GeneralG1A01

On which HF and/or MF amateur bands are there portions where General class licensees cannot transmit?

C
Answer
General class rules and operating privileges
Type
A
60 meters, 30 meters, 17 meters, and 12 meters
B
160 meters, 60 meters, 15 meters, and 12 meters
C
80 meters, 40 meters, 20 meters, and 15 meters
D
80 meters, 20 meters, 15 meters, and 10 meters

Answer Notes

The FCC sets aside specific portions of the 80, 40, 20, and 15-meter bands exclusively for Amateur Extra and Advanced class licensees. These exclusive sub-bands are typically found at the lowest frequency edges of both the CW and phone segments. The purpose of these exclusive areas is to reward higher-level licensees with less crowded operating frequencies. General class operators are prohibited from transmitting in these specific segments, though they have access to the rest of the band. In contrast, bands like 160, 60, 30, 17, 12, and 10 meters do not have Extra-only or Advanced-only sub-bands, meaning General class operators share the same frequency limits as Extra class operators on those bands.
Next · G1A02
On which of the following bands is phone operation prohibited?