You studied for weeks, passed your General exam, and now you’re staring at your radio wondering: “Where exactly can I transmit?” The HF band chart looks like alphabet soup, and you’re not sure if that frequency you want to use is legal for General Class operators.
This is the reality check every new General faces. The FCC gives you access to most HF bands, but with specific frequency ranges, mode restrictions, and power limits. Get it wrong and you risk interference, angry operators, or FCC violations.
This guide breaks down exactly what you can do on each HF band, what modes you can use, and when to use them. By the end, you’ll know your privileges cold and be ready to make your first HF contact with confidence.
Why HF Privileges Matter
HF (High Frequency) is where amateur radio gets interesting. Forget talking to someone 50 miles away on a repeater - on HF, you can work stations across continents with modest equipment. I’ve made contacts from California to Japan on 20 watts and a wire antenna.
But HF privileges are complex because:
- Each band behaves differently: 80 meters is great at night, 20 meters dominates during the day
- Mode restrictions vary: Some frequencies are CW-only, others allow phone
- License class matters: General gets most HF access, but not all of it
- International coordination: These rules prevent interference with other services and countries
Understanding your privileges isn’t just about following rules - it’s about knowing where to find the activity you want.
The HF Bands: Quick Overview
General Class gives you access to eight HF bands:
| Band | Wavelength | Frequency Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 160m | Longest | 1.8-2.0 MHz | Regional nighttime contacts |
| 80m | Very long | 3.5-4.0 MHz | Regional/DX at night |
| 40m | Long | 7.0-7.3 MHz | All-around workhorse band |
| 20m | Medium | 14.0-14.35 MHz | Daytime DX king |
| 17m | Medium-short | 18.068-18.168 MHz | Daytime DX, low noise |
| 15m | Short | 21.0-21.45 MHz | Excellent during solar max |
| 12m | Shorter | 24.89-24.99 MHz | Daytime DX, less crowded |
| 10m | Shortest | 28.0-29.7 MHz | Skip when conditions allow |
Each band has its personality. Let’s break them down.
General Class Frequency Privileges by Band
This is the critical information - where you can actually transmit as a General operator.
160 Meters (1.8-2.0 MHz)
General Class Privileges: 1.800-2.000 MHz (entire band)
Mode Breakdown:
- 1.800-1.810 MHz: CW only
- 1.810-2.000 MHz: CW, phone, digital
Operating Notes:
- Night-only band for most operators
- Ground wave gives reliable 100-200 mile coverage
- DX possible but requires good antennas (they’re huge at this wavelength)
- Lots of noise from power lines and electronics
- Popular for ragchewing on cold winter nights
Exam Tip: Remember that 160m is shared with the LORAN navigation system in some areas. Questions may ask about avoiding interference.
80 Meters (3.5-4.0 MHz)
General Class Privileges: 3.525-4.000 MHz
Mode Breakdown:
- 3.525-3.600 MHz: CW, RTTY, data
- 3.600-4.000 MHz: CW, phone, image
Operating Notes:
- Fantastic evening/nighttime band
- Regional coverage out to 500+ miles
- Phone portion (3.600-4.000) is extremely active
- Look for nets around 3.850-3.950 MHz
- Can get crowded - signals stack on top of each other
- Winter static is brutal
What General Misses: Extra operators get 3.500-3.525 MHz (CW/digital only)
Exam Tip: Know that General phone privileges start at 3.600 MHz, not 3.500.
40 Meters (7.0-7.3 MHz)
General Class Privileges: 7.025-7.300 MHz
Mode Breakdown:
- 7.025-7.125 MHz: CW, RTTY, data
- 7.125-7.300 MHz: CW, phone, image
Operating Notes:
- The most versatile HF band, works day and night
- Daytime: reliable regional coverage (0-500 miles)
- Nighttime: DX opens up, especially in winter
- Very crowded due to international broadcasters nearby
- SSB activity centers around 7.200-7.290 MHz
- Digital modes (FT8) active at 7.074 MHz
What General Misses: Extra gets 7.000-7.025 MHz (prime DX window)
Exam Tip: Questions often ask about the 7.125 MHz boundary - that’s where phone starts for General.
20 Meters (14.0-14.35 MHz)
General Class Privileges: 14.025-14.150 MHz (CW/digital), 14.225-14.350 MHz (phone)
Mode Breakdown:
- 14.025-14.150 MHz: CW, RTTY, data
- 14.150-14.225 MHz: Extra Class only (phone DX window)
- 14.225-14.350 MHz: CW, phone, image
Operating Notes:
- The premier DX band during solar cycle highs
- Best during daylight hours
- Can support contacts literally anywhere on Earth
- FT8 digital mode dominates 14.074 MHz
- SSB DX activity above 14.225 MHz
- Contests make it crazy on weekends
What General Misses: The golden 14.150-14.225 MHz phone segment (where rare DX stations often operate)
Exam Tip: This is heavily tested. Know that General phone starts at 14.225, not 14.150.
17 Meters (18.068-18.168 MHz)
General Class Privileges: 18.068-18.110 MHz (CW/digital), 18.110-18.168 MHz (phone)
Mode Breakdown:
- 18.068-18.110 MHz: CW, RTTY, data
- 18.110-18.168 MHz: CW, phone, image
Operating Notes:
- No Extra Class advantage here - General gets the whole band!
- Excellent daytime DX band
- Less crowded than 20m
- Narrower bandwidth = less noise
- Great for newer operators learning HF
- Propagation similar to 20m but opens/closes differently
Exam Tip: 17m is one of the WARC bands (along with 12m and 30m). Contesting is not allowed here.
15 Meters (21.0-21.45 MHz)
General Class Privileges: 21.025-21.200 MHz (CW/digital), 21.275-21.450 MHz (phone)
Mode Breakdown:
- 21.025-21.200 MHz: CW, RTTY, data
- 21.200-21.275 MHz: Extra Class only
- 21.275-21.450 MHz: CW, phone, image
Operating Notes:
- Solar cycle dependent - dead during solar minimum
- Amazing DX potential during solar maximum
- Daytime band primarily
- Long-distance skip common
- Less crowded than 20m when open
- FT8 at 21.074 MHz
What General Misses: 21.200-21.275 MHz phone segment
Exam Tip: Know the 21.275 MHz starting point for General phone.
12 Meters (24.89-24.99 MHz)
General Class Privileges: 24.890-24.930 MHz (CW/digital), 24.930-24.990 MHz (phone)
Mode Breakdown:
- 24.890-24.930 MHz: CW, RTTY, data
- 24.930-24.990 MHz: CW, phone, image
Operating Notes:
- Another WARC band (no contesting)
- General gets full access - no Extra advantage
- Narrow band = less activity but less noise
- Good for DX when 15m closes
- Often overlooked - try it when other bands are crowded
- Solar cycle dependent
Exam Tip: Remember 12m, 17m, and 30m are WARC bands with no contest operation.
10 Meters (28.0-29.7 MHz)
General Class Privileges: 28.000-29.700 MHz (entire band, with mode restrictions)
Mode Breakdown:
- 28.000-28.300 MHz: CW, RTTY, data
- 28.300-29.700 MHz: CW, phone, image
Operating Notes:
- Technician operators get 28.300-28.500 MHz (phone/CW)
- Massive band with room for everyone
- Solar cycle dependent - can be dead or amazing
- Sporadic E propagation in summer (sudden short openings)
- FM repeaters at 29.600-29.700 MHz
- SSB calling frequency: 28.400 MHz
- FT8 at 28.074 MHz
What General Gets: Full band access! Same as Extra.
Exam Tip: Know that 10m is the only HF band where Technicians have phone privileges.
Mode Restrictions Explained
Understanding which modes go where is crucial. Here’s the pattern:
CW (Morse Code)
- Allowed: Anywhere on any amateur HF band
- General principle: CW has priority in the lower portions of each band
- Why it matters: CW-only segments exist on most bands (lower 25-100 kHz typically)
Exam Tip: You’ll never be wrong saying “CW is allowed here” on HF.
Phone (SSB Voice)
- Restricted to specific segments on each band
- General pattern: Phone allowed in upper portions of bands
- LSB vs USB:
- Below 10 MHz: Use Lower Sideband (LSB) - that’s 160m, 80m, 40m
- Above 10 MHz: Use Upper Sideband (USB) - that’s 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, 10m
Exam Tip: Questions love to test LSB vs USB. Remember: “Lower frequencies = Lower sideband.”
Digital Modes (RTTY, PSK31, FT8, FT4)
- Generally allowed in CW/data segments
- Common digital frequencies:
- 80m: 3.580 MHz (PSK31)
- 40m: 7.040 MHz (RTTY), 7.074 MHz (FT8)
- 20m: 14.070 MHz (PSK31), 14.074 MHz (FT8)
- 17m: 18.100 MHz (FT8)
- 15m: 21.074 MHz (FT8)
- 10m: 28.074 MHz (FT8)
Exam Tip: FT8 frequencies end in .074 MHz on most bands.
Image Modes (SSTV)
- Allowed in phone segments
- Popular on: 14.230 MHz (20m), 21.340 MHz (15m)
Power Limits for General Class
Most HF operation follows standard power rules, but there are exceptions.
Standard HF Power Limit
Maximum: 1,500 watts PEP (Peak Envelope Power)
This applies to:
- All HF bands
- Most operating modes
- Most frequencies
Reality check: Most General operators run 100 watts or less. Propagation matters more than power.
Special Restrictions
Novice/Technician Portions of HF Bands: 200 watts PEP maximum
This affects:
- 80m: 3.525-3.600 MHz (200W max for everyone)
- 40m: 7.025-7.125 MHz (200W max for everyone)
- 15m: 21.025-21.200 MHz (200W max for everyone)
Why: These segments are shared with Technician licensees, so power is limited.
10 Meters Special Case:
- 28.000-28.500 MHz: 200 watts PEP (shared with Technicians)
- 28.500-29.700 MHz: 1,500 watts PEP
Exam Tip: Questions will ask “What’s the max power on 7.100 MHz?” Answer: 200 watts (it’s in the Technician segment).
Practical Operating Tips by Band
Theory is great, but here’s what actually works:
Best Times to Operate
| Band | Best Time | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 160m | Midnight-dawn | Ionosphere quiet, D layer gone |
| 80m | Evening-night | D layer absorption drops |
| 40m | Anytime | Works day/night, best all-rounder |
| 20m | Daytime | F2 layer propagation peaks |
| 17m | Daytime | Similar to 20m |
| 15m | Mid-day (solar max) | Needs strong ionization |
| 12m | Daytime | Similar to 17m |
| 10m | Daytime (solar max) | Dead during solar minimum |
Making Your First HF Contact
Start here: 40m or 20m during their prime times
Step-by-step:
- Listen first: Spend 30 minutes just listening to understand the rhythm
- Find a CQ: Someone calling “CQ CQ CQ this is W1ABC”
- Wait for their call to end: Don’t step on them
- Give your call once: “W1ABC this is [your callsign]”
- Keep it simple: Exchange signal report, name, location
- Say thanks and 73: Don’t overthink it
Calling CQ yourself:
- Find a clear frequency
- Ask “Is this frequency in use?”
- Wait 5 seconds
- Call CQ 3 times: “CQ CQ CQ this is [callsign] [callsign] calling CQ”
DX Operating Etiquette
DX means “distance” - contacts outside your country.
When you hear rare DX:
- Don’t call on their frequency: They’re probably listening “up” (higher frequency)
- Listen for the pattern: “Listening 5 up” means 5 kHz higher
- Call once: Give your full callsign once and listen
- Be patient: Rare DX gets hundreds of calls
Exam Tip: Questions ask about “split operation” - transmit and receive on different frequencies.
Common Exam Questions About HF Privileges
The General exam tests your knowledge of HF privileges heavily. Here’s what to expect:
Question Type 1: Frequency Limits
Example: “What is the upper frequency limit of the General Class phone segment on 20 meters?”
Answer: 14.350 MHz (the band edge)
Study tip: Memorize the phone segment boundaries for 80m, 40m, 20m, 15m - these are tested most.
Question Type 2: Mode Restrictions
Example: “Which emission modes may be used in the General Class portion of the 40-meter band between 7.025 and 7.125 MHz?”
Answer: CW, RTTY, and data (no phone below 7.125 MHz)
Study tip: Know where phone privileges start on each band.
Question Type 3: Power Limits
Example: “What is the maximum power output for General Class stations on the 7.100 MHz frequency?”
Answer: 200 watts PEP (it’s in the Technician segment)
Study tip: Remember 200W applies to lower portions of 80m, 40m, and 15m.
Question Type 4: LSB vs USB
Example: “Which sideband is typically used for SSB voice operation on 14.250 MHz?”
Answer: Upper sideband (above 10 MHz always uses USB)
Study tip: Below 10 MHz = LSB, above 10 MHz = USB.
Question Type 5: Band Sharing
Example: “On which HF bands does a Technician licensee have phone privileges?”
Answer: 10 meters only (28.300-28.500 MHz)
Study tip: Techs have limited HF - only 10m phone and some CW segments.
Study Resources to Master HF Privileges
Quick Reference Charts
Create or print these for study:
- Band chart with General privileges highlighted
- Mode restrictions for each band
- Power limits by frequency segment
Practice Questions
Focus on these subelements:
- G1: Commission’s Rules (covers privileges, power limits)
- G2: Operating Procedures (covers band plans, practices)
Use our General Class practice mode and filter by these topics.
Hands-On Learning
The best way to learn privileges is to use them:
- Listen to HF bands with a WebSDR (online receiver)
- Note where you hear SSB vs CW vs digital
- Observe which frequencies are busy vs quiet
WebSDR resources:
- WebSDR.org - Multiple receivers worldwide
- Tune to 14.074 MHz - you’ll hear FT8 digital mode
- Tune to 14.250 MHz - you’ll hear SSB voice contacts
Your HF Operating Checklist
Before you transmit on HF for the first time, verify:
- ✅ Frequency is within your General privileges
- ✅ Mode is allowed on this frequency
- ✅ Power doesn’t exceed limits (check if you’re in a Technician segment)
- ✅ You’re using correct sideband (LSB below 10 MHz, USB above)
- ✅ Frequency isn’t occupied (listen first!)
- ✅ Your antenna is tuned (check SWR)
Beyond the Exam: Real-World HF Operating
Once you pass General and get on HF, you’ll discover:
Band Conditions Change
- Propagation varies daily: 20m might be dead today, amazing tomorrow
- Solar cycle matters: We’re heading toward solar maximum (good news!)
- Check propagation forecasts: Use DXWatch or PSKReporter
Band Plans Are Voluntary But Important
The FCC sets mode restrictions (CW-only segments, etc.), but hams also follow voluntary band plans:
- DX windows (don’t call CQ here - it’s for working DX)
- Digital mode frequencies (FT8 at .074, PSK31 at .070)
- QRP calling frequencies (low power contacts)
- Emergency frequencies (leave clear)
Not following band plans won’t get you an FCC violation, but it will annoy other operators.
Logging Your Contacts
Track your HF contacts for:
- Awards (DXCC, WAS, etc.)
- Confirming contacts (QSL cards or LoTW)
- Your own progress and memories
Free logging software:
Ready to Get on the Air?
HF privileges are complex on paper, but they make sense once you start operating. The key points to remember:
- General gets most of each HF band - just not the prime DX segments Extra has
- Phone segments are in the upper portion of each band
- CW works anywhere, digital modes usually share CW segments
- Power limits drop to 200W in shared Technician segments
- Each band has optimal times - 20m daytime, 80m nighttime, 40m anytime
Start your HF journey today:
- Practice General Class Questions - Master the rules
- Take a Mock Exam - Test your knowledge
- Review Your Mistakes - Focus on weak areas
- Explore Other Guides - Deepen your understanding
The HF bands are waiting. Time to make some noise (legally).
73!