Starter guide

Upgrading to a General license

A General license opens most of , the bands that reach across the country and around the world. It’s one more 35-question test, and there’s no FCC fee to upgrade. Here’s what changes and how to get there.

Printed from www.cqdeck.com/learn/upgrade-to-general. The page always has the latest version.

Download this guidePDF, 5 pages, 227 KB

What General opens

HF privileges, Technician and General
Band	Technician	General
160 m	None	All modes, 1.800–2.000 MHz.
80 m	CW only, 3.525–3.600 MHz.	CW and data 3.525–3.600 MHz. Voice 3.800–4.000 MHz.
60 m	None	Available, with power and mode rules unique to 60 m.
40 m	CW only, 7.025–7.125 MHz.	CW and data 7.025–7.125 MHz. Voice 7.175–7.300 MHz.
30 m	None	CW and data, 10.100–10.150 MHz. No voice on 30 m for anyone.
20 m	None	CW and data 14.025–14.150 MHz. Voice 14.225–14.350 MHz.
17 m	None	All modes, 18.068–18.168 MHz.
15 m	CW only, 21.025–21.200 MHz.	CW and data 21.025–21.200 MHz. Voice 21.275–21.450 MHz.
12 m	None	All modes, 24.890–24.990 MHz.
10 m	CW and data 28.000–28.300 MHz. Voice (SSB) and CW 28.300–28.500 MHz.	All modes, 28.000–29.700 MHz.

Voice on part of every HF voice band from 160 to 10 meters, so you can talk across the country and overseas, not just around town.
20 meters is the classic daytime band for long-distance contacts. 40 and 80 meters carry regional contacts in the evening and at night.
Data modes like on every HF band, which reach far even with a simple antenna.
Many more park to answer, plus HF nets that cover whole regions.
Up to 1,500 watts, though most hams run 100 watts or less.

Try itExplore the bands on the tuning dial

The General exam

35 multiple-choice questions from the public General question pool. Get 26 right and you pass, the same as Technician.
The current General pool is used through June 30, 2027. A new pool replaces it on July 1, 2027, so check which one covers your test date.
Expect more about HF operating, , antennas and electronics than on the Technician test.
It’s given at the same exam sessions, in person or online. There’s a session fee, but no FCC fee for an upgrade.
You can take it at the same session as Technician. With ARRL exam teams, one fee covers one try at each exam.

Try itFind an exam session

How to study

Use practice tests and flashcards built on the current General pool, and read the explanations when you miss one.
Learn the band plan with a picture in front of you. The tuning dial shows where General voice and data segments start and stop.
Propagation questions make more sense once you’ve watched real numbers for a while.
Get on HF before you pass by listening. An online receiver lets you hear 20 and 40 meters from your browser.
As with Technician, keep taking full practice tests until you pass them comfortably every time.

Try itFree study tools Reading solar numbers Listen to HF online

The day you pass

You don’t have to wait for the FCC. Your CSCE lets you use General privileges right away, as long as you add “AG” after your call sign.

On the air, say it with a word for the slash: “N0CALL stroke AG” or “N0CALL slash AG.” In Morse or digital modes, send N0CALL/AG.
Keep using it until the upgrade shows up in the FCC’s , then drop it. Your call sign stays the same unless you ask for a new one.
The CSCE covers you for up to 365 days while the FCC processes the upgrade.

Try itGet an email when your upgrade is issued

A simple first HF station

A 100 watt HF radio. Used radios from well-known makers are common and a good way to start.
A 12 volt power supply big enough for the radio, around 25 amps for most 100 watt radios.
The antenna matters most. A wire dipole or end-fed wire hung as high as you can get it works well, and an antenna tuner helps it match more bands.
Low power works too. Many hams start with a small radio and a wire in a park, which is how most Parks on the Air activators operate.
Before you transmit, do an RF exposure evaluation for your station, as FCC rules require. The ARRL’s free calculator walks you through it.

Try itARRL RF exposure calculator

First things to try

Set your license to General on Today, so the bands and parks match your new privileges.
Listen on 20 meter voice, 14.225 to 14.350 MHz, around midday. Hear how a contact goes before you call.
Answer a park activator. They want contacts, keep exchanges short and are happy to work new Generals.
Try FT8 on 20 or 40 meters with a computer and free software. It shows you how far your station reaches.
After dark, tune 40 and 80 meters for regional nets and conversations.

Try itToday Rehearse a park contact Am I getting out?

Sources

Start studying for General The Technician band plan How to get your license Ways to use your license Reading solar numbers