Anyone on 10M FM 28.300-28.500MHz in the Phoenix area?

[TNFrank]

Is anyone going to be or can they be on 10M, 28.300-28.500 MHz FM any time today. I'd like to try and make a QSO with someone to see if my Balun antenna set-up is working. I'll check back if anyone is interested let me know.

[WRYS709]

No one does FM below the 29 MHz portion of the 10 Meters band.

I am not sure if this is by custom or FCC Rule.

[TNFrank]

46 minutes ago, WRYS709 said:

No one does FM below the 29 MHz portion of the 10 Meters band.

I am not sure if this is by custom or FCC Rule.

That's probably why I didn't hear anyone. 

[WRYS709]

Afternoons have had band openings. Last weekend was a 10 meter contest and the band was exploding: FT8 plus SSB. Probably CW too

[TNFrank]

CW was what kept me from getting a HAM License in the early 80's. I'm not good with stuff like that. FT8 I know nothing about so I guess I need to research it a bit. 

[marcspaz]

19 hours ago, WRYS709 said:

No one does FM below the 29 MHz portion of the 10 Meters band.

I am not sure if this is by custom or FCC Rule.

 

18 hours ago, TNFrank said:

That's probably why I didn't hear anyone. 

 

§ 97.305(c), combined with § 97.307(f)(1)(2)(10) are the only locations I know of that define the limits and standards of emissions types you can use on 10m.  Per § 97.305(c), for frequencies above 28.3MHz, your emissions types are restricted to image and phone.  The standards that apply to phone are § 97.307(f)(1)(2)(10).  F1 and 2 do not restrict the type of voice emission you can use from 28.300MHz to 28.500MHz. Only the amount of power/bandwidth you can use, more or less saying 'don't over-modulate' as a loose translation.

Now, § 97.307(f)(10) does apply and does restrict what modulation type you can use IF you have a Novice or Technician license.  If you have either of those, you are restricted to CW (only using Morse code) and SSB.  Specifically, phone emissions J3E (no carrier SSB) and R3E (reduced carrier SSB).

 

The Band Plan gives it to you pictorially, which makes it easier to understand (I think).  I attached the PDF, too.  You will notice that Novice and Tech are also restricted to 200w, rather than the customary 1,500w.

 

 

Band Chart - 11X17 Color.pdf

[TNFrank]

Also as a Technician it's 28.300-28.500 sideband only, not standard FM.

[Lscott]

4 hours ago, marcspaz said:

 

 

§ 97.305(c), combined with § 97.307(f)(1)(2)(10) are the only locations I know of that define the limits and standards of emissions types you can use on 10m.  Per § 97.305(c), for frequencies above 28.3MHz, your emissions types are restricted to image and phone.  The standards that apply to phone are § 97.307(f)(1)(2)(10).  F1 and 2 do not restrict the type of voice emission you can use from 28.300MHz to 28.500MHz. Only the amount of power/bandwidth you can use, more or less saying 'don't over-modulate' as a loose translation.

Now, § 97.307(f)(10) does apply and does restrict what modulation type you can use IF you have a Novice or Technician license.  If you have either of those, you are restricted to CW (only using Morse code) and SSB.  Specifically, phone emissions J3E (no carrier SSB) and R3E (reduced carrier SSB).

 

The Band Plan gives it to you pictorially, which makes it easier to understand (I think).  I attached the PDF, too.  You will notice that Novice and Tech are also restricted to 200w, rather than the customary 1,500w.

 

 

Band Chart - 11X17 Color.pdf 183.74 kB · 1 download

One has to pass a test to get a license. That also means at least do the basic research, read the rules and follow established band plans. These sort of questions are a bit disappointing when licensed operators know better.

US Amature Band Plan 2020.pdf

[TNFrank]

There wasn't any questions on the test asking about 10M so how would someone know better?

[SteveShannon]

4 minutes ago, TNFrank said:

There wasn't any questions on the test asking about 10M so how would someone know better?

Did you study the band plan?  Remember, the questions on the test come from a much larger pool.  Even if you didn’t get that for a test question, you’re still obligated to work within the band plan, even if it means studying something that wasn’t in the test.

[marcspaz]

Yeah, it's definitely up to us as operators to know what we can and can't do. Its absolutely in the rules, training materials, and the test pool (even if it wasn't on the test you took). I think the important thing isn't necessarily to remember everything, but rather the remember the stuff that impacts your day-to-day use while remembering there are resources you can use to check when you want to operate outside your normal routine. 

 

One of the things I love about the radio community is, we're not out here looking for "got ya" moments. We manage ourselves (for the most part) so we try to be the best steward of the community we can be by promoting education and supporting licensees who truly do want to do the right thing. Its how community works. All communities. 

[TNFrank]

I looked at the Band Plan but at the time 10M wasn't even on my radar. I was more interested in 2M and 70cm since 90% of the Repeaters in my area were on those 2 Bands. 

Once I got my license and saw how far HF could travel it really peaked my curiosity about seeing just how far I could make a QSO using it. 

[marcspaz]

We still have a good 4 or 5 years for this solar cycle. You can literally work the world. Once we roll into cycle 26, the band will be dead for a decade.

[SteveShannon]

8 hours ago, TNFrank said:

I looked at the Band Plan but at the time 10M wasn't even on my radar. I was more interested in 2M and 70cm since 90% of the Repeaters in my area were on those 2 Bands. 

Once I got my license and saw how far HF could travel it really peaked my curiosity about seeing just how far I could make a QSO using it. 

I really do understand; it’s far easier to learn and retain what you’re interested in. 
Wait until you see how far the lower bands go. But just like VHF and UHF, power isn’t the most important factor. You’re better off (in my opinion) getting features that allow you to easily see and  tune to where there’s traffic. I would rather have a very good receiver and a nice waterfall display than high power, if that was the choice. 
I spoke to a guy in Twin Falls, Idaho using 5 watts. He said that I was 5-9 + 10 at some times. 
Don’t misunderstand me; I’m not saying power isn’t sometimes important.  It’s just that buying a radio for the power that has poor reception or that makes you work harder to find the signal would be really frustrating to me. 

[WRYZ926]

I have to agree with @SteveShannon. I would rather use the 20 watt Xiegu G90 with its waterfall versus using a 50-100 watt radio without a waterfall screen. And the 20 watt radio will get out just as well on HF with a good antenna setup versus a 50-100 watt radio.

I've made more contacts during POTA activations with my G90 and a resonant antenna versus guys running a 100 watt radio and an antenna that requires a tuner.

Granted, with all things being equal as far as antennas and the setup, a 100 watt radio will allow you to be heard better farther away than a 20 watt radio will. But don't get hung up on the power level. Power output is only part of the equation.

I am going to suggest going with the G90 even though it does not have 6m capabilities. It is a nice radio. And you will have something that does all modes on all HF bands for when you decide to upgrade to general. Trust me, once you start playing on 10m SSB and digital modes, you will want to upgrade so you can use the other HF bands.

[TNFrank]

I've been looking at this radio. My budget is around $200 and the reviews I've watched says it's a decent radio.

https://www.amazon.com/Retevis-HS4-Reduction-Protection-Transceiver/dp/B0D9N9YX4D

[SteveShannon]

34 minutes ago, TNFrank said:

I've been looking at this radio. My budget is around $200 and the reviews I've watched says it's a decent radio.

https://www.amazon.com/Retevis-HS4-Reduction-Protection-Transceiver/dp/B0D9N9YX4D

Please let us know how well you like it. 

[TNFrank]

It'll be a bit before I get it. I need to pay Amazon off first. 

[Northcutt114]

11 hours ago, WRYZ926 said:

I have to agree with @SteveShannon. I would rather use the 20 watt Xiegu G90 with its waterfall versus using a 50-100 watt radio without a waterfall screen. And the 20 watt radio will get out just as well on HF with a good antenna setup versus a 50-100 watt radio.

I've made more contacts during POTA activations with my G90 and a resonant antenna versus guys running a 100 watt radio and an antenna that requires a tuner.

Granted, with all things being equal as far as antennas and the setup, a 100 watt radio will allow you to be heard better farther away than a 20 watt radio will. But don't get hung up on the power level. Power output is only part of the equation.

I am going to suggest going with the G90 even though it does not have 6m capabilities. It is a nice radio. And you will have something that does all modes on all HF bands for when you decide to upgrade to general. Trust me, once you start playing on 10m SSB and digital modes, you will want to upgrade so you can use the other HF bands.

Santa is delivering a G90 to me tomorrow, and I have another one being delivered the day after that (a gift from a friend). He seems to think it doesn't work anymore, but I suspect he just blew the fuse. Fingers crossed I have two HF radios by Christmas!

@TNFrankonce I get set up, I'd be happy to try and QSO from ECONUS with you. Tech licensee myself. Seven three!

 

[WRYZ926]

12 hours ago, Northcutt114 said:

Santa is delivering a G90 to me tomorrow, and I have another one being delivered the day after that (a gift from a friend).

I actually have two G90's myself. I bought one in early 2024 and then won the second one in the Radioddity 12th Anniversary raffle.

[TNFrank]

As soon as I get my 10M radio we can plan a day and time to try and make a QSO. 

I'm waiting for silver to hit $70/oz at which time I'll sell 20 oz, pay Amazon off and order my radio. It was $67 today so it shouldn't be much longer. 73 pard.

[Northcutt114]

10 hours ago, WRYZ926 said:

I actually have two G90's myself. I bought one in early 2024 and then one the second one in the Radioddity 12th Anniversary raffle.

I never thought I would have one. The most money I've ever paid for a radio was less than half of what I paid for the G90. But I sold a couple of things I didn't need and lo and behold, here I am. Due to be delivered today. 

[WRYZ926]

30 minutes ago, Northcutt114 said:

I never thought I would have one. The most money I've ever paid for a radio was less than half of what I paid for the G90. But I sold a couple of things I didn't need and lo and behold, here I am. Due to be delivered today. 

Don't look at any of the 100 watt base radios then. I have an Icom IC-7300 HF radio. They are around $1000 new. I bought mine used for a good deal. The Yaesu base radios cost about the same. And forget about looking at Kenwood base radios.

I would love to have the Icom IC-9700 VHF/UHF base radio but those are $2000. That is on my "someday" wishlist.

[SteveShannon]

49 minutes ago, WRYZ926 said:

Don't look at any of the 100 watt base radios then. I have an Icom IC-7300 HF radio. They are around $1000 new. I bought mine used for a good deal. The Yaesu base radios cost about the same. And forget about looking at Kenwood base radios.

I would love to have the Icom IC-9700 VHF/UHF base radio but those are $2000. That is on my "someday" wishlist.

The ic7300 mKII appears to be an excellent upgrade, but it sells for around $1500.

[WRYZ926]

The 7300MkII does seem to be a good upgrade. If I was in the market for a new HF base station, I would probably get the 730MkII versus the 7300. There is nothing wrong with the 7300 and I have been using mine for a while now with zero issues. But the upgrades on the MkII are worth if you don't already have a radio.