Not legal advice. Numbers and mode limits are taken from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations: 47 CFR §97.301 (frequency sharing) and §97.305 (emission types), as reviewed checked against eCFR current as of 2026-10-06. If this site and the live eCFR disagree, follow the eCFR Part 97.
Cross-check: ARRL band plan (voluntary operating practices, not allocations). CW is permitted on any frequency where your class is authorized (§97.305(a)), except where another rule limits the emission. At 219–220 MHz, §97.303(l) and §97.305(c) allow data only.
What counts as data?
The FCC sorts modes by emission type, not by name (47 CFR 97.3(c), 97.305).
CW may be used anywhere your license class is authorized (97.305(a)), except where another rule limits the emission. 219–220 MHz is data only.
Counts as RTTY/data, so it follows the RTTY/data bar: FT8, FT4, JS8Call, PSK31, Baudot RTTY, ASCII, Olivia/MFSK, packet, PACTOR/Winlink, VARA.
Counts as image, so it follows the Phone/image bar: SSTV and fax.
AM and SSB voice count as phone.
Full emission rules: 97.305 on eCFR.
Shows four emission categories (CW, RTTY/data, phone, image). MCW, test and spread-spectrum emissions and the §97.307 emission standards also apply — see §97.305 and §97.307. HF RTTY and data are generally limited to 2.8 kHz (§97.307(f)(3)); 2200 m and 630 m keep the 300-baud or 1 kHz FSK limit. Spread spectrum, where authorized, is 10 W PEP (§97.313(j)).
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Power limits: §97.313. Use the minimum transmitter power necessary (§97.313(a)). PEP, ERP, and EIRP limits apply together. Includes 200 W PEP on 30 m and on Technician HF segments (§97.313(c)); 100 W ERP on the 60 m channels and 9.15 W ERP on 5351.5–5366.5 kHz (§97.313(i)); and 50 W PEP in the US270 areas on 70 cm (§97.313(f)).