A unique interoperability bridge between amateur radio and government users
Among all U.S. radio allocations, the 60-meter (5 MHz) band occupies a unique and carefully controlled space. It is not a traditional amateur band, nor is it a purely government allocation. Instead, it exists specifically to enable interoperability and contingency communications between amateur radio operators and federal users during emergencies and national-level events.
Because of this, 60 meters is best understood not as a playground for experimentation, but as a strategic interoperability tool.
Why 60 meters exists
Most amateur radio bands are allocated exclusively for amateur use, while government and military users operate elsewhere. This separation works well — until a large-scale emergency requires cross-domain coordination under degraded conditions.
The 60-meter band was created to address that gap.
At 5 MHz, radio propagation offers:
- Reliable regional and near-regional coverage
- Performance well-suited for NVIS and wide-area coordination
- Day-and-night usability more predictable than many HF bands
These characteristics made 5 MHz ideal for a shared, channelized band where amateur operators could operate alongside federal users, under strict controls, during contingencies.
Regulatory status in the United States
In the U.S., the 60-meter band is regulated by the Federal Communications Commission under Part 97 — but with special conditions that make it fundamentally different from other amateur bands.
Key regulatory realities:
- Amateur radio operators may use only specific channels, not a continuous band
- Federal government users retain primary status
- Amateur operations are secondary and non-interfering
- Operations may be restricted or suspended if government needs require it
This structure reinforces that 60 meters exists primarily for shared, mission-oriented use, not routine amateur operation.
Plain-language guide: how 60-meter rules actually work
To avoid confusion, it helps to explain the 60-meter rules in practical terms rather than regulatory language.
What amateurs can actually use
Amateur operators are authorized to transmit only on specific, pre-defined 5 MHz channels. You cannot tune freely across the band. You must operate exactly on the authorized channel center frequencies.
Allowed modes
- Upper Sideband (USB) voice is the primary and most common mode
- Certain data modes are permitted only if they meet emission and bandwidth limits
This is not an open digital experimentation band like 20 m or 40 m.
Power limits matter
Power limits on 60 meters are strict and are typically defined in terms of effective radiated power (ERP). That means antenna gain counts. Even modest antennas can put you over the limit if you are not careful.
Federal users have priority
Federal users — including DoD and other government agencies — are primary users of the band. As an amateur operator:
- You must not cause interference
- You must yield if directed
- You may be required to cease operations immediately
This is not optional or situational — it is foundational to why the band exists.
Interoperability does not mean open chat
The shared nature of the band does not authorize casual cross-service communication. Interoperability on 60 meters is:
- Planned
- Authorized
- Coordinated
It is not a free-for-all emergency band.
When 60 meters actually makes sense
60 meters is best reserved for:
- Pre-planned interoperability nets
- Regional or multi-state coordination
- Exercises involving federal participation
- Large-scale disasters where other HF paths are unavailable
Most local ARES nets and routine emergency traffic belong on other HF bands such as 40 m or 80 m.
What 60 meters is not
- Not a general-purpose HF band
- Not a substitute for routine emergency nets
- Not suitable for uncoordinated disaster operations
Misuse risks loss of access and erosion of trust between amateur and government users.
Interoperability in practice
Amateur ↔ government interoperability
The value of 60 meters lies in enabling RF coexistence between:
- Amateur radio emergency communicators
- Federal government stations
- Military-affiliated auxiliary communications programs
This coexistence enables coordination when infrastructure damage, congestion, or jurisdictional boundaries make other paths unavailable.
The role of MARS
The Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) has historically played a key role in 5 MHz interoperability planning.
MARS:
- Operates on DoD-assigned HF frequencies
- Trains operators in disciplined, government-directed communications
- Provides a bridge between military and civilian response when authorized
The 60-meter band has, under controlled conditions, served as an interoperability touchpoint between amateur radio and MARS-supported operations.
60 meters, AUXCOMM, and discipline
From an AUXCOMM perspective, 60 meters reinforces core principles of modern emergency communications:
- Authority matters
- Discipline matters
- Integration matters
AUXCOMM-trained communicators understand that 60 meters is a national contingency resource, not just another band option.
Why 60 meters still matters
As disasters grow more complex and infrastructure more interdependent, interoperability becomes harder, not easier.
The 60-meter band remains relevant because it:
- Preserves a shared HF capability for worst-case scenarios
- Encourages coordination instead of improvisation
- Enables cross-domain communications when other options fail
It exists as a reminder that resilience is designed, not accidental.
Bottom line
The 60-meter band is a strategic interoperability resource.
Used correctly, it provides a rare bridge between amateur radio, government users, and military-affiliated auxiliary communications. Used casually, it risks losing that privilege entirely.
For serious emergency communicators, understanding why 60 meters exists is more important than knowing how to tune it.