Restricted Frequencies

[ricko54]

Being 100% new to this hobby and just having received my Technicians license, I understand that there are frequencies that I am not allowed to transmit on. Listen to, yes.

So if I sit in front of my transceiver and spin the dial, all the different frequencies flash before my eyes on the display, how do I know that wherever the dial stops that that specific frequency isn't a restricted frequency for me?

Are restricted frequencies listed somewhere that I can print them all out? Is it customary for a Technician to sit with this list of restricted frequencies next to his radio at his ready in order to look up each frequency he stops on to see whether or not it is restricted for him/her?

 

[ofd8001]

My best guess is that if you look at the frequencies that would be covered by a scanner, such as in the manual, those should be construed as "legal to monitor" frequencies, all others being FCC restricted.

I believe that before the FCC approves a radio product, the manufacturer has to show the radio is engineered to prevent monitoring those "restricted" frequencies. (Personal communication devices, etc.) So any FCC listed radio should be blocked against reception of those frequencies. You might possibly see numbers on the dial, but they really don't work.

 

[u2brent]

ARRL has a downloadable pdf doc that breaks down each band and who's got permissions for what segment of each band.

Google Search

Make sure you get the current one..

 

[ScanWI]

A Band Plan can be found here;

http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Regulatory/Band%20Chart/Band%20Chart%20-%2011X17%20Color.pdf

This will tell you, based on your license class, if you can transmit or not.

If you want more detailed band plan, not just showing privileges here is their suggested plan.

Band Plan

The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is the national association for amateur radio, connecting hams around the U.S. with news, information and resources.

www.arrl.org

 

[nd5y]

There is no list of "restricted" frequencies. It's the exact opposite.
A Technician class license allows you to transmit on certain frequencies which are listed in the ARRL band chart and 97.301.

 

[jwt873]

There are also "agreed upon" modes within the different bandplans that you can transmit on..'. These agreements are there to keep order.

For instance, on two meters, the bandplan links provided above show that a tech can transmit over most of the two meter band... But, there are frequencies set aside on two meters for repeater inputs, and repeater outputs and non-repeater simplex operation. The low end of the VHF/UHF bands are generally reserved for those who do moonbounce, work satellites and those who use SSB, and CW. Here's an example of the U.S. two meter bandplan: http://www.w3ach.org/Docs/DloadsDocs/2MBandPlan.pdf

 

[ladn]

So if I sit in front of my transceiver and spin the dial, all the different frequencies flash before my eyes on the display, how do I know that wherever the dial stops that that specific frequency isn't a restricted frequency for me?

As stated in the above posts, look at the band plan or ARRL guide. Part of your licensing requirement and study material were authorized frequencies (for transmitting), so you might want to review that part of your study guide.

Depending on what transceiver you have, the radio may prevent you from transmitting out of band.

As far as I recall, the only frequencies "restricted" from monitoring are the cell phone frequencies. In reality, even if you could tune these frequencies (they're blocked on modern radios sold in the USA), the digital modulation schemes makes it impossible for you to listen in on any conversations. You may be able to tune into other systems, such as the Secret Service or FBI at the high end of the VHF band, but expect most of these comms to be encrypted.

 

[ko6jw_2]

The band plans are a part of what used to be called incentive licensing. The idea was that by upgrading your license you got additional privileges. The band plans also separate modes of transmission. A part of the HF bands is limited to CW for example. In the VHF and UHF spectrum the band has designated segments for repeater inputs and outputs and simplex operation. The ARRL chart referred to above is a must have.

The license in a day classes that many people take seem to skip over these details.

Welcome to ham radio.

 

[SurgePGH]

Not to discourage anyone or be rude but isn't this included in the question pool any longer?
This was all covered and required that we learn this back when I took the test. Did they drop it?
Just curious more than anything.

 

[AK9R]

Not to discourage anyone or be rude but isn't this included in the question pool any longer?

They are still there.

You can download the entire Element 2 (Technican) question pool from the NCVEC web site at: NCVEC - 2018-2022 Technician Question Pool Release

Group T1B in the pool covers authorized frequencies, frequency allocations, emission modes, spectrum sharing, band edges, power output, etc. There are 12 questions in group T1B. There 67 questions in subelement T1 and 6 exam questions are supposed to be drawn from that subelement. Bottom line is that, depending on the randomness with which those 6 questions were selected, any individual exam could have no questions about authorized frequencies or frequency allocations. But, if someone has studied to pass the test, you'd think they would have been exposed to those questions even if they weren't on the test they took.

 

[W5lz]

Sounds like some one has no idea what their privileges are, or how to go about finding out. That makes me think that if I were the VEC I would ask for a retest.

 

[pb_lonny]

I would expect this would have been covered in your test?

 

[ricko54]

Sounds like some one has no idea what their privileges are, or how to go about finding out. That makes me think that if I were the VEC I would ask for a retest.

Paul, that's just what I'm doing, asking the question to find the answer! I thought that was what this forum was about to answer questions and to promote the hobby? It's probably a good thing that you are not the VEC.

 

[W5lz]

Knowing what it entails I don't miss being a VEC at all. I do sort of admire those who are VECs but not enough to do it again. I don't think I'm all that strict, but I certainly do think everyone should adhere to the rules. If adhering to the rules means that someone doesn't get what they want, well, that's just too bad. Nothing says they can't re-take the test and follow the rules. That applies to the VEs too. I never failed anyone taking a test, they fail themselves.
Testing is one way of finding out if someone knows and understands something enough to do it. That's something that applies to hams, nurses, doctors, pilots and the list goes on and on. Do you think there's something wrong with that?

 

[slicerwizard]

Paul, that's just what I'm doing, asking the question to find the answer!

Something wrong with using Google and the ARRL's website? I guess it's easier to just ask strangers (and blindly trust their answers).

 

[ko6jw_2]

Let's give him a break. He wants an answer. He knows that he needs information and we should give it to him. Don't blame the VEC's they just give the tests and he passed. They're not the Spanish Inquisition. He answered 70% of 35 questions correctly. Unfortunately that doesn't mean that you know everything. However, he's aware of that and we should be glad that he asked.

 

[WA0CBW]

The ARRL web site has charts that identify what bands and frequencies are available for your class of license. It also shows what part of the frequencies are set aside for the various modes (CW, Sideband, AM, FM etc.). You can also find what frequencies are used for repeaters, satellite, weak signal etc.) I would not look at it as what is "restricted" but what I am allowed for my license class. Usually the grouping is a "band" of frequencies and not a particular frequency. There are individual frequencies that may have certain modes and function but they are more common practice than restricted.
May I suggest "an app" for that? There are many apps available that can provide that information. I would not condem you for not having them memorized as long as you know how to find them before you transmit.
Bill

 

[pb_lonny]

I think the heading really is the whole point "Restricted Frequencies"

Should it not have been from the point of view of what he CAN use, not what he CAN'T....

 

[WA0CBW]

pb_lonny .......I think we said the same thing.
Bill

 

[bill4long]

Paul, that's just what I'm doing, asking the question to find the answer! I thought that was what this forum was about to answer questions and to promote the hobby? It's probably a good thing that you are not the VEC.

Ignore the snarky naysayers. You're not at fault if the tests are adequate or not. If if you read about it somewhere and forgot. You're doing that right thing by asking questions. There are plenty of us around who will be glad to help you.