HF Radio for Technician Class Operators — Your Actual Privileges

The 10-Meter Voice Band — Your Best HF Opportunity

Technician Class operators have SSB voice privileges on 28.300–28.500 MHz — a 200-kHz slice of the 10-meter HF band. When 10 meters is open, Technicians can make voice contacts across the continent and around the world. During solar maximum conditions (the solar cycle peaks roughly every 11 years), 10-meter propagation can be spectacular — contacts to Europe, South America, and the Pacific are routine during band openings.

The critical qualifier: "when conditions are right." The 10-meter band is highly dependent on solar activity. During solar minimum years, the band may be quiet for days or weeks. During solar maximum (we were near a peak in 2024–2025), 10 meters can be open for hours daily to multiple continents. Check propagation forecasts at DXMaps.com or PSKreporter.info to see real-time 10-meter activity.

CW Privileges on HF

Technicians also have Morse code (CW) privileges in portions of the 80m, 40m, 15m, and 10m bands. The specific sub-bands are narrow — but they are real privileges. If you learn CW, these sub-bands give you worldwide HF access even as a Technician. Many Technicians who learn CW make more international contacts than General Class operators who do not operate digital or CW modes.

What Equipment You Need

To use Technician HF privileges you need an HF-capable transceiver — your VHF/UHF handheld cannot transmit on 10 meters. Entry-level HF options:

• Icom IC-7300 — ~$1,000 new, ~$700 used. The standard recommendation. Built-in tuner, waterfall display, excellent receive performance.
• Yaesu FT-891 — ~$600. Compact, mobile-friendly, full HF coverage. No built-in tuner.
• Xiegu G90 — ~$400. Budget HF radio with built-in tuner and small form factor. Good performance for the price.

Is It Worth Buying HF Equipment as a Technician?

Honestly: only if 10 meters specifically interests you and you are not planning to upgrade to General soon. Most Technicians who catch the HF bug upgrade their license within 6–12 months and want the full General Class HF privileges. If you are going to invest $400–$1,000 in an HF radio, doing so after getting your General license unlocks dramatically more of that equipment's capability.

• How do I know if 10 meters is open?
  Check PSKreporter.info, DXMaps.com, or the WSPRnet propagation map. These show real-time reception reports from signals on the HF bands. If you see reports flowing across the Atlantic or Pacific on 10 meters, the band is open. You can also tune to 28.400 MHz (the SSB calling area) and simply listen — if you hear voices, the band is open.
• Can I use my existing 2m/70cm antenna for 10 meters?
  No. VHF/UHF antennas are designed for completely different frequency ranges. A 10-meter antenna is physically much larger — a half-wave dipole for 10 meters is about 16 feet long. Common 10-meter antennas include wire dipoles (inexpensive, effective) and vertical antennas like the Diamond CP6AR (covers 10m through 6m).