New Technician HF Privileges Defined: ARRL board accepts final recommendations of the Band Planning Committee

(Source: ARRL News)

During this session, the [ARRL] Board took the following actions:

Accepted the final recommendations of the Band Planning Committee. Committee chair and ARRL First Vice President Mike Raisbeck, K1TWF, introduced the motion to adopt the plan. An earlier draft of the plan was introduced at the Board’s in-person January meeting. After the January Board meeting, the Committee received and considered hundreds of comments from interested amateurs. The final band plan can be viewed on the ARRL website.

The new plan only applies to the HF band and makes no changes to 160 and 60 meters. A couple other notes from the accepted plan:

  • No changes to CW allocations throughout all amateur bands
  • RTTY and all other narrowband, non-ACDS modes permitted wherever data
    modes are allowed

As you read through the changes, keep in mind that the new plan addresses expanded Technician HF privileges and also re-defines ACDS (Automatically Controlled Digital Stations) allocations among other modifications.

Technicians will be happy to note they’ll have new phone and image privileges on 80 meters (3,900 – 4,000 kHz), 40 meters (7,225 – 7,300), and 15 meters (21,350 – 21,450 kHz).

Click here to download a PDF of the accepted (final) proposed plan.

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102 thoughts on “New Technician HF Privileges Defined: ARRL board accepts final recommendations of the Band Planning Committee

  1. Raven

    I appreciate your remarks… Yes, it is very sad that the “political climate” I’ve experienced seems to be somewhat widespread. The 3 clubs I visited were in different regions of the country, all being very ‘clicky’ and unwilling to welcome newcomers. As the FCC continues to sell off portions of the various amateur frequency spectrums, one would think those being unaccepted to newcomers would realize that there is strength in numbers. However, I find their ego gets in the way of this aspect. Sad really, as it will eventually be the demise of this hobby. Again, thank you for being one that seems to welcome rather than exclude. 73s.

    Reply
    1. Raven

      Wanted to come clean on my last post… Thought I’d get complaints about closing using the CB term of 73s vs the ham closing of 73. Guess I need to let my bitterness settle and realize not everyone is a problem in ham radio – i e. Thomas is a good example of the positive side of those involved in ham radio. I really enjoy the hobby, so standing down a bit, and later will be looking for other avenues to imerse in this hobby. Apologies for my attitude. 73 to all, and happy holidays.

      Reply
  2. Raven

    Did 25 years as a Comm Tech at NASA and got my Technician class license in the 90s to help with (give insight to) configuring a VHF Ham system at our ground station in support of the MIR space station. And yes, it worked great… I also have a FCC GROL and am a private pilot, so I know how to take tests. After over 31 years at NASA, I retired and wanted to get back into amateur radio. Even back in the day, I tried to get involved in a couple of Ham clubs with the same exclusive cold tone others have noted. At the time it wasn’t a big loss because my job provided me with a full time involvement in comm. However, being retired now that avenue is gone, so I attempted to contact a local club, and bought a General license study guide. Again, ignored by the local club… So, shipped my study guide back to Amazon so consider me done with this endeavor. Ham radio is dying because those that could inspire would rather belittle and exclude. Enjoy talking to yourself some day.

    Reply
    1. Thomas Post author

      I am really sorry to hear about your experience. Clubs are really hit and miss. I belong to two clubs here in western NC and I can tell you that your experience would have been completely different. Both of these clubs actively engage newcomers, welcoming them and even helping to install antennas, etc.

      Then there are those like you experience and I’m sorry that was your intro to ham radio.

      Reply
      1. Raven

        My last post was to you…the reply button didn’t acknowledge this… Thanks again for your thoughts and I wish you well. Happy Holidays to all.

        Reply
  3. Joe

    Yep its very Dead on Two Meters now, Everyone moved to Digital , Once again Another Radio needs to be bought . As far as the Tech License I am one KM6MNS , I found the entire Two meter Deal along with 70 CM to be very boring , I have even looked back into CB at least people talk. Also I kind of enjoy GMRS .

    At the Very least they should give us ten meters .. But that wont happen as the Old Farts who chased us off of Two Meters and 70 CM will never allow Techs to talk on 80 meter . We are not worthy .

    Reply
  4. Jake

    As a fairly young Tech (25) of about 2 years, VHF was fun for a few months until i realized i was only making 4 or 5 contacts a week and it was the same people. all the luster faded quick when i set out on field day with both a homemade generator and vhf radio and sat there for hours hearing silence. everyone was on HF. That right there killed my interest in the hobby. id love to be able to take a QRP radio and go on the local mountainside and see who i can talk to worlds away. But i cant. I have to go take another test and still have old timers (not all but the majority ive met) look down on me and not allow me to participate. They change their tune when they needs someone to update their Windows XP shack computer but dont extend the same respect when they dont need help and I do.

    Its just not fun listening to silence. its not fun to be bullied out of the hobby by a few old guard that would rather die clutching a band with a sign saying “no new folk allowed” then allow the hobby to grow with the next generation.

    I saw this post and for the first time in a long time i got excited about radio again. I agree with this decision. people dont need incentives the romance of the hobby alone is incentive enough. i wasnt required to learn morse to get my tech but i learned it anyway because its wonderful. most people will do the same.

    If the old guard doesnt embrace change and keeps pushing people out, the hobby will die in the next few years and the fcc will chop up the band to someone that will actually use it.

    Reply
  5. Randall Reihing

    A few years ago I earned my Technician and then my General license. A lot of study complementing my USAF training and work experience. A very good friend and active ham operator became my mentor (Elmer). As a pilot and aircraft owner I also joined the local EAA club. My first meeting at the EAA club was no different than my first meeting at the local Toledo radio club. In both clubs not one person said hello, greeted me, or welcomed me. There seemed to be zero interest in either club or interest, to expand the membership beyond the established base. As I was leaving the EAA meeting at it’s conclusion, having decided to never return, one member saw me departing, called out to me, introduced himself, asked for my name and asked if I was a new member. When he found out I was a visitor he walked me over to the President, introduced me and asked if I would like to become a member. I did and joined on the spot. If not for that singular effort I would have never returned to enjoy the years of membership I have. At the very next meeting more members said hello and I was made to feel welcome. The same initial zero contact experience happened at the local Toledo Ham Radio club’s meeting I attended. Proud of having earned my new General license, I approached the President at the front table well before the meeting began, waited quietly for an opportunity and introduced myself as a visitor interested in becoming a member. He never even looked up and said visitor introductions would be at a later time. Some 20-30 minutes later he asked if they had any visitors. I raised my hand, was asked for my name and then he moved on. No welcome. Nothing. I then attended their Field Day. Not one person even spoke to me. I wandered around looking for someone to engage in conversation and watched two guys engaged in making a radio contact, but they were all too busy with their projects, and each other, to even say hello. I sent an email to that radio club’s VP and received a reply informing me that I needed to make an effort to reach out to the members, and volunteer to help out on a project, if I wanted to fit in. In other words, it was on me to break the ice in a room full of strangers who did not even make eye contact when I approached one of their groups. I pointed out I had tried and was still being ignored and had noticed in the history of the club their membership had declined from 180 to around 120 in the past five years. Maybe if they made a greater effort to recognize and welcome visitors those numbers could be reversed. After two meetings, and one Field Day, I never returned. I then attended two meetings at a different, smaller, ham radio club some 24 miles away in a small nearby city, with the same exact experience. I don’t know what it is about ham radio people but with the single exception of my ham radio mentor and Elmer, they are a very closed in group and this many explain why the membership in various clubs appears to be declining. Back at the EAA Club and during this same year, after that first experience I attended subsequent meetings and a few members, but not one officer, introduced themselves and I began to make connections. I finally met the club’s President, volunteered to help in some way, and was signed up to a committee project. I became active in several club projects and activities and eventually helped form a committee to seek out and welcome visitors at the very beginning of each meeting, presenting each one with the club’s most recent newsletter and asking them to introduce themselves and what their aviation interests were. The EAA Clubs membership was growing and with a new President, began making a very active effort to reach out and attract new members and welcome them when they did attend a meeting. If the two ham radio clubs I had tried to break the ice in had made even a token effort, especially during Field Day, I would still be involved. My General license is still active, KE8DQV, and I have made contacts with my mobile Yaesu radio in my truck. But even that is difficult and takes a lot of effort. For clubs to be successful, it really is all about making the effort to welcome visitors and make them feel you are glad to see them. it should not be on the visitor to have to make the effort to walk around and introduce yourself to a room full of total strangers, hoping someone will take an interest. That is not the way to promote membership growth and eventually will always end the same way. Members age, lose interest and the club fades into the sunset.

    Reply
    1. Thomas Post author

      Thank you for sharing that Randall.

      I’ve traveled a lot in my years and lived in a number of states and countries. I’ve been a first-time visitor at many ham radio clubs.

      I always assume I’ll get the response you got at your clubs. I make an effort myself and it might yield some results. In probably haf of the meeting I’ve attended, it’s like people were afraid to talk to the newcomer. Many of the members (you could tell) had the same routine for every single meeting: go there and chat with the same friends before meeting, do club business, listen to a presentation, disband, chat with the same people, and leave. It can be very clicky. I’ve even had this experience as a guest presenter!

      Then again, I’ve been to meetings more like your EAA. Someone would reach out, introduce me to some of the officers, get my info, discover what I’m interested in, then introduce me to others who share my particular interest.

      It really varies with ham clubs and I’ve always believed that radio people tend to be a bit introverted especially when face-to-face. Even the chatty ones on the radio seem avoidant in real life.

      Sorry your experience turned out that way. I can tell you that you would be most welcome and engaged in the two clubs I frequent here in WNC. They’ve both got a great ethic about welcoming newcomers and making them family.

      Thanks again for sharing this!
      Thomas
      K4SWL

      Reply
  6. Joe

    To the guys that feel tech do not belong on 40 meter .. Don’t worry the FCC will never get to dealing with this ..
    As for me I will probably just let my license go because its so boring on Two Meter and 70 CM ..
    Not much going on on the six meter band also ..
    The Hobby is dying and yet the old guys want to keep us out.

    Oh well I will sell my Yeasu 818 and change all of my other radios over to GMRS .

    Reply
  7. Jamie W9JTC

    This kind of pissed me off. The reason is I had to work hard to get my General. I wasn’t about to just memorize the test. I wanted it for the HF band. At least 20 meters is off limits as that is where the serious DX is. There are enough obnoxious Extras there that run more than legal limit and step on everyone else. I agree that 10 should have been totally opened to technicians. But 80 meters?!? Get ready people because the old guard is going make things interesting. They chase off any “no coders” on “their” frequencies. All I can say is 40 is going to become a mess for awhile. That was a great band for rag chew and friendly nets. If you want HF you should have to get the general. My 2 cents.

    Reply
    1. Eugene J Pack

      Not all of us techs are no code techs. I was a tech+ until code requirement was removed. Then I was downgraded to a tech. I’m happy with where I am for what I do. 10 meters for techs would be nice but I dont think it will happen.

      Reply
  8. Joe Martinez

    As a Tech licensed back in 2017 I has some fun talking with a friend of mine from time to time.
    But I felt it was rather boring after looking at the Two Meter and 70 CM and nothing going on all around the country I started to hope that this would happen. At least on 80 meter and 40 Meter that are people talking.
    It is silence our here on Two Meter and 70 CM ..

    For me it was like take another test ? No I moved over to GMRS .
    At least people talk on those radios.

    Reply
    1. Steve-O

      So, when will this ho into effect? After the FCC approves it, or are we at that point already? There isn’t much around the internet yet regarding this happening I see.

      Reply
  9. Gus

    What most old-fart-elitists don’t seem to be able to fathom, or perhaps they are just too selfish to realize is that the hobby is rapidly dying. As a whole we are not a very welcoming lot to any newcomer. I had this exact experience, The extra was such a simple test, taking all 3 as a one-shot was easy. New license in hand, I showed up at club meetings for 4 dif local clubs. Completely ignored by 2, obviously shunned by one, and tolerated by the 3rd. Lol, you people think this is how you get/keep people in the hobby? I came from the world of drones, an amateur license for my video transmitter use was needed. I became interested in the whole of amateur radio, but was rapidly turned off by the “mainstream members” in the hobby. Bunch of old farts that really don’t want to share anything with anyone.

    All it takes is a few hours of listening to local VHF repeaters to realize that is not going to keep anyone interested in the hobby. 10m, what a joke. This hobby is competing with far more advanced technology, in a race to hold young people’s interest. Anyone under 50 grew up with technology, we are far more comfortable creating our own “things” than generations past. There is enough potential to make amateur radio viable, well, once you get past dealing with frustrated, selfish people… but VHF isn’t going to keep anyone around for long. I guess it is up to the dinosaurs, start being welcoming/sharing, or well, go the way of past dinosaurs.

    Reply
    1. Milt

      OK, Gus. Let me see if I understand your complaint.
      You are someone who is good at memorizing tests and passing them. Not everyone is. Most people work hard on all of the tests — especially the Extra. Some actually work at understanding what the answers mean.
      So you walk into room full of strangers and tell them that anyone off the street could could pass all three of their tests in one sitting and why aren’t all of them Extras. Some of those folks, Gus, had to demonstrate Morse code proficiency to the FCC at 20 words per minute before they were allowed to take the Extra test. They were just remembering what mom taught them: “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything.”
      So what do you have to offer a club besides arrogance? Are you a VE? If not, why not? That’s the number one way for an Extra to be useful and pay some dues. Are they teaching license classes? Did you ask if you can help? Does someone need help with tutoring, maybe with test-taking skills? Do they have a regular program at their meetings? Maybe they would like to hear about drones and ham radio.
      You came to their meetings thinking you know what they should be. Next time try finding out what they are about. Be generous with your time and talents on their projects. Listen a lot and talk little. Don’t judge them by one meeting and give them a better you to judge.
      Ham radio like any volunteer activity has its share of jerks and wannabees. They probably mistook you for one of those.

      Reply
  10. James A Spruyt

    I realize this is a stale thread but I just wanted to comment since I just passed my General Exam last Saturday. I have been a Technician for 29 years. I had maybe 2 QSO’s during that time. 10 meters?? Why bother when there is way more DXers on 11 meters. I always felt that hams were too uptight and would jump your sh!t if you made a protocol mistake. On 11 meters there are many hams (shhhh, it’s a secret). You can spot one immediately. You can be professional with no worries about making a mistake.
    Due to the above reasons I never bought an antenna that could actually receive the HF bands. Now that I have a Comet CHA-250B my eyes have been opened. I never realized how much activity there is!!! If I was allowed on 20,40,80 meters back in the day I would have been hooked. Even if it was the tiniest sliver at the very end of the band.
    During my second QSO a ham used the Lord’s name in vain out of nowhere in between transmissions. I know it was directed at me. Well, years ago that would have turned me off once again. I don’t need it and I won’t put up with it. Since I purchased my antenna and was listening for 2 weeks before I passed the general I could hear that 99% of hams are great guy’s so I was not deterred. Interestingly I have not heard another /AG station identify even though I listen to nets all day from my recliner. I consider myself a youngster at age 58. Amateur radio better get its act together soon.

    Reply
  11. Joseph A Vega

    … – – – …, … – – – …, … – – – …, … – – – …, … – – – …, … – – – …, … – – – …, … – – – …, … – – – …, … – – – …, … – – – …, … – – – …, … – – – …, … – – – …, … – – – …, … – – – …, … – – – …, … – – – …, … – – – …, … – – – …, … – – – …, … – – – …, … – – – …, … – – – …, … – – – …, … – – – …, … – – – …, … – – – …, … – – – …, … – – – …, … – – – …, … – – – …, … – – – …, … – – – …, … – – – …, … – – – …, … – – – …, … – – – …,

    Get the picture?

    73s,
    W2ALN

    Reply
    1. Indrid Cold

      I am still waiting to get my license until there are more entry level privileges. I just have not much interest in vhf, or uhf. I guess I could get the entry level license now and just use 10 metres.

      Reply
  12. Joseph A Vega

    …—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…,…—…

    Get the picture?

    Reply
    1. Michael Black

      Morse code is an audio language. You’ve just made the beginner’s mistake that one can learn the code by using a lookup table.

      Reply
      1. Ron F

        “ellipsis em-dash ellipsis”, repeated over and over? You sure they’re not just a very hesitant fan of Chicago style, with a stammer? 😉

        Reply
  13. ThaDood

    Whelp… My $0.02 worth would be to give the Techs the whole 10M band, like they did with 6M, but have them upgrade for the rest of the HF spectrum. Other-wise, what would really be the incentive to upgrade to Generals, then to Extras?

    Reply
    1. Randall W Carson

      Technician Class will have greater incentive to upgrade once they experience a small slice of the HF bands. I’m trying to figure out how I’m going to upgrade. Medical reasons I get words backwards and part of one word swaps with parts of the next word(s). Had my eggs scrambled with a Defibrillator.

      Reply
        1. Steve kd4ttc

          I have a little tentec Argosy still in the basement I bought used like 30 years ago. The little bit on just one band wasnt’ worth it. I really wanted to have access to more bands. For me a little sliver on several bands with differing propagation characteristics would make it worthwhile. Years ago I passed the tech exam and even scored the general, but Morse was required back then and I had Zero interest in that. Then life got in the way. Anyway, a little bit of several is psychologically more incentivizing. Personally I’d have been happy with less bandwidth on the new bands. And I see I still can’t get on 17 or 20. That;s a pretty good reason to upgrade, as I understand from those bands characteristics. Another reason to allow the additional bands is so that a Tech can buy an IC-7300 and do more than just fiddle on 10 meters.

          Reply
        2. Indrid Cold

          Unfortunately, 10 meters is mostly closed due to three different solar minimum cycles converging at once. It might as well be just CB radio with the way it is closed up so hard. The few times it does open are spectacular. But it happens very seldom. When do the new technician previlege begin? I may get my license now that it is worth it. I was never really interested in VHF and UHf.,

          Reply
        3. John Carpenter

          Haven’t heard one person in that frequency range since I purchased a HF transceiver in the past year. I have done radio checks and have received no replies. Got my Technician license in February of 2014. Born in 1958 and retired in 2018. I’ll probably test for a General in the next year, but giving people a small slice of the more popular bands would get them more interested in the hobby.

          Actually I have to shake my head at those that think the bands are going to become congested and everything is being given away. I can afford a basic entry level transceiver, but not everyone has $1,000 – $4,000 and up to spend on a transceiver let alone the antenna(s), yard space and other accessories needed. Hopefully by giving a slice of the popular bands it will get more people interested in the hobby and after having a taste of those bands they will want to upgrade their license. Yes, people have worked to get their higher level licenses, but to keep new people interested in the hobby you need to give them a real taste of some of the bands. 10 meters is dead the majority of the time.

          Navy veteran worked in federal law enforcement agencies for over 34 years. N5BYB

          Reply
      1. Milt

        Randall,
        Your VE team can accommodate for a perceptual problem such as you describe. Ask to have an examiner sit with you and read the questions with you, just as we would do for a visually impaired applicant.

        Reply
  14. Todd, N7TRK

    Those that are so ingrained to think that allowing Tech’s to use more HF is bad need to spend more time on 2m/70cm to realize HAM radio is dying. I remember when I got my Tech and then Tech+ (which was quickly dropped back to Tech by the FCC) in Reno, NV in the early 90’s. At that time 2m/70cm was kicking nicely. Just 10 years later moving to Dallas, TX and visiting back in Reno, the repeaters were pretty dead. Dallas had a little more activity, but not much. Today it’s all practically dead. I used to drive 45 minutes to/from my office in the wee hours of the morning from Dallas to McKinney. I ID’d almost every day. I think in a year I had two or three total conversations, other than that the air waves were dead (all available repeaters). I lost interest in HAM radio when I moved from Reno to Dallas, but have dabbled in it from time to time. There simply isn’t much to motivate me to advance my license. I do plan to retire in a little over two years on my land at 7,000ft in the middle of no-where. This has somewhat caught my interest again – will my old Kenwood TS-530S still operate? I’m looking to get it checked out, though finding a qualified HAM to take a look at it and tune it up has become very difficult. Still, if I can get on HF, even a bit more than the previous limited amount, that would motivate me to advance. The funny part is I have no problem with the addition of more phone privileges for lower class licenses, while at the same time I believe that the dropping of code wasn’t necessary. When nothing else can get through, code can. Give us more phone privs and now that code is dropped, at least encourage it.

    Reply
  15. Dan

    I actually disagree with everyone saying that the technician license holders shouldn’t have more HF privileges. I’m a technician class holder just got my license 2 weeks ago. And I definitely think there should be some HF privilege expansion. Not a lot but some. My opinion having those HF privileges expanded a little bit would really motivate me to get my general class.

    Reply
    1. Gustav

      Dan, I completely agree with you. If the whole hobby is to survive, expanding the numbers operating is the single most critical thing we must do.

      The restrictions to VHF are a relic of the days long gone. With new equipment, there is very little chance of causing problems for other services in most bands. Keeping restrictions on 630, 2200, and 60m are likely a good idea at this point, but those are not typical bands technician-type operators would ever use.

      Reply
      1. Michael Black

        The US Technician license was originally 220MHz and up. It had the same test as the General class license, except a 5WPM code test. It was intended for experimenting. It took a while before 6M and 2M (orginal just a segment of 2M) were allowed for Technicians.

        Slowly this eroded, the testing simp!ified and some HF alliwed, and then it became the entry level license, rather than the Novice.

        Reply
  16. Kilroy was here

    This is great I’d like to add my two cents, On an average night on HF i can count about 40 to 60 guys on all the bands, Now on the digital modes there are around 2000+ on Fusion DMR & D-star, FT8 has grown into a firestorm, This has to do with making things more simple, No giant antennas to worry about, No need for a amp Or a $3k transceiver, It’s not CW or SSb but its clean contacts without some retard playing music or recording people and replaying it over & over again, The techs act more human than the people on HF, Plus most of rejects all hang out in the same places, So little spots is by no way going to rain on your parade. In fact there are older hams using the digital modes now more than ever, So how & when you took your test is something you can be proud of. And gives you bragging rights. But soon we will become {SK} and no one will care what happens to radio, So just let it happen you will survive just like the changes that has taken place before, –.. …-.

    Reply
    1. Dave

      I’m not against this proposal. My comment is, if you only count 40-60 people on all hf bands combined at night, you need to do some antenna work.

      Reply
  17. K4CCP

    Whiners remember… you were the low man at one time. we all were. this change is for the better. we as a hobby need to push for change so we can keep the spectrum. if you are an extra, mentor someone and help them out. That should be the goal.

    Reply
    1. mike

      Thats part of the problem the extras i know dont know any more than the techs so how can they be a mentor i have been a tech for 30 years and know more ham radio stuff than they do…..

      Reply
  18. Bruce Palmer

    I’m a tech and don’t understand all the complaining, as just listening to people talking who when looked up on QRZ as extras, that don’t know the answer to questions that I knew the answer to before I got my ticket. I guess my question to the complainers is, how did they get their extra ticket or basically for SOME extras, what makes them more privileged then atleast a general.

    I have an ic7300 and 9700 and intend on getting general and extra whether it changes or not. So all i have to say is, quit complaining this is not the 20th century anymore, you have to move with the times or watch the hobby go down the tubes.

    Reply
    1. Thomas Post author

      This now goes to the FCC. I wouldn’t expect an acceptance from them for months especially since most at the agency are working from home.

      Reply
  19. Joe Jordan

    Agree ham was on its last leg, new techs have Increased the interest most on 2meters some on 10 more freq space would increase interest, I have never had but 2 hams who were rude, most willing to help

    Reply
  20. Kevin Alewine

    I’m a 63 year old Extra class licensed for 46 years – probably the typical ham you see wandering around hamfests these days. We absolutely need some young blood injected into the hobby, but I’m wondering if granting some voice privileges on 80, 40, and 15 was the solution. Expanding the digital segments of those bands IMO would have had more appeal to a younger generations that prefer texting to talking.

    Reply
    1. Todd Crenshaw

      Actually don’t fret…with this article I’ve already purchased the needed hardware to get my TS-530S back up and running. Plus, I’ve regained interest in re-learning code as well as advancing my license. Once this plan is approved I’ll get back on the air, listen and learn from the long time HF HAM’s. I’m not a young HAM anymore, but the more we can get on the air, the longer we keep our freq. allocation.

      Reply
  21. Anon

    All this whining and complaining from some of the older hams about how unfair it is or how they should just leave things as they are is crazy. This is a big part of the reason why there aren’t more new people to the hobby. The new guys get turned off by their attitudes. Ask yourself a question: If you encountered yourself on the air, would you want to talk to you?

    This is good for the hobby. It will motivate more people to get their licenses and to use those frequencies. Otherwise, they can get sold off to some commerical company.

    Reply
    1. Anonymous

      I am a licensed tech, and I can say that if these new privileges are passed by the FCC, I will get me an HF rig and try it out. Then depending on whether or not I like it enough will depend on testing for my general license. I had no motivation to get my general as I was satisfied with the digital bands as well as my local 2 meter repeaters, but once I try the hf bands out, my mind may change about upgrading so I can expand those privileges. Its a win win in my opinion, because it injects new people into the airwaves for you Elmer’s to teach and us newbies to learn from, plus ensuring that the bands are ours and not sold off. And if I come across someone not too enthusiastic about me being on the bands, my response is i am not your enemy, I am just a small part of the equation in saving our frequencies for future generations. You still have way more privileges than a technician, and I would hope that you would be willing to share your knowledge so I might be motivated to upgrade. A bad attitude will run some people off for sure.

      Reply
      1. Thomas Post author

        And I’m willing to bet, you might go on and grab your General after you get a proper taste of HF. That’s what I like about these changes. They give you a taste so you’ll know if you want to take it further.

        Reply
  22. Chuck Patterson

    The reason they are doing this expansion is to get more
    Hams using the ham bands so our bands won’t be auctioned off by the politicians and actually used for advancement of the hobby. And some of the new digital modes are amazing and more reliable comms than CW
    with error correction and actually recieved below the noise level. Nothing wrong with cw if that’s your thing..
    AA4CP Chuck

    Reply
    1. Mason KE0YYG

      For the record, even though I now have some HF ability, that isn’t going to stop me from getting extra. I’ve been studying for a while now and as a technician I think this is a great way to make more hams want to test for extra or general. I understand your frustrations but pleas understand that not everyone with a tech lisence realizes what they’re missing out on until they get a taste of HF.

      Reply
    2. Daniel KC9HZN

      Techs have had limited HF access since 2006 or so (when they dropped Morse entirely).

      Anyway, I think this is really interesting. While I like the idea of CW, recognize its utility for DXing and QRP, and would really like to freshen up on it (I barely got the 5 WPM for my General before they dropped code completely), giving Technicians access to more HF modes is probably a good thing. Giving Technicians some access to ACDS is a great idea if it means that pirate cruisers will be shamed into getting a license! I mean, I got my ticket at 14, surely they’re smarter than a 14 year old! 😉 (General at 15, I recall. Took me a while to reach Extra.) I don’t feel that this cheapens my Extra class privileges any (other than maybe the changes to 80M voice, but the 80M voice band was oddly huge, and 75M voice has a bit of an unsavory reputation in some parts). If anything, it cheapens General a little, I’d kinda like to see some of the Advanced segments become General or see Advanced licensees upgraded to Extra.

      Reply
    3. Ken Pooler

      I agree with you Totaly, I’m still just a coded General and have been for over 20 years. Worked my butt off for it. I guess I will have to get extra now sence they will taking more of the general part of the band. That is why I am not a ARRL MEMBER

      Reply
      1. Eugene J Pack

        Taking it ? You won’t be allowed to talk there anymore or you one of those lids that look down on others who don’t aspire to your inflated level of importance ?

        Reply
    4. Dennis moore

      Oh,you poor thing.take a valium mr.extra, have a warm cocoa,you’ll still have you’re private extra frequencies so you can perpetuate you’re ,”i busted my butt, so you should too. Grow up old man.
      Dennis Moore

      Reply
  23. Dan

    Any change is good for this hobby. It’s been stagnant for too long and holds little interest with young people any longer.

    Reply
    1. Dan

      CB didnt keep up with the times, either and it’s now dead. Radio technology hasn’t improved in 30 years aside from LEDs.

      Ham radio must change.

      Reply
    2. Tom Servo

      I’ve listened to enough nonsense on 40 and 20 meters over the last few years with my regular old non-ham radio to know that I have zero interest in participating in any of the voice comms that go on these bands NOW. They sound like 2m repeaters did 10-15 years ago when I gave up ever listening to those bands because of all the crap I would hear on any given day.

      Reply
    3. Marcos

      Cb’s is one of the largest growth markets in the wireless industry the past few years. Unlike ham radio. Its dieing man and its about to be takin from us and auctioned off. So whatever it takes to keep it alive. Anything is better then subbcuming to POC.

      Reply
  24. Chris R Kilgus

    I remember taking the Gereral code test of 13 WPM in front of a FCC examiner in 1959. I was scared to death. It seemed much faster than I had practiced. I did not pass that time but I did a couple months later when the exam came back to Cincinnati.

    Extra now, loved radio over the years. 73, AA6MT

    Reply
  25. Richard Marsden II

    I got started when the no code tech got started, I then took the 5words per minute test because I wanted HF privileges finally took the general test and passed currently working on the extra class just because. My call is N7RHV

    Reply
  26. Court

    Just get rid of technician and expand general test. If I had known better last year, I would have studied and taken general same time. Having tech basically useless except for CW on HF.

    Reply
    1. Andrew

      I agree with you, if I had only known how useless my Tech was going to be I would have just gone after General Class. There is nothing to be had in the way of vhf/UHF where I live. I am currently working to upgrade.

      Reply
      1. Dan

        Change was supposed to be the death of ham radio, but what will actually kill it is people like Richard who refuse to see how much the hobby is hurting.

        Reply
        1. Bruce Sommer

          Sorry, this might hurt a few feelings, but life goes on, and so does technology. Up front, I have been a no-code tech since 1991.

          The hard truth, consumer technology has already passed Ham Radio by.

          30 or 40 years ago, people might turn to their nerdy radio friend to help them make their VCR stop flashing midnight, now they are setting up elaborate networked home theater systems on their own. Today, the average person carries more technology on their hip than the entire NASA organization had when they put the first man on the moon!

          Just in the last 5 years, mostly, Ham Radio started to add features to radios, like SD cards and Bluetooth, most consumers have been using that stuff for 10 years.

          75 years ago, if you showed a stary eyed kid how you could make beeping noises (CW) and talk to someone on the other side of the planet, they might be intrigued. Today, that same kid would pull out an iPhone and show you real time color High Definition Facetime video. Then, they would ask you why they should want such archaic nonsense.

          I read a lot of technical forums about Cellular phones, and the stuff these kids know now days, CDMA, GSM, 4G, 5G, Massive MiMo, things about spectrum propogation and antennas for these networks that would make the average 30 WPM CW warrior cringe. (Admittedly, much of that stuff goes over my head too)

          Sorry to say guys, things change, and we are being left behind as the elite nerdy guys. If things don’t change, this hobby will die off with the old geezers (I’m getting there at 58).

          If new people, with new things to do, aren’t there to take over, to be pioneers in radio of a new generation, this hobby will be nothing more than something for history to look back on as those guys that were one step above the cavemen who drew hieroglyphics on the wall.

          Eventually people moved on from spark gap generators to more modern radios. Time for us to step up, or drag our precious hobby to the grave with us.

          Bruce,
          N8ODV

          Reply
          1. Steve kd4ttc

            I agree. Radio used to be hard. Now WiFi and Bluetooth do much more interesting things that exchanging signal reports of HF. I’m glad I know radio, though. It let me intelligently set up a wireless bridge for internet between buildings. That training that let me understand radio is how I could understand the technical data on the equipment I bought and installed.

            I was thinking about helping the Museum of Scinece and Industry doing an exhibit on radio. Well, ham radio wouldn’t make much of an impact. But a history of technology from Marconi to WiFi with a segue to the Apollo program would be interesting, with ham radio as an aside.

          2. scott logan

            You Hit The Nail On The Head LOL I am 61 a retired Network Engineer worked in technology for over 30 years for k-12 education. The kids are Laughing at us !!! If you cant see that and make it Interesting and less restrictive you we will all Die Proudly with our hard earned License classifications and boat anchors…

  27. Mike

    Note that the FCC has to approve the changes before Technicians can start transmitting on the newly proposed frequencies. The ARRL is recommending them; the FCC handles the licensing and privileges.

    In general I was in support of the proposal, but I think the changes to 40 meters will create a mess. Repurposing the old 40m Novice CW band to ACDS is going to sting a bit, especially those out there who have their old Novice rigs or enjoy slower CW conversations.

    Reply
    1. Thomas Post author

      Definitely. These are just the plans that have been approved to submit from my understanding. It could be quite some time before they’re in play.

      My hope is that ACDS won’t completely take over those segments. I certainly don’t want them to because the CW bands, in general, are a nice refuge.

      Reply
      1. Mike

        I hope not, but you never know what new wideband mode someone will develop for the ham bands. Isn’t a change to the maximum data rates for HF something the ARRL is also pushing for?

        I can go for support of CW only in the first 50kHz of 80/40/20/15/10m as part of the changes.

        Reply
      1. Mike

        Novice/Tech can currently use 7025-7125 kHz but CW only. The suggested band plan within 40m hasn’t changed much since Novice hams were required to use crystal-controlled transmitters. So a lot of Novice rig owners need different crystals made up if the recommendation moves.

        Reply
      1. Thomas Post author

        When I did my Novice exam, I had to pass a 5 WPM code test. Not terribly hard, but it required some time. Almost immediately after that, they dropped the code test for General and I believe Extra. I got my General and then years later learned CW on my own well past the old General requirements of 13 WPM. I upgraded to Extra a few years ago “just to do it” and am now working on getting my CW speed up to what they used to require at 21 WPM. I think many of us are motivated by the fact we love radio more than anything else.

        And you will certainly snag your General! That was actually my favorite test of them all.

        Reply
      2. Mike

        I think they should just leave it as it is. Giving more HF privileges to Techs just keeps licensees for wanting to progress to the next levels in my opinion. The Technician test would have to be totally revamped to include HF use. Besides they’re enough lids on HF with higher licenses who don’t know how to operate anyway. Letting Techs down on HF without the training and information would make it worse than what it is now.

        Reply

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