be deduced:
Total narrowband ‘busy hour’ activity period = 108 hours (1.2% of a year).
Total EME ‘busy hour’ activity period = 120 hours (1.4% of a year).
For the wideband activities taking place in the identified parts of the band plan, the following can be
deduced:
– Total wideband ‘busy hour’ activity period = 120 hours (1.4% of a year).
Table 8 also shows that the number of active stations involved in the EME and wideband activities is
considerably lower than those active in the narrow band activities.
Permanent installation stations present a different scenario when considering the operational time.
Unmanned amateur radio stations are more or less in continuous operation, while manned stations
only transmit intermittently. Propagation beacon and repeater station directories from a representative
region can be consulted to develop the summary presented in Table 9.
 Rep. ITU-R M.2532-0 11

TABLE 9
Permanent installation station operating periods in a typical year
Usage type Annual operation Active installations
Narrow-band propagation Transmitting continuously usually. From 4 to 20 depending on the
beacons country reviewed.
Region 1 = 88 in total.
Narrow-band repeaters Low and only when activated on the input From 9 to 19 depending on the
frequency by a user station. country reviewed.
May transmit more regularly if a beacon
mode is present.
ATV repeaters (the users Low and only when activated on the input From 10 to 18 depending on the
are usually home frequency by a user station in a random and country reviewed.
stations) sporadic manner. 5 to 10 users within the local
May transmit more regularly if a beacon coverage area transmitting one at a
mode is present. time.

5.6 Activity factors of amateur transmitting stations in the 1 240-1 300 MHz band
Activity factor considers the amount of time that any particular station is transmitting during any
operational period of activity. All applications involve two-way communication requiring periods of
reception as well as transmission. It is usual practice for any home station or temporary portable
station to spend more time receiving than transmitting.
Maximum Activity Factor for home station and temporary “portable” stations = 50% and typically less.
Any permanent installation station operating in a beacon mode will exhibit a 100% activity factor.

5.7 User density of amateur transmitting stations in the 1 240-1 300 MHz band
Home station and temporary “portable” station
– For narrowband activity periods the maximum density of transmitting stations =
0.0002 stations/km2.
– For wideband activity periods the maximum density of transmitting stations =
0.0001 stations/km2.
– For EME operations the maximum density of transmitting stations = 0.000013 stations/km2.
Recognising that not all active stations may submit a record of their activities, a 33% increase has
been added to the total active stations per scheduled operating period from Table 8.
Permanent installation
– For narrowband data and voice repeaters the average density of transmitting stations =
0.0003 stations/km2.
– For wideband ATV repeaters, the average density of transmitting stations =
0.0001 stations/km2.
– For propagation radio beacon stations, the average density of transmitting stations =
0.0001 stations/km2.
In addition, it is noted that there is a tendency for more stations to be active in areas of higher
population density. Therefore, a range of density values may be considered appropriate to more
12 Rep. ITU-R M.2532-0

accurately reflect the pattern of activity across a country. Based on a more detailed analysis the
following active station density can be observed:
Home station and temporary “portable” station
– For narrow-band activity periods the maximum density of transmitting stations can range
from 0.00006 to 0.0016 stations/km2.

5.8 Table of transmitter characteristics and parameters (extracted from Recommendation

ITU-R M.1732)

TABLE 10
Characteristics of amateur systems
Parameter Value
Applications Morse on-off Analogue voice Data, digital voice
keying, PSK31, systems and multimedia
NBDP systems
Frequency range (1) 0.902-3.5 GHz 0.902-3.5 GHz 0.902-3.5 GHz
Necessary bandwidth and class of 150HA1A 2K70J3E 2K70G1D
emission (emission designator) 150HJ2A 11K0F3E 6K00F7D
60H0J2B 16K0F3E 16K0D1D
250HF1B 20K0F3E 150KF1W
2M50G7W
Transmitter power (dBW) (2) 3 to 31.7 3 to 31.7 3 to 31.7
Feeder loss (dB) 1 to 6 1 to 6 1 to 6
Transmitting antenna gain (dBi) 10 to 42 10 to 42 10 to 42
(3)
Typical e.i.r.p. (dBW) 1 to 45 1 to 45 1 to 45
Antenna polarization Horizontal, vertical Horizontal, vertical Horizontal, vertical
(1)
Amateur bands within the frequency ranges shown conform to RR Article 5.
(2)
Maximum powers are determined by each administration.
(3)
May be limited by RR Article 5 in some cases.

TABLE 11
Characteristics of Earth-Moon-Earth (EME) systems
Parameter Value
(1)
Frequency range 1.24-3.5 GHz
Necessary bandwidth and class of emission 50H0A1A, 50H0J2A, 1K80F1B
(emission designator)
Transmitter power (dBW) (2) 17 to 31.7
Feeder loss (dB) 1 to 4
Transmitting antenna gain (dBi) 25 to 40
Typical e.i.r.p. (dBW) 40 to 68
Antenna polarization Horizontal, vertical, LHCP, RHCP
 Rep. ITU-R M.2532-0 13

(1)
Amateur bands within the frequency ranges shown conform to RR Article 5.
(2)
Maximum powers are determined by each administration.
Usage note: Main antenna beam direction can be assumed to be pointing above the horizon.
Emission note: EME increasingly employs digital “Weak Signal Modes” which are structured for very basic
communications with low data rates and narrow bandwidth for best weak signal performance.

TABLE 12
Characteristics of amateur-satellite systems in the Earth-to-space direction
Parameter Value
Frequency range (1) 1.24-3.5 GHz
Necessary bandwidth and class of emission 150HA1A, 150HJ2A
(emission designator)
Necessary bandwidth and class of emission 2K70J3E, 2K70J2E, 16K0F3E, 44K2F1D,
(emission designator) (2) 88K3F1D, 350KF1D,2M50G7W
Transmitter power (dBW) (3) 3 to 31.7
Feeder loss (dB) 1 to 2
Transmitting antenna gain (dBi) 10 to 42
Typical e.i.r.p. (dBW) 3 to 45
Antenna polarization Horizontal, vertical, RHCP, LHCP
(1)
Amateur bands within the frequency ranges shown conform to RR Article 5.
(2)
Any mode with a necessary bandwidth greater than 44 kHz may require higher e.i.r.p. values than shown in the
Table to achieve a satisfactory link budget.
(3)
Maximum powers are determined by each administration.

5.9 Band plan(s)

Amateur and amateur-satellite services band planning is achieved on a regional basis in order to take
into account the regional differences with the frequency allocations. The current IARU recommended
band plans for the frequency range 1 240-1 300 MHz across the three regions are summarized in the
Table below.
The published band plans for each of the three regions may differ and may not be fully harmonised
at the detailed level for every amateur service application. However, it is necessary to harmonise parts
of the band for specific applications where these could involve inter-regional communications. This
applies particularly to parts of the band recommended for narrowband weak signal applications.
The three recommended band plans across each of the IARU regions can be summarized according
to Table 13.
14 Rep. ITU-R M.2532-0

TABLE 13
Global summary of amateur service and amateur-satellite-service IARU band plans
Frequency range Applications Comments
(MHz)
1 240-1 260 Low bandwidth telegraphy, voice Organised into channelized groups for voice
and data modes up to around and data applications in some regions.
20 kHz. One 16.75 MHz block is identified for ATV in
Amateur TV (ATV using this range in Region 1.
Analogue or Digital Two 6 MHz blocks are identified for ATV in
technologies). Region 2.
1 260-1 270 Satellite uplink band. In Region 2 simplex ATV is also identified for
experimental use in this range.
1 270-1 296 Low bandwidth telegraphy, voice Organised into channelized groups for voice
and data modes up to around and data applications in some regions.
20 kHz. One 18.994 MHz block is identified for ATV in
Amateur TV (ATV using this range in Region 1.
Analogue or Digital Two 6 MHz blocks are identified for ATV in
technologies). Region 2.
1 296-1 297 Low bandwidth telegraphy, voice Focused on narrowband weak signal
and data modes up to 3 kHz. applications in all three regions including
beacons. No channelization.
1 297-1 300 Low bandwidth voice and data Organized into channelized groups for voice
modes up to around 20 kHz. and data applications in some regions.
Medium bandwidth data up to
150 kHz bandwidth.
Note to Table 13: The blocks identified for ATV use can accommodate a number of systems depending on
the bandwidth occupied by the technology in use. The actual assignments are planned on a national basis.
 Rep. ITU-R M.2532-0 15

5.10 IARU-R1 band plan for the frequency band 1 240-1 300 MHz
Table 14 provides the IARU Region 1 recommended usage of the allocations by operators in the
amateur and amateur-satellite services. National versions of this band plan may slightly differ due to
national frequency allocations.

TABLE 14
IARU Region 1 UHF Band plan for 1 240-1 300 MHz
Frequency Maximum
Mode Usage
(MHz) bandwidth
1 240.000
2 700 Hz All modes Reserved for future
1 240.500
1 240.500 Telegraphy and
500 Hz Beacons (reserved for future)
1 240.750 MGM
1 240.750
20 kHz FM Digital Voice Reserved for the future
1 241.000
1 242.025-1 242.250 repeater output (RS1-10)
1 241.000 1 242.275-1 242.700 repeater output (RS11-28)
20 kHz All Mode
1 243.250 1 242.725-1 243.250 Digital communications
(RS29-50)
1 243.250
* ATV/Digital ATV 1 258.150-1 259.350 repeater output
1 260.000
1 260.000
* Satellite service
1 270.000
1 270.025-1 270.700 repeater output (RS1-28)
1 270.000
20 kHz All mode 1 270.725-1 271.250 Digital communications
1 272.000
(RS29-50)
1 272.000
* ATV/Digital ATV
1 290.994
1 290.994 FM digital voice RM1 (1 291.000) – RM19 (1 291.475) 25 kHz
20 kHz
1 291.481 repeater input spacing
1 291.494
* All modes 1 293.150-1 294.350 repeater input (R20-R68)
1 296.000
1 296.000 1 296.000-1 296.025 moon bounce
500 Hz Telegraphy MGM
1 296.150 1296.128 PSK21 centre of activity
1 296.200 narrowband centre of activity
1 296.400.1 296.600 linear transponder input
1 296.500 fax
1 296.150 Telegraphy SSB
2 700 Hz 1 296.600 narrowband centre of activity (MGM,
1 296.800 MGM
RTTY)
1 296.600-1 296.700 linear transponder input
1 296.750-1 296.600 local beacons
1 296.800
500 Hz Telegraphy MGM beacons exclusive
1 296.994
1 296.994 FM digital voice RM0 /1 297.000) – RM19 (1 297.475) 25 kHz
20 kHz
1 297.481 repeater output spacing
16 Rep. ITU-R M.2532-0

TABLE 14 (end)
Frequency Maximum
Mode Usage
(MHz) bandwidth
1 297.500 SM20
1 297.500 centre of FM activity
1 297.494
20 kHz FM digital voice 1 297.725 digital voice calling frequency
1 297.981
1 297.900-1 297.975 Simplex FM internet gateways
1 297.975 SM39
General mixed analogue or digital use 25 kHz spacing
1 298.000
20 kHz All modes 1 298.025 RS1
1 299.000
1 298.975 RS39
Arranged as 5x 150 kHz channels for high-speed DD
1 299.000 use
150 MHz All modes
1 299.750 Centres: 1 299.075, 1 299.225, 1 299.375, 1 299.525,
1 299.675 (±75 kHz)
1 299.750 8x 25 kHz channels (available for FM/DV use)
20 kHz All modes
1 300.000 Centres 1 299.775-1 299.975
* Bandwidth limits according to national regulations.

6 Relationship between RNSS system frequencies in 1 240-1 300 MHz and amateur
service application band plans
Figure 1 highlights the relationship between the various RNSS systems usage across the range 1 240-1
300 MHz and the IARU band plans.

FIGURE 1

NOTE 1 – GLONASS navigation receivers manufactured before 2006 can receive navigation signals in
frequency band from 1 237.8275 MHz to 1 260.735 MHz.
NOTE 2 – In Region 2 ATV is also identified for experimental use in this range.
 Rep. ITU-R M.2532-0 17

The frequency band 1 240-1 300 MHz is allocated worldwide to Earth exploration-satellite service
(active), radiolocation service (RR No. 5.329 applies), the space research service and the
radionavigation-satellite service (RNSS) in the space-to-Earth direction on a co-primary basis. The
frequency band 1 240-1 300 MHz is also allocated worldwide to RNSS in the space-to-space direction
on a co-primary basis. Additional services are allocated in some countries by footnotes RR No. 5.330
(fixed and mobile) and RR No. 5.331 (radionavigation).
Many RNSS systems and networks are operational in or adjacent to the 1 240-1 300 MHz portion of
the 1 215-1 300 RNSS (space-to-Earth) and (space-to-space) primary allocations, as described in
Recommendation ITU-R M.1787, and various types of RNSS receivers are used with those systems
and networks. Report ITU-R M.2458 summarizes the RNSS applications in this frequency band.
The band 1 240-1 260 MHz is currently used by the Russian Federation GLONASS system, while the
band 1 250-1 280 MHz is used by the Chinese COMPASS system and the band 1 260-1 300 MHz is
used by the European Galileo system as well as the Japanese QZSS system. The same band is also
planned to be used by the Korean KPS. Some transmissions of the United States’ Global Positioning
System in the 1 215-1 240 MHz band also extend above 1 240 MHz.
The frequency band 1 240-1 300 MHz is also allocated worldwide to the amateur service on a
secondary basis and is being used for a range of applications. The amateur-satellite service (Earth-to-
space) operates in the frequency band 1 260-1 270 MHz on a secondary basis under RR No. 5.282.
The RNSS, amateur and amateur-satellite services characteristics and parameters are provided in the
relevant ITU-R recommendations (see § 3 above). Those were completed by additional information
from administrations on current and planned systems of the RNSS, amateur and amateur-satellite
services to ITU-R. The full set of characteristics, parameters and protection criteria to be used for
interference studies are given in §§ 4 and 5.

7 Summary
The amateur and amateur-satellite service characteristics provided in this Report have been used in
Report ITU-R M.2513, which addresses the protection of the primary radionavigation-satellite service
(space-to-Earth) by the secondary amateur service in the frequency band 1 240-1 300 MHz and the
amateur-satellite service (Earth-to-space) operating in the frequency band 1 260-1 270 MHz under
No. 5.282 of the Radio Regulation.