Radio Frequencies of note

[Malthouse]

As promised, here is a list of radio frequencies that might prove useful one day. I will keep adding to it as I get more time, but got to make a start or never will.

Any questions just ask, gear that will transmit (not necessarily legally) on these is easy to use and affordable. Likewise, any errors spotted please let me know!

It is worth noting that where danger to life exists, as far as I know, there is no cause for prosecution in using any and all means to summon help.

Citizens Band

Unregulated and popular. Users are required to clear frequencies for emergency communications, making it the country's official emergency public network.

Calling Channel 9 (UK) 27.68125 MHz
Calling Channel 9 (EU) 27.065 MHz

Maritime Channels

Used by boats and search and rescue aircraft, also used under rare circumstances by mountain rescue teams. Most channels are used for routine communications, but the ones here are specifically for search, rescue and pollution controls. Requires a specialist operator certificate and vessel licence.

Channel 6 156.300 MHz
Channel 10 156.500 MHz
Channel 16 156.800 MHz Safety, Distress and general calling/hailing
Channel 67 156.375 MHz
Channel 73 156.675 MHz

Aviation

General distress frequency 121.500 MHz
Military distress frequency 243.000 MHz

Emergency Services

RAF Mountain Rescue 84.300 MHz
RAF Mountain Rescue 153.600 MHz
NATO Joint Search & Rescue Operations 123.100 MHz

Private Business Radio

Accessible to any bona vida business user, with a small licence fee. A range of frequencies, used by local councils, taxi firms, bus companies etc etc.

77.6875, 86.3375, 86.3500, 86.3625, 86.3750
164.0500, 164.0625, 169.0875, 169.3125, 173.0500, 173.0625, 173.0875
449.3125, 449.4000, 449.4750

Amateur Radio

Used all over the world but regulated with individual operator licences and protocols. Non-licnced users are ignored as a requirement.

Calling frequencies:-
145.500 MHz
223.500 MHz
446.000 MHz
More to follow.

Personal Mobile Radio

Unregulated, very popular but limited range.

1 446.00625
2 446.01875
3 446.03125
4 446.04375
5 446.05625
6 446.06875
7 446.08125
8 446.09375

Plus a further "pirate" 8, known generally as UHF CB:

09 .... 446.10625 MHz
10 .... 446.11875 MHz
11 .... 446.13125 MHz
12 .... 446.14375 MHz
13 .... 446.15625 MHz
14 .... 446.16875 MHz
15 .... 446.18125 MHz
16 .... 446.19375 MHz


It is also worth noting that it is possible to register for sending 999 text messages, useful if the networks are patchy or if your battery is nearly out.

[damaralenoire]

Can you recommend like a dummies guide to all this radio stuff,from the equipment to buy, how to set up and how to use??

[Malthouse]

So long as you only want to listen, it is very straight forward.

Pick up a Boafeng UV5R, or similar. Key in the numbers above, as required. Sit back and listen.

If you want to transmit, then a can if worms lies before you.

I have written a course for learning to operate and understand the subtleties of radios and basic setup, nothing like the Ham depth of knowledge. But I have not got around to putting it online yet.

[Mr R]

Spot on.

Many thanks.

[Rearfang]

Very usefull
By can of worms do you mean on legal side or technically

[Quercus-robur]

Thanks for that Malthouse. I will be keeping a copy of those frequencies. Any advice you can give us on starting out world be greatly appreciated.

Qr

[KrisWard]

Yes thank you MaltHouse, a most helpfull post, and please advice if you do put the radio dummies guide online.

Stay safe

Kris

[ForgeCorvus]

Very usefull
By can of worms do you mean on legal side or technically

As I understand it, transmiting on a 'licenced' frequency without a ticket is illegal (although you might get away with it under mitigating circumstances)

Incorrect usage of channels (and protocols) is dealt with by other users (or was at one time..... I remember seeing a (fact based) film about early CB ) a bit like forum boards


I'm probably wrong though

Looking forward to your "Idiot's Guide" MaltHouse

[Malthouse]

You are very welcome. Once everyone is happy with it I will copy it into a PDF document.

As for transmitting, the trouble lies with the very many different administering bodies that would be involved. As you can see from the (growing) list, the range of different channels is a big one and they all have their uses depending on the type of S to hit the F.

By far the easiest and most useful one to get into is good old CB, because it is free to use and this year will have some Ham-like options made legal. As mentioned above, it is also the UK's official emergency communication network with all users obliged to help a caller in trouble.

In terms of the other frequencies then it really is best just ti listen in, but have a cheap radio that would transmit if the legitimate need arose. Such radios are also quite useful on the allowed frequencies of PMR, and when we organise it a UK-Preppers private channel.

As far as protocols go most work in the same way....

Select you frequency and make sure the volume (and if the set has squelch) is high enough,

Wait for a moment to be sure no one else is currently using the frequency,

Press the PTT button and Say the call sign of the person you want to contact, then say your own call sign,

All the while you hold down the PTT button you will not be able to hear a reply, so once you have said your message say "Over" in order to let the other person know you are ready for them to speak and then release the PTT,

Once you have finished the conversation and do not require a response end your message with "Out",

Keep your voice clear, do not hod the microphone too close and protect it from wind noise. Speak steadily, at a pace someone could write down what you are saying. Remember most radios work by line of sight, so antenna height is the key factor in having a good range.

When passing your position you can either use a latitude and longitude (or grid reference) or you can give your direction and distance from an easy to identify landmark.

An example radio conversation:

Check set, listen for a moment.

"Rescue helicopter, this is refugee group Luton over"

"Rescue helicopter, rescue helicopter, refugee Luton group calling you on 123.100. Do you receive me? Over"

"Refugee group Luton, this is Rescue five-six, we read you loud and clear on one two three decimal one. Over"

"Rescue five-six, refugee group Luton. We are in location one mile south west of the village church, adjacent to the football pitch in Crompton village. Our group is 32 refugees with some sick and elderly. In need of assistance. Over"

"Refugee group Luton, Rescue five-six. That is all copied, help is on the way and will be with you in one hour, remain where you are. Rescue five-six out."

[Malthouse]

I just added a product recommendation to the Logistics area.