FL Survival / A Survival Community
Survivalist's Resources & Preparedness => Communications Tower => : Capt Nat June 08, 2014, 09:23:55 AM
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This is a proposed list of Communications channels to help facilitate members contacting one another for meet ups, group functions, and after SHTF. These are not meant to be for tactical comms as this is public. The purpose is to help make initial contact. I suggest use of "Foxtrot Sierra" (Florida Survival) as a call identifier.
This is not meant to be the end product but something to get us started and build from. Changes and improved lists as well as ideas are welcome.
FRS Channel Frequency Mode
6 462.6875 FM
Marine 6 156.300 FM
MURS 5 154.60 FM
Aircraft 123.475 AM
CB 6 27.025 AM
70CM 432.100 FM
2M 146.520 FM
6M 52.525 FM
10M 28.400 USB
20M 14.300 USB
40M 7.268 LSB
80M 3.940 LSB
Until the ballon goes up, the Ham frequencies require the appropriate license and the Marine frequency is restricted to use on the water. I am confident that someone will come up with a better idea or system than this. I'm looking forward to input....
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Not sure what the ham freqs you have there are, but why not just go national simplex on those, then have alternates set up after that.
Or start off with wide reaching repeater freqs as first call. If to in tone sounds move to next freq high power.
We really do need to work on this more.
I was hoping to have my hf rig by now... But life takes over
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I think this is a good basic list for use by FS'ers. Using these discrete frequencies will keep you from being on the normal ones that everyone else will be listening to. I think Capt. Nat is trying to give us a way of making contact with other FS members without first having to go on the national frequencies to first announce their presence. While the listed frequencies are not by any means private, as anyone scanning the bands could pick it up, they are "off the beaten path" as it were.
For those interested, here is a list of all the different U.S. national calling frequencies:
160 METERS
1.830-1.840 CW, RTTY and other narrowband modes, intercontinental QSOs only
1.810 QRP Calling frequency
1.840-1.850 CW, SSB, SSTV and other wideband modes, intercontinental QSOs only
1828.5 -- DXpeditions CW Operations are frequently here
80/75 METERS
3.500-3.510 CW DX Window
3.505 DXpeditions CW are frequently here
3.560 QRP Calling frequency
3.590 RTTY DX
3.790-3.800 SSB DX Window
3.71 QRP Novice/Tech CW Calling Freq
3.885 AM Calling Frequency
3.799 DXpeditions SSB are frequently here
3.985 QRP SSB Calling frequency
40 METERS
7.000 - 7.010 CW DX Window
7.040 RTTY DX
7.050 XTAL Controlled Rigs
7.290 AM
7.065 DXpedition SSB USA split to 7.150 and above
7.005 DXpeditions CW are frequently here
7.110 QRP Novice/Tech CW Calling Frequency
7.171 SSTV
7.285 QRP Calling frequency
7.290 AM Calling frequency
30 METERS
10.106 QRP CW Calling frequency
10.110 -- DXpeditions CW are frequently here
20 METERS
14.025 DXpedition CW Freq -- Usually Split
14.060 QRP Calling frequency
14.080 DXpedition RTTY Freq
14.100 NCDXF Beacons
14.195 Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate SSB Here -- Generally Listening Up-Split
14.230 SSTV
14.285 QRP Calling frequency
14.286 AM Calling Frequency
14.336 MHz County Hunters when ever 20 is open es mobiles are around
17 METERS
18.075 DXpeditions CW are frequently here -- Usually Split
18.110 NCDXF Beacons
18.145 DXpeditions SSB are frequently here -- Usually Split
15 METERS
21.025 Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate CW Here - Generally Listening Up-Split
21.060 QRP CW calling frequency
21.080 RTTY DXpeditions are frequently here
21.150 NCDXF/IARU beacons
21.295 Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate SSB Here -- Generally Listening Up-Split
21.340 SSTV
21.385 QRP SSB calling frequency
12 METERS
24.895 Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate CW Here -- Generally Listening Up-Split
24.930 NCDXF Beacons
24.945 Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate SSB Here -- Generally Listening Up-Split
10 METERS
28.025 CW Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate Here – Split
28.060 QRP CW Calling frequency
28070.15 PSK-31 (offset -115 for USB)
28.080 RTTY Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate Here -- Split
28.1010 10/10 Intl CW Calling Frequency
28120.150 -- PSK31
28.120-28.300 Beacons
28.200 NCDXF/IARU beacons
28.380 10/10 SSB Intl Calling Frequency
28.385 QRP SSB Calling frequency
28.425 10/10 SSB Intl Calling Frequency – Another is 28.400
28.495 SSB Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate Here -- Split
28.600 Old General Callin Frequency - Still used by Old Timers
28.675~28.685 SSTV Operating Frequency -- IARU Region 1
28.680 SSTV Operations USA/Canada
28.825 10-10 Backskatter Net - Paper Chasers Net
28.885 6M DX Liaison Frequency -- Listen here for 6 Meter DX opening announcements and discussions.
28.945 FAX Operating Frequency
29.000-29.200 AM Operations
29.300-29.510 Satellite Downlinks
29.520-29.580 Repeater Inputs
29.600 FM Simplex - Calling Frequency
29.620-29.680 Repeater Outputs
SIX METERS
50.06-50.09 Beacons
50.0-50.1 CW
50.090 CW Calling Freq
50.7 RTTY Calling Frequency
50.100 to 50.130 DX Window (USB)
50.110 DX Calling Frequency (USB)
50.115 DXpeditions Frequently operate CW and SSB here
50.1-50.6 Weak Signal, AM
50.4 National AM Calling Frequencies
52.525 National FM Calling Frequency
50.125 National SSB Calling Frequency (USB)
50.4 National AM Calling Frequencies
VHF and Above Calling & Simplex Frequencies
CALLING FREQUENCIES
2M CW......... 144.100 MHz
2M PSK ........ 144.144 to 144.150
2M SSB........ 144.200 MHz
2M FM......... 146.520 MHz
1.25M PSK .... 222.07 to 222.15
1.25M CW..... 222.100 MHz
1.25M SSB.... 222.100 MHz
1.25M FM..... 223.500 MHz
70cm SSB...... 432.100 MHz
70cm PSK ..... 432.2 and up
70cm FM....... 446.000 MHz
33cm CW/SSB.. 903.100 MHz
33cm FM...... 906.500 MHz
23cm FM...... 1294.500 MHz
23cm CW/SSB..1296.100 MHz
13cm CW/SSB..2304.100 MHz
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I own a CB.
10-4
CB AM channel 6.
("Regular") not many use CB or channel 6 in my A-O I think. So I will keep my radio and ears on
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I think the most used radios are FRS followed by CB. Hams have a lot of options, but if it were just a matter of 2 people scanning bands, they'd never find one another...
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CB channel 6 is a chatter channel around here. The higher channels are less used.
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Maybe we could set up a weekly "net" to start with. Since we're kind of spread all over the state, I think we have to use the hf bands. Assuming most of us only have a Tech. license, that kind of limits it to 10m - 28.300 to 28.500 MHz (for voice).
So propose a frequency, time and a date. Then we can start discussing what actually works best for the most people here...
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No 10 M here
2M and 70Cm only
HT and Mobile
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No 10 M here
2M and 70Cm only
HT and Mobile
Unfortunately, those bands are basically limited to line-of-sight (about 7 miles max), unless boosted by repeaters. So, since I'm in Brevard County, I can't talk to someone in Leon County via the UHF or VHF of a HT.
Sorry about that.
Don't get me wrong, I love my little Baofeng UV-3R HT. But I can only reliably reach Brevard County hams (even with repeaters). Occasionally, I hear someone from Orlando, but that's an oddity.
For a statewide net (FS board members are spread out all over Florida) we need to go to the HF bands. 10m is the only HF band that a Ham with the lowest license (Technician) can use voice on. Further, since Techs are restricted to voice on 28.300 to 28.500 MHz, 28.400 (smack in the middle) might be a good starting point for an initial "calling" frequency for a "Florida Survival" net.
I found a Yaesu FT-757GX II with a power source on craigslist for $225. You can find very serviceable rigs out there if you look...
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Uh, passing messages?
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Uh, passing messages?
Not sure exactly what you mean. Please elaborate.
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I can pass a message to Polk, Polk can pass a message to the next county etc, etc, etc... Whats the wattage on the Baofeng UV3? Try again in the cooler months, youll notice a difference eitherway... The uv5 V2 is 4 watts from what I understand...
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Second thought....
Someone just pick something and that's what it is... We're never going to get anywhere with asking, "Does this work for you?" Everyone is going to have an opinion, if you use a different band for whatever reason. Go with it... Someone will be there, someones always there....
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I can pass a message to Polk, Polk can pass a message to the next county etc, etc, etc... Whats the wattage on the Baofeng UV3? Try again in the cooler months, youll notice a difference eitherway... The uv5 V2 is 4 watts from what I understand...
Gotcha. A relay service. That could work in an emergency where normal comms are down.
If you want to do that, we'd need board members to group together by county to set up local networks and then contact adjoining counties to link up.
There are probably enough hams on the boards to serve as county comm centers, who could take messages from non-hams via FRS/GMRS and/or dual-band HTs and relay them to other hams serving as county comm centers to relay to down thru the family-radio/handi-talkie network as needed.
So we still need the hams to link up on a net and start hammering out procedures.
But each county should probably link up on a local GMRS/HT network to establish contacts, frequencies, etc.
Comm procedures need to be worked out and practiced in advance, just like any other survival skill...
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I can pass a message to Polk, Polk can pass a message to the next county etc, etc, etc... Whats the wattage on the Baofeng UV3? Try again in the cooler months, youll notice a difference eitherway... The uv5 V2 is 4 watts from what I understand...
Gotcha. A relay service. That could work in an emergency where normal comms are down.
If you want to do that, we'd need board members to group together by county to set up local networks and then contact adjoining counties to link up.
There are probably enough hams on the boards to serve as county comm centers, who could take messages from non-hams via FRS/GMRS and/or dual-band HTs and relay them to other hams serving as county comm centers to relay to down thru the family-radio/handi-talkie network as needed.
So we still need the hams to link up on a net and start hammering out procedures.
But each county should probably link up on a local GMRS/HT network to establish contacts, frequencies, etc.
Comm procedures need to be worked out and practiced in advance, just like any other survival skill...
Why not keep it simple... Lets try to link up some how, some time and start seeing about getting messages across or up and down the state. Boards? Procedures?
Lets just do it and work it out from there. :D
Preferably simplex..... Cause that would be the expected method....
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This board has 1284 members currently. That works out to just under 20 per county. If you figure most of the board members are inactive, there might be 2 or 3 per county with frs/gmrs and/or dual-band HTs who might be willing to join in the effort.
Brevard County is 72 miles long. You can't cover even cover the county with a couple of HTs - even with repeaters. And you can't count on repeaters when the SHTF. It's just not viable as a statewide comm network.
Dual bands are great for TACTICAL comms. But UHF/VHF is just line-of-sight. A handheld HT is going to max out it's realistic range at around 7 miles in ideal conditions. That's very useful for communications within your immediate group.
If you want the ability to communicate statewide or further, then HF rigs are what you need. There are car-mounted mobile rigs and even setups that people backpack with.
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Why not keep it simple... Lets try to link up some how, some time and start seeing about getting messages across or up and down the state. Boards? Procedures?
Lets just do it and work it out from there. :D
Preferably simplex..... Cause that would be the expected method....
OK Sentry, maybe I got carried away. ::)
Let's try it on the 2m band, using dual band HTs. The national calling frequency on that is 146.52 Mhz. So let's do that this coming Sunday at noon. Simplex. See if anyone makes contact and how far it goes.
Does that work for you?
Is there some way to bring this to the attention of as many board members as possible? The greater the participation, the better...
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Chimming in. My truck CB here is got some chatter and its dead a lot of the time. Can't even raise a trucker at times. And I don't know why or understand. But I'm willing to say mine is short range at best. And no one likes to yak with me here. And if shtf I'm back to square one!
My wifes not full blown on board yet and I will likely get through a short period of time. And then its prey. Cb ain't going to help me here. Just the good info I'm learnin' ........
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Chimming in. My truck CB here is got some chatter and its dead a lot of the time. Can't even raise a trucker at times. And I don't know why or understand. But I'm willing to say mine is short range at best. And no one likes to yak with me here. And if shtf I'm back to square one!
My wifes not full blown on board yet and I will likely get through a short period of time. And then its prey. Cb ain't going to help me here. Just the good info I'm learnin' ........
It's not like there's hundreds of people on the 2m band either. Or the 70cm. Or even the 10m. Or FRS. And that lack of other traffic on CB channels seems to suggest that those would be open to you and your group in a SHTF scenario. And you have those empty channels to practice on NOW so you'll be ready LATER - not trying to figure it out on the fly in an emergency situation.
CB can be a good, viable emergency communications method. Like 2m/70cm/FRS/GMRS, it's a short range comm. But that has it's advantages - easily workable by your family/friends/"Mutual Assistance/Group" and it's far less likely to be eavesdropped on by "Big Brother" (if that's a concern for you) because of it's limited range. A good, tactical solution. The radios are fairly cheap and plentiful.
Personally, I'd like to see all preppers get into ham radio. $15 and about 20 minutes of your time taking a 35-question test gets you a "Technician" license. That let's you use the 2m & 70 cm bands without the power & antenna restrictions of FRS. And you can also pick up an easy to use Baofeng UV-5R dual-band "Handi-Talkie" for about $35 on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Baofeng-UV5RA-136-174-Dual-Band-Transceiver/dp/B009MAKWC0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406645424&sr=8-1&keywords=baofeng).
Even with just a "tech" license, you can still pick up an HF rig and use voice in a section of the 10m band. And CW (morse code), RTTY (Radio TeleTYpe) & data (computer files) on multiple bands. In a real emergency situation, ALL license restrictions are waived and you are allowed to use any means necessary on any frequency.
But don't let me browbeat you out of your preferred communications medium. Take what your CB and find a way to make it work. Even if you pick up a Ham rig (handheld, mobile, or even a base station), it's always good to have a backup, a "Plan B" just in case...
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Why not keep it simple... Lets try to link up some how, some time and start seeing about getting messages across or up and down the state. Boards? Procedures?
Lets just do it and work it out from there. :D
Preferably simplex..... Cause that would be the expected method....
OK Sentry, maybe I got carried away. ::)
Let's try it on the 2m band, using dual band HTs. The national calling frequency on that is 146.52 Mhz. So let's do that this coming Sunday at noon. Simplex. See if anyone makes contact and how far it goes.
Does that work for you?
Is there some way to bring this to the attention of as many board members as possible? The greater the participation, the better...
I get frustrated easily sometimes...
I should probably be able to do it noon, I need to locate the freq for the simplex net that is going though, I do believe its on Sundays at 8P... If I can find it, Ill pass it on to you... Those guys do it for this reason.
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Chimming in. My truck CB here is got some chatter and its dead a lot of the time. Can't even raise a trucker at times. And I don't know why or understand. But I'm willing to say mine is short range at best. And no one likes to yak with me here. And if shtf I'm back to square one!
My wifes not full blown on board yet and I will likely get through a short period of time. And then its prey. Cb ain't going to help me here. Just the good info I'm learnin' ........
It's not like there's hundreds of people on the 2m band either. Or the 70cm. Or even the 10m. Or FRS. And that lack of other traffic on CB channels seems to suggest that those would be open to you and your group in a SHTF scenario. And you have those empty channels to practice on NOW so you'll be ready LATER - not trying to figure it out on the fly in an emergency situation.
But CB can be a good, viable emergency communications method. Like 2m/70cm/FRS/GMRS, it's a short range comm. But that has it's advantages - easily workable by your family/friends/"Mutual Assistance/Group" and it's far less likely to be eavesdropped on by "Big Brother" (if that's a concern for you) because of it's limited range. A good, tactical solution. The radios are fairly cheap and plentiful.
Personally, I'd like to see all preppers get into ham radio. $15 and about 20 minutes of your time taking a 35-question test gets you a "Technician" license. That let's you use the 2m & 70 cm bands without the power & antenna restrictions of FRS. And you can also pick up an easy to use Baofeng UV-5R dual-band "Handi-Talkie" for about $35 on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Baofeng-UV5RA-136-174-Dual-Band-Transceiver/dp/B009MAKWC0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406645424&sr=8-1&keywords=baofeng).
But don't let me browbeat you out of your preferred communications medium. Take what your CB and find a way to make it work. Even if you pick up a Ham rig (handheld, mobile, or even a base station), it's always good to have a backup, a "Plan B" just in case...
I recently picked up a Baofeng UV5R V2 off of Amazon. Waiting to receive it, though a friend picked up a couple of them. Working on getting him his license.
Whats the wattage on the UV 3? I'm suspecting lower than the 5...
As far as CB goes ~ D, its a close second for comm's. But as with any radio, its all about the antenna. Linear amps help as well to get more power behind the signal...
HAM just has so many more options as far as frequency. If you can get a general license, you can literally speak around the world, as well as receive world wide communications. You are wise to attempt to have all forms of comm's available to you. Options, Options, Options
FRS
GRMS
CB
MURS
HAM
No matter what Forests, mountains, Cities, atmospheric conditions and Elevation or your antenna are factors... If you are standing on a mountain using an FRS radio, you might get 7 or 25 miles out of it. If you are talking to someone a top of another mountain. Line of sight in general.... If you can see it, you can talk to it. UHF,VHF,HF all bounce through the atmosphere...
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I get frustrated easily sometimes...
I should probably be able to do it noon, I need to locate the freq for the simplex net that is going though, I do believe its on Sundays at 8P... If I can find it, Ill pass it on to you... Those guys do it for this reason.
There's already a "net" for this board?
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Whats the wattage on the UV 3? I'm suspecting lower than the 5...
A UV-3R is still 5 watts.
The real difference is that a UV-5R has a number pad, so that you can directly tune to a new frequency. A UV-3R you have to just keep twisting the top knob until you get to the desired frequency. Unless you pre-programmed it.
As both models are virtually the same price on amazon, it's better to go with the 5R since it's more "user-friendly." But performance-wise, I don't think that there's a perceivable difference between the two radios.
The only reason I have a UV-3R is because a friend gave it to me when he upgraded to a UV-5R.
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Thx wrench. And where do you apply for the licence? And is there a store to get one of them 35 dollar radios?
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Go to http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-session (http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-session) to find a local radio club in your area that's administerining the tests. You can study up for the technician test with The No-Nonsense Technician Class Study Guide (http://www.kb6nu.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2010_Tech_Study_Guide.pdf). And there's plenty of practice tests online.
You can find the Baofeng UV-5R at www.amazon.com for $29.99 and up. They also have the higher quality Yaesu, Icom, and Kenwood HTs as well, if you have extra money to throw around...
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Since the beofengs are cheap you might as well get the newest one. Uv5r v2
$36
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There's minor differences in the firmware (which CANNOT be updated) and the cases, but I really don't know if it makes any one model better than another. Maybe some actual UV-5R owners can enlighten us.
I do know that there is an extended battery for the UV-5R which does NOT fit every variation (due to the minor differences in the shapes). You can even buy them with the extended battery already installed.
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Got my V2 in today.... Tiny!
I picked one up trying to make it so I can get these guys over here ham licensed... Low cost radios to learn from. So far it seems to be working well.
One surprise I had was the antenna connection. Not the same as the antennas I have already... The beofeng uses male sma as apposed to female sma.
Learning curve...
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thanks Wrench
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Just wanted to remind anyone who is interested that we are attempting an initial 2-meter "net" today at noon.
Are you still with me, Sentry?
Time: TODAY, August 3rd at 12:00 noon, Florida local time
Frequency: 146.520 MHz, SIMPLEX
Net call: "Foxtrot Sierra" for the Florida Survival Board
So, I guess we're going to attempt contact by calling, "Foxtrot Sierra, Foxtrot Sierra, KA0XTT." (BTW, that's a fake callsign) and wait for a response.
I'm charging up my Baofeng right now. I will be sending from in my truck - it has a better antenna than the "rubber-duck" that came with my UV-3R.
Here's hoping that we all hear from each other... :D
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Just happened to check this.... Ill be in the truck
removed
Your in Brevard County, three counties away from me... So we need some in between people in this...
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That's the idea, isn't it?
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Well, I didn't make contact with anyone today. I think we need a little more coordination on this... :P
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That's the idea, isn't it?
Yes it is... Just forgot where you were
More people are definitely needed..
Perhaps well have better luck on the 8P net, more people involved for sure if they are still doing it
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Thanks Sentry for sending me the frequencies.
I tried, and heard nuttin..... But at least we are out there trying. I will work on some ideas for better antenna and maybe get another radio that is easier to tune
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I didn't hear anything on either my HT or my base rig. I am guessing no one heard me, and I was pushing 50 watts from my base rig into an antenna mounted on a 15 foot pole.
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50 watts 6ft off ground.
Need more bigger antenna
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myself and bulletthoot didn't hear a thing last night.....
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Look into the SARS net. I have heard traffic from Jacksonville and Tampa on my local 440 repeater. If you have a linked repeater in your area, that makes for a long range HT radio. The freq for my local 70cm repeater is 444.325 with a +5 offset.
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Forgot to add.... that repeater requires no tone, but with a tone, it accesses SARS...I have to look up the tone and post for those who are interested.
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Uhg... We need to try this again...
Need to keep working on comms.... As tired as we are... We need to get it worked out.
I have nothing new in reference to comms. Still running Mobile with 50W Max with and antenna height of 6ft. Not sure if I have an adapter or not for the mobile... I need to pick up an new antenna for roof of house...
Any changes for anyone else?
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If everyone could just move closer to me, we could all talk.... Jeez! Whats the matter with all of you... >:(
:D
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I have a 30ft tower waiting for me to go pick it up. I still don't have the radio for it yet though. This is one of my goals with my summer bonus money.............
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I have a 30ft tower waiting for me to go pick it up. I still don't have the radio for it yet though. This is one of my goals with my summer bonus money.............
Well its working towards a goal...
Currently, I am bringing my medical up to standards. As soon as I am done with that, Ill start working on comms.
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When we moved, one of the requirements I had was to get electricity ran out to my shed so that I can set up a radio room in it. We made that happen. So I really do feel like I am making progress towards this goal. Slow............ painstaking progress..........
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That it is...
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Uhg... We need to try this again...
Need to keep working on comms.... As tired as we are... We need to get it worked out.
I have nothing new in reference to comms. Still running Mobile with 50W Max with and antenna height of 6ft. Not sure if I have an adapter or not for the mobile... I need to pick up an new antenna for roof of house...
Any changes for anyone else?
No changes for me. But I am willing to try again with my little 5w Baofeng. ;D
Since a lot of us seem to have the 5w HTs, should we try on the SARnet?