BasicB-002-003-006
Why should you be careful in choosing a simplex frequency when operating VHF or UHF?
D
Answer
Licensing, station identification, and operation
Type
A
Some frequencies are designated for narrow band FM and others for wideband FM
B
Implanted medical devices share the same spectrum
C
Some frequencies cannot accommodate simplex operation
D
To avoid inadvertently choosing a frequency that is the input to a local repeater
Answer Notes
When operating simplex (direct radio-to-radio without a repeater) on VHF or UHF, you must ensure your chosen frequency is clear and appropriate for simplex use. Band plans specifically allocate certain frequency ranges for simplex operations and others for repeater inputs and outputs.
If you randomly select a frequency, you might accidentally transmit on the input frequency of a local repeater. This would cause your signal to be picked up and retransmitted over a wide area, potentially interrupting ongoing communications or interfering with other users relying on that repeater system. Always consult local band plans to safely select a designated simplex frequency.
Previous · B-002-003-005
Why should local communications use VHF and UHF frequencies instead of HF frequencies?
Next · B-002-003-007
If you are talking to a station using a repeater, how would you find out if you could communicate using simplex instead?