What General Class Adds
The single biggest change with a General Class license is access to HF — the high-frequency shortwave bands that carry signals around the world. As a Technician, you are largely limited to VHF and UHF bands that cover local and regional distances. General opens the door to contacts in other countries, DXing (long-distance operating), and bands that propagate differently depending on solar conditions.
| Band | Frequencies | What It Enables |
|---|---|---|
| 160 meters | 1.800–2.000 MHz | Regional/continental at night |
| 80 meters | 3.525–4.000 MHz | Domestic and regional contacts |
| 40 meters | 7.025–7.300 MHz | Domestic daytime, international at night |
| 20 meters | 14.025–14.350 MHz | Best worldwide DX band — international contacts daily |
| 15 meters | 21.025–21.450 MHz | Excellent DX when solar conditions are right |
| 10 meters | 28.000–29.700 MHz | Worldwide when open; also available to Technicians in part |
How the General Exam Compares to Technician
The General exam is 35 questions from a separate question pool — the same format as Technician, but covering different material. You need 26 correct answers to pass (74%). The material includes more HF operating procedure, antenna feed line theory, propagation, and electronics than Technician — but nothing dramatically harder for someone who studied Technician thoroughly.
Most hams who passed Technician find General manageable with 2–4 weeks of additional study. You do not start over — your Technician knowledge carries forward, and you add the HF-specific material on top of it.
Can I Take Both Exams the Same Day?
Yes. Many exam sessions allow you to attempt General immediately after passing Technician at the same session. There is no waiting period between attempts. You pay only one exam session fee. If you are actively studying and scoring well on General practice tests, consider bringing your General preparation to the Technician session — you may pass both in one visit.
When Does Upgrading Make Sense?
Upgrade when you find yourself wanting to talk to people outside repeater range — in other states, other countries, or in areas with no local repeater infrastructure. If you are happy with local VHF/UHF operating, repeater conversations, and digital modes like APRS, your Technician license may serve you indefinitely. There is no obligation to upgrade.
- Is there an additional FCC fee to upgrade from Technician to General?No. The FCC does not currently charge a fee for license upgrades (Technician to General, or General to Extra). The $35 fee applies to new license issuances and renewals. You pay only the exam session fee to the VE team ($14–$15) when testing for the upgrade.
- Do I need a new call sign when I upgrade?No. Your existing call sign stays. You may apply for a vanity call sign with a shorter format (1×3) after upgrading to General, but there is no requirement to do so.
- What HF radio should I buy after getting General?The Icom IC-7300 is the most recommended entry-level HF transceiver for new General Class operators — it covers HF through 70 MHz, has a built-in antenna tuner and spectrum display, and sells new for around $1,000. Used Yaesu FT-857D transceivers offer more band coverage at lower cost. Budget operators sometimes start with a QRP (low-power) rig like the Xiegu G90 around $400.
Informational only. Verify current rules and fees at fcc.gov and arrl.org. Ham Radio License is not affiliated with the FCC, ARRL, or any VEC.