Amateur Radio Simplex and Calling Frequencies

In an effort to improve my preparedness for emergency communications I have been collecting lists of commonly used Simplex and calling frequencies to program into all of my radios.

Sources: ARRL Band Plan, ARRL Considerate Operator’s Frequency Guide, AC6V

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

144.10 MHz 2M CW.........   

144.060 2M QRP CW Calling Freq ----

144.144 to 144.150 2M PSK ........  

144.200 National calling frequency

144.200 MHz 2M SSB........   

144.200-144.275 General SSB operation

144.275-144.300 Propagation beacons

144.285 2M QRP SSB Calling Freq ---- 

144.30-144.50 New OSCAR subband

144.31 to 144.375, unchannelized, From the JPLARC in Southern California

144.405 to 144.475, unchannelized From the JPLARC in Southern California

144.49 (International Space Station uplink: transmit here & listen to 145.80 for the downlink)

144.50-144.60 Linear translator inputs

145.51 to 145.595, unchannelized, From the JPLARC in Southern California

144.60-144.90 FM repeater inputs

145.71 to 145.785 in 15 kHz steps , From the JPLARC in Southern California

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

145.510 D

MR simplex 2 **

145.790 DMR simplex 1 **

145.80-146.00 OSCAR subband

146.01-146.37 Repeater inputs

146.40-146.58 Simplex

146.400 FM Simplex

146.415 FM Simplex

146.430 FM Simplex (ATV simplex only from the JPLARC in Southern California)

146.445 FM Simplex

146.460 FM Simplex

146.475 FM Simplex

146.490 FM Simplex

146.505 FM Simplex

146.520 National FM Simplex Calling Frequency

146.535 FM Simplex

146.550 FM Simplex

146.565 FM Simplex

146.580 FM Simplex

146.595 FM Simplex

146.61-146.97 Repeater outputs

147.00-147.39 Repeater outputs

147.42-147.57 Simplex

147.420 FM Simplex

147.435 FM Simplex

147.450 FM Simplex

147.465 FM Simplex

147.480 FM Simplex

147.495 FM Simplex

147.510 FM Simplex

147.525 FM Simplex

147.540 FM Simplex

147.555 FM Simplex

147.570 FM 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.

** For DMR simplex use TG99 / CC1 / TS1 /Admit Criteria: Always / In Call Criteria: TX or Always

1.25 Meters (222-225 MHz)

222.0-222.150 Weak-signal modes

222.0-222.025 EME

222.05-222.06 Propagation beacons

222.07 to 222.15 1.25M PSK ....

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

223.420

223.440

223.460

223.480

223.500 National FM Simplex Calling Frequency

233.520

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

223.720

223.740

224.760

223.780

223.800

223.840

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

432.10 MHz 70cm SSB......
432.2 and up 70cm PSK .....

432.30-432.40 Propagation beacons

432.40-433.00 Mixed-mode and weak-signal work

433.00-435.00 Auxiliary/repeater links

433.450 DMR simplex 4 **

435.00-438.00 Satellite only (internationally)

438.00-444.00 ATV repeater input with 439.250-MHz video carrier frequency and repeater links

441.000 DMR 

simplex 1 **

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 FM simplex frequency

446.075 DMR simplex 3 **

446.500 DMR simplex 2 **

447.00-450.00 Repeater inputs and outputs (local option)

** For DMR simplex use TG99 / CC1 / TS1 /Admit Criteria: Always / In Call Criteria: TX or Always

6 Meters (50-54 MHz)

50.0-50.1 CW, beacons

50.0-50.1 CW

50.000 - 50.100 CW, Beacons

50.06-50.09 Beacons

50.060-50.080 beacon subband

50.06 QRP CW Calling Freq

50.090 CW Calling Freq

50.1-50.3 SSB, CW

50.100 to 50.130 DX Window (USB)

50.10-50.60 Weak Signal, AM

50.100 - 50.300 SSB, CW

50.100 - 50.125 DX Window
50.110 DX Calling Frequency (USB) Usually Non-USA Stations Call Here.
50.115 DXpeditions Frequently operate CW and SSB here
50.125 USA National SSB Simplex Frequency (USB) Lots Of USA Hams Call Here
50.125 SSB Calling Frequency

50.10-50.125 DX window

50.125 SSB calling

50.260 is the WSJT Meteor Scatter calling frequency in the USA   

50.260 WSJT Calling Frequency

50.270 FSK Meteorscatter

50.290 PSK31 (SSB)

50.3-50.6 All modes

50.300 - 50.600 All Modes

50.300 FM Simplex Calling Frequency (West Coast)

50.385 USB PSK31
50.4 National AM Simplex Frequency

50.400 AM Calling Frequency

50.6-50.8 Nonvoice communications

50.600 - 50.800 Digital

50.62 Digital (packet) calling

50.680 SSTV

50.7 RTTY Calling Frequency 

50.8-51.0 Radio remote control (20-kHz channels)

50.800 - 51.000 Remote Control

50.885 QRP SSB Calling Freq

51.0-51.1 Pacific DX window

51.000 - 51.100 Pacific DX Window

51.12-51.48 Repeater inputs (19 channels)

51.12-51.18 Digital repeater inputs

51.120 - 51.180 Digital

51.120 PSK31 (FM)

51.200 - 51.480 FM Repeater Inputs

51.5-51.6  Simplex (six channels)

51.500  FM Simplex

51.520  FM Simplex

51.540  FM Simplex

51.560  FM Simplex

51.580  FM Simplex

51.600  FM Simplex

51.62-51.98 Repeater outputs (19 channels)

51.62-51.68 Digital repeater outputs

51.620 - 51.680 Digital

51.700 - 51.980 FM Repeater Outputs

51.910 FM Internet Linking

52.0-52.48 Repeater inputs (except as noted; 23 channels)

52.02, 52.04 FM simplex

52.020 - 52.040 FM Simplex

52.060 - 52.480 FM Repeater Inputs

52.2 TEST PAIR (input)

52.490  FM Simplex

52.510 FM Simplex

52.525 National FM Simplex Calling Frequency

52.5-52.98 Repeater output (except as noted; 23 channels)

52.525 Primary FM simplex

52.54 Secondary FM simplex

52.550  FM Simplex

52.570  FM Simplex

52.590  FM Simplex

52.560 - 52.980 FM Repeater Outputs

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

53.040 - 53.480 FM Repeater Inputs

53.1 Radio remote control

53.2 Radio remote control

53.3 Radio remote control 

53.4 Radio remote control

53.5-53.98 Repeater outputs (except as noted; 19 channels)

53.5 Radio remote control

53.6 Radio remote control

53.7 Radio remote control

53.8 Radio remote control

53.52 Simplex FM

53.9 Simplex FM

33 CENTIMETERS

903.100 MHz 33cm CW/SSB..
906.500 MHz 33cm FM......    

23 CENTIMETERS

1294.500 MHz 23cm FM......  
1296.100 MHz 23cm CW/SSB..

13 CENTIMETERS

2304.100 MHz 13cm CW/SSB..

900 MHz National “Traditional” FM Voice Simplex Channels

906.000 to 907.000 MHz - channel every 25 KHz
906.500 - National Calling Frequency

1.2 GHz
1294.00 - 1295.00 Narrow Band FM simplex, every 25 KHz
1294.50 National simplex calling channel

HF Frequencies -- DX, DXpedition, SSB, CW, AM, FM, RTTY, SSTV

Note: By tradition, 20M and up is Upper Sideband, 40M and below is Lower Sideband. An exception is the new 60M Ham Band -- use USB. This protocol came about as a matter of convenience in early SSB transceiver design and has remained to this day. And yes - you can operate either sideband legally where phone is allowed. And yes you can operate CW on the phone bands -- but best stay with the protocols. 

Text highlighted in Yellow is from the ARRL Considerate Operator’s Frequency Guide 

"The following frequencies are generally recognized for certain modes or activities (all frequencies are in MHz) during normal conditions. These are not regulations and occasionally a high level of activity, such as during a period of emergency response, DXpedition or contest, may result in stations operating outside these frequency ranges.

Nothing in the rules recognizes a net’s, group’s or any individual’s special privilege to any specific frequency. Section 97.101(b) of the Rules states that “Each station licensee and each control operator must cooperate in selecting transmitting channels and

in making the most effective use of the amateur service frequencies. No frequency will be assigned for the exclusive use of any station.” No one “owns” a frequency.

It’s good practice — and plain old common sense — for any operator, regardless of mode, to check to see if the frequency is in use prior to engaging operation. If you are there first, other operators should make an effort to protect you from interference to the extent possible, given that 100% interference-free operation is an unrealistic expectation in today’s congested bands."

160 METERS

1.800-2.000 CW

1.800-1.810 Digital Modes

1.810 QRP CW Calling frequency

1.8285 -- DXpeditions CW Operations are frequently here
1.830-1.840 CW, RTTY and other narrowband modes, intercontinental QSOs only

1.843-2.000 SSB, SSTV and other wideband modes

1.840-1.850 CW, SSB, SSTV and other wideband modes, intercontinental QSOs only  

1.825 - SSB QRP Calling Freq
1.910 - SSB QRP Calling Freq

1.995-2.000 Experimental

1.999-2.000 Beacons

80/75 METERS 

3.500-3.510 CW DX window

3.505 DXpeditions CW are frequently here 

3.560 QRP CW calling frequency 

3.590 RTTY/Data DX

3.570-3.600 RTTY/Data

3.585-3.600 Automatically controlled data stations 

3.790-3.800 DX window SSB

3.710 QRP Novice/Tech CW Calling Freq 

3.845 SSTV

3.885 AM calling frequency

3.799 DXpeditions SSB are frequently here 

3.985 QRP SSB calling frequency

60 METERS  

40 METERS 

7.000 - 7.010 CW DX Window

7.005 DXpeditions CW are frequently here

7.030 QRP CW calling frequency 

7.037 Pactor Calling frequency

7.040 RTTY/Data DX

7.040 QRP CW Calling Freq
7.050 XTAL Controlled Rigs
7.065 DXpedition SSB USA split to 7.150 and above

7.070-7.125 RTTY/Data

7.100-7.105 Automatically controlled data stations 

7.110 QRP Novice/Tech CW Calling Frequency

7.171 SSTV

7.173 D-SSTV

7.285 QRP SSB calling frequency 

7.290 AM calling frequency

30 METERS

10.106 QRP CW Calling frequency
10.110 -- DXpeditions CW are frequently here
10.130-10.140 RTTY/Data

10.140-10.150 Automatically controlled data stations

20 METERS 

14.025 DXpedition CW Freq -- Usually Split

14.060 QRP CW calling frequency 

14.070-14.095 RTTY/Data

14.080 DXpedition RTTY Freq
14.080 to 14.100 Primary Range for RTTY

14.095-14.0995 Automatically controlled data stations 

14.100 IBP/NCDXF beacons and IARU beacons (STAY OFF OF THIS FREQUENCY) Many Hams rely on these beacons for propagation determination. 

14.1005-14.112 Automatically controlled data stations 

14.195 Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate SSB Here -- Generally Listening Up-Split 

14.230 SSTV

14.233 D-SSTV

14.236 Digital Voice

14.236 SSTV 

14.285 QRP SSB calling frequency 

14.286 AM calling frequency

14.336 MHz  County Hunters when ever 20 is open and mobiles are around.

17 METERS 

18.075 DXpeditions CW are frequently here -- Usually Split
18.080 CW QRP Calling Freq

18.100-18.105 RTTY/Data

18.105-18.110 Automatically controlled data stations 

18.110 IBP/NCDXF beacons and IARU beacons (STAY OFF OF THIS FREQUENCY) Many Hams rely on these beacons for propagation determination.

18.130 SSB QRP Calling Freq
18.145 DXpeditions SSB are frequently here -- Usually Split

18.162.5 Digital Voice

15 METERS 

21.025 Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate CW Here - Generally Listening Up-Split

21.060 QRP CW calling frequency 

21.070-21.110 RTTY/Data

21.080 RTTY DXpeditions are frequently here
21.080 to 21.100 RTTY Primary Range

21.090-21.100 Automatically controlled data stations 

21.110 QRP Novice/Tech Calling Freq

21.150 IBP/NCDXF beacons and IARU beacons (STAY OFF OF THIS FREQUENCY) Many Hams rely on these beacons for propagation determination.

21.295 Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate SSB Here -- Generally Listening Up-Split

21.340 SSTV

21.385 QRP SSB calling frequency

21.430 SSTV

12 METERS 

24.895 Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate CW Here -- Generally Listening Up-Split
24,910 QRP CW Calling FREQ

24.920-24.925 RTTY/Data

24.925-24.930 Automatically controlled data stations 

24.930 IBP/NCDXF beacons (STAY OFF OF THIS FREQUENCY) Many Hams rely on these beacons for propagation determination.

24.945 Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate SSB Here -- Generally Listening Up-Split  

24.950 QRP SSB Calling Freq

10 METERS 

28.025 CW Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate Here – Split

28.060 QRP CW calling frequency 28.070-28.120 RTTY/Data

28.080 RTTY Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate Here -- Split
28.080 to 28.100 Primary Range for RTTY
28.1010 10/10 Intl CW Calling Frequency
28.110 QRP Novice/Tech Calling FREQ

28.120-28.189 Automatically controlled data stations 

28.190-28.225 Beacons

28.200 IBP/NCDXF beacons and IARU beacons (STAY OFF OF THIS FREQUENCY) Many Hams rely on these beacons for propagation determination.

28.380 10/10 SSB Intl Calling Frequency 

28.385 QRP SSB calling frequency 

28.400 10/10 SSB Intl Calling Frequency

28.425 10/10 SSB Intl Calling Frequency

28.495 SSB Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate Here -- Split 

28.600 Old General Callin Frequency - Still used by Old Timers
28.675~28.685 SSTV Operating Frequency -- IARU Region 1 

28.680 SSTV USA/Canada 

29.000-29.200 AM

29.300-29.510 Satellite downlinks 

29.520-29.580 Repeater inputs

29.600 FM simplex

29.620-29.680 Repeater outputs

28.825 10-10 Backskatter Net - Paper Chasers Net 

28.885 6M DX Liaison Frequency -- Listen here for 6 Meter DX opening announcements and discussions.
28.945 FAX Operating Frequency
29.000-29.200 AM Operations
29.300-29.510 Satellite Downlinks
29.520-29.580 Repeater Inputs
29.600 FM Simplex - Calling Frequency 29.620-29.680 Repeater Outputs 
PSK31

ISLAND HUNTER FREQUENCIES (IOTA) IOTA CW: 3.530, 7.030, 10.115, 14.040, 18.098 and 21.040 MHz
IOTA SSB: 3.755, 7.060, 14.260, 18.128, 21.260, 24.950, 28.460 and 28.560 MHz
US Island Hunters: 7.250, 14.250 to 14.260 (main), 21.350, 28.450 MHz
CW - anywhere.

COUNTY HUNTERS NETS AND CALLING FREQUENCIES
From The County Hunter Web

County hunters usually can be found participating in the Emergency and Mobile County Hunters Net. This net is in operation almost any time band conditions allow. Generally, these times are 1300 to 2200 UTC, but they can be extended when there are active mobiles.

The primary SSB operating frequency of the county hunting net is 14.336 MHz, and is considered the net home frequency. A secondary net usually is in operation at 7.185 MHz, except between 1545 to 1700 UTC, when it moves to 7.243 MHz. Occassionally, mobile operators will shift to other bands. The usual frequency on 75 meters is 3.903 MHz, while 15 and 10 meters are at 21.338 MHz and 28.336 MHz

The CW operating frequencies of the CW net can be found at 14.0565 MHz on 20 meters and 7.0385 on 40 meters. The frequency on 30m is 10.1225 These nets are not as active but put out a call, and someone will usually come back. The abbreviation "CHN" is used to designate the net.

  COMMON PSK31 FREQUENCIES

The plan for PSK31 activity has always been (since PSK31 started) to concentrate activity starting from the bottom edge of the IARU RTTY bandplan, expanding upwards as activity increased. The exception is in the 10 mts band in order to give non full privileges ham to meet. It was defined as 150 Hz above it. Keep in mind that all you need is about 100 Hz as channel separation.

These recommended frequencies are in accordance with the IARU bandplan for region 1. There may be differences for regions 2 and 3

1838.150
3580.150
7035.15 for region 1 and region 3, and 7080.15 for region 2 *
10142.150
14070.150
18100.150
21080.150 (although most activity can be found 10 kHz lower)
24920.150
28120.150

* This is due to the fact that the 7 MHz band is much wider in region 2 (the Americas), and the IARU bandplan reflects this.