E1F01: On what frequencies are spread spectrum transmissions permitted?

E1F01§ 97.305E1F →

On what frequencies are spread spectrum transmissions permitted?

AOnly on amateur frequencies above 50 MHz
BOnly on amateur frequencies above 222 MHz
COnly on amateur frequencies above 420 MHz
DOnly on amateur frequencies above 144 MHz

Why Spread spectrum spreads a signal over a bandwidth far wider than a conventional voice or data emission, so the FCC limits it to bands with room to spare. Under 97.305 the emission designator SS is authorized only in the 222 MHz band and every amateur band above it, which is why the answer is any amateur frequency above 222 MHz. The 6 meter and 2 meter allocations are only 4 MHz and 2 MHz wide, too narrow to host it.

Watch out The choice saying above 420 MHz reflects the older rule, before the FCC extended spread spectrum privileges down to the 222 MHz band; the 50 MHz and 144 MHz choices are bands where SS is not authorized at all.

Spread spectrum starts at the triple deuce: 222 MHz and up.

HamSandwich explanation, first draft. The question and answers are the NCVEC text.

47 CFR 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):

eCFR text as of 1 Sep 2026 · read on ecfr.gov

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