Question T2A10
From subelement T2 - T2A
What is a band plan, beyond the privileges established by the FCC?
Why is this correct?
Band plans are voluntary guidelines developed by amateur communities to organize different operating modes within frequency bands. While the FCC establishes broad frequency privileges, band plans provide detailed recommendations for where specific activities should occur—designating segments for CW, SSB, digital modes, and repeater pairs. Unlike mandatory FCC rules, these are cooperative suggestions that help prevent interference and make spectrum use more efficient for everyone.
Memory tip
Look for the word 'voluntary' as the key distinguisher. Band plans complement FCC rules but aren't legally binding—they're community-driven organization tools. The other options describe specific lists or schedules, while band plans are broader organizational frameworks for mode placement within bands.
Learn more
In practice, band plans prevent chaos on crowded bands by establishing operating conventions. For example, they designate calling frequencies where stations make initial contact before moving elsewhere, specify repeater frequency coordination to avoid interference, and accommodate different emission standards' bandwidth requirements. Following band plans demonstrates good amateur practice and helps maintain orderly frequency use, even though violation isn't an FCC rule infraction.
Think about it
Why do you think amateur communities create voluntary band plans instead of relying solely on FCC frequency privilege allocations?