What is a 10 Meter Radio? (Band, Frequencies & More)

Have you encountered the question, “What is a 10-meter radio?” in your journey as a radio enthusiast? As its name suggests, this radio works in the 10-meter band allocated for amateur radio enthusiasts.

Users of this unit can broadcast on shortwave frequencies from 28 to 29.7 megahertz. Amateur operators love 10-meter radios because they can use them for long-distance communication – much so that they can talk to those in other countries.

Things to Know About 10-Meter Radios

First things first: as with other amateur radios, you need a license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to operate a 10-meter radio. It is a popular companion among enthusiasts who always conduct two-way communication with those far away from them – even abroad.

The distance a 10-meter radio can cover depends on many factors: environment, antenna, wattage, and mode of transmission. For starters, if your base station has powerful antennas, expect a better radio range.

Couple it with a high-power unit, say a 100-watt 10-meter radio, and an environment ideal for transmission (no obstructions), and communication will be optimum.

If you’re using a low- or medium-power 10-meter radio, you can still expect a good transmission because they are as powerful as they can get. After all, they are better than citizens band (CB) radios (which don’t require a license).

Consider this track when you enter the world of radioing: after enjoying the wonders of walkie-talkies, you can try your hand at CBs. If you want to play with higher frequencies, consider a 10-meter radio as a reliable buddy.

The 10-meter band can cover several hundred miles, especially with a 10-meter SSB radio or units with digital mode transmissions. As mentioned, even with a radio with low wattage, you can get the most out of your device with a good antenna in a clean frequency and obstruction-free place.

10-Meter Band and Frequencies

The 10-meter band is not just for amateur radio operators but also for amateur satellite enthusiasts. That information alone proves how powerful the frequency range is, enabling its users to have global coverage.

In the United States, the 10-meter band plan is divided into the following usage:

Technician license holders who will only have phone transmission are restricted to the single sideband or SSB calling frequency band (28.3 MHz to 28.5 MHz).

Since SSB is a simple communication, or when only one user can speak at a time, operators often set different frequencies for sending and receiving transmission. This way, there are two SSB channels that allow users to speak simultaneously.

Those with higher-level permits can use other phone technologies in the upper band, like SSB, AM, and frequency modulation or FM simplex. Keyboard chat is also an option, like the popular Phase Shift Keying 31 baud (PSK-31).

Check out this guide on the 10-meter band plan.

Popular Mode

There are many modes for 10-meter radios depending on the user’s needs. Some of the modes are as follows:

Among these modes, SSB is the most popular, thanks to the powerful performance it can deliver. Even as 10-meter radios work with long distances, SSB doesn’t disappoint, especially when you hear a clear transmission when in this mode.

Meanwhile, North America’s national simplex or calling frequency is 146.52 MHz. It’s the ideal frequency when communicating with other operators, be it for a regular call or SOS.

Benefits of Using a 10 Meter Radio

Ten-meter radios have many benefits depending on user needs. Since it’s capable of long-distance communication, it has many uses in many setups. Among amateur radio enthusiasts, they use 10-meter radios in the following instances:

The device is most beneficial in times of emergency, say during a typhoon when the cell signal is down. After all, a 10-meter radio works better than CBs, mobile phones, and family radios insofar as a weak signal is the case.

Ten-meter radios also have practical uses in the following fields:

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a 10-meter radio as a CB?

There are no such things as 10-meter CB radios because CBs only have access to the 26.965 MHz and 27.405 MHz frequency band. As mentioned, 10-meter radios are up above the frequency chart. Hence, CBs don’t require a license.

Furthermore, if you’re curious about conversion of a 10-meter vs 11-meter radio, don’t attempt it, as you’ll violate your FCC license. To reiterate: CBs don’t require a permit, but 10-meter radios do, so don’t interchange their use.

How far will a 10-meter radio transmit?

Since 10-meter radios have access to 28 MHz to 29.7 MHz, they can transmit signals long-distance or hundreds of kilometers away. A ham radio antenna used in a 10-meter radio might be shorter than a CB, but its transmission can go further.

How can I increase the performance of my 10-meter radio?

Absent obstruction issues, 10-meter radio operators should have well-maintained equipment for better transmission. One way to improve their unit’s performance is by investing in appropriate antennas. A vertical or dipole type is usually enough, but those needing directional capabilities can buy beam antennas.

Conclusion

Radioing is not a cheap hobby, but it’s fulfilling, especially when communicating with operators from the other side of the planet, which you can easily do with a 10-meter radio.

When you’re new to amateur radios, you can go small at first with walkie-talkies, then level it up with CBs. Once you’ve worked with ham radios, the next time someone asks, “What is a 10-meter radio?” you’ll have a ready answer: it’s a powerful pal.