link to Home Page

Radio Frequencies


After a pole shift radio could be the only method of communication. Knowing what frequencies to use becomes vital. If one listens or calls on a frequency that other are not using then no contact will result. It becomes desirable to predict what frequencies to use after a PS. The frequencies in most use today could be the best to use after a Pole Shift. So the question becomes what are the emergency and most commonly used calling frequencies today? This report details the primary frequencies on all bands that could be usefully after a Pole Shift.

Frequency MHzCommonly used and Emergency Calling Frequencies
1.8100Ham HF QRP CW Calling (QRP = Low Power Transmitter 5 watts or less output)
1.9100 Ham HF QRP SSB Calling (HF = High Frequency)
2.1820Ham HF International Maritime Distress Frequency
3.5600Ham HF QRP CW Calling
3.5800Ham HF QRP CW Calling
3.8850Ham HF AM Calling
3.9850Ham HF QRP SSB Calling
7.0300Ham HF QRP DX CW Calling
7.0400Ham HF QRP CW Calling
7.2850Ham HF QRP SSB Calling
7.2900Ham HF AM Calling
10.1060Ham HF QRP CW Calling
14.0250Ham HF CW DX Calling
14.0600Ham HF QRP CW Calling
14.1950Ham HF DX Calling
14.2850Ham HF QRP SSB Calling
14.2860Ham HF AM Calling
21.0600Ham HF QRP CW Calling
21.2950Ham HF DX Calling
21.3850Ham HF QRP SSB Calling
27.0650CB AM Ch-9 Emergency Channel
27.1850CB AM Ch-19 Unofficial Highway Channel
27.3850CB AM Ch-38 LSB, National calling frequency
28.0600Ham HF QRP CW Calling
28.3850Ham HF QRP SSB Calling
28.4000Ham HF CW Calling
29.0000Ham HF AM Calling
29.6000Ham HF FM simplex
34.9000 Used nationwide by the National Guard during emergencies.
39.4600Used for inter-department emergency communications by local and state police forces.
47.4200Used across the United States by the Red Cross for relief operations.
50.1100Ham 6 Meter DX Calling
50.1250Ham 6 Meter SSB Calling
50.4000Ham 6 Meter AM Calling
52.5250Ham 6 Meter FM Calling
121.5000International Aviation Emergency Frequency
138.2250Prime disaster relief operations channel used by the Federal Emergency Management Agency
144.0500Ham 2 Meter DX CW (Europe)
144.2000Ham 2 Meter CW and SSB common Calling
144.3000Ham 2 Meter DX CW/SSB (Europe)
144.5000Ham 2 Meter FM Calling (Europe)
146.5200Ham 2 Meter Ham FM General calling and emergency and wilderness protocol
146.5500Ham 2 Meter Ham FM Simplex National Emergency Frequency
151.6250Used by "itinerant" businesses, or those that travel about the country.
154.2800Used for inter-department emergency communications by local fire departments; 154.265 and 154.295 also used.
154.5700Used itinerant business channel. Circuses, exhibitions, trade shows, sports teams. 154.600 also used.
155.1600Used for inter-department emergency communications by local and state agencies during search and rescue operations.
155.4750Used for inter-department emergency communications by local and state police forces.
156.4500Ch-9 The boater calling channel.
156.8000Ch-16 International maritime distress, calling, and safety channel. Heavily used on rivers, lakes also.
162.4000Used for NOAA weather broadcasts and bulletins.
162.4250Used for NOAA weather broadcasts and bulletins.
162.4500Used for NOAA weather broadcasts and bulletins.
162.4750Used for NOAA weather broadcasts and bulletins.
162.5000Used for NOAA weather broadcasts and bulletins.
162.5250Used for NOAA weather broadcasts and bulletins.
162.5500Used for NOAA weather broadcasts and bulletins.
163.2750Used for NOAA weather broadcasts and bulletins.
163.4875Used nationwide by the National Guard during emergencies.
163.5125The national disaster preparedness frequency used jointly by the armed forces.
168.5500The national channel used by civilian agencies of the federal government for communications during emergencies and disasters.
222.1000 Ham CW and SSB USA Calling
223.5000Ham FM USA Calling
243.0000Used during military aviation emergencies.
259.7000Used by the Space Shuttle during re-entry and landing.
296.8000Used by the Space Shuttle during re-entry and landing.
311.0000An active in-flight channel used by the U.S. Air Force.
317.7000An active channel used by U.S. Coast Guard aviation.
317.8000An active channel used by U.S. Coast Guard aviation.
319.4000An active in-flight channel used by the U.S. Air Force.
340.2000An active channel used by U.S. Navy aviators.
409.6250National communications channel for the Department of State.
432.1000Ham CW and SSB USA Calling
446.0000Ham FM Simplex USA Calling
462.5625Citizens FRS/GMRS Ch-1 commonly used Calling Frequency
462.6750Citizens GMRS Ch-20 Emergency Communications and Traveler Assistance
902.1000Ham SSB USA Calling (weak-signal)
1294.5000Ham FM USA Calling
1296.1000Ham SSB USA Calling
2304.1000Ham USA calling
2305.2000Ham FM Simplex USA calling

Some of these frequencies will be more valuable before a Pole Shift and would be dead after a Pole Shift. Some you might listen to but not want to transmit on. The lower the frequency the longer the distance it can be herd. Use whatever frequencies your radio equipment is capable of. A low cost, low-power radio-scanner can be programmed with these frequencies to do the monitoring. It also may be prudent to scan other frequencies once on knows what the locals are using. Program a scanner, test, and get familiar with your equipment before the Pole Shift. Before the Pole Shift once the call is established, a good operating practice is to move off keeping the calling channel clear. After the Pole Shift with very scarce contacts one my wish to stay on the calling frequency so that others have the possibility of hearing and joining in. One other suggestion for an emergency frequency is to have the person monitoring key the mic and say so every 10 minutes - "This is station XXX listening".

Offered by Mike.

icon