Situational Awareness is simply knowing what is happening. Information enables us to make more intelligent or informed decisions. Informed decisions could be the difference between surviving or not surviving. Communications is the exchange of information between a sender and receiver. It could be a simple shout, Morse telegraph or a complex computer network. This article will focus on using radios that are available to the general public. All frequencies listed in the following, except AM broadcasting, are in megahertz (MHz) or million cycles/second.
Radio and Television Broadcasting
There is usually a radio playing in my home and vehicle. The radio station I regularly listen to has news every 30 minutes and bulletins for breaking news. No special equipment is needed, just listen to your favorite station. The AM broadcast frequencies are 540 – 1700 KHz. During daylight hours these frequencies are absorbed by the upper atmosphere, only local stations can be heard. During nighttime hours they are reflected back to earth enabling distant stations to be heard. Most tabletop radios can be used without modification but they often lack the selectivity needed to separate stations. Adding an external antenna can make the selectivity problem worst.
I recommend using a good quality AM/FM radio designed for vehicles. They can operate on 12 volt batteries, with very short antennas, good selectivity, push-button tuning and often have scanning functions. Many automotive radios have front and rear speakers. Connect the rear speaker wires to a stereo phone jack for headphones. Distant FM and TV stations can not be received. These stations use much higher frequencies and are seldom reflected back toward earth therefore limited to “line-of-sight” or less than 100 miles.
List of 50,000 watt “clear channel” AM stations. Frequencies are in kilohertz (KHz)
540 WFLF ORLANDO, FL
580 KMJ FRESNO, CA
640 KFI LOS ANGELES, CA
650 WSM NASHVILLE, TN / KENI ANCHORAGE, AK
660 WFAN NEW YORK CITY, NY / KTNN WINDOW ROCK, AZ
670 WSCR CHICAGO, IL / KBOI BOISE, ID
680 KNBR SAN FRANCISCO, CA / WRKO BOSTON, MA / WPTF RALEIGHT, NC
700 WLW CINCINNATI, OH
710 WOR NEW YORK CITY, NY / KIRO SEATTLE, WA / WAQI MIAMI, FL
720 WGN CHICAGO, IL / KDWN LAS VEGAS, NV
740 KCBS SAN FRANCISCO, CA / KTRH HOUSTON, TX / WQTM ORLANDO, FL
750 WSB ATLANTA, GA / KFQD ANCHORAGE, AK
760 WJR DETROIT, MI / KFMB SAN DIEGO, CA
770 WABC NEW YORK CITY, NY / KKOB ALBUQUERQUE, NM
780 WBBM CHICAGO, IL / KKOH RENO, NV
810 WGY SCHENECTADY, NY / KGO SAN FRANCISCO, CA / WKVM PUERTO RICO
820 WBAP FT WORTH-DALLAS, TX
830 WCCO MINNEASPOLIS, MN
840 WHAS LOUISVILLE, KY
850 KOA DENVER, CO / WEEI BOSTON, MA
870 WWL NEW ORLEANS, LA / KAIM HONOLULU, HI
880 WCBS NEW YORK CITY, NY / KRVN LEXINGTON, NE
890 WLS CHICAGO, IL
940 KWRU FRESNO, CA
950 KJR SEATTLE, WA / WWJ DETROIT, MI
1000 WMVP CHICAGO, IL / KOMO SEATTLE, WA
1010 WINS NEW YORK CITY, NY
1020 KDKA PITTSBURGH, PA / KINF ROSWELL, NM / KTNQ LOS ANGELES, CA
1030 WBZ BOSTON, MA / KTWO CASPER, WY
1040 WHO DES MOINES, IA
1050 WEVD NEW YORK CITY, NY
1060 KYW PHILADELPHIA, PA
1070 KNX LOS ANGELES, CA
1080 WTIC HARTFORD, CT / KRLD DALLAS, TX
1090 WBAL BALTIMORE, MD / KAAY LITTLE ROCK, AR / KYCW SEATTLE, WA
1100 WTAM CLEVELAND, OH / KFAX SAN FRANCISCO, CA
1110 WBT CHARLOTTE, NC / KFAB OMAHA, NE
1120 KMOX ST LOUIS, MO / KPNW EUGENE, OR
1130 WBBR NEW YORK CITY, NY / KWKH SHREVEPORT, LA
1140 WRVA RICHMOND, VA / KHTK SACRAMENTO, CA
1150 KXTA BURBANK, CA
1160 KSL SALT LAKE CITY, UT
1170 KFAQ TULSA, OK / WWVA WHEELING, WV
1180 WHAM ROCHESTER, NY
1190 KEX PORTLAND, OR
1200 WQAI SAN ANTONIO, TX
1210 WPHT PHILADELPHIA, PA
1220 WHK CLEVELAND, OH
1500 KSTP ST PAUL-MINNEAPOLIS, MN / WTOP WASHINGTON DC
1510 KGA SPOKANE, WA / WLAC NASHVILLE, TN / WWZN BOSTON, MA
1520 KOMA OKLAHOMA CITY, OK / WWKB BUFFALO, NY
1530 KFBK SACRAMENTO, CA / WSAI CINCINNATI, OH
1540 KXEL WATERLOO, IA / WPTR ALBANY, NY
1560 WQEW NEW YORK CITY, NY
1580 KBLA SANTA MONICA, CA / KMIK PHOENIX, AZ
Additional information about AM/FM broadcasting including this list of “clear channel” stations obtained here.
National Weather Service all hazards alert radios
Every family, and many businesses, should have a National Weather Service (NWS) all hazard alert radio. The NWS not only provides current weather conditions and forecasts, they also transmit all hazard alerts for a wide area. These alerts are not all weather related: such as “shelter in place”, “radiation hazard”, “civil emergency message”, “evacuation immediate”, “911 telephone outage” or “child abduction emergency”. All hazard alert radios can be programmed for only one county. The “Specific Area Message Encoding” ( SAME ) is a 6 digit code: ABCDEF. A = in most cases 0, it can be used to sub-divide a county into zones ( 1 – 9 ) otherwise zero for the entire county, BC = state number; DEF = county number. Example: Clay county
Missouri 0 29 047 / 0 = entire county / 29 = Missouri state code/ 047 = Clay county code. If a hazard affects a larger area or region, then all the affected counties will be individually triggered by the alert signal. Most NWS radios can be programmed for multiple counties. The National Weather Service has seven radio channels, frequency modulated ( FM ) voice & data:
162.400 162.425 162.450 162.475 162.500 162.525 162.550
National Weather Service station coverage and “SAME” codes can be obtained a the NOAA web site.
International Shortwave Broadcasting:
Nearly every country broadcasts on shortwave ( 2.3 – 26.1 MHz ). Many of these countries transmit powerful signals that are some times beamed toward North America. These broadcasts can often be heard on portable shortwave radios. International broadcasters often cover stories not reported in the American media. If you use or are learning another language there are many non-english broadcasts. These signals travel thousands of miles via the upper atmosphere and they may have static, fading or interference. These signals are also affected by the seasons, time of day and solar activity (sunspots etc). Broadcasters often change frequencies, languages and times. Any schedule would soon become out of date. I have never used a “schedule. In stead, I just tune around the dial and listen to any interesting stations.
Usually good only at night:
2.300 – 2.495, 3.200 – 3.400, 3.900 – 4.000, 4.750 – 5.060, 5.900 – 6.200, 7.100 – 7.450
Usually good day or night:
9.400 – 9.900, 11.600 – 12.100, 13.570 – 13.870, 15.100 – 15.800
Usually good when sun is active:
17.480 – 17.900, 18.900 – 19.020, 21.450 – 21.850, 25.670 – 26.100
Listing of English shortwave broadcasts sorted by time.
Listing of English shortwave broadcasts sorted by country.
Listing of English shortwave broadcasts sorted by frequency.
An excellent web site: “Shortwave Monitoring Guide”
SHORTWAVE EMERGENCY FREQUENCIES
There are many shortwave frequencies used for long distance emergency communications. AM and International broadcaster’s transmit a carrier with two sidebands [ lower / carrier / upper ]. Both sidebands have the same information therefore redundant. Shortwave frequencies use single sideband modulation ( SSB ). SSB removes the carrier and one sideband, only one sideband is transmitted. The advantage of SSB is a narrower more powerful signal. Disadvantages: SSB signals are harder to tune, when mistuned they sound “quacky” and when the talking stops the entire signal disappears. Almost all signals on shortwave are upper
sideband ( USB ).
It takes a better and more costly receiver to correctly copy SSB signals. If you purchase a shortwave radio I recommend it be capable of receiving SSB signals. Practice listening to USB signals by tuning to amateur radio operators ( Hams ) between 14.150 – 14.350 MHz. When you hear a signal slowly tune back and forth until the voice sounds normal. ( Read the radio owner’s manual ).
The frequencies listed are the suppressed carrier, which is not transmitted. The actual USB signal will be centered about 1.4 KHz higher or lower sideband ( LSB ) signals will be centered about 1.4KHz lower.
SECURE ( State Emergency Communications Using Radio Effectively ) is a secondary emergency back-up communications network. Each state in the network may operate base and mobile stations, transmitting in USB voice, data and maybe morse code. I do not know of any scheduled drills or net operations. Suggest monitoring the interstate coordination frequency 2.326 MHz.
SECURE; Listed by states ( 33 states in network )
AL 2.326 2.487 5.135 5.192 7.805 7.935
CA 2.326 2.419 2.422 2.804 2.812 5.140 5.195 7.480 7.802 7.805
CO 2.326 2.466 2.471 2.274 5.135 7.802 7.805
CT 2.326 2.419 5.135 5.192 7.477 7.805
FL 2.326 2.439 2.463 5.140 7.805 7.932
ID 2.326 2.414 2.471 2.535 2.804 5.135 5.140 5.195 7.477 7.805 7.932
IL 2.326 2.414 2.569 2.804 5.135 5.140 5.192 7.480 7.802 7.932 7.935
IN 2.326 2.487 2.511 5.135 5.140 7.802 7.805 7.935
LO 2.326 2.812 5.192 7.477 7.480 7.805
ME 2.326 2.414 5.135 5.192 7.805
MA 2.326 2.411 2.414 2.419 5.135 5.192 7.447 7.805
MI 2.326 2.414 2.804 5.140 7.477 7.805
MS 2.326 2.535 2.569 5.195 7.477 7.805
MO 2.326 2.411 2.414 2.419 2.439 2.463 5.140 5.192 7.477 7.802 7.805 7.935
MT 2.326 2.804 2.812 7.477 7.480 7.805
NE 2.326 2.804 2.812 5.192 7.805 7.935
NV 2.326 2.487 2.511 5.195 7.480 7.805 7.932
NH 2.326 2.414 5.135 5.192 7.805
NJ 2.326 2.411 2.587 5.195 7.805
NM 2.801 2.804 5.135 5.140 7.477 7.480 7.805
NY 2.326 2.812 5.135 7.477
NC 2.326 2.411 5.135 7.477 7.935
OH 2.326 2.419 2.422
OK 2.801 2.804 5.135 5.140 7.477 7.480 7.805
OR 2.326 2.414 2.801 5.135 5.195 7.480 7.802 7.805 7.935
RI 2.326 2.411 2.419 5.135 5.192 7.477 7.805
SC 2.326 2.422 2.511 5.135 7.480 7.932
TN 2.326 2.419 2.474 5.135 5.140 5.195 7.480 7.805 7.932
TX 2.326 2.419 2.422 2.587 2.801 2.804 2.812 5.140 5.192 5.195 7.802 7.805 7.932 7.935
VT 2.326 2.411 2.419 5.135 5.192 7.477 7.805
VA 2.326 2.411 2.463 2.511 2.587 2.801 2.812 5.140 5.192 5.195 7.805
WA 2.326 2.411 2.414 2.587 2.801 5.192 7.805 7.935
WY 2.326 2.414 2.419 5.195 7.805 7.932
SECURE: Listed by frequency
2.326 INTERSTATE COORDINATION FREQUENCY ONLY
2.411 MA MO NJ NC RI VT VA WA
2.414 ID IL ME MA MI MO NH OR WA WY
2.419 CA CT MA MO OH RI TN TX VT WY
2.422 CA OH SC TX
2.439 FL MO
2.463 FL MO VA
2.466 CO
2.471 CO ID
2.474 AL CO TN
2.487 AL IN NV
2.511 IN NV SC VA
2.535 ID MS
2.569 IL MS
2.587 NJ TX VA WA
2.801 NM OK OR TX VA WA
2.804 CA ID IL MI MT NE NM OK TX
2.812 CA LA MT NE NY TX VA
5.135 INTERSTATE COORDINATION FREQUENCY ONLY (ALTERNATE)
5.140 CA FL ID IL IN MI MO NM OK TN TX VA
5.192 INTERSTATE COORDINATION FREQUENCY ONLY
5.195 CA ID MA MS NV NJ OR TN TX VA WY
7.477 CT ID LA MA MI MS MO MT NM NY NC OK RI VT
7.480 CA IL LA MT NV NM OK OR SC TN
7.802 CA CO IL IN MO OR TX (DAY ONLY)
7.805 INTERSTATE COORDINATION FREQUENCY ONLY
7.932 FL ID IL NV SC TN TX WY
7.935 AL IL IN MO NE NC OR TX WA (DAY ONLY)
SECURE locations and frequencies obtained from the Federal Communications Commission ( FCC ) database.
SHARES ( SHAred RESources ) is a network of over 1000 stations representing 93 federal, state and industry sharing radio resources. They have standardized message formats and procedures, so any agency can transmit emergency messages for other agencies. Each agency maintains their own ( unpublished ) frequencies. Drills and weekly nets are called on Wednesday 1600 – 1800 z ( 1100 – 1300 EST or 1200 – 1400 EDT ). Large scale drills are conducted in April, August and December.
4.490 5.236 5.711 5.901 6.800 7.632 9.064 9.106 10.5865 11.108
11.217 13.242 14.3965 14.455 14.3965 15.094 17.487 20.107 26.812
Information about SHARES found here.
FEMA ( Federal Emergency Management Agency ) has a network of shortwave stations between their regional offices: The day primary frequency is 10.493 MHz USB and night primary frequency is 5.212 MHz USB.
Net is called almost daily on 10.493 MHz at 1600 z ( 1100 EST or 1200 EDT ).
Each Monday, Thursday and Friday by primary net control station in Philadelphia, PA.
Also 1st Tuesday in January, April, July, October by primary station in Philadelphia, PA.
Also 1st Tuesday in February, May, August, November by 2nd alternate in Denton, TX.
Also 1st Tuesday in March, June, September, December by 3rd alternate in Thomasville GA.
Then 2nd Tuesday in March, June, September, December by 4th alternate in Battle Creek, MI.
Finally, every Wednesday an open drill between all regional stations. During any disaster or emergency, the affected state is in authority.
FEMA HQ Washington DC
Region #1 Boston: CT MA ME NH RI VT
Region #2 New York City: NJ NY PR VI
Region #3 Philadelphia: DC DE MD PA VA WV
Region #4 Atlanta: AL FL GA KY MS NC SC TN
Region #5 Chicago: IL IN MI MN OH WI
Region #6 Denton: AR LA NM OK TX
Region #7 Kansas City: IA KS MO NE
Region #8 Denver: CO MT ND SD UT WY
Region #9 Oakland: AZ CA GU HI NV
Region #10 Seattle: AK ID OR WA
2.321 ( Foxtrot 06 ) Regions 8,9,10
2.361 ( Foxtrot 07 ) Regions 6,8,9
2.375 ( Foxtrot 08 ) Region 4
2.446 ( Foxtrot 09 ) Regions 1,3,5,9,10
2.659 ( Foxtrot 10 ) Regions 3,4,7,8,10
3.342 ( Foxtrot 11 ) Regions 4,5,6,7,8
3.380 ( Foxtrot 12 ) Regions 5,6,8,9,10
3.390 ( Foxtrot 13 ) Regions 5,6,7,8
4.603 Region 4
5.212 ( Foxtrot 15 ) All regions, night primary frequency
5.403 ( Foxtrot 16 ) Regions 9,10
5.822 ( Foxtrot 17 ) Regions 1,2
5.962 ( Foxtrot 18 ) Regions 1,2,3,4,5,6,8,9,10
6.050 ( Foxtrot 19 ) Regions 3,5,8,10
6.107 ( Foxtrot 20 ) Regions 3,4,6,7,8,10
6.109 ( Foxtrot 21 ) All regions
6.152 ( Foxtrot 22 ) Regions 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10
6.177 ( Foxtrot 23 ) Regions 6,8,10
6.180 ( Foxtrot 24 )
6.809 Regions 9,10
7.349 ( Foxtrot 25 ) Regions 1,4,5,6,8,9,10 Point-to-point primary frequency
7.428 Region 4
9.463 ( Foxtrot 26 ) Regions 9,10
10.493 ( Foxtrot 28 ) All Regions, day primary frequency,
10.589 ( Foxtrot 29 ) Regions 8,9,10
10.793 Region 9
10.407 ( Foxtrot 30 ) Regions 1,4,6,8
11.802 ( Foxtrot 31 ) Regions 3,6,8,9,10
11.958 ( Foxtrot 32 ) Regions 5,7,8,9
12.010 ( Foxtrot 33 ) Regions 9,10
12.217 ( Foxtrot 34 ) Regions 5,6,8,9,10
14.451 ( Foxtrot 35 ) All regions
14.777 ( Foxtrot 36 ) All regions
14.837 ( Foxtrot 37 ) All regions
14.886 ( Foxtrot 38 ) All regions
14.900 ( Foxtrot 39 ) All regions
14.909 ( Foxtrot 40 ) All regions
16.202 ( Foxtrot 41 ) Regions 9,10
16.431 ( Foxtrot 42 ) Regions 9,10
17.520 ( Foxtrot 43 ) Regions 9,10
17.650 ( Foxtrot 44 ) Regions 5,8,9,10
18.745 ( Foxtrot 45 ) Regions 9,10
19.758 ( Foxtrot 46 ) Regions 9,10
19.970 ( Foxtrot 47 ) Regions 9,10
20.028 ( Foxtrot 48 ) All regions
20.405 Philadelphia, PA ( Primary Net Control ) to Washington DC
21.919 Denver, CO ( 1st Alternate ) to Mt. Weather VA
27.850 Philadelphia, PA ( Primary Net Control ) to Washington DC
FEMA information and frequencies obtained here.
Additional information about FEMA and SHARES can be found here.
AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS operates shortwave base stations and mobile units for long-distance
emergency communications. The listed locations and frequencies, from the FCC database.
Washington DC, Austin TX, Kansas City MO and Berryville VA.
2.326 2.463 2.801 3.170 3.201 5.135 5.140 6.858 7.480 7.549 7.697 7.932 7.935
Gretna LA has only one frequency listed: 3.201 MHz, USB only
AMATEUR ( Ham ) RADIO NETS handle emergency messages during disasters. Amateur radio stations do not have assigned frequencies. All frequencies listed are approximate.
ARRL ( American Radio Relay League ) during a communications emergency transmits hourly bulletins from their station W1AW in Newington, CT.
VOICE hh:00 MORSE CODE hh:30
1.855 LSB 1.8175
3.990 LSB 3.5815
7.290 LSB 7.0475
14.290 USB 14.0475
18.160 USB 18.0975
21.390 USB 21.0675
28.590 USB 28.0675
See the ARRL web site.
ARRL has an online search for amateur radio nets.
Hurricane Watch Net is active whenever a hurricane is within 300 miles of land in the northern western hemisphere. Amateur radio station WX4NHC located at the National Hurricane Center in Miami, FL.
3.977 LSB nights
7.265 LSB nights
14.265 USB daytime
More information about National Hurricane Center at http://www.fiu.edu/orgs/w4ehw/
Additional hurricane net frequencies can be obtained at http://www.hurricanefrequencies.com
SATERN The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network is called on 14.265 MHz daily ( except Sundays ) at 1500 z ( 1000 EST or 0900 EDT ).
3.740 LSB
3.977 LSB
7.265 LSB
14.265 USB – daytime primary frequency
See web site http://www.satern.org/net further information
RADIO FREQUENCY SCANNERS
I own two radio scanners yet seldom have them turned on. During an emergency both scanners would be operated 24×7. The first scanner is programmed with local public safety ( air, fire, police and medical ) channels. The other scanner is a wide-band receiver ( 1 – 1500 MHz ) is currently programmed for shortwave broadcasting and two-way channels.
Here are a few frequencies I will monitor during an emergency. All frequencies use FM voice.
MEDCOM ( Medical Communications )
Nation-wide most hospitals and ambulance services use these frequencies.
463.000 463.025 463.050 463.075 463.100 463.125 463.150 463.175
462.950 ( Dispatch 1 ) 462.975 ( Dispatch 2 )
Many local Red Cross chapters operate on 47.42 MHz for disaster relief and damage assessments.
Many CERT Community Emergency Response Teams use FRS channel 1 ( no sub-channel ). If there is a disaster near your area CERT maybe engaged in search and rescue. DO NOT TRANSMIT non-emergency messages on channel 1. Monitoring channel 1 ( 462.5625 MHz ) could provide important information.
Amateur radio national FM calling frequency = 146.520 MHz and local repeater channels.
Here are two web sites for finding local frequencies: http://www.fcc.gov/searchtools.html and http://www.ac6v.com
TWO – WAY COMMUNICATIONS
Disaster planning should include using two-way communications. Anything said on a radio is not secure. Keep all transmissions short! Instead of “cute handles” use false names. Example; Bob could always be called Jim on the radio. Anybody listening would assume Jim is on the radio. If available, use the “automatic roger” feature that sends a “beep” at the end of each transmission. Request repeats only if transmission was not fully understood.
Use a prearranged phrase that is said at the end of the message, such as; ” Good day! “. If that phrase IS NOT said, ( or the WRONG phrase is said), then that could indicate trouble without alerting people outside your group. Do not call back and ask if they are okay. Instead ask for a repeat, like you did not understand their last transmission. If the phrase is omitted again take pre-planned action.
PLAIN OLD TELEPHONE SERVICE ( POTS ). Have at least one telephone that is powered by the phone line. These telephones will continue to function during power outages. However storm damage can cause service outages.
Do not place unnecessary calls during a disaster. Too many people trying to use the telephone at the same time can deny dial tone to everyone. Reserve the phone lines for real emergencies.
CELLULAR TELEPHONES: Everybody has them. Easy to use, reliable until disaster strikes! Too many people using their phones at the same time will crash the network. Disasters can take down towers and disturb power. Do not depend on cellular telephones for emergencies. Federal law prohibits listening to cellular telephone conversations and most scanners have those frequencies blocked.
CITIZENS BAND: ( CB ) Unlicensed 40 channels limited to 4 watts for AM or 12 watts for SSB voice modulation. If you decide to use CB install a good base station antenna. Every vehicle used during a disaster should be equipped with a CB radio. A good base station has a range of 10 miles or more. A big disadvantage of CB is interference and lack of security.
CB could be used to communicate with nearby sites or groups. Every site monitors the national emergency channel 9 ( 27.065 MHz ). Place a call on channel 9 using tactical call signs or handles. If the conversation lasts longer than a few seconds move to another [pre-arranged] channel. When the call is finished all sites return to monitoring channel nine.
CITIZENS BAND FREQUENCIES
1 – 26.965 8 – 27.055 rc – 27.145 23 – 27.255 32 – 27.325
2 – 26.975 9 – 27.065 16 – 27.155 24 – 27.235 33 – 27.335
3 – 26.985 10 – 27.075 17 – 27.165 25 – 27.245 34 – 27.345
rc 26.995 11 – 27.085 18 – 27.175 26 – 27.265 35 – 27.355
4 – 27.005 rc – 27.095 19 – 27.185 27 – 27.275 36 – 27.365
5 – 27.015 12 – 27.105 rc – 27.195 28 – 27.285 37 – 27.375
6 – 27.025 13 – 27.115 20 – 27.205 29 – 27.295 38 – 27.385
7 – 27.035 14 – 27.125 21 – 27.215 30 – 27.305 39 – 27.395
rc 27.045 15 – 27.135 22 – 27.225 31 – 27.315 40 – 27.405 rc = remote control / no voice
Rules and regulations for CB operations can be found here.
FAMILY RADIO SERVICE ( FRS ) is unlicensed 14 channels ( 1 – 14 ) limited to 1/2 watt with frequency modulation ( FM ) voice. FRS has a range of only 1/2 to 2 miles. Do not believe the mileage claimed on the handheld packaging! The commonly available FRS/GMRS handhelds have 22 channels. Do not use channels 15 – 22 unless you have a GMRS license.
Have your older child(ren) carry a FRS radio in their school back-pack(s). In case of an emergency ( school lock-down ) your child may be able to communicate with you. They may not have access to their back-packs so you need to wait for them to call you!
Learn more about using FRS radio for emergencies here.
GENERAL MOBILE RADIO SERVICE ( GMRS ) is licensed 15 channels ( 1 – 7 & 15 – 22 ) limited to 50 watts with FM voice. GMRS requires a no-test license, obtainable with an application and fee. GRMS can provide greater base to mobile range with far less interference then CB and FRS. The costs may be higher but a base station with external antenna and repeaters are allowed with GRMS. Unless you plan to use a higher powered base station or repeater I see no reason to obtain a GMRS license.
MULTIPLE USER RADIO SERVICE ( MURS ) is unlicensed 5 channels limited to 2 watts with FM voice and data. MURS has a range of 1 – 3 miles with low interference. External antennas are allowed to extend the range. MURS handhelds are rarely sold at retail stores therefore uncommon [and hence slightly more secure than CB and the other other commonly used bands]. I purchased 8 MURS heldhelds on the Internet and donated them to my church which is a local Red Cross shelter.
FRS FREQUENCIES GMRS FREQUENCIES MURS FREQUENCIES
1 – 462.5625 Channels 1 – 7 1 – 462.5625 1 -151.820
2 – 462.5875 shared by FRS 2 – 462.5875 2 -151.880
3 – 462.6125 and GMRS 3 – 462.6125 3 -151.940
4 – 462.6375 4 – 462.6375 4 -154.570
5 – 462.6625 5 – 462.6625 5 -154.600
6 – 462.6875 6 – 462.6875
7 – 462.7125 7 – 462.7125
8 – 467.5625 Channels 8 – 14
9 – 467.5875 FRS only
10 – 467.6125
11 – 467.6375
12 – 467.6625
13 – 467.6875
14 – 467.7125
15 – 467.550 Channels 15 – 22 can be used for repeater
Channels 15 – 22 16 – 467.575 output channels. The input channels are
GMRS only 17 – 467.600 + 5.0 MHz up from output frequencies.
18 – 467.625
19 – 467.650
20 – 467.675
21 – 467.700
22 – 467.725
Channels and sub-channels? Everybody on same channel shares the same radio frequency. Sub-channels are low frequency audio ( below voice ) tones that are transmitted along with the voice. That tone enables the receiver to hear the signal. If other stations transmitting on the same radio channel but with different sub-channels ( tones ) your radio will remain silent. Using a sub-channel does not provide privacy, anybody monitoring the radio frequency channel ( sub-channel off ) can hear all transmissions on that channel. Using a sub-channel only prevents you from hearing their transmissions. During an emergency recommend setting the sub-channel OFF.
Amateur (“Ham”) Radio.
An amateur radio license requires passing written tests, but there is no longer a Morse Code test. Hams have access to many frequency bands and up to 1,000 watts (or 1.500 watts in SSB). Hams can operate local line-of-sight to global communications. Every survival group should have a licensed amateur radio operator. Because of their license test studies, hams understand radio theory, propagation, and operating procedures.
Amateur Radio Bands
1.800 – 2.000 CW & LSB
3.500 – 3.600 CW & digital
3.600 – 4.000 LSB
5.3305 5.3465 5.3665 5.3715 5.4035 Five channels limited to 50 watts USB only
7.000 – 7.125 CW & digital
7.125 – 7.300 LSB
10.100 – 10.150 limited to 200 watts CW only
14.000 – 14.150 CW & digital
14.150 – 14.350 USB
18.110 – 18.168 CW & USB
21.000 – 21.200 CW & digital
21.200 – 21.450 USB
24.890 – 24.930 12 meter band CW
24.930 – 24.990 USB
28.000 – 28.300 10 meter band CW
28.300 – 29.700 USB FM above 29.5
50.000 – 50.100 6 meter band CW
50.100 – 54.000 USB FM
144.00 – 144.10 2 meter band CW
144.10 – 148.00 CW USB FM
There are several more bands of frequencies above 200 MHz.
“CW” means morse code. Rapidly turning the transmitter on and off with a hand operated switch called a telegraph key. When passed through a beat frequency oscillator (BFO) in the receiver, it sounds like a series of short and long tones. Each letter or number have an unique Morse Code pattern of tones.
More information about amateur radio, see the ARRL web site.
About the Author: Ron Y. is an amateur radio operator since 1964 with an Amateur Extra Class and commercial
radiotelephone licenses. Retired from a “Bell System Telephone company” after 31 years of service.