Collapse to view only § 97.305 - Authorized emission types.

§ 97.301 - Authorized frequency bands.

The following transmitting frequency bands are available to an amateur station located within 50 km of the Earth's surface, within the specified ITU Region, and outside any area where the amateur service is regulated by any authority other than the FCC.

(a) For a station having a control operator who has been granted a Technician, General, Advanced, or Amateur Extra Class operator license or who holds a CEPT radio-amateur license or IARP of any class:

Wavelength band ITU Region 1 ITU Region 2 ITU Region 3 Sharing
requirements
see § 97.303
(paragraph)
VHFMHzMHzMHz 6 m50-5450-54(a). 2 m144-146144-148144-148(a), (k). 1.25 m219-220(l). Do222-225(a). UHFMHzMHzMHz 70 cm430-440420-450430-440(a), (b), (m). 33 cm902-928(a), (b), (e), (n). 23 cm1240-13001240-13001240-1300(b), (d), (o). 13 cm2300-23102300-23102300-2310(d), (p). Do2390-24502390-24502390-2450(d), (e), (p). SHFGHzGHzGHz 5 cm5.650-5.8505.650-5.9255.650-5.850(a), (b), (e), (r). 3 cm10.0-10.510.0-10.510.0-10.5(a), (b), (k). 1.2 cm24.00-24.2524.00-24.2524.00-24.25(b), (d), (e). EHFGHzGHzGHz 6 mm47.0-47.247.0-47.247.0-47.2 4 mm76-8176-8176-81(c), (f), (s). 2.5 mm122.25-123.00122.25-123.00122.25-123.00(e), (t). 2 mm134-141134-141134-141(c), (f). 1 mm241-250241-250241-250(c), (e), (f). Above 275Above 275Above 275(f).

(b) For a station having a control operator who has been granted an Amateur Extra Class operator license, who holds a CEPT radio amateur license, or who holds a Class 1 IARP license:

Wavelength band ITU Region 1 ITU Region 2 ITU Region 3 Sharing requirements see § 97.303
(paragraph)
LFkHzkHzkHz 2200 m135.7-137.8135.7-137.8135.7-137.8(a), (g).
Wavelength band ITU region 1 ITU region 2 ITU region 3 Sharing requirements see § 97.303
(paragraph)
MF kHz kHz kHz 160 m1810-18501800-20001800-2000(a) 630 m472-479472-479472-479(g).
HF MHz MHz MHz 80 m3.500-3.6003.500-3.6003.500-3.600(a) 75 m3.600-3.8003.600-4.0003.600-3.900(a) 60 mSee § 97.303(h)(h) 40 m7.000-7.2007.000-7.3007.000-7.200(i) 30 m10.100-10.15010.100-10.15010.100-10.150(j) 20 m14.000-14.35014.000-14.35014.000-14.350 17 m18.068-18.16818.068-18.16818.068-18.168 15 m21.000-21.45021.000-21.45021.000-21.450 12 m24.890-24.99024.890-24.99024.890-24.990 10 m28.000-29.70028.000-29.70028.000-29.700

(c) For a station having a control operator who has been granted an operator license of Advanced Class:

Wavelength band ITU Region 1 ITU Region 2 ITU Region 3 Sharing requirements see § 97.303
(paragraph)
LFkHzkHzkHz 2200 m135.7-137.8135.7-137.8135.7-137.8(a), (g).
Wavelength band ITU region 1 ITU region 2 ITU region 3 Sharing requirements see § 97.303
(Paragraph)
MF kHz kHz kHz 160 m1810-18501800-20001800-2000(a) 630 m472-479472-479472-479(g).
HF MHz MHz MHz 80 m3.525-3.6003.525-3.6003.525-3.600(a) 75 m3.700-3.8003.700-4.0003.700-3.900(a) 60 mSee § 97.303(h)(h) 40 m7.025-7.2007.025-7.3007.025-7.200(i) 30 m10.100-10.15010.100-10.15010.100-10.150(j) 20 m14.025-14.15014.025-14.15014.025-14.150 Do14.175-14.35014.175-14.35014.175-14.350 17 m18.068-18.16818.068-18.16818.068-18.168 15 m21.025-21.20021.025-21.20021.025-21.200 Do21.225-21.45021.225-21.45021.225-21.450 12 m24.890-24.99024.890-24.99024.890-24.990 10 m28.000-29.70028.000-29.70028.000-29.700

(d) For a station having a control operator who has been granted an operator license of General Class:

Wavelength band ITU Region 1 ITU Region 2 ITU Region 3 Sharing requirements see § 97.303
(paragraph)
LFkHzkHzkHz 2200 m135.7-137.8135.7-137.8135.7-137.8(a), (g).
Wavelength band ITU region 1 ITU region 2 ITU region 3 Sharing requirements see § 97.303
(paragraph)
MF kHz kHz kHz 160 m1810-18501800-20001800-2000(a) 630 m472-479472-479472-479(g).
HF MHz MHz MHz 80 m3.525-3.6003.525-3.6003.525-3.600(a) 75 m3.800-4.0003.800-3.900(a) 60 mSee § 97.303(h)(h) 40 m7.025-7.1257.025-7.1257.025-7.125(i) Do7.175-7.2007.175-7.3007.175-7.200(i) 30 m10.100-10.15010.100-10.15010.100-10.150(j) 20 m14.025-14.15014.025-14.15014.025-14.150 Do14.225-14.35014.225-14.35014.225-14.350 17 m18.068-18.16818.068-18.16818.068-18.168 15 m21.025-21.20021.025-21.20021.025-21.200 Do21.275-21.45021.275-21.45021.275-21.450 12 m24.890-24.99024.890-24.99024.890-24.990 10 m28.000-29.70028.000-29.70028.000-29.700

(e) For a station having a control operator who has been granted an operator license of Novice Class or Technician Class:

Wavelength band ITU region 1 ITU region 2 ITU region 3 Sharing requirements see § 97.303
(paragraph)
HF MHz MHz MHz 80 m3.525-3.6003.525-3.6003.525-3.600(a) 40 m7.025-7.1257.025-7.1257.025-7.125(i) 15 m21.025-21.20021.025-21.20021.025-21.200 10 m28.0-28.528.0-28.528.0-28.5
VHF MHz MHz MHz 1.25 m222-225(a)
UHF MHz MHz MHz 23 cm1270-12951270-12951270-1295(d), (o)
[75 FR 27201, May 14, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 78171, Dec. 15, 2010; 80 FR 38911, July 7, 2015; 82 FR 27214, June 14, 2017; 85 FR 64068, Oct. 9, 2020]

§ 97.303 - Frequency sharing requirements.

The following paragraphs summarize the frequency sharing requirements that apply to amateur stations transmitting in the frequency bands specified in § 97.301 of this part. Each frequency band allocated to the amateur service is designated as either a secondary service or a primary service. A station in a secondary service must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, stations in a primary service.

(a) Where, in adjacent ITU Regions or sub-Regions, a band of frequencies is allocated to different services of the same category (i.e., primary or secondary services), the basic principle is the equality of right to operate. Accordingly, stations of each service in one Region or sub-Region must operate so as not to cause harmful interference to any service of the same or higher category in the other Regions or sub-Regions.

(b) Amateur stations transmitting in the 70 cm band, the 33 cm band, the 23 cm band, the 5 cm band, the 3 cm band, or the 24.05-24.25 GHz segment must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, stations authorized by the United States Government in the radiolocation service.

(c) Amateur stations transmitting in the 76-81 GHz segment, the 136-141 GHz segment, or the 241-248 GHz segment must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, stations authorized by the United States Government, the FCC, or other nations in the radiolocation service.

(d) Amateur stations transmitting in the 430-450 MHz segment, the 23 cm band, the 3.3-3.4 GHz segment, the 5.65-5.85 GHz segment, the 13 cm band, or the 24.05-24.25 GHz segment, must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, stations authorized by other nations in the radiolocation service.

(e) Amateur stations receiving in the 33 cm band, the 2400-2450 MHz segment, the 5.725-5.875 GHz segment, the 1.2 cm band, the 2.5 mm band, or the 244-246 GHz segment must accept interference from industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) equipment.

(f) Amateur stations transmitting in the following segments must not cause harmful interference to radio astronomy stations: 76-81 GHz, 136-141 GHz, 241-248 GHz, 275-323 GHz, 327-371 GHz, 388-424 GHz, 426-442 GHz, 453-510 GHz, 623-711 GHz, 795-909 GHz, or 926-945 GHz. In addition, amateur stations transmitting in the following segments must not cause harmful interference to stations in the Earth exploration-satellite service (passive) or the space research service (passive): 275-286 GHz, 296-306 GHz, 313-356 GHz, 361-365 GHz, 369-392 GHz, 397-399 GHz, 409-411 GHz, 416-434 GHz, 439-467 GHz, 477-502 GHz, 523-527 GHz, 538-581 GHz, 611-630 GHz, 634-654 GHz, 657-692 GHz, 713-718 GHz, 729-733 GHz, 750-754 GHz, 771-776 GHz, 823-846 GHz, 850-854 GHz, 857-862 GHz, 866-882 GHz, 905-928 GHz, 951-956 GHz, 968-973 GHz and 985-990 GHz.

(g) In the 2200 m and 630 m bands:

(1) Amateur stations in the 135.7-137.8 kHz (2200 m) and 472-479 kHz (630 m) bands shall only operate at fixed locations. Amateur stations shall not operate within a horizontal distance of one kilometer from a transmission line that conducts a power line carrier (PLC) signal in the 135.7-137.8 kHz or 472-479 kHz bands. Horizontal distance is measured from the station's antenna to the closest point on the transmission line.

(2) Prior to commencement of operations in the 135.7-137.8 kHz (2200 m) and/or 472-479 kHz (630 m) bands, amateur operators shall notify the Utilities Telecom Council (UTC) of their intent to operate by submitting their call signs, intended band or bands of operation, and the coordinates of their antenna's fixed location. Amateur stations will be permitted to commence operations after the 30-day period unless UTC notifies the station that its fixed location is located within one kilometer of PLC systems operating in the same or overlapping frequencies.

(3) Amateur stations in the 135.7-137.8 kHz (2200 m) band shall not cause harmful interference to, and shall accept interference from:

(i) Stations authorized by the United States Government in the fixed and maritime mobile services;

(ii) Stations authorized by other nations in the fixed, maritime mobile, and radionavigation service.

(4) Amateur stations in the 472-479 kHz (630 m) band shall not cause harmful interference to, and shall accept interference from:

(i) Stations authorized by the FCC in the maritime mobile service;

(ii) Stations authorized by other nations in the maritime mobile and aeronautical radionavigation services.

(5) Amateur stations causing harmful interference shall take all necessary measures to eliminate such interference—including temporary or permanent termination of transmissions.

(h) 60 m band: (1) In the 5330.5-5406.4 kHz band (60 m band), amateur stations may transmit only on the five center frequencies specified in the table below. In order to meet this requirement, control operators of stations transmitting phone, data, and RTTY emissions (emission designators 2K80J3E, 2K80J2D, and 60H0J2B, respectively) may set the carrier frequency 1.5 kHz below the center frequency as specified in the table below. For CW emissions (emission designator 150HA1A), the carrier frequency is set to the center frequency. Amateur operators shall ensure that their emissions do not occupy more than 2.8 kHz centered on each of these center frequencies.

60 M Band Frequencies (kHz)

Carrier Center 5330.55332.0 5346.55348.0 5357.05358.5 5371.55373.0 5403.55405.0

(2) Amateur stations transmitting on the 60 m band must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, stations authorized by:

(i) The United States (NTIA and FCC) and other nations in the fixed service; and

(ii) Other nations in the mobile except aeronautical mobile service.

(i) Amateur stations transmitting in the 7.2-7.3 MHz segment must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, international broadcast stations whose programming is intended for use within Region 1 or Region 3.

(j) Amateur stations transmitting in the 30 m band must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, stations by other nations in the fixed service. The licensee of the amateur station must make all necessary adjustments, including termination of transmissions, if harmful interference is caused.

(k) For amateur stations located in ITU Regions 1 and 3: Amateur stations transmitting in the 146-148 MHz segment or the 10.00-10.45 GHz segment must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, stations of other nations in the fixed and mobile services.

(l) In the 219-220 MHz segment:

(1) Use is restricted to amateur stations participating as forwarding stations in fixed point-to-point digital message forwarding systems, including intercity packet backbone networks. It is not available for other purposes.

(2) Amateur stations must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, stations authorized by:

(i) The FCC in the Automated Maritime Telecommunications System (AMTS), the 218-219 MHz Service, and the 220 MHz Service, and television stations broadcasting on channels 11 and 13; and

(ii) Other nations in the fixed and maritime mobile services.

(3) No amateur station may transmit unless the licensee has given written notification of the station's specific geographic location for such transmissions in order to be incorporated into a database that has been made available to the public. The notification must be given at least 30 days prior to making such transmissions. The notification must be given to: The American Radio Relay League, Inc., 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111-1494.

(4) No amateur station may transmit from a location that is within 640 km of an AMTS coast station that operates in the 217-218 MHz and 219-220 MHz bands unless the amateur station licensee has given written notification of the station's specific geographic location for such transmissions to the AMTS licensee. The notification must be given at least 30 days prior to making such transmissions. The location of AMTS coast stations using the 217-218/219-220 MHz channels may be obtained as noted in paragraph (l)(3) of this section.

(5) No amateur station may transmit from a location that is within 80 km of an AMTS coast station that uses frequencies in the 217-218 MHz and 219-220 MHz bands unless that amateur station licensee holds written approval from that AMTS licensee. The location of AMTS coast stations using the 217-218/219-220 MHz channels may be obtained as noted in paragraph (l)(3) of this section.

(m) In the 70 cm band:

(1) No amateur station shall transmit from north of Line A in the 420-430 MHz segment. See § 97.3(a) for the definition of Line A.

(2) Amateur stations transmitting in the 420-430 MHz segment must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, stations authorized by the FCC in the land mobile service within 80.5 km of Buffalo, Cleveland, and Detroit. See § 2.106, footnote US230 for specific frequencies and coordinates.

(3) Amateur stations transmitting in the 420-430 MHz segment or the 440-450 MHz segment must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, stations authorized by other nations in the fixed and mobile except aeronautical mobile services.

(n) In the 33 cm band:

(1) Amateur stations must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, stations authorized by:

(i) The United States Government;

(ii) The FCC in the Location and Monitoring Service; and

(iii) Other nations in the fixed service.

(2) No amateur station shall transmit from those portions of Texas and New Mexico that are bounded by latitudes 31°41′ and 34°30′ North and longitudes 104°11′ and 107°30′ West; or from outside of the United States and its Region 2 insular areas.

(3) No amateur station shall transmit from those portions of Colorado and Wyoming that are bounded by latitudes 39° and 42° North and longitudes 103° and 108° West in the following segments: 902.4-902.6 MHz, 904.3-904.7 MHz, 925.3-925.7 MHz, and 927.3-927.7 MHz.

(o) Amateur stations transmitting in the 23 cm band must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, stations authorized by:

(1) The United States Government in the aeronautical radionavigation, Earth exploration-satellite (active), or space research (active) services;

(2) The FCC in the aeronautical radionavigation service; and

(3) Other nations in the Earth exploration-satellite (active), radionavigation-satellite (space-to-Earth) (space-to-space), or space research (active) services.

(p) In the 13 cm band:

(1) Amateur stations must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, stations authorized by other nations in fixed and mobile services.

(2) Amateur stations transmitting in the 2305-2310 MHz segment must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, stations authorized by the FCC in the fixed, mobile except aeronautical mobile, and radiolocation services.

(q) [Reserved]

(r) In the 5 cm band:

(1) Amateur stations transmitting in the 5.650-5.725 GHz segment must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, stations authorized by other nations in the mobile except aeronautical mobile service.

(2) Amateur stations transmitting in the 5.850-5.925 GHz segment must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, stations authorized by the FCC and other nations in the fixed-satellite (Earth-to-space) and mobile services and also stations authorized by other nations in the fixed service. In the United States, the use of mobile service is restricted to Dedicated Short Range Communications operating in the Intelligent Transportation System.

(s) [Reserved]

(t) Amateur stations transmitting in the 2.5 mm band must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, stations authorized by the United States Government, the FCC, or other nations in the fixed, inter-satellite, or mobile services.

Note to § 97.303:

The Table of Frequency Allocations contains the complete, unabridged, and legally binding frequency sharing requirements that pertain to the Amateur Radio Service. See 47 CFR 2.104, 2.105, and 2.106. The United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are in Region 2 and other U.S. insular areas are in either Region 2 or 3; see appendix 1 to part 97.

[75 FR 27203, May 14, 2010, as amended at 77 FR 5412, Feb. 3, 2012; 80 FR 38912, July 7, 2015; 82 FR 27215, June 14, 2017; 82 FR 43872, Sept. 20, 2017; 85 FR 64068, Oct. 9, 2020]

§ 97.305 - Authorized emission types.

(a) Except as specified elsewhere in this part, an amateur station may transmit a CW emission on any frequency authorized to the control operator.

(b) A station may transmit a test emission on any frequency authorized to the control operator for brief periods for experimental purposes, except that no pulse modulation emission may be transmitted on any frequency where pulse is not specifically authorized and no SS modulation emission may be transmitted on any frequency where SS is not specifically authorized.

(c) A station may transmit the following emission types on the frequencies indicated, as authorized to the control operator, subject to the standards specified in § 97.307(f):

Wavelength band Frequencies Emission types authorized Standards see § 97.307,
paragraph(s):
(1) LF: (i) 2200 mEntire bandRTTY, data(f)(3). (ii) 2200 mEntire bandPhone, image(f)(1), (2). (2) MF: (i) 630 mEntire bandRTTY, data(f)(3). (ii) 630 mEntire bandPhone, image(f)(1), (2). (iii) 160 mEntire bandRTTY, data(f)(3). (iv) 160 mEntire bandPhone, image(f)(1), (2). (3) HF: (i) 80 mEntire bandRTTY, data(f)(3), (9). (ii) 75 mEntire bandPhone, image(f)(1), (2). (iii) 60 m5.332, 5.348, 5.3585, 5.373 and 5.405 MHzPhone, RTTY, data(f)(14). (iv) 40 m7.000-7.100 MHzRTTY, data(f)(3), (9). (v) 40 m7.075-7.100 MHzPhone, image(f)(1), (2), (9), (11). (vi) 40 m7.100-7.125 MHzRTTY, data(f)(3), (9). (vii) 40 m7.125-7.300 MHzPhone, image(f)(1), (2). (viii) 30 mEntire bandRTTY, data(f)(3). (ix) 20 m14.00-14.15 MHzRTTY, data(f)(3). (x) 20 m14.15-14.35 MHzPhone, image(f)(1), (2). (xi) 17 m18.068-18.110 MHzRTTY, data(f)(3). (xii) 17 m18.110-18.168 MHzPhone, image(f)(1), (2). (xiii) 15 m21.0-21.2 MHzRTTY, data(f)(3), (9). (xiv) 15 m21.20-21.45 MHzPhone, image(f)(1), (2). (xv) 12 m24.89-24.93 MHzRTTY, data(f)(3). (xvi) 12 m24.93-24.99 MHzPhone, image(f)(1), (2). (xvii) 10 m28.0-28.3 MHzRTTY, data(f)(3). (xviii) 10 m28.3-28.5 MHzPhone, image(f)(1), (2), (10). (xix) 10 m28.5-29.0 MHzPhone, image(f)(1), (2). (xx) 10 m29.0-29.7 MHzPhone, image(f)(2). (4) VHF: (i) 6 m50.1-51.0 MHzMCW, phone, image, RTTY, data(f)(2), (5). (ii) 6 m51.0-54.0 MHzMCW, phone, image, RTTY, data, test(f)(2), (5), (8). (iii) 2 m144.1-148.0 MHzMCW, phone, image, RTTY, data, test(f)(2), (5), (8). (iv) 1.25 m219-220 MHzData(f)(13). (v) 1.25m222-225 MHzRTTY, data, test MCW, phone, SS, image(f)(2), (6), (8). (5) UHF: (i) 70 cmEntire bandMCW, phone, image, RTTY, data, SS, test(f)(6), (8). (ii) 33 cmEntire bandMCW, phone, image, RTTY, data, SS, test, pulse(f)(7), (8), and (12). (iii) 23 cmEntire bandMCW, phone, image, RTTY, data, SS, test(f)(7), (8), and (12). (iv) 13 cmEntire bandMCW, phone, image, RTTY, data, SS, test, pulse(f)(7), (8), and (12). (6) SHF: (i) 5 cmEntire bandMCW, phone, image, RTTY, data, SS, test, pulse(f)(7), (8), and (12). (ii) 3 cmEntire bandMCW, phone, image, RTTY, data, SS, test(f)(7), (8), and (12). (iii) 1.2 cmEntire bandMCW, phone, image, RTTY, data, SS, test, pulse(f)(7), (8), and (12). (7) EHF: (i) 6 mmEntire bandMCW, phone, image, RTTY, data, SS, test, pulse(f)(7), (8), and (12). (ii) 4 mmEntire bandMCW, phone, image, RTTY, data, SS, test, pulse(f)(7), (8), and (12). (iii) 2.5 mmEntire bandMCW, phone, image, RTTY, data, SS, test, pulse(f)(7), (8), and (12). (iv) 2 mmEntire bandMCW, phone, image, RTTY, data, SS, test, pulse(f)(7), (8), and (12). (v) 1 mmEntire bandMCW, phone, image, RTTY, data, SS, test, pulse(f)(7), (8), and (12). (vi) 1 mmAbove 275 GHzMCW, phone, image, RTTY, data, SS, test, pulse(f)(7), (8), and (12).
[54 FR 25857, June 20, 1989; 54 FR 39536, Sept. 27, 1989; 55 FR 22013, May 30, 1990, as amended at 55 FR 30457, July 26, 1990; 60 FR 15688, Mar. 27, 1995; 64 FR 51471, Sept. 23, 1999; 71 FR 66465, Nov. 15, 2006; 75 FR 27204, May 14, 2010; 77 FR 5412, Feb. 3, 2012; 82 FR 27215, June 14, 2017; 85 FR 64069, Oct. 9, 2020; 88 FR 85127, Dec. 7, 2023]

§ 97.307 - Emission standards.

(a) No amateur station transmission shall occupy more bandwidth than necessary for the information rate and emission type being transmitted, in accordance with good amateur practice.

(b) Emissions resulting from modulation must be confined to the band or segment available to the control operator. Emissions outside the necessary bandwidth must not cause splatter or keyclick interference to operations on adjacent frequencies.

(c) All spurious emissions from a station transmitter must be reduced to the greatest extent practicable. If any spurious emission, including chassis or power line radiation, causes harmful interference to the reception of another radio station, the licensee of the interfering amateur station is required to take steps to eliminate the interference, in accordance with good engineering practice.

(d) For transmitters installed after January 1, 2003, the mean power of any spurious emission from a station transmitter or external RF power amplifier transmitting on a frequency below 30 MHz must be at least 43 dB below the mean power of the fundamental emission. For transmitters installed on or before January 1, 2003, the mean power of any spurious emission from a station transmitter or external RF power amplifier transmitting on a frequency below 30 MHz must not exceed 50 mW and must be at least 40 dB below the mean power of the fundamental emission. For a transmitter of mean power less than 5 W installed on or before January 1, 2003, the attenuation must be at least 30 dB. A transmitter built before April 15, 1977, or first marketed before January 1, 1978, is exempt from this requirement.

(e) The mean power of any spurious emission from a station transmitter or external RF power amplifier transmitting on a frequency between 30-225 MHz must be at least 60 dB below the mean power of the fundamental. For a transmitter having a mean power of 25 W or less, the mean power of any spurious emission supplied to the antenna transmission line must not exceed 25 µW and must be at least 40 dB below the mean power of the fundamental emission, but need not be reduced below the power of 10 µW. A transmitter built before April 15, 1977, or first marketed before January 1, 1978, is exempt from this requirement.

(f) The following standards and limitations apply to transmissions on the frequencies specified in § 97.305(c).

(1) No angle-modulated emission may have a modulation index greater than 1 at the highest modulation frequency.

(2) No non-phone emission shall exceed the bandwidth of a communications quality phone emission of the same modulation type. The total bandwidth of an independent sideband emission (having B as the first symbol), or a multiplexed image and phone emission, shall not exceed that of a communications quality A3E emission.

(3) Only a RTTY or data emission using a specified digital code listed in § 97.309(a) may be transmitted. The authorized bandwidth is 2.8 kHz except in the 2200 m band and 630 m band. In the 2200 m band and the 630 m band the symbol rate must not exceed 300 bauds, or for frequency-shift keying, the frequency shift between mark and space must not exceed 1 kHz.

(4) [Reserved]

(5) A RTTY, data or multiplexed emission using a specified digital code listed in § 97.309(a) may be transmitted. The symbol rate must not exceed 19.6 kilobauds. A RTTY, data or multiplexed emission using an unspecified digital code under the limitations listed in § 97.309(b) also may be transmitted. The authorized bandwidth is 20 kHz.

(6) A RTTY, data or multiplexed emission using a specified digital code listed in § 97.309(a) may be transmitted. The symbol rate must not exceed 56 kilobauds. A RTTY, data or multiplexed emission using an unspecified digital code under the limitations listed in § 97.309(b) also may be transmitted. The authorized bandwidth is 100 kHz.

(7) A RTTY, data or multiplexed emission using a specified digital code listed in § 97.309(a) or an unspecified digital code under the limitations listed in § 97.309(b) may be transmitted.

(8) A RTTY or data emission having designators with A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J or R as the first symbol; 1, 2, 7, 9 or X as the second symbol; and D or W as the third symbol is also authorized.

(9) A station having a control operator holding a Novice or Technician Class operator license may only transmit a CW emission using the international Morse code.

(10) A station having a control operator holding a Novice Class operator license or a Technician Class operator license may only transmit a CW emission using the international Morse code or phone emissions J3E and R3E.

(11) Phone and image emissions may be transmitted only by stations located in ITU Regions 1 and 3, and by stations located within ITU Region 2 that are west of 130° West longitude or south of 20° North latitude.

(12) Emission F8E may be transmitted.

(13) A data emission using an unspecified digital code under the limitations listed in § 97.309(b) also may be transmitted. The authorized bandwidth is 100 kHz.

(14) In the 60 m band:

(i) A station may transmit only phone, RTTY, data, and CW emissions using the emission designators and any additional restrictions that are specified in the table below (except that the use of a narrower necessary bandwidth is permitted):

Table 1 to Paragraph (f)(14)(i)—60 M Band Emission Requirements

Emission type Emission designator Restricted to: Phone2K80J3EUpper sideband transmissions (USB). Data2K80J2DUSB (for example, PACTOR-III). RTTY60H0J2BUSB (for example, PSK31). CW150HA1AMorse telegraphy by means of on-off keying.

(ii) The following requirements also apply:

(A) When transmitting the phone, RTTY, and data emissions, the suppressed carrier frequency may be set as specified in § 97.303(h).

(B) The control operator of a station transmitting data or RTTY emissions must exercise care to limit the length of transmission so as to avoid causing harmful interference to United States Government stations.

[54 FR 25857, June 20, 1989; 54 FR 30823, July 24, 1989, as amended at 54 FR 39537, Sept. 27, 1989; 60 FR 15688, Mar. 27, 1995; 65 FR 6550, Feb. 10, 2000; 69 FR 24997, May 5, 2004; 77 FR 5412, Feb. 3, 2012; 79 FR 35291, June 20, 2014; 88 FR 85128, Dec. 7, 2023]

§ 97.309 - RTTY and data emission codes.

(a) Where authorized by §§ 97.305(c) and 97.307(f) of the part, an amateur station may transmit a RTTY or data emission using the following specified digital codes:

(1) The 5-unit, start-stop, International Telegraph Alphabet No. 2, code defined in ITU-T Recommendation F.1, Division C (commonly known as “Baudot”).

(2) The 7-unit code specified in ITU-R Recommendations M.476-5 and M.625-3 (commonly known as “AMTOR”).

(3) The 7-unit, International Alphabet No. 5, code defined in IT--T Recommendation T.50 (commonly known as “ASCII”).

(4) An amateur station transmitting a RTTY or data emission using a digital code specified in this paragraph may use any technique whose technical characteristics have been documented publicly, such as CLOVER, G-TOR, or PacTOR, for the purpose of facilitating communications.

(b) Where authorized by §§ 97.305(c) and 97.307(f), a station may transmit a RTTY or data emission using an unspecified digital code, except to a station in a country with which the United States does not have an agreement permitting the code to be used. RTTY and data emissions using unspecified digital codes must not be transmitted for the purpose of obscuring the meaning of any communication. When deemed necessary by a Regional Director to assure compliance with the FCC Rules, a station must:

(1) Cease the transmission using the unspecified digital code;

(2) Restrict transmissions of any digital code to the extent instructed;

(3) Maintain a record, convertible to the original information, of all digital communications transmitted.

[54 FR 25857, June 20, 1989, as amended at 54 FR 39537, Sept. 27, 1989; 56 FR 56172, Nov. 1, 1991; 60 FR 55486, Nov. 1, 1995; 71 FR 25982, May 3, 2006; 71 FR 66465, Nov. 15, 2006; 80 FR 53753, Sept. 8, 2015]

§ 97.311 - SS emission types.

(a) SS emission transmissions by an amateur station are authorized only for communications between points within areas where the amateur service is regulated by the FCC and between an area where the amateur service is regulated by the FCC and an amateur station in another country that permits such communications. SS emission transmissions must not be used for the purpose of obscuring the meaning of any communication.

(b) A station transmitting SS emissions must not cause harmful interference to stations employing other authorized emissions, and must accept all interference caused by stations employing other authorized emissions.

(c) When deemed necessary by a Regional Director to assure compliance with this part, a station licensee must:

(1) Cease SS emission transmissions;

(2) Restrict SS emission transmissions to the extent instructed; and

(3) Maintain a record, convertible to the original information (voice, text, image, etc.) of all spread spectrum communications transmitted.

[64 FR 51471, Sept. 23, 1999, as amended at 76 FR 17569, Mar. 30, 2011; 80 FR 53753, Sept. 8, 2015]

§ 97.313 - Transmitter power standards.

(a) An amateur station must use the minimum transmitter power necessary to carry out the desired communications.

(b) No station may transmit with a transmitter power exceeding 1.5 kW PEP.

(c) No station may transmit with a transmitter power output exceeding 200 W PEP:

(1) On the 10.10-10.15 MHz segment;

(2) On the 3.525-3.60 MHz, 7.025-7.125 MHz, 21.025-21.20 MHz, and 28.0-28.5 MHz segment when the control operator is a Novice Class operator or a Technician Class operator; or

(3) The 7.050-7.075 MHz segment when the station is within ITU Regions 1 or 3.

(d) No station may transmit with a transmitter power exceeding 25 W PEP on the VHF 1.25 m band when the control operator is a Novice operator.

(e) No station may transmit with a transmitter power exceeding 5 W PEP on the UHF 23 cm band when the control operator is a Novice operator.

(f) No station may transmit with a transmitter power exceeding 50 W PEP on the UHF 70 cm band from an area specified in paragraph (a) of footnote US270 in § 2.106, unless expressly authorized by the FCC after mutual agreement, on a case-by-case basis, between the Regional Director of the applicable field facility and the military area frequency coordinator at the applicable military base. An Earth station or telecommand station, however, may transmit on the 435-438 MHz segment with a maximum of 611 W effective radiated power (1 kW equivalent isotropically radiated power) without the authorization otherwise required. The transmitting antenna elevation angle between the lower half-power (−3 dB relative to the peak or antenna bore sight) point and the horizon must always be greater than 10°.

(g) No station may transmit with a transmitter power exceeding 50 W PEP on the 33 cm band from within 241 km of the boundaries of the White Sands Missile Range. Its boundaries are those portions of Texas and New Mexico bounded on the south by latitude 31°41′ North, on the east by longitude 104°11′ West, on the north by latitude 34°30′ North, and on the west by longitude 107°30′ West.

(h) No station may transmit with a transmitter power exceeding 50 W PEP on the 219-220 MHz segment of the 1.25 m band.

(i) No station may transmit with an effective radiated power (ERP) exceeding 100 W PEP on the 60 m band. For the purpose of computing ERP, the transmitter PEP will be multiplied by the antenna gain relative to a half-wave dipole antenna. A half-wave dipole antenna will be presumed to have a gain of 1 (0 dBd). Licensees using other antennas must maintain in their station records either the antenna manufacturer's data on the antenna gain or calculations of the antenna gain.

(j) No station may transmit with a transmitter output exceeding 10 W PEP when the station is transmitting a SS emission type.

(k) No station may transmit in the 135.7-137.8 kHz (2200 m) band with a transmitter power exceeding 1.5 kW PEP or a radiated power exceeding 1 W EIRP.

(l) No station may transmit in the 472-479 kHz (630 m) band with a transmitter power exceeding 500 W PEP or a radiated power exceeding 5 W EIRP, except that in Alaska, stations located within 800 kilometers of the Russian Federation may not transmit with a radiated power exceeding 1 W EIRP.

(m) No station may transmit with a peak equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP) exceeding 316 W in the 76-81 GHz (4 mm) band.

[54 FR 25857, June 20, 1989, as amended at 56 FR 37161, Aug. 5, 1991; 56 FR 3043, Jan. 28, 1991; 60 FR 15688, Mar. 27, 1995; 65 FR 6550, Feb. 10, 2000; 71 FR 66465, Nov. 15, 2006; 75 FR 27204, May 14, 2010; 75 FR 78171, Dec. 15, 2010; 76 FR 17569, Mar. 30, 2011; 77 FR 5413, Feb. 3, 2012; 80 FR 53753, Sept. 8, 2015; 82 FR 27216, June 14, 2017; 82 FR 43872, Sept. 20, 2017]

§ 97.315 - Certification of external RF power amplifiers.

(a) Any external RF power amplifier (see § 2.815 of the FCC Rules) manufactured or imported for use at an amateur radio station must be certificated for use in the amateur service in accordance with subpart J of part 2 of the FCC Rules. No amplifier capable of operation below 144 MHz may be constructed or modified by a non-amateur service licensee without a grant of certification from the FCC.

(b) The requirement of paragraph (a) does not apply if one or more of the following conditions are met:

(1) The amplifier is constructed or modified by an amateur radio operator for use at an amateur station.

(2) The amplifier was manufactured before April 28, 1978, and has been issued a marketing waiver by the FCC, or the amplifier was purchased before April 28, 1978, by an amateur radio operator for use at that operator's station.

(3) The amplifier is sold to an amateur radio operator or to a dealer, the amplifier is purchased in used condition by a dealer, or the amplifier is sold to an amateur radio operator for use at that operator's station.

(c) Any external RF power amplifier appearing in the Commission's database as certificated for use in the amateur service may be marketed for use in the amateur service.

[71 FR 66465, Nov. 15, 2006]

§ 97.317 - Standards for certification of external RF power amplifiers.

(a) To receive a grant of certification, the amplifier must:

(1) Satisfy the spurious emission standards of § 97.307 (d) or (e) of this part, as applicable, when the amplifier is operated at the lesser of 1.5 kW PEP or its full output power and when the amplifier is placed in the “standby” or “off” positions while connected to the transmitter.

(2) Not be capable of amplifying the input RF power (driving signal) by more than 15 dB gain. Gain is defined as the ratio of the input RF power to the output RF power of the amplifier where both power measurements are expressed in peak envelope power or mean power.

(3) Exhibit no amplification (0 dB gain) between 26 MHz and 28 MHz.

(b) Certification shall be denied when:

(1) The Commission determines the amplifier can be used in services other than the Amateur Radio Service, or

(2) The amplifier can be easily modified to operate on frequencies between 26 MHz and 28 MHz.

[71 FR 66465, Nov. 15, 2006]