UVHFS - Simplex frequency assignments

The Utah VHF Society
Simplex Frequency Usage
(Wasatch Front Area Only)

Note: If you organize and/or belong to a group that often uses one or more simplex frequency (on any band) and your group is not listed correctly below, please contact the simplex frequency manager (below) with the "when and where" details.

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL AMATEURS:

Simplex operation on the 70cm band

Simplex operations on the 70cm band are not quite as common as those on 2 meters, owing mostly to the fact that 2 meter radios are more common than 70cm radios. Also, under typical urban conditions, building, trees and other clutter reduce the simplex range of 70cm somewhat in comparison to 2 meters.

There is, however, fairly frequent simplex operation on the 70cm band, and it occurs primarily on the following frequencies:

446.000, 446.500, 447.800, 447.825, and 447.850 MHz

(Important note: The use of 447.850 is restricted to those areas along the Wasatch Front - it should not be used in other areas of Utah!)

While, according to the bandplan or repeater lists, it might appear that there is plenty of room available for other simplex operations, it is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to note that 70cm is HEAVILY used for control, linking, and other purposes and simplex operations on frequencies other than the above could jeopardize the integrity of such systems. Just because you don't hear anything on a particular frequency, do NOT assume that it is unused!

Many of the users of auxiliary, control, and linked channels on 70cm, while coordinated, chose to not have their frequencies listed in order to prevent unauthorized access to some aspects of a radio system, and/or because the frequencies are intended as link and control and are not to be used by the general amateur population.

Remember, FCC §97.201, puts the responsibility to avoid interference on the operator of the un-coordinated system when interference issues with a coordinated system arise.

If you believe that your needs require the use of frequencies other than those set apart for simplex operation (on 70cm or any other band) it is strongly recommended that you confer with the Frequency Coordinator and Simplex Frequency manager before commencing operations - and preferably before you get too far along in your plans!

"What if I want to get some more frequencies for my group?"

While all operators should be applauded for their desire for community service, they should also realize that the amateur radio spectrum is a very limited resource and careful coordination amongst groups - and even within larger groups - is absolutely necessary!

What this means is that if you are part of a larger group, you should not take it upon yourself to get more frequencies, but rather address your concerns to the organization as a whole: You can imagine the confusion that would result if smaller groups set up their own, individual sub-groups without the knowledge or blessing of the leaders of the organization! Not only could this result in wasteful duplication of effort, it could also result in the practical problems of additional interference amongst other groups trying to use the same frequencies!

For more information on this topic, click here.

Please note that simplex frequencies are not coordinated (with the possible exception of 146.52 MHz as the de facto national simplex frequency.) Simplex frequencies are share in accordance to "gentleman's agreement" that all amateurs are obliged to observe in frequency sharing and these agreements are intended to provide an orderly framework for many groups along the Wasatch Front to conduct their simplex activities with a minimum of interference.

Under no circumstances should anyone regard a simplex frequency as their frequency. Conversely, all amateurs should respect the fact that many of these groups hold scheduled nets and should consider this usage when operating.

It should be noted that this list of simplex frequencies is currently managed by John Mabey, W7CWK and is subject to review (and revision) by the frequency coordinator.

A few comments on using frequencies for simplex operations:

Avoid using a repeater input for any sort of simplex operation. Even if there isn't a repeater in your immediate vicinity, you (or one of those in your QSO) may be bringing up a repeater unknowingly. Perhaps you did check the frequency, thinking that there was no repeater or that you couldn't hit it from your location but maybe it was down at that moment, maybe it requires a subaudible tone that you don't know about, or maybe propagation changes enough that it can sometimes be accessed. (Note: There are a few carefully-studied instances in the tables below where a repeater input frequency is being regularly used for simplex operation. These exceptions are only to be made with the full knowledge of, and agreement by the frequency coordinator!)
Do not use frequencies such as 148.000 MHz or 144.000 MHz (or even 147.950 or 144.050 MHz) for FM simplex operation. A portion of your signal be outside the ham band!
Do not use FM simplex on frequencies below 144.400 MHz. With the sole exception of 144.390 MHz (APRS packet operation) frequencies below 144.400 MHz are weak signal modes such as SSB and CW. Please note that FM operation at and below 144.100 is illegal!
Do not operate FM, SSB, or CW modes of any kind in the satellite subbands unless you are actually using the satellite. Such bands include 145.800-146.00 0MHz as well as 435.00-438.00 MHz. Doing so will not gain you any friends and it may be jamming ongoing QSOs - even if you can't hear them! This also means that you should NOT use 145.800 and 146.000!
DO NOT USE TONE SQUELCH (or similar) SIGNALING METHODS ON SIMPLEX FREQUENCIES! It must be remembered that the use of tone signaling (whether it is "PL" or "DPL") by its very nature prevents effective sharing of a simplex frequency owing to the fact that one cannot tell if other users are on the channel. It is NOT a panacea when it comes to alleviate band crowding and has been tried in the past by some groups with disastrous results! For more information as to why this is a bad idea, read here.
Recent FCC Rules changes have allowed primary control operations to take place on the 2 meter band (excluding 144.0-144.5 and 145.8-146.0 MHz.) Other frequencies to be avoided are repeater inputs, outputs, and the major national simplex frequencies. These operations are not considered to be merely "simplex" in nature and they must be coordinated. Types of system subject to such coordination may include, but are not limited to: Remote control of HF stations, crossband repeaters, Internet Radio Links such as IRLP and Echolink, simplex repeaters, and other types of remote control.
Below 146 MHz, use only the ODD 10 kHz channels (e.g. 145.630, 145.650, 145.770, etc.) and Above 146 MHz use only the Even 10 kHz channels (e.g. 146.440, 146.406, 147.500, 147.540, etc.) Using other than these established channel spacings or trying to "wedge" in even more channels (so-called "splinter" channels) will result in both of the adjacent channels (the one above and the one below) being unusable in addition to the "splinter" channel itself!
All references on this web page to ARES pertain to the ARRL-affiliated organization/program.

"Why aren't the "ERC" frequencies shown?"

The LDS-related ERC organization (Emergency Response Communications - formerly known as various names including ERS and ERSS) holds many local and regional nets at various times on numerous frequencies. For whatever reason, information about the times at which these various nets are held (and their frequencies) has not been readily available. If you have such information, please provide it to the contact person above. On the "2 Meter Simplex Operations by Frequency" list those frequencies on which ERC nets have been observed are noted in parentheses.

Again, please note...

Again, please note that the simplex frequencies are a shared resource and that one must be considerate of other users of the frequency. While it is inevitable that some usage conflicts will occur from time to time, it is in our best interest to find workable solutions as these arise and having up-to-date, accurate information can be invaluable.

For a statement of policy by the ERC leadershipW with respect to the coordination and use of frequencies, please read this document.

THE LISTS BELOW ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGES AS CONDITIONS WARRANT!

General-Purpose simplex (ragchew) frequencies:

Band Primary Secondary 1 Secondary 2 Secondary 3 Secondary 4

10 Meters 29.600 - - - -

6 Meters 52.525 52.540 - - -

2 Meters 146.520 146.540 146.560 - -

222 MHz 223.500 - - - -

70 cm 446.000 446.500 447.800 447.825 447.850 (Wasatch Front Only)

23 cm 1294.500 - - - -

13cm 2305.200 - - - -

Notes on general-purpose simplex frequencies:

For long-winded or regularly-scheduled QSO's, it is recommended that you not use the primary simplex frequency on 2 meters and 70 cm. As is the case with any operation, allow for others to break in and make their call, join the group, or to report an emergency..
Please refrain from holding regularly scheduled nets on these frequencies when possible.
Avoid operating crossband repeaters on the primary simplex frequencies. Remember: Most crossband repeaters are not capable of being operated legally without additional equipment for proper identification and/or control! (Read about crossband repeaters here and find out why they are often not operated legally!)

2 METER Simplex Frequencies by users:

Often Used by: Primary Secondary 1 Secondary 2 Secondary 3 Secondary 4 Secondary 5

R.A.C.E.S. (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service) 146.440 147.4000 - - - -

Local ARRL ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) Groups:

    Box Elder Co. ARES 146.480 147.600 # - - - -

    Cache County ARES 147.520 146.520 146.560 145.510 - -

    Davis County ARES 147.420 145.570 145.750 - - -

    Morgan County ARES 147.500 146.440 - - - -

    SL County ARES 147.540 145.530 146.420 146.500 147.460 147.500

    Tooele County ARES 145.730 147.480 - - - -

    Utah County ARES 146.460 145.630 - - - -

    Weber County ARES 146.580 145.650 147.580 145.550 146.560 -

TERT (Timpanogos Emergency Response Team) 145.630 - - - - -

Local M.A.R.A. (Mercury Amateur Radio Association) Groups:

    Cache/Rich County MARA 146.540 - - - - -

    SL/Tooele County MARA 145.690 145.310 * 145.670 - - -

    Utah County --- South MARA 146.540 145.790 - - - -

    Foothill MARA 145.610 - - - - -

E.R.C. (Emergency Response Communications)(see note above)

    ERC North (North of Salt Lake County) 145.590 147.480 147.440 146.600 - -

    ERC Central 147.560 147.520 - - - -

    ERC South (South of Salt Lake County) 145.590 147.520 - - - -

OTHERS:

National Simplex Frequency 146.520

    C.S.E.R.G. Community Service Emergency Radio Group (Formerly: Clearfield-Syracuse Emergency Response Group) 145.770 - - - - -

    Code Practice 146.580 - - - - -

    Utah DX Association 147.600 - - - - -

    Lone Peak ARC (formerly: Highland ARC) 145.790 - - - - -

    Council of Utah Amateur Radio Clubs 146.440 147.580 - - - -

    Utah Valley University 146.480 - - - - -

    Experimental simplex (simplex autopatch, etc.) 145.710 - - - - -

    Wasatch Front ATV Intercom 145.730 - - - - -

    Malad Pass Remote Base 146.430 @ - - - - -

    RMRA Emergency Monitoring Network 145.710 & - - - - -

2 METER Simplex usage listed by frequency:

Frequency Often Used by Often Used by Often Used by

145.310 * SL/Tooele County MARA - -

145.510 Cache County ARES Used by Packet Group in SLC -

145.530 Salt Lake County ARES - -

145.550 Weber County ARES - -

145.570 Davis County ARES - -

145.590 ERC North ERC South -

145.610 Foothill MARA - (Various ERC)

145.630 Utah County ARES TERT -

145.650 Weber County ARES - -

145.670 SL/Tooele County MARA - -

145.690 SL/Tooele County MARA - -

145.710 & Experimental simplex (simplex autopatch, etc.) - -

145.730 Wasatch Front ATV Intercomm Tooele County ARES -

145.750 Davis County ARES - -

145.770 C.S.E.R.G. - -

145.790 Utah County ---South MARA Lone Peak ARC (formerly Highland ARC) -

146.420 Salt Lake County ARES - -

146.430 @ Malad Pass Remote Base - -

146.440 R.A.C.E.S. Morgan County ARES CUARC

146.460 Utah County ARES - (Various ERC)

146.480 Box Elder County ARES Utah Valley Community College -

146.500 Salt Lake County ARES - -

146.520 National Simplex Cache County ARES -

146.540 Cache & Rich County MARA Utah County ---- South MARA -

146.560 Cache County ARES Weber County ARES (Various ERC)

146.580 Weber County ARES K7HLR Code Practice -

146.600 % ERC North - -

147.400 R.A.C.E.S. - -

147.420 Davis County ARES Davis County ARC -

147.440 SL/Tooele County MARA ERC North (Various ERC)

147.460 Salt Lake County ARES - -

147.480 Tooele County ARES ERC North -

147.500 Morgan County ARES Salt Lake Co. ARES
-

147.520 Cache County ARES ERC Central ERC South

147.540 Salt Lake County ARES - -

147.560 ERC Central - (Various ERC)

147.580 Weber County ARES CUARC -

147.600 # Box Elder County ARES Utah DX Association -

Wasatch Front area 2 METER Packet Frequencies:

Frequency Usage

144.390 National APRS

144.910 Rural Wasatch Front Packet (AX.25)

144.930 Utah County Packet

144.950 Salt Lake County Packet

144.970 Davis/Weber/Box Elder Counties Packet

144.990 Rural Wasatch Front Packet (TCP/IP)

145.010 Statewide Packet (not for metro-area users)

145.030 Utah County Packet

145.050 Salt Lake County Packet (AX.25, MSYS)

145.070 Davis/Weber/Box Elder Counties Packet (AX.25, MSYS)

145.090 Tooele/Weber Counties Packet

145.110 Wasatch Front Packet Repeater output - Discontinued

145.130 Utah County Packet (TCP/IP) - Discontinued

145.150 Salt Lake County Packet (TCP/IP) - Discontinued

Important note on the above packet frequencies:

Because of reassignment for use by digital voice and data modes such as D-Star, the use of the of the 145.110, 145.130 and 145.150 packet frequencies are being discontinued and should no longer be used.

Note: Simplex frequency usage for other bands will be posted as such information becomes available.

LEGEND:
*    145.310 Is a repeater frequency in Cache and Carbon Counties and its simplex use is on a non-interference basis.
@    146.430 This is operated under the auspices of the Southeastern Idaho frequency coordinator and its bandplan. This remote is tied into the Intermountain Intertie It is listed here because of its coverage along the Wasatch Front and potential to inference to/from 146.420 and 146.440 in areas near the Utah/Idaho border.
%    146.600 Possible future use as a linear translator output
#    147.600 Is used as a repeater input frequency in some areas for repeaters on 147.000, but not in the Utah/Idaho/Wyoming border area.

It should be noted that this list of simplex frequencies is currently managed by John Mabey, W7CWK and is subject to review (and revision) by the frequency coordinator.

Again, as mentioned above, DO NOT operate on simplex frequencies using PL, subaudible, or digital squelch systems as this is not conducive to effective frequency sharing!

For the purposes of this document, the "Wasatch Front" area includes: Davis, Weber, Box Elder, Salt Lake, Utah, Morgan, Tooele, Cache and Summit counties.

Questions or comments pertaining to the layout of this web page may be directed to: uvhfs@utahvhfs.org

This page was last updated on 20120126

Return to the Utah VHF Society home page.

`Band`	`Primary`	`Secondary 1`	`Secondary 2`	`Secondary 3`	`Secondary 4`
`10 Meters`	`29.600`	-	-	-	-
`6 Meters`	`52.525`	`52.540`	-	-	-
`2 Meters`	`146.520`	`146.540`	`146.560`	-	-
`222 MHz`	`223.500`	-	-	-	-
`70 cm`	`446.000`	`446.500`	`447.800`	`447.825`	`447.850 (Wasatch Front Only)`
`23 cm`	`1294.500`	-	-	-	-
`13cm`	`2305.200`	-	-	-	-

`Often Used by:`	`Primary`	`Secondary 1`	`Secondary 2`	`Secondary 3`	`Secondary 4`	`Secondary 5`
`R.A.C.E.S. (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service)`	`146.440`	`147.4000`	`-`	`-`	`-`	-
`Local ARRL ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) Groups:`
`Box Elder Co. ARES`	`146.480`	`147.600 #`	`-`	`-`	`-`	-
`Cache County ARES`	`147.520`	`146.520`	`146.560`	`145.510`	`-`	-
`Davis County ARES`	`147.420`	`145.570`	`145.750`	`-`	`-`	-
`Morgan County ARES`	`147.500`	`146.440`	`-`	`-`	`-`	-
`SL County ARES`	`147.540`	`145.530`	`146.420`	`146.500`	`147.460`	`147.500`
`Tooele County ARES`	`145.730`	`147.480`	`-`	`-`	`-`	-
`Utah County ARES`	`146.460`	`145.630`	`-`	`-`	`-`	-
`Weber County ARES`	`146.580`	`145.650`	`147.580`	`145.550`	`146.560`	-
`TERT (Timpanogos Emergency Response Team)`	`145.630`	`-`	`-`	`-`	`-`	-
`Local M.A.R.A. (Mercury Amateur Radio Association) Groups:`
`Cache/Rich County MARA`	`146.540`	`-`	`-`	`-`	`-`	-
`SL/Tooele County MARA`	`145.690`	`145.310 *`	`145.670`	`-`	`-`	-
`Utah County --- South MARA`	`146.540`	`145.790`	`-`	`-`	`-`	-
`Foothill MARA`	`145.610`	`-`	`-`	`-`	`-`	-
`E.R.C. (Emergency Response Communications)``(see note above)`
`ERC North (North of Salt Lake County)`	`145.590`	`147.480`	`147.440`	`146.600`	`-`	-
`ERC Central`	`147.560`	`147.520`	`-`	`-`	`-`	-
`ERC South (South of Salt Lake County)`	`145.590`	`147.520`	`-`	`-`	`-`	-
`OTHERS:`
`National Simplex Frequency`	`146.520`
`C.S.E.R.G. Community Service Emergency Radio Group (Formerly: Clearfield-Syracuse Emergency Response Group)`	`145.770`	`-`	`-`	`-`	`-`	-
`Code Practice`	`146.580`	`-`	`-`	`-`	`-`	-
`Utah DX Association`	`147.600`	`-`	`-`	`-`	`-`	-
`Lone Peak ARC (formerly: Highland ARC)`	`145.790`	`-`	`-`	`-`	`-`	-
`Council of Utah Amateur Radio Clubs`	`146.440`	`147.580`	`-`	`-`	`-`	-
`Utah Valley University`	`146.480`	`-`	`-`	`-`	`-`	-
`Experimental simplex (simplex autopatch, etc.)`	`145.710`	-	-	-	-	-
`Wasatch Front ATV Intercom`	`145.730`	-	-	-	-	-
`Malad Pass Remote Base`	`146.430 @`	-	-	-	-	-
`RMRA Emergency Monitoring Network`	`145.710 &`	-	-	-	-	-

`Frequency`	`Often Used by`	`Often Used by`	`Often Used by`
`145.310 *`	`SL/Tooele County MARA`	`-`	`-`
`145.510`	`Cache County ARES`	`Used by Packet Group in SLC`	`-`
`145.530`	`Salt Lake County ARES`	`-`	`-`
`145.550`	`Weber County ARES`	`-`	`-`
`145.570`	`Davis County ARES`	`-`	`-`
`145.590`	`ERC North`	`ERC South`	`-`
`145.610`	`Foothill MARA`	`-`	`(Various ERC)`
`145.630`	`Utah County ARES`	`TERT`	`-`
`145.650`	`Weber County ARES`	`-`	`-`
`145.670`	`SL/Tooele County MARA`	`-`	`-`
`145.690`	`SL/Tooele County MARA`	`-`	`-`
`145.710 &`	`Experimental simplex (simplex autopatch, etc.)`	`-`	`-`
`145.730`	`Wasatch Front ATV Intercomm`	`Tooele County ARES`	`-`
`145.750`	`Davis County ARES`	`-`	`-`
`145.770`	`C.S.E.R.G.`	`-`	`-`
`145.790`	`Utah County ---South MARA`	`Lone Peak ARC (formerly Highland ARC)`	`-`
`146.420`	`Salt Lake County ARES`	`-`	`-`
`146.430 @`	`Malad Pass Remote Base`	-	-
`146.440`	`R.A.C.E.S.`	`Morgan County ARES`	`CUARC`
`146.460`	`Utah County ARES`	`-`	`(Various ERC)`
`146.480`	`Box Elder County ARES`	`Utah Valley Community College`	`-`
`146.500`	`Salt Lake County ARES`	`-`	`-`
`146.520`	*`National Simplex`*	`Cache County ARES`	`-`
`146.540`	`Cache & Rich County MARA`	`Utah County ---- South MARA`	`-`
`146.560`	`Cache County ARES`	`Weber County ARES`	`(Various ERC)`
`146.580`	`Weber County ARES`	`K7HLR Code Practice`	`-`
`146.600 %`	`ERC North`	`-`	`-`
`147.400`	`R.A.C.E.S.`	`-`	`-`
`147.420`	`Davis County ARES`	`Davis County ARC`	`-`
`147.440`	`SL/Tooele County MARA`	`ERC North`	`(Various ERC)`
`147.460`	`Salt Lake County ARES`	`-`	`-`
`147.480`	`Tooele County ARES`	`ERC North`	`-`
`147.500`	`Morgan County ARES`	Salt Lake Co. ARES	`-`
`147.520`	`Cache County ARES`	`ERC Central`	`ERC South`
`147.540`	`Salt Lake County ARES`	`-`	`-`
`147.560`	`ERC Central`	`-`	`(Various ERC)`
`147.580`	`Weber County ARES`	`CUARC`	`-`
`147.600 #`	`Box Elder County ARES`	`Utah DX Association`	`-`

`Frequency`	`Usage`
`144.390`	`National APRS`
`144.910`	`Rural Wasatch Front Packet (AX.25)`
`144.930`	`Utah County Packet`
`144.950`	`Salt Lake County Packet`
`144.970`	`Davis/Weber/Box Elder Counties Packet`
`144.990`	`Rural Wasatch Front Packet (TCP/IP)`
`145.010`	`Statewide Packet (not for metro-area users)`
`145.030`	`Utah County Packet`
`145.050`	`Salt Lake County Packet (AX.25, MSYS)`
`145.070`	`Davis/Weber/Box Elder Counties Packet (AX.25, MSYS)`
`145.090`	`Tooele/Weber Counties Packet`
`145.110`	`Wasatch Front Packet Repeater output - Discontinued`
`145.130`	`Utah County Packet (TCP/IP) - Discontinued`
`145.150`	`Salt Lake County Packet (TCP/IP) - Discontinued`