Msg # 1642 Type:B Stat:$ To: ALL @AWGNET From: PA3AWG Date: 05-Jul/0033 Subject: US radio amateurs classes Bulletin ID: PA3AWG000776 Path: PI8AYB!PA3AWG Overgenomen uit Practical Wireless July 1988 Author: David Jardine G0FDV <<<<<<<<<< AMERICAANSE RADIOAMATEUR CLASSES >>>>>>>>>> TABLE 1 Class: <<< Novice >>> Code Test: 5 WPM (Element 1A) Written Examination: Elementary theory and regulations. (Element 2) Prvileges: Telegraphy in 3700-3750 kHz (5167.5 kHz Alaska only, emergency commu- nications using single sideband), telegraphy in 7100-7150, 21.100- 21.200 kHz, telegraphy and RTTY in 28.100-28.300 kHz, telegraphy and single-sideband voice on 28.300-28.500 kHz, all amateur privileges authorized on 222.1 to 223.91 kHz and 1270 to 1295 MHz. Class: <<< Technician >>> Code Test: 5 WPM (Element 1A) Written Examination: Elementary theory and regulations, general theory and regu- lations. (Elements 2 and 3A) Privileges: All amateur privileges above 50.0 MHz plus Novice privileges. Class: <<< General >>> Code Test: 13 WPM (Element 1B) Written Examination: Elementary theory and regulations, general theory and regu- lations (Elements 2, 3A, 3B) Privileges: All amateur privileges except those reserved for Advanced and Ama- teur Extra Class. 1500-watts PEP output maximum. Class: <<< Advanced >>> Code Test: 13 WPM (Element 1B) Written Examination: General theory and regulations, plus intermediate theory (Elements 2, 3A, 3B, and 4A) Privileges: All amateur privileges exept those reserved for Amateur Extra Class. 1500-watts PEP output maximum. Class: <<< Amateur Extra >>> Code Test: 20 WPM (Element 1C) Written Examination: General theory and regulations, intermediate theory, plus advanced techniques (Elements 2, 3A, 3B, 4A and 4B) Privilages: All amateur privileges. 1500-watts PEP output maximum. *A licensed radio amateur will be required to pass only those elements that are not included in the examination for the amateur licence currently held. In other words, if you hold a Novice licence, you need not take another 5 WPM code test to qualify for Technician class licence. LICENCE CLSSIFICATIONS The US licensing classifications sometimes cause confusion. The ARRL set it out as: To communicate via amateur radio in the US you must be licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). As you can see from Table 1, there are five dif - ferent licence classes. The basic licence class is the Novice and this allows yo u to use Morse code, voice, teletype and digital modes on the 3.5, 7, 21, 28, 223 and 1296 MHz bands. The next class is Technician. With this licence you have all privileges of the Novice, plus all v.h.f. and u.h.f. amateur bands (this includes the popular 144MHz band). The General licence allows the use of h.f. phone bands as well. The Advanced and Extra class licences allow even more frequency privileges. To obtain your Novice licence, you must be able to copy Morse code at 5 WPM and pass a 30 questions written test on radio theory. The Technician class licence requires a 25 question written test on rules and radio theory (no addi- tional code test). The General class licence requires a 25 question written test and you must copy Morse code at 13 WPM. You may not skip any of the licence classes, but you may take more than one test at the same time (e.g. Novice and Technician). There is no age limit to being an amateur in the US, there are some as young as 6 years old! The Advenced licence is earned by passing 50 questions written test on radio theory. The Extra class exam consist of 40 written questions and a 20 WPM code test. The Novice licence exam must be given by two licensed radio amateurs who are at least 18 years of age. They must hold a General or higher class licence, they can't be related to the person being tested either. All other licence grades must be tested by a team of at least three qualified Volunteer Examiners. The test session are organised by radio clubs in hundreds of locations all over the country. NOVICE ENHANCEMENT On 28 January 1987, the FCC announced approval of the American Radio Relay League's Novice Enhancement proposal. All rules and regulations became effective 0001 UTC 21 March 1987. The Commission amended its rules to allow Novices and Technicians to operate 28.1-28.5 MHz, using Morse code, as well as digital modes from 28.1-28.3 MHz, then Morse code and voice modes from 28.3-28.5 MHz. Novice and Technician con- trol operators are limited to 200 watts output in this band, but other licen- sees are not similary limited. Novices may use up to 25 watts in 222.1-223.91 MHz band, with all authorised emissions, as well as up to 5 watts in the 1270-1295 MHz band. Copier: PA3AWG, Martin PA3APN BBS (B,D,H,I,J,K,L,N,R,S,T,U,V,W,X,Y,?) >