W1YTQ’s CW Frequency Guide for 20 and 40 Meters
When I first began CW, I sensed that CW operators and activities were clustered in specific areas of the band, but I was unsure where to operate.
In this journal entry, I’ll outline specific areas of the band for various CW activities to help others navigate them. This entry reflects my personal observations and opinions about different frequencies. I’ll try to be clear when I’m stating a personal opinion as opposed to a rule.
I’m providing this guide as an aid because I find it interesting. I am not dictating which CW activities should occur on specific frequencies. Instead, I’ve observed that, by informal agreement or habit, operators tend to congregate in certain areas as you tune your VFO knob across the band.
As you walk your VFO knob up and down the band you’ll find pockets of different CW activities
Sources for this entry
This entry relies on several sources along with my own observations.
ARRL provided sources
The first and most important source is (for US amateur operators) is the official band plan. The official band plan is laid out in Part 97 of the FCC rules and should be followed by all US licensed amateurs.
Additionally the ARRL publishes the Considerate Operator’s Frequency Guide which documents “generally recognized” frequencies for different modes and activities.
Less official sources
BandPlans.com provides a crowd sourced band plan.
I’ve found various discussions of band plans and designated frequencies as well:
20 meter CW frequency guide
Here are some official, suggested and personally observed CW frequencies on 20 meters.
Official Extra plus DX and QRQ activities
The official CW frequencies as laid out in Part 97 are between 14000 and 14150 kHz. 14000 - 14025 kHz are reserved for Extra class operators only.
I’ve observed that a lot of DX stations operate within the Extra portion of the band as well as faster CW or QRQ (20 wpm and higher). Many of the faster operators operate outside of the Extra portion of the CW band on the lower end of the official General CW band allocation (see ‘QRQ - Fast Code Here’).
The frequency charts in this journal entry were made using the d3.js Javascript library and a few custom functions
Slow Speed Test
The K1USN Slow Speed Test (SST) which I participate in most weeks suggests operating 20 meters between 14028 and 14045 kHz. At midnight Zulu time on Mondays you’ll see this portion of the band light up with CW activity.
SKCC and LICW Frequencies
SKCC Member Operating Frequencies guide recommends 14050 and 14114 kHz, + or - 10 kHz, for 20 meter operations.
Long Island CW Club (LICW) Challenge calling frequencies are 14057 kHz + or - 5 kHz
Beginner CW Operators
I’ve observed that many begining CW operators have their initial QSOs at or near 14050 kHz. So if you’re new to CW consider going to that portion of the band for your early activities. When there are operators on those frequencies operating at slower speeds and requesting lots of repeats I know to slow down for them and take my time. I tend to avoid those frequencies for when I’m calling CQ myself, knowing that newer operators tend to start out there.
Consider 14050 kHz for your first CW QSO
I haven’t seen these frequencies listed in any official sources as reserved for new operators, it is simply what I’ve observed.
W1AW
When ARRL headquarters, W1AW, sends their daily practices and code bulletins on CW 20 meters they’re on 14047.5 kHz. Here is the W1AW operating schedule.
QRP CW
The Considerate Operators Frequency Guide lists 14060 kHz as the calling frequency for QRP operations on 20 meters. When I’m operating QRP I try to stay between 14060 and 14065 kHz.
FT8 - the Great Digital Wall
FT8, digital mode operations, is fixed at 14071 to 14074 kHz, a 3000 hertz bandwidth, and forms a sort of “digital wall.” CW happens on both sides of FT8’s operating frequency but my mental map of CW operations tends to separate operations as above or below FT8. Most of my “regular” operations are below FT8.
If the band is crowded, which can happen during contests, I’ll move above FT8 to higher, less crowded portions of the band.
During over over-crowded contest weekends I’ll find refuge above the FT8 “digital wall” or move to the WARC bands
40 meter CW frequency guide
Here are some official, suggested and personally observed CW frequencies on 40 meters.
40 meters is similar to 20 with a few differences.
LICW Challenge calling frequencies on 40 meters
Long Island CW Club (LICW) Challenge calling frequencies are 7057 kHz + or - 5 kHz for the US but in the EU the center frequency is 7037 kHz.
SKCC on 40 meters
SKCC have primary and secondary suggested frequencies on 40 meters. The SKCC watering home is the same as 20 on X.114.
Beginner SKCC operators are encouraged to go to 7114 kHz.
I learned something new, what about you?
My early CW operations were on 20 meters only because, at the time, my QTH antenna wouldn’t get me on 40. I assumed, incorrectly, that the CW QRP calling frequency for 40 meters was 7060 kHz. In researching this journal entry I learned that the recommended frequency is 7030 kHz.
When activating POTA I’ll operate within the QRP ranges when I’m on my KH1.
If I’m not operating QRP for either POTA or SKCC at QTH and am on the 20 or 40 meter bands I’ll typically operate in the x055 - x060 range. This is just out of habit.
What about you?