SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/hamg-usb-above-14

Which sideband is most common for voice on 14 MHz and higher?

Upper sideband (USB).

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  1. Upper sideband ✔
  2. Lower sideband
  3. Double sideband

Why: By long-standing convention, hams use upper sideband for voice on 20 meters and above. Lower sideband is the convention on 160, 75 and 40 meters.

Huh, didn't know that: Upper sideband is also the usual mode for SSB voice on VHF and UHF.

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References

Answer: Upper sideband. By long-standing convention, hams use upper sideband for voice on 20 meters and above. Lower sideband is the convention on 160, 75 and 40 meters.

  1. NCVEC 2023-2027 General Class Pool and Syllabus (6th Errata, Feb 4 2026) ncvec.org/downloads/General%20Class%20Pool%20and%20Syllabus%202023-2027%20Public%20Release%20with%206th%20Errata%20Feb%204%202026.pdf
    Upper sideband
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  2. NCVEC 2023-2027 General Class Pool and Syllabus (6th Errata, Feb 4 2026) ncvec.org/downloads/General%20Class%20Pool%20and%20Syllabus%202023-2027%20Public%20Release%20with%206th%20Errata%20Feb%204%202026.pdf
    Which mode is most commonly used for SSB voice communications in the VHF and UHF bands?
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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