HF band plan
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HF band plans
Considerate operators guide
Q. The Report and Order on
Docket 05-235 that eliminates the Morse Code testing requirement for all
license classes was released by the FCC on December 15, 2006. When will it
be effective?
A. While the R&O was announced on that date, it does not go into effect
until 30 days from the time it is printed in the Federal Register. That
generally occurs anywhere from a few weeks to up to 60-days after the
Commission announces its decision. As soon as the R&O is published in the
Federal Register the ARRL will verify the effective date and publicize it on
the ARRL Web and in QST/
Q. I am a no-code technician. What does 05-235 mean to me?
A. Once it is effective, you will have all of your current frequencies and
also will have access to the Novice/Technician Plus frequencies on HF, which
include:
3535 – 3600 KHz - CW only
7025 – 7125 KHz - CW only
21025 – 21200 KHz - CW only
28000 – 28300 KHz - CW, RTTY and Data
28300 – 28500 KHz - CW, RTTY, Data, Phone and Image
Q. Don’t technician class licensees have phone privileges on other HF bands?
What about 20-meters?
A. The only band on which the Technician Plus class currently has phone
privileges is 10-meters. The FCC did not make any additional HF Phone
allocation for that class.
Q. I have a CSCE for Element 3 (General theory) and have been waiting for
the code requirement to be dropped. What will I need to do? Will I
automatically receive my General license?
A. If you have a non-expired CSCE (dated no more than 365 days ago) for
Element 3 credit, you will need to go to a VE test session with the CSCE and
have them do the paperwork to submit for your license upgrade. It will not
be done automatically. You will also need to wait until the new rules are
in effect. The test session fee will still apply.
If the CSCE for Element 3 credit has expired, or if it expires before you
attend a test session to process your upgrade you will have to re-take the
element in order to receive the upgrade. The test session fee will apply.
Q. I am a current Novice. Am I grandfathered now to a Technician?
A. No. There is no such grandfather provision. In order to upgrade to
Technician, you will need to pass the Element 2 - 35 question writen exam.
Q. I am a current Advanced. Am I affected by this change?
A. No, this ruling does not impact your license. While no new Advanced class
licenses are being written, current Advanced class licensees still have the
same privileges they had in the past. Licesne renewals will affect the
Advanced class license for another 10 year term - as Advanced class.
Q. I passed my Technician license many years ago, before March 21, 1987.
What happens to my license?
A. You actually could have already taken that license and proof that you had
the Technician license before that date (such as the page from the amateur
call book showing your license class as Technician) and already be upgraded
to General. You can still do that even with this change. This is based on
the fact that before that date, the only difference between the Technician
and General class licenses was the Morse code speed – the theory exams were
identical. Starting March 21, 1987 the Technician and General class license
exam were different so the “grandfather” rule doesn’t apply for Technician
licenses issued after that date.
Q. Do I still need to pass a Morse code test in order to use it on the air?
A. No, anyone who wishes to may use Morse code on the amateur bands. (We
strongly advise trying to learn it before attemptig communications!)
Q. The FCC issued an Order of Reconsideration involving the automated
digital operations that had previously been allowed on 3620-3635 KHz. What
is that Order’s effect?
A. The FCC Order of Reconsideration states that when it becomes effective,
the automated digital operation formerly allowed on 3620-3635 KHz will now
be allowed on 3585-3600 KHz. The change affects Part 97.221 (b).
That's it for now - check our website daily at
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