Technician class frequency privileges in ham radio

When you’re getting started, remembering where you’re allowed to operate is important. As a Technician licensee, you have full access to all amateur frequencies above 50 MHz, but what about on the shortwave high-frequency (HF) bands? This chart helps you follow the rules.  You can transmit with up to 200 watts PEP A band-by-band plan showing where to find different types of activity is available from the American Radio Relay League (ARRL).

Band	Frequencies (In MHz)	Modes You Can Use (200 watts PEP maximum power)
80 meters	3.525 – 3.600	CW
40 meters	7.025 – 7.125	CW
15 meters	21.025 – 21.200	CW
10 meters	28.000 – 28.300	CW and RTTY/data
	28.300 – 28.500	CW and phone
Above 50 MHz		All amateur privileges

CW = Morse code; PEP = peak envelope power; RTTY = radioteletype.

General class frequency privileges in ham radio

Soon, if you haven’t done so already, you’ll be thinking about upgrading. You have many more frequencies to use on the high-frequency (HF) bands, as shown in the following table. A complete chart of the U.S. frequency and mode privileges for all license classes is available from the American Radio Relay League (ARRL).

Band	Frequencies (in MHz)	Mode
160, 60, 30 meters		All amateur privileges
80 meters	3.525–3.600	CW, RTTY, data
	3.800–4.000	CW, phone, image
40 meters	7.025–7.125	CW, RTTY, data
	7.175–7.300	CW, phone, image
20 meters	14.025–14.150	CW, RTTY, data
	14.225–14.350	CW, phone, image
15 meters	21.025–21.200	CW, RTTY, data
	21.275–21.450	CW, phone, image
17, 12, 10 meters		All amateur privileges
Above 50 MHz		All amateur privileges

CW = Morse code; RTTY = radioteletype.