ok so i passed my general a few months back and ive been trying to figure out exactly what frequencies im allowed to use and honestly the FCC part 97 document is kind of a mess to read through. like i understand theres allocations for each license class but every time i look up something i get a different answer depending on the website.

my main question is about 40 meters, specifically around 7.200 and above. i was told generals cant use phone there but then i heard someone say that changed? and also what about 60 meters, do i even have access to that as a general or is that an extra thing. i tried reading the actual rule but it was confusing with all the references to other subsections pointing to other subsections.

also is there a simple chart somewhere that isnt just someone's blog that i can trust for this stuff

the ARRL frequency allocation chart is probably your best bet, they keep it updated and its based directly on part 97. just google ARRL band plan and grab the PDF. for 40 meters generals do get phone privileges but only up to 7.300, and 7.175 to 7.300 is the general phone subband so youre fine up there. 7.200 is absolutely within your privileges.

60 meters is a bit of a weird one, generals do have access but its channelized, meaning you cant just pick any frequency, theres only 5 specific channels and you have to use USB and keep power under a certain limit. its covered in 97.303 i think, or somewhere around there. honestly the rules on 60m are annoying enough that a lot of people just avoid it unless they have a specific reason to be there.

the actual part 97 document on the FCC website is searchable as a webpage now not just a PDF so that helps a little but yeah its still written like a legal document because it basically is one

went through the same confusion when i upgraded, the subband charts really do help more than reading the raw text. one thing that tripped me up was thinking the privileges were the same worldwide, they arent, part 97 is just US. if you ever operate portable in another country or even think about it thats a whole other rabbit hole with reciprocal licensing and stuff