Frequencies for Amateur Radio Operating in New Zealand 

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This section contains extra material for background knowledge and for reference. Browse through it to determine its content before trying to find the answers to the examination questions! 

  QUESTIONS 

Section 1:                                               

This is an extract from the International Radio Regulations, from Article 2:  

As the unit of frequency is the hertz (Hz), frequencies shall be expressed:

–        in kilohertz (kHz), up to and including 3 000 kHz;

–        in megahertz (MHz), above 3 MHz, up to and including 3 000 MHz;

–        in gigahertz (GHz), above 3 GHz, up to and including 3 000 GHz.

This Table is extracted from the same ITU Article: 

Symbols	Frequency range (lower limit exclusive, upper limit inclusive)	Corresponding Metric Subdivision
VLF	3 to 30 kHz	Myriametric waves
LF	30 to 300 kHz	Kilometric waves
MF	300 to  3 000 kHz	Hectometric waves
HF	3 to 30 MHz	Decametric waves
VHF	30 to 300 MHz	Metric waves
UHF	300 to  3 000 MHz	Decimetric waves
SHF	3 to 30 GHz	Centimetric waves
EHF	30 to 300 GHz	Millimetric waves
	300 to  3 000 GHz	Decimillimetric waves

Note:   Prefix:   k = kilo (10³),   M = mega (10⁶),   G = giga (10⁹).  

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The Radio Frequency Spectrum

 

This diagram shows Frequency on the horizontal axis, shown "from DC to Daylight". Note that the horizontal axis is logarithmic (each horizontal interval increases by x10). The range subdivides into "audio frequencies", "radio frequencies", and "light". 

 

 

Frequency "bands" are allocated to the Amateur Service at points throughout the spectrum, shown in this diagram as AR. .  

 

The next Sections following below identify the frequency limits and other licensing details for the bands available to New Zealand's radio amateurs. 

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Section 2: 

Table of Frequency Bands and Metres equivalent:

Frequency Band	Metre Band
130-190 kHz	1750 metres
1800-1950 kHz	160 metres
3.50-3.90 MHz	80 metres
7.00-7.30 MHz	40 metres
10.10-10.15 MHz	30 metres
14.00-14.350 MHz	20 metres
18.068-18.168 MHz	17 metres
21.00-21.45 MHz	15 metres
24.89-24.99 MHz	12 metres
27.12 MHz	11 metres
28.00-29.70 MHz	10 metres
50.00-54.00 MHz	6 metres
144.0-148.0 MHz	2 metres
430-440 MHz	70 centimetres

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SECTION 3:

 

Amateur Radio Frequency Allocations

For study and for examination purposes, the bands up to 440 MHz should receive priority consideration. 

The current Amateur Frequency Allocation Chart with its Notes is in the General User Radio Licence (GURL) for Amateur Radio Operators - on page 2.        PRINT IT AND STUDY IT!

 

This chart undergoes revision as regulatory circumstances change, so please occasionally check the MED RSM web site for any later version:  http://www.med.govt.nz/rsm

 

The MED will give sympathetic consideration to requests for reasoned variation to individual amateur licence conditions. An example is the temporary use of higher-power for moon-bounce experiments.

Operating conditions and courtesies: 

Please note that all radio amateurs have equal "rights" to use amateur radio frequencies. This means that courtesy in operating must prevail.     Refer to:  OPERATING  PROCEDURES - GENERAL 

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SECTION 4: 

Sharing of bands:

Amateurs share some frequency bands with stations of other services. Full details about "sharing" are provided in the International Radio Regulations but only the general principles of sharing and the bands involved are needed for this examination. 

 

Several Notes to the Amateur Frequency Allocation Chart  in the General User Radio Licence (GURL) for Amateur Radio Operators - on page 2 - explain the use by amateur stations of the "shared bands". See Notes 2 and 3. 

 

Favourable access by radio amateurs to some bands used by other radio services has been given by the regulatory authorities. It is very important that these arrangements be respected so they can continue. The golden rule is: Don't cause any interference to any other stations 

 

As an amateur station licensee, you have "frequency agility", you can change your operating frequency to avoid other stations. Other services are usually licensed for one assigned frequency only. 

 

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