Wilderness Protocol

[OLLIE]

The Wilderness Protocol is a suggestion that those outside of repeater range should monitor standard simplex channels at specific times in case others have priority calls. The primary frequency is 146.52 MHz with 52.525, 223.5 446.0 and 1294.5 MHz serving as secondary frequencies. This system was conceived to facilitate communications between hams that were hiking or backpacking in uninhabited areas, outside repeater range. However, the Wilderness Protocol should not be viewed as something just for hikers. It can (and should) be used by everyone anywhere repeater coverage is unavailable. The protocol only becomes effective when many people use it.

The Wilderness Protocol recommends that those stations able to do so should monitor the primary (and secondary, if possible) frequency every three hours starting at 7 AM, local time, for 5 minutes (7:00-7:05 AM, 10:00-10:05 AM, ..., 10:00-10:05 PM). Additionally, those stations that have sufficient power resources should monitor for 5 minutes starting at the top of every hour, or even continuously.

Priority transmissions should begin with the LiTZ signal. CQ-like calls (to see who is out there) should not take place until four minutes after the hour.

For more information on the Wilderness Protocol refer to QST (Feb. 95, page 100; Apr. 94, page 109; May 94, pages 103 - 104.).

(Information extracted from: http://vaxxine.com/va3nag/tecnotes/refe ... ote32.html)

[eubi]

Great post!

I have one of those simplex frequencies programmed into my HT already, and for good measure, I put it in black tape on my orange emergency blanket!

I was unaware there were more standard back-country simplex frequencies, and I'll program them into my HT tonight (now that I can program my HT through my computer...YAY!).

[OLLIE]

Great post!

I have one of those simplex frequencies programmed into my HT already, and for good measure, I put it in black tape on my orange emergency blanket!

I was unaware there were more standard back-country simplex frequencies, and I'll program them into my HT tonight (now that I can program my HT through my computer...YAY!).

It takes a while to get into the protocol discipline.

[hmfigueroa]

Just a bump for the topic, really good information

[cruiserlarry]

The simplex frequency, 146.52, is not just a Wilderness -specific frequency; it is the 2-meter national call frequency as well, and should be used when making initial simplex contacts before switching to a common repeater in unfamiliar territory.

[salad_man]

Awesome, I had no idea being a new ham, he he thanks for the bump

[Chazz Layne]

The simplex frequency, 146.52, is not just a Wilderness -specific frequency; it is the 2-meter national call frequency as well, and should be used when making initial simplex contacts before switching to a common repeater in unfamiliar territory.

In other words, there's a fair chance of me bumping into contacts while cruising down the interstate on that freq? I've been wondering if there was something like the CB's "highway" channel in the HAM world...

[DaveK]

The simplex frequency, 146.52, is not just a Wilderness -specific frequency; it is the 2-meter national call frequency as well, and should be used when making initial simplex contacts before switching to a common repeater in unfamiliar territory.

In other words, there's a fair chance of me bumping into contacts while cruising down the interstate on that freq? I've been wondering if there was something like the CB's "highway" channel in the HAM world...

That might be a bit of a stretch.

[cruiserlarry]

I've been wondering if there was something like the CB's "highway" channel in the HAM world...

If you want to hear what CB sounds like with a ham license, tune in any evening to 147.435 (146.400 odd split), W6NUT repeater....It's not your grandaddy's ham radio (and not safe for young or sensitive ears )

[xtatik]

I've been wondering if there was something like the CB's "highway" channel in the HAM world...

If you want to hear what CB sounds like with a ham license, tune in any evening to 147.435 (146.400 odd split), W6NUT repeater....It's not your grandaddy's ham radio (and not safe for young or sensitive ears )

The infamous "435". I think they have a website as well. Another spot to avoid is 14.275 on 20m......serious looney-toons.