Gentleman, 144.0 to 144.1 is NOT ALL MODES. Somebody needs to reread part 97 on that I guess. Operating Simplex on a repeater input IS a violation of the rules. The FCC noted many years ago that the regional band plans for repeater operation are public knowledge, and publicly stated at that those operating Simplex on a repeater input should and I emphasize this SHOULD expect to be repeated, and if they are causing interference whether intentional or not, would bring you a NOV/NAL. In fact there are several Ops in Central Texas who operate on 146.40, which is a repeater input in Texas! I wish they would get it through their heads not to do that. One repeater trustee is fed up with the interference and is about ready to start complaining to the Commission. Yes he’s tried talking to them and they ignore him.
As a licensed amateur, repeater operator, commercial LMR tech. broadcast engineer and former amateur frequency coordinator over the last 52 years, 146.52 has always been known as the national Simplex/calling frequency. It is primarily used for calling and then moving to another frequency. Constant operation on 146.52 is somewhat frowned upon. In fact in the seventies 146.94 was used as a common Simplex frequency due to the limitations of the radios at the time but the proliferation of synthesized radios made that obsolete. Time Marches On and people don’t read history, nor do they learn from it it seems.
Chris WB5ITT
Trustee W5APX
WRXZ789 GMRS
Society of Broadcast Engineers Vice Chairman and Frequency Coordinator, SBE134 SE TX and SW LA
Hi Tom,
While it may be permissible, people frown heavily on simplex conversations in the repeater input/output segments of the band and trying to talk on a digital mode frequency like 145.090 locally isn’t recommended. I posted this to help people understand how the band is typically utilized. It is a resource I hadn’t seen before.
Per the comment I indicated, which appears to be authoritative, .520 is NOT officially a national calling frequency which is why conversations are OK and why you don’t get dinged for doing so as you likely would on 144.200. Did you read the comment?
“146.520 is stated as the National Calling Frequency for Simplex Operations in the beginning of the article you took the attached graphic from” Correct, the article says that but it is wrong per the comment. That’s what sent me down this rabbit hole in the first place. How a ‘National Simplex Frequency’ is different from a standard simplex frequency but is not a calling frequency is a bit beyond me but I’m just passing on the information. If I have confused people, hopefully it will stimulate more conversation.
73,
Paul
k5prs
Paul,
I appreciate that the entire 2 meter band is authorized by the FCC for all modes.
However, 144.200 is in the middle of the recognized SSB portion of the Band Plan you have attached.
I believe that if you research a little more you will find out that 144.200 is recognized as the National SSB Calling Frequency. 146.520 is still the recognized National FM Simplex calling frequency even though it is recognized as permitted use for certain other activities. And, these activities would not be using the frequency during an emergency.
By the way, 146.520 is stated as the National Calling Frequency for Simplex Operations in the beginning of the article you took the attached graphic from.
https://newhams.info/2017/03/08/national-simplex-calling-frequency/
I can find no documentation that 144.200 is THE National Calling Frequency for emergency/priority traffic. Both frequencies could be used for emergency/priority traffic. 144.200 for SSB, 146.520 for FM Simplex. As well as other frequencies designated by Emergency Organizations (ARES/RACES).
ARES designates frequencies for emergency use in their respective areas of coverage and issues ICS-217A forms with this data. You can look at any of those to see what frequencies ARES organizations use. My organization DOES NOT use 146.520 in our plan as a tactical emergency frequency and tie it up for disaster communications. We leave that frequency open and monitor it for others to use to identify emergency/priority situations for us to respond to. I have attached a copy of my ICS-217A so you can see how a typical ARES organization allocates VHF/UHF frequencies. ARES organizations publish this information for public awareness. You can check out our web site at www.hlares.org.
I hope this is a little help in clarifying the use of these frequencies.
