T1B Commission's Rules - Technician study

T1B011 of 12§ 97.301(e)

Which of the following frequency ranges are available for phone operation by Technician licensees?

Why Under 97.301(e), Technicians get HF privileges on 10 meters: CW, RTTY and data from 28.000 to 28.300 MHz, and SSB phone from 28.300 to 28.500 MHz at up to 200 watts PEP. So the only phone window is the 200 kHz segment starting at 28.300 MHz.

Watch out The range from 28.500 to 28.600 MHz is real phone spectrum, but only for General and higher class licensees; Technician phone privileges stop at 28.500 MHz. Anything below 28.300 MHz is the digital and CW portion of the Technician 10 meter allocation.

Tech 10 m: 28.0-28.3 is dits and data, 28.3-28.5 is talk. Phone ends at .5, not .6.

HamSandwich explanation, first draft. The question and answers are the NCVEC text.

47 CFR 97.301(e) Authorized frequency bands.

The following transmitting frequency bands are available to an amateur station located within 50 km of the Earth's surface, within the specified ITU Region, and outside any area where the amateur service is regulated by any authority other than the FCC.

(a) For a station having a control operator who has been granted a Technician, General, Advanced, or Amateur Extra Class operator license or who holds a CEPT radio-amateur license or IARP of any class:

(b) For a station having a control operator who has been granted an Amateur Extra Class operator license, who holds a CEPT radio amateur license, or who holds a Class 1 IARP license:

(c) For a station having a control operator who has been granted an operator license of Advanced Class:

(d) For a station having a control operator who has been granted an operator license of General Class:

(e) For a station having a control operator who has been granted an operator license of Novice Class or Technician Class:

eCFR text as of 1 Sep 2026 · read on ecfr.gov

T1B022 of 12§ 97.301, 97.207(c)

Which of the following U.S. amateur radio operators are allowed to contact the International Space Station (ISS) on VHF bands?

Why The ISS amateur station operates in the amateur satellite service on the 2 meter and 70 cm bands, and Technician licensees hold full privileges on all VHF and UHF amateur bands (97.301). Section 97.207(c) sets the frequency bands available to space stations, and no extra permission or license upgrade is required to work them. So any U.S. ham from Technician on up can call the ISS when it passes over.

Watch out The choices requiring NASA approval sound plausible because the ISS is a NASA-operated vehicle, but the amateur station aboard is licensed amateur equipment and contacts are governed by Part 97, not by a NASA permission process. The General-class options confuse HF privilege restrictions with VHF, where Technicians already have everything.

Technicians own VHF/UHF, and space is just up. No upgrade, no NASA permission slip needed.

HamSandwich explanation, first draft. The question and answers are the NCVEC text.

47 CFR 97.301 Authorized frequency bands.

The following transmitting frequency bands are available to an amateur station located within 50 km of the Earth's surface, within the specified ITU Region, and outside any area where the amateur service is regulated by any authority other than the FCC.

(a) For a station having a control operator who has been granted a Technician, General, Advanced, or Amateur Extra Class operator license or who holds a CEPT radio-amateur license or IARP of any class:

(b) For a station having a control operator who has been granted an Amateur Extra Class operator license, who holds a CEPT radio amateur license, or who holds a Class 1 IARP license:

(c) For a station having a control operator who has been granted an operator license of Advanced Class:

(d) For a station having a control operator who has been granted an operator license of General Class:

(e) For a station having a control operator who has been granted an operator license of Novice Class or Technician Class:

eCFR text as of 1 Sep 2026 · read on ecfr.gov

47 CFR 97.207(c) Space station.

(a) Any amateur station may be a space station. A holder of any class operator license may be the control operator of a space station, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held by the control operator.

(b) A space station must be capable of effecting a cessation of transmissions by telecommand whenever such cessation is ordered by the FCC.

(c) The following frequency bands and segments are authorized to space stations:

(1) The 17 m, 15 m, 12 m, and 10 m bands, 6 mm, 4 mm, 2 mm and 1 mm bands; and

(2) The 7.0-7.1 MHz, 14.00-14.25 MHz, 144-146 MHz, 435-438 MHz, 2400-2450 MHz, 5.83-5.85 GHz, 10.45-10.50 GHz, and 24.00-24.05 GHz segments.

(d) A space station may automatically retransmit the radio signals of Earth stations and other space stations.

(e) A space station may transmit one-way communications.

(f) Space telemetry transmissions may consist of specially coded messages intended to facilitate communications or related to the function of the spacecraft.

(g) The license grantee of each space station must make the following written notifications to the Space Bureau, FCC, Washington, DC 20554.

(1) A pre-space notification within 30 days after the date of launch vehicle determination, but no later than 90 days before integration of the space station into the launch vehicle. The notification must be in accordance with the provisions of Articles 9 and 11 of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Radio Regulations and must specify the information required by Appendix 4 and Resolution No. 642 of the ITU Radio Regulations. The notification must also include a description of the design and operational strategies that the space station will use to mitigate orbital debris, including the following information:

(i) A statement that the space station operator has assessed and limited the amount of debris released in a planned manner during normal operations. Where applicable, this statement must include an orbital debris mitigation disclosure for any separate deployment devices, distinct from the space station launch vehicle, that may become a source of orbital debris;

(ii) A statement indicating whether the space station operator has assessed and limited the probability that the space station(s) will become a source of debris by collision with small debris or meteoroids that would cause loss of control and prevent disposal. The statement must indicate whether this probability for an individual space station is 0.01 (1 in 100) or less, as calculated using the NASA Debris Assessment Software or a higher fidelity assessment tool;

(iii) A statement that the space station operator has assessed and limited the probability, during and after completion of mission operations, of accidental explosions or of release of liquids that will persist in droplet form. This statement must include a demonstration that debris generation will not result from the conversion of energy sources on board the spacecraft into energy that fragments the spacecraft. Energy sources include chemical, pressure, and kinetic energy. This demonstration should address whether stored energy will be removed at the spacecraft's end of life, by depleting residual fuel and leaving all fuel line valves open, venting any pressurized system, leaving all batteries in a permanent discharge state, and removing any remaining source of stored energy, or through other equivalent procedures specifically disclosed in the application;

(iv) A statement that the space station operator has assessed and limited the probability of the space station(s) becoming a source of debris by collisions with large debris or other operational space stations.

(A) Where the application is for an NGSO space station or system, the following information must also be included:

(1) A demonstration that the space station operator has assessed and limited the probability of collision between any space station of the system and other large objects (10 cm or larger in diameter) during the total orbital lifetime of the space station, including any de-orbit phases, to less than 0.001 (1 in 1,000). The probability shall be calculated using the NASA Debris Assessment Software or a higher fidelity assessment tool. The collision risk may be assumed zero for a space station during any period in which the space station will be maneuvered effectively to avoid colliding with large objects.

(2) The statement must identify characteristics of the space station(s)' orbits that may present a collision risk, including any planned and/or operational space stations in those orbits, and indicate what steps, if any, have been taken to coordinate with the other spacecraft or system, or what other measures the operator plans to use to avoid collision.

(3) If at any time during the space station(s)' mission or de-orbit phase the space station(s) will transit through the orbits used by any inhabitable spacecraft, including the International Space Station, the statement must describe the design and operational strategies, if any, that will be used to minimize the risk of collision and avoid posing any operational constraints to the inhabitable spacecraft.

(4) The statement must disclose the accuracy, if any, with which orbital parameters will be maintained, including apogee, perigee, inclination, and the right ascension of the ascending node(s). In the event that a system is not be maintained to specific orbital tolerances, e.g., its propulsion system will not be used for orbital maintenance, that fact should be included in the debris mitigation disclosure. Such systems must also indicate the anticipated evolution over time of the orbit of the proposed satellite or satellites. All systems must describe the extent of satellite maneuverability, whether or not the space station design includes a propulsion system.

(5) The space station operator must certify that upon receipt of a space situational awareness conjunction warning, the operator will review and take all possible steps to assess the collision risk, and will mitigate the collision risk if necessary. As appropriate, steps to assess and mitigate the collision risk should include, but are not limited to: Contacting the operator of any active spacecraft involved in such a warning; sharing ephemeris data and other appropriate operational information with any such operator; and modifying space station attitude and/or operations.

(B) Where a space station requests the assignment of a geostationary orbit location, it must assess whether there are any known satellites located at, or reasonably expected to be located at, the requested orbital location, or assigned in the vicinity of that location, such that the station keeping volumes of the respective satellites might overlap or touch. If so, the statement must include a statement as to the identities of those parties and the measures that will be taken to prevent collisions.

(v) A statement addressing the trackability of the space station(s). Space station(s) operating in low-Earth orbit will be presumed trackable if each individual space station is 10 cm or larger in its smallest dimension, exclusive of deployable components. Where the application is for an NGSO space station or system, the statement shall also disclose the following:

(A) How the operator plans to identify the space station(s) following deployment and whether space station tracking will be active or passive;

(B) Whether, prior to deployment, the space station(s) will be registered with the 18th Space Control Squadron or successor entity; and

(C) The extent to which the space station operator plans to share information regarding initial deployment, ephemeris, and/or planned maneuvers with the 18th Space Control Squadron or successor entity, other entities that engage in space situational awareness or space traffic management functions, and/or other operators.

(vi) A statement disclosing planned proximity operations, if any, and addressing debris generation that will or may result from the proposed operations, including any planned release of debris, the risk of accidental explosions, the risk of accidental collision, and measures taken to mitigate those risks.

(vii) A statement detailing the disposal plans for the space station, including the quantity of fuel—if any—that will be reserved for disposal maneuvers. In addition, the following specific provisions apply:

(A) For geostationary orbit space stations, the statement must disclose the altitude selected for a disposal orbit and the calculations that are used in deriving the disposal altitude.

(B) For space stations terminating operations in an orbit in or passing through the low-Earth orbit region below 2,000 km altitude, the statement must disclose whether the spacecraft will be disposed of either through atmospheric re-entry, specifying if direct retrieval of the spacecraft will be used. The statement must also disclose the expected time in orbit for the space station following the completion of the mission.

(C) For space stations not covered by either paragraph (g)(1)(vii)(A) or (B) of this section, the statement must indicate whether disposal will involve use of a storage orbit or long-term atmospheric re-entry and rationale for the selected disposal plan.

(D) For all NGSO space stations under paragraph (g)(1)(vii)(B) or (C) of this section, the following additional specific provisions apply:

(1) The statement must include a demonstration that the probability of success of the chosen disposal method will be 0.9 or greater for any individual space station. For space station systems consisting of multiple space stations, the demonstration should include additional information regarding efforts to achieve a higher probability of success, with a goal, for large systems, of a probability of success for any individual space station of 0.99 or better. For space stations under paragraph (g)(1)(vii)(B) of this section that will be terminating operations in or passing through the low-Earth orbit region below 2000 km altitude, successful disposal, for the purposes of this paragraph (g)(1)(vii)(D)(1), is defined as atmospheric re-entry of the spacecraft as soon as practicable, but no later than five years following completion of the mission. For space stations under paragraph (g)(1)(vii)(C) of this section, successful disposal will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

(2) If planned disposal is by atmospheric re-entry, the statement must also include:

(i) A disclosure indicating whether the atmospheric re-entry will be an uncontrolled re-entry or a controlled targeted reentry.

(ii) An assessment as to whether portions of any individual spacecraft will survive atmospheric re-entry and impact the surface of the Earth with a kinetic energy in excess of 15 joules, and demonstration that the calculated casualty risk for an individual spacecraft using the NASA Debris Assessment Software or a higher fidelity assessment tool is less than 0.0001 (1 in 10,000).

(viii) If any material item described in this notification changes before launch, a replacement pre-space notification shall be filed with the Space Bureau no later than 90 days before integration of the space station into the launch vehicle.

(2) An in-space station notification is required no later than 7 days following initiation of space station transmissions. This notification must update the information contained in the pre-space notification.

(3) A post-space station notification is required no later than 3 months after termination of the space station transmissions. When termination of transmissions is ordered by the FCC, the notification is required no later than 24 hours after termination of transmissions.

eCFR text as of 1 Sep 2026 · read on ecfr.gov

T1B033 of 12§ 97.301(a)

Which frequency is in the 6-meter amateur band?

Why The 6-meter band runs from 50.0 to 54.0 MHz, so 52.525 MHz falls squarely inside it (it is also the national FM simplex calling frequency for the band). Band limits come from the frequency allocation table in 97.301(a). A quick check: wavelength in meters is about 300 divided by frequency in MHz, and 300/52.5 is roughly 5.7 meters, which rounds to the 6-meter band.

Watch out 49.00 MHz is close to the band but below 50 MHz and is not an amateur allocation at all; 28.50 MHz is in the 10-meter band and 222.15 MHz is in the 1.25-meter band.

6 meters = 50 to 54 MHz. Remember 52.525, the '5-2-5-2-5' FM calling frequency, sits in the middle.

HamSandwich explanation, first draft. The question and answers are the NCVEC text.

47 CFR 97.301(a) Authorized frequency bands.

The following transmitting frequency bands are available to an amateur station located within 50 km of the Earth's surface, within the specified ITU Region, and outside any area where the amateur service is regulated by any authority other than the FCC.

(a) For a station having a control operator who has been granted a Technician, General, Advanced, or Amateur Extra Class operator license or who holds a CEPT radio-amateur license or IARP of any class:

(b) For a station having a control operator who has been granted an Amateur Extra Class operator license, who holds a CEPT radio amateur license, or who holds a Class 1 IARP license:

(c) For a station having a control operator who has been granted an operator license of Advanced Class:

(d) For a station having a control operator who has been granted an operator license of General Class:

(e) For a station having a control operator who has been granted an operator license of Novice Class or Technician Class:

eCFR text as of 1 Sep 2026 · read on ecfr.gov

T1B044 of 12§ 97.301(a)

Which amateur band includes 146.52 MHz?

Why Wavelength in meters equals 300 divided by the frequency in MHz, so 300/146.52 is about 2.05 meters, placing it in the 2 meter band (144-148 MHz per 97.301(a)). 146.52 MHz is also the well known national FM simplex calling frequency on 2 meters, a number most VHF operators memorize.

Watch out 6 meters runs 50-54 MHz and 70 centimeters runs 420-450 MHz, while 20 meters is an HF band near 14 MHz, so none of them contain 146.52 MHz.

300 / MHz = meters. 300/146.52 is about 2, and 146.52 is the 2 m national simplex calling frequency.

HamSandwich explanation, first draft. The question and answers are the NCVEC text.

47 CFR 97.301(a) Authorized frequency bands.

The following transmitting frequency bands are available to an amateur station located within 50 km of the Earth's surface, within the specified ITU Region, and outside any area where the amateur service is regulated by any authority other than the FCC.

(a) For a station having a control operator who has been granted a Technician, General, Advanced, or Amateur Extra Class operator license or who holds a CEPT radio-amateur license or IARP of any class:

(b) For a station having a control operator who has been granted an Amateur Extra Class operator license, who holds a CEPT radio amateur license, or who holds a Class 1 IARP license:

(c) For a station having a control operator who has been granted an operator license of Advanced Class:

(d) For a station having a control operator who has been granted an operator license of General Class:

(e) For a station having a control operator who has been granted an operator license of Novice Class or Technician Class:

eCFR text as of 1 Sep 2026 · read on ecfr.gov

T1B055 of 12§ 97.301, 97.305

Which of the following bands include frequencies where Technicians are authorized to use digital modes such as FT8?

Why Technicians hold limited HF privileges on 10 meters including 28.000-28.300 MHz for RTTY and data, which is where FT8 operates, and they hold full mode privileges (CW, phone, image, and data) on the VHF and UHF bands at 6 meters, 2 meters, 1.25 meters, and 70 cm. So digital modes like FT8 are legal for a Technician on 10, 6, and 2 meters alike, per the allocations in 97.301 and the emission standards in 97.305.

Watch out Picking only 10 meters is tempting because that is the band where Technicians have a narrow, specifically carved-out data segment, but the VHF bands give Technicians even broader digital authority.

Technicians get data on 10 meters (28.0-28.3) plus everything from 6 meters up, so 'all of these' fits digital-mode questions.

HamSandwich explanation, first draft. The question and answers are the NCVEC text.

47 CFR 97.301 Authorized frequency bands.

The following transmitting frequency bands are available to an amateur station located within 50 km of the Earth's surface, within the specified ITU Region, and outside any area where the amateur service is regulated by any authority other than the FCC.

(a) For a station having a control operator who has been granted a Technician, General, Advanced, or Amateur Extra Class operator license or who holds a CEPT radio-amateur license or IARP of any class:

(b) For a station having a control operator who has been granted an Amateur Extra Class operator license, who holds a CEPT radio amateur license, or who holds a Class 1 IARP license:

(c) For a station having a control operator who has been granted an operator license of Advanced Class:

(d) For a station having a control operator who has been granted an operator license of General Class:

(e) For a station having a control operator who has been granted an operator license of Novice Class or Technician Class:

eCFR text as of 1 Sep 2026 · read on ecfr.gov

47 CFR 97.305 Authorized emission types.

(a) Except as specified elsewhere in this part, an amateur station may transmit a CW emission on any frequency authorized to the control operator.

(b) A station may transmit a test emission on any frequency authorized to the control operator for brief periods for experimental purposes, except that no pulse modulation emission may be transmitted on any frequency where pulse is not specifically authorized and no SS modulation emission may be transmitted on any frequency where SS is not specifically authorized.

(c) A station may transmit the following emission types on the frequencies indicated, as authorized to the control operator, subject to the standards specified in § 97.307(f):

eCFR text as of 1 Sep 2026 · read on ecfr.gov

T1B066 of 12§ 97.301(e), 97.305

On which HF bands does a Technician class operator have phone privileges?

Why Under 97.301(e) and 97.305, Technicians get CW-only privileges on 80, 40, and 15 meters, plus a slice of 10 meters that includes voice: 28.300 to 28.500 MHz for SSB phone (and 28.000 to 28.300 for CW/RTTY/data). So 10 meters is the only HF band where a Technician may talk.

Watch out The list of 80, 40, 15, and 10 meters is the full set of Technician HF bands, but on the first three the privileges are CW only, not phone. The 30-meter band is CW and data only for every license class, no phone at all.

Technician HF: talk only on 10, tap code on 80/40/15.

HamSandwich explanation, first draft. The question and answers are the NCVEC text.

47 CFR 97.301(e) Authorized frequency bands.

The following transmitting frequency bands are available to an amateur station located within 50 km of the Earth's surface, within the specified ITU Region, and outside any area where the amateur service is regulated by any authority other than the FCC.

(a) For a station having a control operator who has been granted a Technician, General, Advanced, or Amateur Extra Class operator license or who holds a CEPT radio-amateur license or IARP of any class:

(b) For a station having a control operator who has been granted an Amateur Extra Class operator license, who holds a CEPT radio amateur license, or who holds a Class 1 IARP license:

(c) For a station having a control operator who has been granted an operator license of Advanced Class:

(d) For a station having a control operator who has been granted an operator license of General Class:

(e) For a station having a control operator who has been granted an operator license of Novice Class or Technician Class:

eCFR text as of 1 Sep 2026 · read on ecfr.gov

47 CFR 97.305 Authorized emission types.

(a) Except as specified elsewhere in this part, an amateur station may transmit a CW emission on any frequency authorized to the control operator.

(b) A station may transmit a test emission on any frequency authorized to the control operator for brief periods for experimental purposes, except that no pulse modulation emission may be transmitted on any frequency where pulse is not specifically authorized and no SS modulation emission may be transmitted on any frequency where SS is not specifically authorized.

(c) A station may transmit the following emission types on the frequencies indicated, as authorized to the control operator, subject to the standards specified in § 97.307(f):

eCFR text as of 1 Sep 2026 · read on ecfr.gov

T1B077 of 12§ 97.305(a), (c)

Which of the following VHF/UHF band segments are limited to CW only?

Why Section 97.305 lists which emission types are authorized on each segment, and the bottom 100 kHz of both 6 meters and 2 meters is reserved for CW only. That means 50.0 to 50.1 MHz and 144.0 to 144.1 MHz, which protects weak-signal CW work at the very bottom of each band. No other VHF or UHF segment carries a CW-only restriction.

Watch out The 219 to 220 MHz segment is real but it is limited to digital message forwarding systems, not CW, and 420 MHz and 902 MHz have no CW-only sub-band at all.

First 100 kHz of 6m and 2m = CW only: 50.0-50.1 and 144.0-144.1. Two bands, same 100 kHz slice.

HamSandwich explanation, first draft. The question and answers are the NCVEC text.

47 CFR 97.305(a) Authorized emission types.

(a) Except as specified elsewhere in this part, an amateur station may transmit a CW emission on any frequency authorized to the control operator.

(b) A station may transmit a test emission on any frequency authorized to the control operator for brief periods for experimental purposes, except that no pulse modulation emission may be transmitted on any frequency where pulse is not specifically authorized and no SS modulation emission may be transmitted on any frequency where SS is not specifically authorized.

(c) A station may transmit the following emission types on the frequencies indicated, as authorized to the control operator, subject to the standards specified in § 97.307(f):

eCFR text as of 1 Sep 2026 · read on ecfr.gov

T1B088 of 12§ 97.303

How are US amateurs restricted in segments of bands where the Amateur Radio Service is secondary?

Why Frequency allocations are shared: in some band segments the Amateur Radio Service is only a secondary user, while another service holds the primary allocation (97.303 spells out these sharing requirements). A secondary user must not cause harmful interference to primary stations and must accept any interference the primary service causes. So you may operate there, but you have to listen first and move if a primary station is using the frequency.

Watch out The idea about giving foreign amateurs priority mixes this up with international coordination; secondary status is about other radio services, such as government or commercial users, not about other hams. Nothing in secondary status bans digital modes or international contacts.

Secondary means guest: don't interfere with the primary, and don't complain if they interfere with you.

HamSandwich explanation, first draft. The question and answers are the NCVEC text.

47 CFR 97.303 Frequency sharing requirements.

The following paragraphs summarize the frequency sharing requirements that apply to amateur stations transmitting in the frequency bands specified in § 97.301 of this part. Each frequency band allocated to the amateur service is designated as either a secondary service or a primary service. A station in a secondary service must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, stations in a primary service.

(a) Where, in adjacent ITU Regions or sub-Regions, a band of frequencies is allocated to different services of the same category (i.e., primary or secondary services), the basic principle is the equality of right to operate. Accordingly, stations of each service in one Region or sub-Region must operate so as not to cause harmful interference to any service of the same or higher category in the other Regions or sub-Regions.

(b) Amateur stations transmitting in the 70 cm band, the 33 cm band, the 23 cm band, the 5 cm band, the 3 cm band, or the 24.05-24.25 GHz segment must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, stations authorized by the United States Government in the radiolocation service.

(c) Amateur stations transmitting in the 76-81 GHz segment, the 136-141 GHz segment, or the 241-248 GHz segment must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, stations authorized by the United States Government, the FCC, or other nations in the radiolocation service.

(d) Amateur stations transmitting in the 430-450 MHz segment, the 23 cm band, the 3.3-3.4 GHz segment, the 5.65-5.85 GHz segment, the 13 cm band, or the 24.05-24.25 GHz segment, must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, stations authorized by other nations in the radiolocation service.

(e) Amateur stations receiving in the 33 cm band, the 2400-2450 MHz segment, the 5.725-5.875 GHz segment, the 1.2 cm band, the 2.5 mm band, or the 244-246 GHz segment must accept interference from industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) equipment.

(f) Amateur stations transmitting in the following segments must not cause harmful interference to radio astronomy stations: 76-81 GHz, 136-141 GHz, 241-248 GHz, 275-323 GHz, 327-371 GHz, 388-424 GHz, 426-442 GHz, 453-510 GHz, 623-711 GHz, 795-909 GHz, or 926-945 GHz. In addition, amateur stations transmitting in the following segments must not cause harmful interference to stations in the Earth exploration-satellite service (passive) or the space research service (passive): 275-286 GHz, 296-306 GHz, 313-356 GHz, 361-365 GHz, 369-392 GHz, 397-399 GHz, 409-411 GHz, 416-434 GHz, 439-467 GHz, 477-502 GHz, 523-527 GHz, 538-581 GHz, 611-630 GHz, 634-654 GHz, 657-692 GHz, 713-718 GHz, 729-733 GHz, 750-754 GHz, 771-776 GHz, 823-846 GHz, 850-854 GHz, 857-862 GHz, 866-882 GHz, 905-928 GHz, 951-956 GHz, 968-973 GHz and 985-990 GHz.

(g) In the 2200 m and 630 m bands:

(1) Amateur stations in the 135.7-137.8 kHz (2200 m) and 472-479 kHz (630 m) bands shall only operate at fixed locations. Amateur stations shall not operate within a horizontal distance of one kilometer from a transmission line that conducts a power line carrier (PLC) signal in the 135.7-137.8 kHz or 472-479 kHz bands. Horizontal distance is measured from the station's antenna to the closest point on the transmission line.

(2) Prior to commencement of operations in the 135.7-137.8 kHz (2200 m) and/or 472-479 kHz (630 m) bands, amateur operators shall notify the Utilities Telecom Council (UTC) of their intent to operate by submitting their call signs, intended band or bands of operation, and the coordinates of their antenna's fixed location. Amateur stations will be permitted to commence operations after the 30-day period unless UTC notifies the station that its fixed location is located within one kilometer of PLC systems operating in the same or overlapping frequencies.

(3) Amateur stations in the 135.7-137.8 kHz (2200 m) band shall not cause harmful interference to, and shall accept interference from:

(i) Stations authorized by the United States Government in the fixed and maritime mobile services;

(ii) Stations authorized by other nations in the fixed, maritime mobile, and radionavigation service.

(4) Amateur stations in the 472-479 kHz (630 m) band shall not cause harmful interference to, and shall accept interference from:

(i) Stations authorized by the FCC in the maritime mobile service;

(ii) Stations authorized by other nations in the maritime mobile and aeronautical radionavigation services.

(5) Amateur stations causing harmful interference shall take all necessary measures to eliminate such interference—including temporary or permanent termination of transmissions.

(h) Amateur stations transmitting on frequencies in the 60 m band must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, stations authorized by:

(1) The United States (NTIA and FCC) and other nations in the fixed service; and

(2) Other nations in the mobile except aeronautical mobile service.

(3) In the 5330.5-5406.4 kHz band (60 m band), amateur stations may transmit only in the 5351.5-5366.5 kHz band and on the four center frequencies specified in the table below. For the discrete channels, control operators of stations transmitting phone, data, and RTTY emissions (emission designators 2K80J3E, 2K80J2D, and 60H0J2B, respectively) may set the carrier frequency 1.5 kHz below the center frequency as specified in the table below. For CW emissions (emission designator 150HA1A), the carrier frequency is set to the center frequency. For all 60 m spectrum, Amateur operators shall ensure that their emissions do not occupy more than 2.8 kHz.

(i) Amateur stations transmitting in the 7.2-7.3 MHz segment must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, international broadcast stations whose programming is intended for use within Region 1 or Region 3.

(j) Amateur stations transmitting in the 30 m band must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, stations by other nations in the fixed service. The licensee of the amateur station must make all necessary adjustments, including termination of transmissions, if harmful interference is caused.

(k) For amateur stations located in ITU Regions 1 and 3: Amateur stations transmitting in the 146-148 MHz segment or the 10.00-10.45 GHz segment must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, stations of other nations in the fixed and mobile services.

(l) In the 219-220 MHz segment:

(1) Use is restricted to amateur stations participating as forwarding stations in fixed point-to-point digital message forwarding systems, including intercity packet backbone networks. It is not available for other purposes.

(2) Amateur stations must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, stations authorized by:

(i) The FCC in the Automated Maritime Telecommunications System (AMTS), the 218-219 MHz Service, and the 220 MHz Service, and television stations broadcasting on channels 11 and 13; and

(ii) Other nations in the fixed and maritime mobile services.

(3) No amateur station may transmit unless the licensee has given written notification of the station's specific geographic location for such transmissions in order to be incorporated into a database that has been made available to the public. The notification must be given at least 30 days prior to making such transmissions. The notification must be given to: The American Radio Relay League, Inc., 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111-1494.

(4) No amateur station may transmit from a location that is within 640 km of an AMTS coast station that operates in the 217-218 MHz and 219-220 MHz bands unless the amateur station licensee has given written notification of the station's specific geographic location for such transmissions to the AMTS licensee. The notification must be given at least 30 days prior to making such transmissions. The location of AMTS coast stations using the 217-218/219-220 MHz channels may be obtained as noted in paragraph (l)(3) of this section.

(5) No amateur station may transmit from a location that is within 80 km of an AMTS coast station that uses frequencies in the 217-218 MHz and 219-220 MHz bands unless that amateur station licensee holds written approval from that AMTS licensee. The location of AMTS coast stations using the 217-218/219-220 MHz channels may be obtained as noted in paragraph (l)(3) of this section.

(m) In the 70 cm band:

(1) No amateur station shall transmit from north of Line A in the 420-430 MHz segment. See § 97.3(a) for the definition of Line A.

(2) Amateur stations transmitting in the 420-430 MHz segment must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, stations authorized by the FCC in the land mobile service within 80.5 km of Buffalo, Cleveland, and Detroit. See § 2.106, footnote US230 for specific frequencies and coordinates.

(3) Amateur stations transmitting in the 420-430 MHz segment or the 440-450 MHz segment must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, stations authorized by other nations in the fixed and mobile except aeronautical mobile services.

(n) In the 33 cm band:

(1) Amateur stations must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, stations authorized by:

(i) The United States Government;

(ii) The FCC in the Location and Monitoring Service; and

(iii) Other nations in the fixed service.

(2) No amateur station shall transmit from those portions of Texas and New Mexico that are bounded by latitudes 31°41′ and 34°30′ North and longitudes 104°11′ and 107°30′ West; or from outside of the United States and its Region 2 insular areas.

(3) No amateur station shall transmit from those portions of Colorado and Wyoming that are bounded by latitudes 39° and 42° North and longitudes 103° and 108° West in the following segments: 902.4-902.6 MHz, 904.3-904.7 MHz, 925.3-925.7 MHz, and 927.3-927.7 MHz.

(o) Amateur stations transmitting in the 23 cm band must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, stations authorized by:

(1) The United States Government in the aeronautical radionavigation, Earth exploration-satellite (active), or space research (active) services;

(2) The FCC in the aeronautical radionavigation service; and

(3) Other nations in the Earth exploration-satellite (active), radionavigation-satellite (space-to-Earth) (space-to-space), or space research (active) services.

(p) In the 13 cm band:

(1) Amateur stations must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, stations authorized by other nations in fixed and mobile services.

(2) Amateur stations transmitting in the 2305-2310 MHz segment must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, stations authorized by the FCC in the fixed, mobile except aeronautical mobile, and radiolocation services.

(q) [Reserved]

(r) In the 5 cm band:

(1) Amateur stations transmitting in the 5.650-5.725 GHz segment must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, stations authorized by other nations in the mobile except aeronautical mobile service.

(2) Amateur stations transmitting in the 5.850-5.925 GHz segment must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, stations authorized by the FCC and other nations in the fixed-satellite (Earth-to-space) and mobile services and also stations authorized by other nations in the fixed service. In the United States, the use of mobile service is restricted to operations in the Intelligent Transportation System radio service.

(s) [Reserved]

(t) Amateur stations transmitting in the 2.5 mm band must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, stations authorized by the United States Government, the FCC, or other nations in the fixed, inter-satellite, or mobile services.

The Table of Frequency Allocations contains the complete, unabridged, and legally binding frequency sharing requirements that pertain to the Amateur Radio Service. See 47 CFR 2.104, 2.105, and 2.106. The United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are in Region 2 and other U.S. insular areas are in either Region 2 or 3; see appendix 1 to part 97.

eCFR text as of 1 Sep 2026 · read on ecfr.gov

T1B099 of 12§ 97.101(a), 97.301(a-e)

Why should you not set your transmit frequency to be exactly at the edge of an amateur band or sub-band?

Why Your transmitted signal is not a single point; it occupies bandwidth, so an SSB or FM carrier set right at the edge will push sidebands outside the allocation. On top of that, the dial reading may be off by some calibration error and the oscillator can drift with temperature, all of which can put part of your emission out of band. Section 97.301 assigns band limits to your entire emission, not just the carrier, so operators leave a margin of a few kHz inside the edge.

Watch out Each individual reason listed is true on its own, so picking just the sidebands answer or just the drift answer misses the other valid reasons.

Your whole signal must fit inside the band: sidebands, dial error and drift all argue for staying a few kHz in.

HamSandwich explanation, first draft. The question and answers are the NCVEC text.

47 CFR 97.101(a) General standards.

(a) In all respects not specifically covered by FCC Rules each amateur station must be operated in accordance with good engineering and good amateur practice.

(b) Each station licensee and each control operator must cooperate in selecting transmitting channels and in making the most effective use of the amateur service frequencies. No frequency will be assigned for the exclusive use of any station.

(c) At all times and on all frequencies, each control operator must give priority to stations providing emergency communications, except to stations transmitting communications for training drills and tests in RACES.

(d) No amateur operator shall willfully or maliciously interfere with or cause interference to any radio communication or signal.

eCFR text as of 1 Sep 2026 · read on ecfr.gov

47 CFR 97.301 Authorized frequency bands.

The following transmitting frequency bands are available to an amateur station located within 50 km of the Earth's surface, within the specified ITU Region, and outside any area where the amateur service is regulated by any authority other than the FCC.

(a) For a station having a control operator who has been granted a Technician, General, Advanced, or Amateur Extra Class operator license or who holds a CEPT radio-amateur license or IARP of any class:

(b) For a station having a control operator who has been granted an Amateur Extra Class operator license, who holds a CEPT radio amateur license, or who holds a Class 1 IARP license:

(c) For a station having a control operator who has been granted an operator license of Advanced Class:

(d) For a station having a control operator who has been granted an operator license of General Class:

(e) For a station having a control operator who has been granted an operator license of Novice Class or Technician Class:

eCFR text as of 1 Sep 2026 · read on ecfr.gov

T1B1010 of 12§ 97.305(c)

Where may SSB phone be used in amateur bands above 50 MHz?

Why Section 97.305(c) lists authorized emission types band by band, and every amateur allocation above 50 MHz includes at least a segment where phone emissions such as SSB are permitted. Unlike the HF bands, where CW/data-only segments and license-class sub-bands are common, the VHF, UHF and microwave bands are wide open to voice over much of their range, with only small portions (like the bottom of 6 m and 2 m) set aside by band plan for CW and weak-signal work. So a Technician operating SSB on 6 m, 2 m, 1.25 m, 70 cm and higher is on solid legal ground.

Watch out The idea that SSB is limited to General or higher sub-bands applies to HF, not to bands above 50 MHz, where Technicians have full privileges; the 25 watt limit is a made-up condition, though a 25 W PEP cap does exist on 60 meters, which is HF.

Above 50 MHz, Technicians have it all: every band has room for SSB phone.

HamSandwich explanation, first draft. The question and answers are the NCVEC text.

47 CFR 97.305(c) Authorized emission types.

(a) Except as specified elsewhere in this part, an amateur station may transmit a CW emission on any frequency authorized to the control operator.

(b) A station may transmit a test emission on any frequency authorized to the control operator for brief periods for experimental purposes, except that no pulse modulation emission may be transmitted on any frequency where pulse is not specifically authorized and no SS modulation emission may be transmitted on any frequency where SS is not specifically authorized.

(c) A station may transmit the following emission types on the frequencies indicated, as authorized to the control operator, subject to the standards specified in § 97.307(f):

eCFR text as of 1 Sep 2026 · read on ecfr.gov

T1B1111 of 12§ 97.313

What is the maximum peak envelope power output for Technician class operators in their HF band segments?

Why Section 97.313 sets a special ceiling of 200 watts PEP for Technician (and Novice) operation in the HF bands, which for Technicians means the CW segments of 80, 40 and 15 meters plus the CW, RTTY/data and SSB privileges on 10 meters. This is lower than the general 1500 watt PEP limit that applies to most amateur operation. Remember that Part 97 also requires you to use no more power than necessary for the communication, so 200 watts is a cap, not a target.

Watch out The 100 watt figure is tempting because it is the typical output of a common HF transceiver and it is the VHF/UHF limit Technicians face on 219-220 MHz, but it is not the HF rule; 50 watts is the limit in the 70 cm band for certain cases, not HF.

Tech on HF: 200 watts PEP. Think "two hundred on the HF bands, fifteen hundred everywhere else you're allowed."

HamSandwich explanation, first draft. The question and answers are the NCVEC text.

47 CFR 97.313 Transmitter power standards.

(a) An amateur station must use the minimum transmitter power necessary to carry out the desired communications.

(b) No station may transmit with a transmitter power exceeding 1.5 kW PEP.

(c) No station may transmit with a transmitter power output exceeding 200 W PEP:

(1) On the 10.10-10.15 MHz segment;

(2) On the 3.525-3.60 MHz, 7.025-7.125 MHz, 21.025-21.20 MHz, and 28.0-28.5 MHz segment when the control operator is a Novice Class operator or a Technician Class operator; or

(3) The 7.050-7.075 MHz segment when the station is within ITU Regions 1 or 3.

(d) No station may transmit with a transmitter power exceeding 25 W PEP on the VHF 1.25 m band when the control operator is a Novice operator.

(e) No station may transmit with a transmitter power exceeding 5 W PEP on the UHF 23 cm band when the control operator is a Novice operator.

(f) An Earth station or telecommand station may transmit on the 435-438 MHz segment with a maximum of 611 W effective radiated power (1 kW equivalent isotropically radiated power). The transmitting antenna elevation angle between the lower half-power (−3 dB relative to the peak or antenna bore sight) point and the horizon must always be greater than 10°. No other station may transmit with a transmitter power exceeding 50 W PEP on the UHF 70 cm band from an area specified in § 2.106(c)(270)(i) of this chapter, unless expressly authorized by the FCC after mutual agreement, on a case-by-case basis, between the Regional Director of the applicable field facility and the military area frequency coordinator at the applicable military base.

(g) No station may transmit with a transmitter power exceeding 50 W PEP on the 33 cm band from within 241 km of the boundaries of the White Sands Missile Range. Its boundaries are those portions of Texas and New Mexico bounded on the south by latitude 31°41′ North, on the east by longitude 104°11′ West, on the north by latitude 34°30′ North, and on the west by longitude 107°30′ West.

(h) No station may transmit with a transmitter power exceeding 50 W PEP on the 219-220 MHz segment of the 1.25 m band.

(i) 60 m band power requirements: No station may transmit on the frequencies 5.332, 5.348, 5.373, and 5.405 MHz in the 60 m band with a radiated power exceeding 100 W ERP. No station may transmit in the 5.3515-5.3665 MHz band with a radiated power exceeding 9.15 W ERP. For the purpose of computing ERP, the transmitter PEP will be multiplied by the antenna gain relative to a half-wave dipole antenna. A half-wave dipole antenna will be presumed to have a gain of 1 (0 dBd). Licensees using other antennas must maintain in their station records either the antenna manufacturer's data on the antenna gain or calculations of the antenna gain.

(j) No station may transmit with a transmitter output exceeding 10 W PEP when the station is transmitting a SS emission type.

(k) No station may transmit in the 135.7-137.8 kHz (2200 m) band with a transmitter power exceeding 1.5 kW PEP or a radiated power exceeding 1 W EIRP.

(l) No station may transmit in the 472-479 kHz (630 m) band with a transmitter power exceeding 500 W PEP or a radiated power exceeding 5 W EIRP, except that in Alaska, stations located within 800 kilometers of the Russian Federation may not transmit with a radiated power exceeding 1 W EIRP.

(m) No station may transmit with a peak equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP) exceeding 316 W in the 76-81 GHz (4 mm) band.

eCFR text as of 1 Sep 2026 · read on ecfr.gov

T1B1212 of 12§ 97.313(b)

Except for some specific restrictions, what is the maximum peak envelope power output for Technician class operators using frequencies above 30 MHz?

Why Section 97.313(b) sets the general amateur limit of 1500 watts PEP output, and Technicians operating above 30 MHz get that same general limit rather than a reduced one. The well known 200 watt cap on Technicians applies only to their HF privileges below 30 MHz (plus the 10 meter band segment), and there are a few band-specific exceptions such as 219-220 MHz. Remember also that 97.313(a) always requires using the minimum power necessary to carry out the desired communications.

Watch out The choice of 100 watts sounds right because typical VHF/UHF radios put out far less than the legal maximum, but equipment capability is not the same as the rule's limit; the reduced Technician figure of 200 watts belongs to HF, below 30 MHz.

Technician: 200 W below 30 MHz, the full 1500 W above 30 MHz.

HamSandwich explanation, first draft. The question and answers are the NCVEC text.

47 CFR 97.313(b) Transmitter power standards.