Wilderness Protocol
- OLLIE
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Wilderness Protocol
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)
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)
"OLLIE"
(K6JYB)
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"Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world, the Marines don't have that problem."
-Ronald Reagan
CHECK OUT THE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE USA AMATEUR RADIO NET:
Every Thursday night at 7:30pm PST
Repeater
146.385+ PL: 146.2 Keller Peak (Echolink Equipped)
Re: Wilderness Protocol
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!).
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!).
Cycle dirty!
HAMemberships: FAMCOMM, Corona Police Communication Specialist Volunteers, Bicycle Mobile Hams of America, Motorcycle Amateur Radio Club.

HAMemberships: FAMCOMM, Corona Police Communication Specialist Volunteers, Bicycle Mobile Hams of America, Motorcycle Amateur Radio Club.

- OLLIE
- OAUSA Board Member
- Posts: 2693
- Joined: Tue Mar 11, 2008 7:31 am
- Call Sign: K6JYB
- Location: Sweet Home Alabama!!!
Re: Wilderness Protocol
It takes a while to get into the protocol discipline.eubi wrote: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"
(K6JYB)
APRS
K6JYB ("BugEater")
K6JYB-7 (VX-8R)
http://www.facebook.com/FJOllie
"Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world, the Marines don't have that problem."
-Ronald Reagan
CHECK OUT THE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE USA AMATEUR RADIO NET:
Every Thursday night at 7:30pm PST
Repeater
146.385+ PL: 146.2 Keller Peak (Echolink Equipped)
(K6JYB)
APRS
K6JYB ("BugEater")
K6JYB-7 (VX-8R)
http://www.facebook.com/FJOllie
"Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world, the Marines don't have that problem."
-Ronald Reagan
CHECK OUT THE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE USA AMATEUR RADIO NET:
Every Thursday night at 7:30pm PST
Repeater
146.385+ PL: 146.2 Keller Peak (Echolink Equipped)
- cruiserlarry
- OAUSA Board Member
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Re: Wilderness Protocol
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.
Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear really bright, until they start talking
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- salad_man
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Re: Wilderness Protocol
Awesome, I had no idea being a new ham, he he thanks for the bump
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- Chazz Layne
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Re: Wilderness Protocol
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...cruiserlarry wrote: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.
Chazz Layne—dotcom
- DaveK
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Re: Wilderness Protocol
That might be a bit of a stretch.Chazz Layne wrote: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...cruiserlarry wrote: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.
DaveK
K6DTK
Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice.
Moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.
K6DTK
Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice.
Moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.
- cruiserlarry
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Re: Wilderness Protocol
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 earsChazz Layne wrote: I've been wondering if there was something like the CB's "highway" channel in the HAM world...

Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear really bright, until they start talking
W6LPB / WPOK492
Become a DIRTY PARTS FACEBOOK fan !!!
W6LPB / WPOK492
Become a DIRTY PARTS FACEBOOK fan !!!
Re: Wilderness Protocol
The infamous "435". I think they have a website as well. Another spot to avoid is 14.275 on 20m......serious looney-toons.cruiserlarry wrote: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 earsChazz Layne wrote: I've been wondering if there was something like the CB's "highway" channel in the HAM world...)
Randy
K6ARW
K6ARW
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