T1B06: On which HF bands does a Technician class operator have phone privileges

Q: On which HF bands does a Technician class operator have phone privileges?

The correct answer is B: 10 meter band only. The correct answer is B: 10 meter band only. Technician class operators have phone (voice) privileges on the 10-meter band only among all HF bands. According to FCC Part 97.305, Technicians can use phone modes on 28.300-28.500 MHz, which is part of the 10-meter band. While Technician licensees have CW (Morse code) and data privileges on portions of other HF bands (80m, 40m, 15m, and 10m), they only have phone privileges on 10 meters. This makes the 10-meter band particularly valuable for Technician operators who want to experience HF voice communications. The 10-meter band can provide excellent long-distance contacts during good propagation conditions, sometimes spanning thousands of miles with relatively simple equipment.

Updated: Dec 9, 2025 | Source: 2022-2026 Question Pool | Topic: T1B

T1B06T1B

On which HF bands does a Technician class operator have phone privileges?

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Deep Dive: T1B06

The correct answer is B: 10 meter band only. Technician class operators have phone (voice) privileges on the 10-meter band only among all HF bands. According to FCC Part 97.305, Technicians can use phone modes on 28.300-28.500 MHz, which is part of the 10-meter band. While Technician licensees have CW (Morse code) and data privileges on portions of other HF bands (80m, 40m, 15m, and 10m), they only have phone privileges on 10 meters. This makes the 10-meter band particularly valuable for Technician operators who want to experience HF voice communications. The 10-meter band can provide excellent long-distance contacts during good propagation conditions, sometimes spanning thousands of miles with relatively simple equipment.

Why Other Answers Are Wrong

Option A: Incorrect. Technicians do have phone privileges, but only on the 10-meter band, not on all HF bands. Option C: Incorrect. While Technicians have some privileges on 80m, 40m, and 15m, these are limited to CW and data modes, not phone. Only 10 meters has phone privileges for Technicians. Option D: Incorrect. The 30-meter band (10.100-10.150 MHz) is CW and data only for all license classes - no phone privileges exist on this band.

Exam Tip

Technician HF phone = 10 meters only. Remember: Technicians can use voice on HF, but only on 10 meters. All other HF bands are CW/data only for Techs.

Memory Aid

**T**echnician **H**F **P**hone = **T**en meters **O**nly (think 'THP = TO' = Ten Only)

Real-World Example

You're a Technician licensee with an HF transceiver. You want to make a voice contact on HF, so you tune to 28.400 MHz in the 10-meter phone segment. You make a contact with a station in California from your location in New York - over 2,500 miles away! This is possible because 10 meters is the only HF band where you have phone privileges as a Technician.

Source & Coverage

Question Pool: 2022-2026 Question Pool

Subelement: T1B

Reference: FCC Part 97.305

Key Concepts

FCC Part 97.305 Technician HF privileges 10-meter phone HF voice communications

Verified Content

Question from the official FCC Technician Class pool. Explanation reviewed by licensed amateur radio operators and mapped to the T1B topic.