Question T1B06
From subelement T1 - T1B
On which HF bands does a Technician class operator have phone privileges?
Why is this correct?
Technician class operators have phone (voice) privileges only on the 10 meter HF band, specifically 28.300-28.500 MHz. On other HF bands (80, 40, and 15 meters), Technicians are limited to CW (Morse code) only within their small frequency segments. The 30 meter band has no Technician privileges at all. This limited HF phone access makes 10 meters the gateway band for new operators to experience long-distance skywave communication.
Memory tip
Remember the progression: Technician gets one HF phone band, General gets most HF phone privileges, Extra gets full access. This stepped approach encourages license upgrades while giving new operators a taste of HF magic on 10 meters during good propagation conditions.
Learn more
Technician HF phone privileges represent the FCC's balanced approach to spectrum management and operator development. The 10 meter phone segment (28.300-28.500 MHz) serves as an introduction to skywave propagation and DX communication. Other Technician HF segments require CW proficiency, reflecting amateur radio's heritage. Above 50 MHz, Technicians enjoy broader frequency privileges with phone operation permitted in segments of all VHF/UHF amateur allocations, supporting local and regional communication needs.
Think about it
Why do you think the FCC chose to give Technicians phone privileges on 10 meters specifically, rather than on lower HF bands like 40 or 80 meters?