What You’ve Told Us…

What You’ve Told Us…

Our February survey asked a set of questions that nearly any ham could answer – and about a third more of you than usual did! We asked what bands you’re equipped to operate on, which ones you use occasionally and frequently, and which one is your favorite. There were, as usual, a few surprises.

The greatest number of you are equipped to operate on 10 and 20 meters (77% each), followed by 40 meters (74%), 2 meters (71%), a tie between 15 and 80/75 meters (70% each), 17 meters (64%), 12 meters (62%), 30 meters (59%), 70 centimeters (50%), a tie between 6 meters and 160 meters (47% each), 135 cm (17%), 33 cm & higher (7%) and the European 4 meter band (4%).

Which bands do you actually operate? The DX workhorse, 20 meters, came out on top as favorite band (21%), followed by 10 meters (15%), also a tie between 40 and 15 meters (10% each), by 6 meters (8%), 2 meters (7%), 80/75 meters (6%), 17 meters (5%), 160 meters (2%) and a 5-way tie for last place at 1% for each of the other bands.

Interestingly, the bands operated list did not match the favorites list, although the top spot did, with 20 meters holding #1 with 81% of you operating there either frequently or occasionally, followed by 40 meters (78%), 2 meters (77%), 15 meters (75%), 80/75 (73%), 10 (70%), 17 (59%), 12 (52%), 70 cm (49%), 30 (41%) 160 and 6 in another tie (40% each), then a steep drop to 222 MHz (16%), 902 MHz and up (7%) and 70 MHz (Europe only, 4%).

In summary, at least 40% of you are equipped to operate on every US ham band from 160 to 2 meters plus 70 centimeters, and 40% or more actually operate at least occasionally on all of those bands. The “traditional” HF bands and 2 meters top the list but the now two-decade old “WARC” bands plus 160 and 6 meters and 70 centimeters are all solidly in ham radio’s mainstream. Only 222 MHz and the microwave bands have yet to crack that barrier.

This month’s free subscription winner is William Kuning, W3BY, of Cambridge, Maryland.

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