Ham Amateur Radio Technician Practice Exam 2026 - Free Technician Practice Questions and Study Guide

When using a 3 kHz wide Upper Sideband (USB) signal, it is important to consider the amount of bandwidth your transmission occupies. The carrier frequency itself will be positioned within that bandwidth. In USB mode, the signal occupies the bandwidth above the carrier frequency, meaning if your carrier is positioned too close to the edge of the band, it could lead to interference with other adjacent channels.

Positioning the carrier frequency at least 3 kHz below the edge of the band ensures that your entire sideband transmission, which extends 3 kHz above the carrier frequency, remains within the allocated segment of the band. This practice adheres to good operating procedures by preventing overlap with potentially active frequencies in the adjacent segment, thus maintaining a clean and respectful operating environment.