Oct 27, 2026 – “VHF/UHF Simplex Frequency Assignments in Utah”
Good evening. This is W1UT and tonight’s topic will be “VHF/UHF Simplex Frequency Assignments in Utah”.
This topic will be limited to hams using simplex frequencies in the state of Utah. To find out simplex frequency assignments in Idaho, Nevada, Arizona and Wyoming contact your local frequency coordinator. The frequency coordinator carries the regulatory weight of the FCC in part 97. Thus do not assume that since you have a license you can simply operate anywhere you want on the 2m or 70cm bands. You can easily disrupt a service or cause chaos. Some have done so and got caught.
For those who may not know, simplex operation refers to setting your radio VFO to a frequency and turning off any repeater offset when keying the microphone. In other words you will be transmitting and receiving on the same frequency. John Lloyd K7JL is Utah’s frequency coordinator and he is the person responsible for assigning and coordinating all repeater pairs and simplex frequencies. The purpose for having a frequency coordinator is to ensure that repeater pairs and simplex frequencies in the VHF and UHF and higher bands are controlled to minimize chaos on the bands. This sounds simple, but in reality it can be rather complex especially when someone wants to use a repeater pair on a high mountain location that can overlap another repeater on the same frequency pair. Also simplex frequencies need to be coordinated so that interference to repeater channels does not occur.
Another part of frequency coordination is to minimize interference with satellite communications, Packet radio, APRS, and weak signal communications often done near the lowest band frequencies on CW or SSB. The frequency coordinator has to also ensure that RF link radios usually used on 222 Mhz and higher are kept clear of other uses. For example, most Intermountain Intertie frequencies being used for RF links are between 420 and 430 Mhz. Most FM channelized radios do not typically function in this part of the UHF band.
The Utah VHF society website has the Utah state frequency band plan for repeaters and simplex operation. This information is also published in the annual Utah VHF Society booklet available to all members of the society. You can find the VHF/UHF bandplan at: utahvhfs.org/bandplan1.html The Utah bandplan has a lot of information which may be different from what the ARRL states. I will simply provide some of the basics for simplex operation in Utah.
On the 2m band …
Do not use FM simplex below 145.31 Mhz or above 147.60 Mhz.
Below 146 MHz, use only the ODD 10 kHz channels (e.g. 145.630, 145.650, 145.770, etc.)
Do not use FM on frequencies below 144.400 MHz for any reason except 144.39 Mhz which is used for APRS.
Coordinated analog simplex frequencies are 146.52 (Primary calling channel), 146.54 and 146.56 Mhz.
On the 70cm band …
Coordinated analog FM simplex frequencies are 446.000 and 446.500 Mhz.
D-star simplex frequencies are 438.500 Mhz and 439.5125 Mhz
There is much more information on the website for using other modes and any constraints.
That is all for this week. I will turn the time back to the net control station from W1UT.