UHF/VHF Operating Practices

 
Typically, frequencies above 50 Mhz are referred to the UHF / VHF / SHF  bands.
All amateurs that have privileges in these bands use them for a variety of activities such as 2 meter FM repeater usage, SSB communications, satellite communications and digital communications such as packet.  Following is a listing of frequency allocations and corresponding activities.   These allocations and activities are subject to change.
6 Meters (50-54 Mhz)
50.0-50.1 CW, beacons
50.060-50.080 beacon subband
50.1-50.3 SSB, CW
50.10-50.125 DX window
50.125 SSB calling
50.3-50.6 All modes
50.6-50.8 Nonvoice communications
50.62 Digital (packet) calling
50.8-51.0 Radio remote control (20-kHz channels)
51.0-51.1 Pacific DX window
51.12-51.48 Repeater inputs (19 channels)
51.12-51.18 Digital repeater inputs
51.5-51.6 Simplex (six channels)
51.62-51.98 Repeater outputs (19 channels)
51.62-51.68 Digital repeater outputs
52.0-52.48 Repeater inputs (except as noted; 23 channels)
52.02, 52.04 FM simplex
52.2 TEST PAIR (input)
52.5-52.98 Repeater output (except as noted; 23 channels)
52.525 Primary FM simplex
52.54 Secondary FM simplex
52.7 TEST PAIR (output)
53.0-53.48 Repeater inputs (except as noted; 19 channels)
53.0 Remote base FM simplex
53.02 Simplex
53.1, 53.2, 53.3, 53.4 Radio remote control
53.5-53.98 Repeater outputs (except as noted; 19 channels)
53.5, 53.6, 53.7, 53.8 Radio remote control
53.52, 53.9 Simplex
2 Meters (144-148 MHz):
144.00-144.05 EME (CW)
144.05-144.10 General CW and weak signals
144.10-144.20 EME and weak-signal SSB
144.200 National calling frequency
144.200-144.275 General SSB operation
144.275-144.300 Propagation beacons
144.30-144.50 New OSCAR subband
144.50-144.60 Linear translator inputs
144.60-144.90 FM repeater inputs
144.90-145.10 Weak signal and FM simplex (145.01,03,05,07,09 are widely used for packet)
145.10-145.20 Linear translator outputs
145.20-145.50 FM repeater outputs
145.50-145.80 Miscellaneous and experimental modes
145.80-146.00 OSCAR subband
146.01-146.37 Repeater inputs
146.40-146.58 Simplex
146.52 National Simplex Calling Frequency
146.61-146.97 Repeater outputs
147.00-147.39 Repeater outputs
147.42-147.57 Simplex
147.60-147.99 Repeater inputs
Notes: The frequency 146.40 MHz is used in some areas as a repeater input. This band plan has been proposed by the ARRL VHF-UHF Advisory Committee.
1.25 Meters (222-225 MHz):
222.0-222.150 Weak-signal modes
222.0-222.025 EME
222.05-222.06 Propagation beacons
222.1 SSB & CW calling frequency
222.10-222.15 Weak-signal CW & SSB
222.15-222.25 Local coordinator’s option; weak signal, ACSB, repeater inputs, control
222.25-223.38 FM repeater inputs only
223.40-223.52 FM simplex
223.52-223.64 Digital, packet
223.64-223.70 Links, control
223.71-223.85 Local coordinator’s option; FM simplex, packet, repeater outputs
223.85-224.98 Repeater outputs only
Note: The 222 MHz band plan was adopted by the ARRL Board of Directors in July 1991.
70 Centimeters (420-450 MHz):
420.00-426.00 ATV repeater or simplex with 421.25 MHz video carrier control links and experimental
426.00-432.00 ATV simplex with 427.250-MHz video carrier frequency
432.00-432.07 EME (Earth-Moon-Earth)
432.07-432.10 Weak-signal CW
432.10 70-cm calling frequency
432.10-432.30 Mixed-mode and weak-signal work
432.30-432.40 Propagation beacons
432.40-433.00 Mixed-mode and weak-signal work
433.00-435.00 Auxiliary/repeater links
435.00-438.00 Satellite only (internationally)
438.00-444.00 ATV repeater input with 439.250-MHz video carrier frequency and repeater links
442.00-445.00 Repeater inputs and outputs (local option)
445.00-447.00 Shared by auxiliary and control links, repeaters and simplex (local option)
446.00 National simplex frequency
447.00-450.00 Repeater inputs and outputs (local option)
33 Centimeters (902-928 MHz):
902.0-903.0 Narrow-bandwidth, weak-signal communications
902.0-902.8 SSTV, FAX, ACSSB, experimental
902.1 Weak-signal calling frequency
902.8-903.0 Reserved for EME, CW expansion
903.1 Alternate calling frequency
903.0-906.0 Digital communications
906-909 F M repeater inputs
909-915 ATV
915-918 Digital communications
918-921 FM repeater outputs
921-927 ATV
927-928 FM simplex and links
Note: The 902 MHz band plan was adopted by the ARRL Board of Directors in July 1989
23 Centimeters (1240-1300 MHz):
1240-1246 ATV #1
1246-1248 Narrow-bandwidth FM point-to-point links and digital, duplex with 1258-1260.
1248-1258 Digital Communications
1252-1258 ATV #2
1258-1260 Narrow-bandwidth FM point-to-point links digital, duplexed with 1246-1252
1260-1270 Satellite uplinks, reference WARC ’79
1260-1270 Wide-bandwidth experimental, simplex ATV
1270-1276 Repeater inputs, FM and linear, paired with 1282-1288, 239 pairs every 25 kHz, e.g. 1270.025, .050, etc.
1271-1283 Non-coordinated test pair
1276-1282 ATV #3
1282-1288 Repeater outputs, paired with 1270-1276
1288-1294 Wide-bandwidth experimental, simplex ATV
1294-1295 Narrow-bandwidth FM simplex services, 25-kHz channels
1294.5 National FM simplex calling frequency
1295-1297 Narrow bandwidth weak-signal communications (no FM)
1295.0-1295.8 SSTV, FAX, ACSSB, experimental
1295.8-1296.0 Reserved for EME, CW expansion
1296.00-1296.05 EME-exclusive
1296.07-1296.08 CW beacons
1296.1 CW, SSB calling frequency
1296.4-1296.6 Crossband linear translator input
1296.6-1296.8 Crossband linear translator output
1296.8-1297.0 Experimental beacons (exclusive)
1297-1300 Digital Communications
Operating Tips

New User Tips for VHF-UHF Operation

by Dave Schultheis WB6KHP
San José, California


Be sure the frequency (or “channel”) is “clear” before you transmit. Think howyouwould like it if someone interrupted your conversation.

  • Recommendation: when you turn to a repeater or a simplex frequency, listen for at least thirty seconds before transmitting.

Using Q-signalstoo oftenis bad form. Although Q-signals have a very valuable place in Amateur Radio, they are not universally accepted on F.M. voice channels. Using them during EVERY TRANSMISSION is really annoying.

  • Recommendation: use Q-signals sparingly. Once in a while. Not very often.

Using the phrase “clear and monitoring” is not really necessary. Neither term is required by the F.C.C. or anybody else. If you call another amateur, using his/her callsign and yours, and that person does not answer, it isnotnecessary to advise “clear.” You have already identified your station and any other identification is superfluous.

  • Recommendation: use “clear” only to mean that you are shutting down operation and will not be there to answer any subsequent calls. Under normal circumstances, when you are finished with a contact but will continue listening, it is sufficient (and just right!) to merely say your call sign.
  • Contrasting Recommendation: If you attempt to contact someone and there is no answer, you can notify others that you are finished by saying, “KF6xxx clear,” or “no contact, this is KF6xxx clear W6ABC repeater.” This allows someone who may have been standing by to go ahead and make his or her call.

Be sure to learn the usage, protocol and/or policies of repeaters you are using. Just because a repeater is “there” does not mean that you are welcome to switch to it and use it for long, extended rag-chews. Some repeaters welcome newcomers, some do not. A sensible person does not want to spend time where s/he is not welcome. Even though your license allows you to operate on any frequency within the bounds of your license class, a wise amateur avoids “closed” repeaters and repeaters that are operated by small, unfriendly groups.

  • Recommendation: listen to a repeater for a while before you make a decision to use it. You might even ask someone on the repeater if you are welcome to use it for occasional conversations.

Using the term “for I.D.” is not necessary. There should be no reason to transmit your call signother thanto identify your station. Identification is required every 10 minutes during a conversation and at the end of a conversation or series of communications. Conversations need not come to a halt while you identify. (“Stand by, everyone, while I say my call sign.”) Simply say your call sign once within 10 minutes.

  • Recommendation: while talking, say your call sign once every ten minutes. Don’t say “For I.D., this is KF6xxx.” Don’t say “For license preservation purposes, this is KF6xxx” more than once or twice per year. Identify properly, but do not over-identify.
  • Contrasting Recommendation: if you hear someone say “for I.D.,” they may be trying to gently remind you that 10 minutes have passed and you should identify your station. Take the hint and say your call sign the next time it is your turn to talk.

Long ago, F.C.C. rules required mobile hams to not only say their call sign, but to say where they were operating, giving both the city and the call sign area. You may hear some hams saying, “…mobile 6” or “…mobile 3” after their call sign. This means that they are operating “mobile, in call sign area 6” or “mobile, in call sign area 3.” This is no longer required but it is sometimes good to know. When leaving their home state, some hams will keep track of what call sign area they are in, and say, “…mobile 7,” or “…mobile 1,” or whatever.

  • Recommendation: it’s not necessary, but it’s not wrong.

Certain types of jargon are easily recognizable as being “CB” terms. “What is your personal?” when you mean “what is your name?” “I’m on the side,” when you mean you are “listening” or “monitoring.” Although there is nothing “wrong” with CB, these terms are neither generally used nor appreciated on Amateur Radio frequencies.

  • Recommendation: avoid CB-style jargon and terms. Generally speaking, plain English is better: “my name is xxxx, what is yours?”

Different repeaters handle emergency communications in different ways. A general guideline is this: if you are on an unfamiliar repeater and you have emergency traffic,say so!Example: “Can someone help me contact the Highway Patrol?” or “I need help contacting the Fire Department.” Asking “is anybody monitoring?” may sound like an attempt to start a casual conversation. On many repeaters, you could be ignored. However, if you state that you have emergency traffic, people on many repeaters will drop what they are doing to help you. Note: if you are monitoring a repeater and someone asks for emergency assistance and youcannothelp,BE SILENT!There are few things stupider than someone breaking in to say that theywouldhelp except that they forgot the codes, or that they left their radio with the Touch-Tone ™ pad at home, or that their home phone is busy so they can’t make the call for you.

  • Recommendations:
    • If you have emergency traffic, say so immediately.
    • If you can help, please do.
    • If you cannot help, do not transmit.

In this day of scanners, scanning mobile radios, scanning portable radios, dual-, triple- and quadruple-band radios and multiple radios in the car or shack, you could miss making contact with someone because your radio is scanning several channels or bands. If you know that the person you are calling is sitting next to the radio waiting for you, you can make your call very simple: say his/her call, then your own. However, if your friend has a scanning radio or listens to several radios, it is possible that he/she could miss your call. You should call twice: say the other station’s call twice, then your own. Pause for a half-minute or so and try again. It might also be a good idea to try again in 4 or 5 minutes, in case the called person’s scanner was stopping on a long, drawn-out conversation. And if you know that the called station is listening to more than one frequency, you can call and say “on [such-and-such] repeater” to give them a hint as to which microphone to pick up or which band to select.

  • Recommendation: call twice.

You may hear people using the term “73,” meaning “best wishes.” There is no “s” in the salutation “73.” (Other hams may use the term “88,” meaning “love and kisses.” Typically used between husbands and wives.) These shortcuts were developed years ago as a way to communicate common thoughts quickly. You will hear others saying “73s” and “88s” (wrong!) You might even hear someone saying [cringe!] “threes and eights and all those good numbers!” Yecch! Negative!

  • Proper usage would be similar to this:
    • Voice: “OK, Dan, seven-three and I will talk to you later. (pause) WA7AII.”
    • Voice: “73 for now, WB6KHP clear.”
    • CW: “W2EOS de K8JW CUL OM 73 SK.”
    • CW: “N6xxx de KB6xxx 73 88 SK.”

There is no specific requirement for keeping logs of the use of your amateur radio station except for International Third-party Traffic. However, a good way to keep track of your communications is to use a Log Book, available at some amateur radio dealers.

  • One method is this: make an entry in the “date” column for each day you operate your station. Each time you contact a “new” station, make entries for call sign, name, frequency, mode and any other information you think necessary or interesting. You probably have no need to make log entries for people you talk to every day, with the possible exception of logging emergency traffic that you may handle for others.

Sometimes while talking to another station, it is necessary to ask the other person to “stand by.” This may be caused by (a) a driving situation needing immediate attention to avert a crash, (b) a spouse or child walking into the “shack” with a message, (c) placing your order at a drive-up window, etc. The proper response, when requested to “stand by,” issilence.Generally it will only take a moment and the other station will be back. If you feel it necessary to say something, then say, “[call sign] standing by.” If you respond to “stand by” with a long, drawn-out acknowledgement, it servesno purposeand the person asking you to “stand by” is not listening anyway.


Keep in mind that when you are operating in a noisy environment, you donothave to be able to hear yourself talking. There will be those instances where you are helping with emergency communications for a disaster, or communications support for a parade, or you are at an airport or other noisy place. If you shout into the microphone loud enough to hear yourself, you are distorting the signal so badly that the person on the other end may not be able to hear or understand you. Instead, practice speaking into the microphone in a normal tone. It can be very difficult to operate under these conditions (loud background noise), but it is a skill that you would do well to learn.


One of the most important things for new hams to learn is to “K-H-T.” That is “key, hesitate, talk.” You must consciously learn to push the microphone button, pause slightly, and then begin speaking. If you push the button and speak simultaneously, the first word or the first part of a word may be cut off. This does not facilitate effective communications. Hopefully, if you learn to do it correctly from the first day, it will become subconscious and you will do it automatically. If this is the case, you will earn the respect and admiration of your peers. If not, you will be forever labeled as a sub-standard operator.


Try to keep your language polite. Profanity and discussions of bodily functions should be off limits – not because of government rules, but because it’s the right thing to do. Generally, other hams and their family members do not want to hear conversations that are not of the “G-rated” variety.


Thanks to KA6TGE, NT6S (formerly KB6LUC) , KI6NI and theWest Valley Amateur Radio Association. Adapted from a version revised on April 9, 1990.



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