UK Six Metre Bandplan

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UK Six Metre Bandplan

The 50 MHz (6 metre) band is one of the most interesting amateur radio allocations, combining characteristics of HF and VHF propagation. The band supports local, regional and long-distance communication, with propagation ranging from sporadic-E and meteor scatter to auroral and F2 propagation.

The UK bandplan follows the principles established by the IARU Region 1 bandplan and the RSGB bandplan.

RSGB 50 MHz Bandplan

Important: The bandplan is intended as a guide to good operating practice. UK amateurs must always comply with the current UK licence conditions and any applicable Ofcom regulations.

UK 50 MHz Allocation

Frequency	Status	Power / Conditions
50.000–51.000 MHz	Primary	Up to 100 W / 20 dBW
51.000–52.000 MHz	Secondary	Up to 100 W / 20 dBW

Operation is subject to the UK amateur licence conditions, including non-interference requirements where applicable.

50 MHz Bandplan

Frequency	Bandwidth	Mode / Usage	Notes
50.000–50.100 MHz	500 Hz	Telegraphy	Exclusive CW section except for the Beacon Project
50.000–50.030 MHz	500 Hz	Synchronised Beacons	IARU Region 1 Beacon Project
50.050 MHz	500 Hz	CW	Future International Centre of Activity
50.090 MHz	500 Hz	CW	Intercontinental Centre of Activity
50.100–50.200 MHz	2700 Hz	SSB / Telegraphy	International preferred section
50.100–50.130 MHz	2700 Hz	SSB / CW	Intercontinental section
50.110 MHz	2700 Hz	Intercontinental DX Calling	Intercontinental Centre of Activity
50.130–50.200 MHz	2700 Hz	SSB / Telegraphy	International section
50.150 MHz	2700 Hz	SSB	International Centre of Activity
50.200–50.300 MHz	2700 Hz	SSB / Telegraphy	General usage
50.285 MHz	2700 Hz	Crossband	Crossband Centre of Activity
50.300–50.400 MHz	2700 Hz	MGM / Narrowband / Telegraphy	Weak-signal and digital activity
50.305 MHz	2700 Hz	PSK	PSK Centre of Activity
50.310–50.320 MHz	2700 Hz	EME	Earth-Moon-Earth activity
50.320–50.380 MHz	2700 Hz	Meteor Scatter	MS Centre of Activity
50.400–50.500 MHz	1000 Hz	MGM / Telegraphy	Beacon section
50.500–50.700 MHz	—	All Modes	FM, DV and digital activity
50.540–50.580 MHz	—	FM / DV	Simplex / Internet Voice Gateways
50.600–50.700 MHz	—	Digital	Digital communications
50.630 MHz	—	Digital Voice	DV calling
50.700–50.900 MHz	12 kHz	FM / DV	Repeater outputs
50.720–50.870 MHz	12 kHz	FM / DV	Repeater outputs
50.900–51.200 MHz	—	All Modes	Wideband digital experiments
51.200–51.400 MHz	12 kHz	FM / DV	Repeater inputs
51.220–51.370 MHz	12 kHz	FM / DV	Repeater inputs
51.410–51.590 MHz	12 kHz	FM / DV	Simplex
51.510 MHz	12 kHz	FM	FM calling frequency
51.400–52.000 MHz	—	All Modes	General usage / wideband digital experiments
52.000–54.000 MHz	500 kHz maximum	All Modes	General amateur usage

FM, Digital Voice & Repeater Activity

Frequency	Activity	Description
50.520 MHz	FM / DV	Internet Voice Gateway
50.530 MHz	FM / DV	Internet Voice Gateway
50.540 MHz	FM / DV	Internet Voice Gateway
50.600–50.700 MHz	Digital	Digital communications
50.630 MHz	DV	Digital Voice calling
50.720–50.870 MHz	FM / DV	Repeater outputs
51.220–51.370 MHz	FM / DV	Repeater inputs
51.410–51.590 MHz	FM / DV	Simplex operation
51.510 MHz	FM	FM calling frequency

Six Metre DX Operating Guidance

Six metres is particularly valuable for long-distance contacts during Sporadic-E, F2, auroral and other unusual propagation events.

50.110 MHz — Intercontinental DX Calling Frequency

This is the internationally recognised intercontinental DX calling frequency. Keep transmissions short and move to another frequency once contact has been established.

Listen before transmitting.
Keep calling periods short.
Move established contacts away from calling frequencies.
During openings, avoid unnecessary transmissions.
Use appropriate weak-signal techniques where propagation permits.

Digital & Weak Signal Activity

50.305 MHz

PSK Centre of Activity

50.310–50.320 MHz

EME activity

50.320–50.380 MHz

Meteor Scatter activity

FT8: FT8 activity is commonly found around 50.313 MHz and 50.323 MHz, with operators normally using the appropriate frequency according to the direction and propagation being worked.

Propagation Beacons

Six-metre propagation beacons provide valuable information about current band conditions. Listening for distant beacons can often provide the first indication that an opening is developing.

The synchronised beacon system occupies 50.000–50.030 MHz, while the wider beacon section extends through the 50.400–50.500 MHz area.

Why the Six Metre Band is Special

Six metres is often described as the "Magic Band" because its propagation can change dramatically within a very short period.

Sporadic-E

Short-lived openings can provide spectacular European and intercontinental contacts.

Meteor Scatter

Brief ionisation trails allow contacts beyond normal line-of-sight distances.

Aurora

Geomagnetic activity can produce distinctive auroral propagation across northern paths.

F2 Propagation

During favourable solar conditions, six metres can support extremely long-distance propagation.

Six Metre Quick Reference

50.110 MHz
Intercontinental DX calling

50.000–50.030 MHz
Synchronised Beacon Project

50.150 MHz
SSB Centre of Activity

50.313 / 50.323 MHz
FT8 odd/even frequency

50.310–50.320 MHz
EME

50.320–50.380 MHz
Meteor Scatter

50.400–50.500 MHz
Beacons

51.510 MHz
FM calling

Source: RSGB 50 MHz Bandplan, effective January 2026, derived from the IARU Region 1 bandplan.

RSGB 50 MHz Bandplan

UKSMG — UK Six Metre Group

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