Nationwide Public Safety Interoperability

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Law enforcement, fire/EMS, medical and general public safety interoperability frequencies. Most states, regions and even cities will have additional frequencies or dedicated talkgroups on their trunking systems. Some areas include provisions to patch trunking systems to analog repeaters on the interop frequencies below.

CTCSS or PL tone for public safety interop frequencies is 156.7 Hz. This is the recommended tone for repeater output or simplex purposes. Repeater input tone is 136.5 Hz unless otherwise specified. Many users will use carrier squelch (CSQ) receive and just transmit 156.7 Hz. 155.160 MHz (National SAR common) default CTCSS is 127.3 Hz. Some agencies will use these frequencies for talkaround or simplex purposes either without a CTCSS tone or with a non-standard tone. Digital voice standard NAC is $293 293 NAC for transmit and $F7E F7E NAC for receive (the P25 version of carrier squelch).

Federal/Non-Federal interop frequencies have a standard analog FM CTCSS of 167.9 Hz. In P25 digital voice mode the default NAC is 68F. Various agencies will use different CTCSS tones, no CTCSS tone, different NAC codes or the default $293 NAC code (NAC 293) for Project 25 digital voice.

Interop guides recommend programming in the FRS, MURS, oil spill cleanup frequencies and select VHF marine band frequencies (generally VHF marine channels 16, 21A, 22A and 23A) and "color dot" VHF/UHF itinerant business band frequencies into radios as part of interoperability planning. The (likely correct) presumption is that during an emergency those frequencies will also be used. Many emergency management agencies maintain caches of CB equipment as part of their HF radio capability (see also: SHARES and SECURE) for that same reason. This practice is akin to state DOT or Department of Highways motorist assistance agencies having CB radios installed in their trucks for direct communication with and monitoring of trucker and highway chatter on CB radio channel 19.

Contents

VHF low band VHF-low

  • 39.4600 MHz - LLAW1D - Simplex (156.7 Hz PL transmit tone only)
  • 39.4600 MHz - LLAW1 - Repeater, paired with 45.8600 MHz (input) (156.7 Hz PL)
  • 39.4800 MHz - LFIRE2D - Simplex (156.7 Hz PL transmit tone only)
  • 39.4800 MHz - LFIRE2 - Repeater, paired with 45.8800 MHz (input) (156.7 Hz PL)
  • 45.8600 MHz - LLAW3D - Simplex (156.7 Hz PL transmit tone only)
  • 45.8600 MHz - LLAW3 - Repeater, paired with 39.4600 MHz (input) (156.7 Hz PL)
  • 45.8800 MHz - LFIRE4D - Simplex (156.7 Hz PL transmit tone only)
  • 45.8800 MHz - LFIRE4 - Repeater, paired with 39.4800 MHz (input) (156.7 Hz PL

Since the input and output frequencies are reversed for LLAW1/LLAW3 and for LFIRE2/LFIRE4, only one set repeaters should operate in a given geographical area. If all four frequencies are used for simplex purposes, then all four frequencies 39.46 MHz, 39.48 MHz, 45.86 MHz and 45.88 MHz may be used in the same geographical area. 39.460 MHz and 45.880 MHz are considerably more likely to be used nationwide. Many states will use these frequencies in conjunction with their own statewide interoperability frequency (for states that still maintain and use low band VHF radio systems on a large scale).

VHF high band VHF band

  • 155.7525 MHz - VCALL10 - Calling, simplex only (CTCSS 156.7 Hz transmit only recommended, receive CSQ)
  • 151.1375 MHz - VTAC11/VTAC36 - Tac 1, simplex 156.7 Hz, repeater 136.5 Hz paired with 159.4725
  • 154.4525 MHz - VTAC12/VTAC37 - Tac 2, simplex 156.7 Hz, repeater 136.5 Hz paired with 158.7375
  • 158.7375 MHz - VTAC13/VTAC38 - Tac 3, simplex 156.7 Hz, repeater 136.5 Hz paired with 159.4725
  • 159.4725 MHz - VTAC14/VTAC39 - Tac 4, simplex 156.7 Hz, repeater 136.5 Hz paired with 151.1375
  • 161.8500 MHz - VTAC17D/VTAC17 - Tac 5 - simplex 156.7 Hz, repeater 136.5 Hz paired with 157.2500
  • 159.4725 MHz - VTAC35D/VTAC35 - Tac 6 - simplex 156.7 Hz, repeater 136.5 Hz paired with 158.7375
  • 158.7375 MHz - VTAC36D/VTAC36 - Tac 7 - simplex 156.7 Hz, repeater 136.5 Hz paired with 154.4525
  • 155.1600 MHz - VSAR16 or NATSAR - Search and Rescue - simplex CTCSS 127.3 Hz (CSQ receive recommended)
  • 155.3400 MHz - VMED28 - Ambulance to Hospital/Hospital to Hospital, medical interop - HEAR or HEAR340 (various CTCSS tones)
  • 155.3475 MHz - VMED29 - Medical interop (secondary)
  • 154.2800 MHz - VFIRE21 - Fire Interop - Primary
  • 154.2650 MHz - VFIRE22 - Fire Interop
  • 154.2950 MHz - VFIRE23 - Fire Interop
  • 154.2725 MHz - VFIRE24 - Fire Interop
  • 154.2875 MHz - VFIRE25 - Fire Interop
  • 154.3025 MHz - VFIRE26 - Fire Interop
  • 155.4750 MHz - VLAW31 - Nationwide Law Enforcement Interop (primary)
  • 155.4825 MHz - VLAW32 - Nationwide Law Enforcement Interop (secondary)


The VHF high band frequencies are used in conjunction with local/regional/state interoperability systems on VHF. Some areas link the VHF, UHF and 800 MHz frequencies together, or patch them to trunking systems.

In addition to the frequencies listed above and/or any supplemental local, regional, area or statewide frequencies, most radio system operators include the Oil Spill Cleanup frequencies, VHF marine band frequencies, and VHF MURS service frequencies in radio programming.

UHF band

Many metro areas that operate large UHF (450-470 MHz) and UHF-T (470-512 MHz) public safety systems have infrastructure in place for the UCALL/UTAC interoperability channels. Many, including Los Angeles, Boston, New York and Chicago, have their own regional/metro UHF interoperability systems as well - eg. BAPERN in Boston, NYMAC in New York City, etc. The UHF MED channels are used for regular day-to-day dispatch operations in some areas. In other areas, they are used for interoperability purposes, medevac communications to hospitals, or similar purposes. Nearly all communications on the MED channels is through repeaters. CTCSS tones vary depending on local needs and band plans. The 6.25 kHz MED channels are rarely used. MED-9, MED-10 and MED-1 through MED-8 are the most commonly used channels. MED-12, MED-22, MED-32, MED-42, MED-52, MED-62, MED-72, MED-82, MED-92 and MED-102 are used in some areas.

The input frequencies (458.2125 MHz, 458.4625 MHz, 458.7125 MHz and 458.8625 MHz) may also be used as simplex for tactical or on-scene purposes.

*UHF Public Safety Interoperability

  • 453.2125 MHz - UCALL40D/UCALL40 - Calling, simplex or repeater paired with 458.2125 MHz (156.7 Hz CTCSS)
  • 453.4625 MHz - UTAC41D/UTAC41 - Tac 1, simplex or repeater paired with 458.4625 MHz (156.7 Hz CTCSS)
  • 453.7125 MHz - UTAC42D/UTAC42 - Tac 2, simplex or repeater paired with 458.7125 MHz (156.7 Hz CTCSS)
  • 453.8625 MHz - UTAC43D/UTAC43 - Tac 3, simplex or repeater paired with 458.8625 MHz (156.7 Hz CTCSS)

*UHF MED Channels - UHF EMS Channels *Original Channel Plan (25 kHz channels, 12.5 kHz bandwidth - 11K3F3E / 11K2F3E / 11K0F3E emission)

  • 462.9500 MHz - MED-9 - Calling/Dispatch, repeater paired with 467.9500 MHz
  • 462.9750 MHz - MED-10 - Calling/Dispatch, repeater paired with 467.9750 MHz
  • 463.0000 MHz - MED-1 - EMS Operations, repeater paired with 468.0000 MHz
  • 463.0250 MHz - MED-2 - EMS Operations, repeater paired with 468.0250 MHz
  • 463.0500 MHz - MED-3 - EMS Operations, repeater paired with 468.0500 MHz
  • 463.0750 MHz - MED-4 - EMS Operations, repeater paired with 468.0750 MHz
  • 463.1000 MHz - MED-5 - EMS Operations, repeater paired with 468.1000 MHz
  • 463.1250 MHz - MED-6 - EMS Operations, repeater paired with 468.1250 MHz
  • 463.1500 MHz - MED-7 - EMS Operations, repeater paired with 468.1500 MHz
  • 463.1750 MHz - MED-8 - EMS Operations, repeater paired with 468.1750 MHz

*Narrow Band Channel Plan (12.5 kHz channels, 12.5 kHz or 6.25 kHz bandwidth)

  • 462.9625 MHz - MED-92 - Calling/Dispatch, repeater paired with 467.9625 MHz
  • 462.9875 MHz - MED-102 - Calling/Dispatch, repeater paired with 467.9875 MHz
  • 463.0125 MHz - MED-12 - EMS Operations, repeater paired with 468.0125 MHz
  • 463.0375 MHz - MED-22 - EMS Operations, repeater paired with 468.0375 MHz
  • 463.0625 MHz - MED-32 - EMS Operations, repeater paired with 468.0625 MHz
  • 463.0875 MHz - MED-42 - EMS Operations, repeater paired with 468.0875 MHz
  • 463.1125 MHz - MED-52 - EMS Operations, repeater paired with 468.1125 MHz
  • 463.1375 MHz - MED-62 - EMS Operations, repeater paired with 468.1375 MHz
  • 463.1625 MHz - MED-72 - EMS Operations, repeater paired with 468.1625 MHz
  • 463.1875 MHz - MED-82 - EMS Operations, repeater paired with 468.1875 MHz

*Narrow Band Channel Plan (6.25 kHz channels, 6.25 kHz bandwidth - super narrow FM 6K00F3E)

  • 462.95625 MHz - MED-91 - EMS Operations, repeater paired with 467.95625 MHz
  • 462.96875 MHz - MED-93 - EMS Operations, repeater paired with 467.96875 MHz
  • 462.98125 MHz - MED-101 - EMS Operations, repeater paired with 467.98125 MHz
  • 462.99375 MHz - MED-103 - EMS Operations, repeater paired with 467.99375 MHz
  • 463.00625 MHz - MED-11 - EMS Operations, repeater paired with 468.00625 MHz
  • 463.01875 MHz - MED-13 - EMS Operations, repeater paired with 468.01875 MHz
  • 463.03125 MHz - MED-21 - EMS Operations, repeater paired with 468.03125 MHz
  • 463.04375 MHz - MED-23 - EMS Operations, repeater paired with 468.04375 MHz
  • 463.05625 MHz - MED-31 - EMS Operations, repeater paired with 468.05625 MHz
  • 463.06875 MHz - MED-33 - EMS Operations, repeater paired with 468.06875 MHz
  • 463.08125 MHz - MED-41 - EMS Operations, repeater paired with 468.08125 MHz
  • 463.09375 MHz - MED-43 - EMS Operations, repeater paired with 468.09375 MHz
  • 463.10625 MHz - MED-51 - EMS Operations, repeater paired with 468.10625 MHz
  • 463.11875 MHz - MED-53 - EMS Operations, repeater paired with 468.11875 MHz
  • 463.13125 MHz - MED-61 - EMS Operations, repeater paired with 468.13125 MHz
  • 463.14375 MHz - MED-63 - EMS Operations, repeater paired with 468.14375 MHz
  • 463.15625 MHz - MED-71 - EMS Operations, repeater paired with 468.15625 MHz
  • 463.16875 MHz - MED-73 - EMS Operations, repeater paired with 468.16875 MHz
  • 463.18125 MHz - MED-81 - EMS Operations, repeater paired with 468.18125 MHz
  • 463.19375 MHz - MED-83 - EMS Operations, repeater paired with 468.19375 MHz

700 MHz band

In areas where the 700 MHz/800 MHz bands are used, these are the most commonly used interoperability frequencies. The 800 MHz frequencies are assigned for analog only (simplex/talkaround or repeated). The 700 MHz frequencies are assigned for digital voice (Project 25, P25, APCO-25 digital voice) only. Transmit NAC $293 (default NAC), receive NAC $F7E (receive all digital transmissions NAC setting).

In some areas, these channels may be linked together and/or linked to interoperability frequencies on other bands or patched to talkgroups on local/regional trunking systems.

*700 MHz Nationwide Interoperability Channels:

  • 769.24375 MHz - 7CALL50/7CALL50D - Calling, simplex or repeater (input: 799.24375 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 773.25625 MHz - 7CALL70/7CALL70D - Calling (secondary), simplex or repeater (input: 803.25625 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 769.14375 MHz - 7TAC51/7TAC51D - General Use, simplex or repeater (input: 799.14375 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 769.64375 MHz - 7TAC52/7TAC52D - General Use, simplex or repeater (input: 799.64375 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 770.14375 MHz - 7TAC53/7TAC53D - General Use, simplex or repeater (input: 800.14375 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 770.64375 MHz - 7TAC54/7TAC54D - General Use, simplex or repeater (input: 800.64375 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 769.74375 MHz - 7TAC55/7TAC55D - General Use, simplex or repeater (input: 799.74375 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 770.24375 MHz - 7TAC56/7TAC56D - General Use, simplex or repeater (input: 800.24375 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 770.99375 MHz - 7TAC57/7TAC57D - General Use, simplex or repeater (input: 800.99375 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 770.89375 MHz - 7MOB59/7MOB59D - Mobile Repeater, simplex or repeater (input: 800.89375 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 770.39375 MHz - 7LAW61/7LAW61D - Law Enforcement, simplex or repeater (input: 800.39375 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 770.49375 MHz - 7LAW62/7LAW62D - Law Enforcement, simplex or repeater (input: 800.49375 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 769.89375 MHz - 7FIRE63/7FIRE63D - Fire, simplex or repeater (input: 799.89375 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 769.99375 MHz - 7FIRE64/7FIRE64D - Fire, simplex or repeater (input: 799.99375 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 769.39375 MHz - 7MED65/7MED65D - EMS, simplex or repeater (input: 799.39375 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 769.49375 MHz - 7MED66/7MED66D - EMS, simplex or repeater (input: 799.49375 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 770.74375 MHz - 7DATA69/7DATA69D - Data, simplex or repeater (input: 800.74375 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 773.10625 MHz - 7TAC71/7TAC71D - General Use, simplex or repeater (input: 803.10625 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 773.60625 MHz - 7TAC72/7TAC72D - General Use, simplex or repeater (input: 803.60625 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 774.10625 MHz - 7TAC73/7TAC73D - General Use, simplex or repeater (input: 804.10625 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 774.60625 MHz - 7TAC74/7TAC74D - General Use, simplex or repeater (input: 804.60625 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 773.75625 MHz - 7TAC75/7TAC75D - General Use, simplex or repeater (input: 803.75625 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 774.25625 MHz - 7TAC76/7TAC76D - General Use, simplex or repeater (input: 804.25625 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 774.85625 MHz - 7TAC77/7TAC77D - General Use, simplex or repeater (input: 804.85625 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 774.50625 MHz - 7MOB79/7MOB79D - Mobile Repeater, simplex or repeater (input: 804.50625 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 774.00625 MHz - 7LAW81/7LAW81D - Law Enforcement, simplex or repeater (input: 804.00625 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 774.35625 MHz - 7LAW82/7LAW82D - Law Enforcement, simplex or repeater (input: 804.35625 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 773.50625 MHz - 7FIRE83/7FIRE83D - Fire, simplex or repeater (input: 803.50625 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 773.85625 MHz - 7FIRE84/7FIRE84D - Fire, simplex or repeater (input: 803.85625 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 773.00625 MHz - 7MED86/7MED86D - EMS, simplex or repeater (input: 803.00625 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 773.35625 MHz - 7MED87/7MED87D - EMS, simplex or repeater (input: 803.35625 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 774.75625 MHz - 7DATA89/7DATA89D - Data, simplex or repeater (input: 804.75625 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 769.13125 MHz - 7AG58/7AG58D - Air-to-Ground, simplex or repeater (input: 799.13125 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 769.63125 MHz - 7AG60/7AG60D - Air-to-Ground, simplex or repeater (input: 799.63125 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 770.13125 MHz - 7AG67/7AG67D - Air-to-Ground, simplex or repeater (input: 800.13125 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 770.63125 MHz - 7AG68/7AG68D - Air-to-Ground, simplex or repeater (input: 800.63125 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 773.11875 MHz - 7AG78/7AG78D - Air-to-Ground, simplex or repeater (input: 803.11875 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 773.61875 MHz - 7AG80/7AG80D - Air-to-Ground, simplex or repeater (input: 803.61875 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 774.11875 MHz - 7AG85/7AG85D - Air-to-Ground, simplex or repeater (input: 804.11875 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC
  • 774.61875 MHz - 7AG88/7AG88D - Air-to-Ground, simplex or repeater (input: 804.61875 MHz) TX 293 NAC, RX F7E NAC

800 MHz band

*800 MHz Nationwide Interoperability Channels:

  • 851.0125 MHz - 8CALL90D/8CALL90 - Calling, simplex or repeater (input: 806.0125 MHz) both with 156.7 Hz CTCSS
  • 851.5125 MHz - 8TAC91D/8TAC91 - Tac 1, simplex or repeater (input: 806.5125 MHz) both with 156.7 Hz CTCSS
  • 852.0125 MHz - 8TAC92D/8TAC92 - Tac 2, simplex or repeater (input: 807.0125 MHz) both with 156.7 Hz CTCSS
  • 852.5125 MHz - 8TAC93D/8TAC93 - Tac 3, simplex or repeater (input: 807.5125 MHz) both with 156.7 Hz CTCSS
  • 853.0125 MHz - 8TAC94D/8TAC94 - Tac 4, simplex or repeater (input: 808.5125 MHz) both with 156.7 Hz CTCSS
  • 853.4875 MHz - old 800 MHz itinerant channel, may be used for simplex, tactical or talkaround purposes.

Federal and Non-Federal Interop Frequencies

Allocated by NTIA, not the FCC. VHF frequencies in the 162-174 MHz VHF high federal government band, UHF frequencies in the 406-420 MHz UHF federal government band. See also: SINCGARS and VHF aircraft band, the UHF military aircraft band (225-400 MHz or 225-380 MHz) as well as the 380-400 MHz UHF band and 137-144 MHz / 148-150.7625 or 148-150.75 MHz VHF bands.

VHF low band VHF-low

  • 34.9000 MHz - National Guard Disaster Common
  • 38.5000 MHz - National Guard Disaster Common
  • 40.5000 MHz - US Military FM Guard Channel
  • 46.7500 MHz - National Guard Disaster Common
  • 49.9000 MHz - National Guard Disaster Common

VHF high band VHF band

As with other federal IO frequencies, these may be used in conjunction with local systems.

CTCSS transmit 167.9 Hz in analog mode, NAC $68F (NAC 68F) in digital mode. Calling frequencies are generally in analog mode, tactical frequencies in Project 25 digital (P25 digital voice). The IR channels are all analog NFM mode with 167.9Hz CTCSS transmit. Recommended carrier squelch receive per interoperability guidelines.

  • 163.1000 MHz - Federal Common 1 - (simplex or repeater paired with 168.3500 MHz (analog or digital)
  • 168.3500 MHz - Federal Common 2 - (simplex if not being used as repeater input for 163.1000 MHz) (analog or digital)
  • 167.0875 MHz - LE A/LE 1 - Law Enforcement Calling (simplex or repeater paired with 162.0875 MHz)
  • 167.2500 MHz - LE 2/LE 6 - Law Enforcement Tactical (simplex or repeater paired with 162.2625 MHz)
  • 167.7500 MHz - LE 3/LE 7 - Law Enforcement Tactical (simplex or repeater paired with 162.8375 MHz)
  • 168.1125 MHz - LE 4/LE 8 - Law Enforcement Tactical (simplex or repeater paired with 163.2875 MHz)
  • 168.4625 MHz - LE 5/LE 9 - Law Enforcement Tactical (simplex or repeater paired with 163.4250 MHz)
  • 169.5375 MHz - NC 1/IR 5 - Incident Response Calling (simplex or repeater paired with 164.7125 MHz)
  • 170.0125 MHz - IR 1/IR 6 - Incident Command (simplex or repeater paired with 165.2500 MHz)
  • 170.4125 MHz - IR 2/IR 7 - Medical Evacuation Control (simplex or repeater paired with 165.9625 MHz)
  • 170.6875 MHz - IR 3/IR 8 - Logistics Control (simplex or repeater paired with 166.5750 MHz)
  • 173.0375 MHz - IR 4/IR 9 - Interagency Convoy car-to-car (simplex or repeater paired with 167.3250 MHz)

UHF band

CTCSS transmit 167.9 Hz in analog mode, NAC $68F (NAC 68F) in digital mode. Calling frequencies are generally in analog mode, tactical frequencies in Project 25 digital (P25 digital voice). The IR channels are all analog NFM mode with 167.9Hz CTCSS transmit. Recommended carrier squelch receive per interoperability guidelines.

  • 414.0375 MHz - LE B - Law Enforcement Calling (simplex)
  • 409.9875 MHz - LE 10/LE 16 - Law Enforcement Tactical (simplex or repeater paired with 418.9875 MHz)
  • 410.1875 MHz - LE 11/LE 17 - Law Enforcement Tactical (simplex or repeater paired with 419.1875 MHz)
  • 410.6125 MHz - LE 12/LE 18 - Law Enforcement Tactical (simplex or repeater paired with 419.6125 MHz)
  • 414.0625 MHz - LE 13 - Law Enforcement Tactical (simplex)
  • 414.3125 MHz - LE 14 - Law Enforcement Tactical (simplex)
  • 414.3375 MHz - LE 15 - Law Enforcement Tactical (simplex)
  • 410.2375 MHz - NC 2/IR 15 - Incident Response Calling (simplex or repeater paired with 419.2375 MHz)
  • 410.4375 MHz - IR 10/IR 16 - Incident Response (simplex or repeater paired with 419.4375 MHz)
  • 410.6375 MHz - IR 11/IR 17 - Incident Response (simplex or repeater paired with 419.6375 MHz)
  • 410.8375 MHz - IR 12/IR 18 - Search and Rescue SAR Incident Command (simplex or repeater paired with 419.8375 MHz)
  • 413.1875 MHz - IR 13 - Incident Response (simplex)
  • 413.2125 MHz - IR 14 - Interagency Convoy car-to-car (simplex)


Federal/Non-Federal Listed In Order

VHF (162-174 MHz) and UHF (406-420 MHz) bands

  • Law Enforcement Plan
  • LE A Calling - 167.0875 MHz
  • LE B Calling - 414.0375 MHz
  • LE 01 Tactical - 162.0875 MHz
  • LE 02 Tactical - 162.2625 MHz
  • LE 03 Tactical - 162.8375 MHz
  • LE 04 Tactical - 163.2875 MHz
  • LE 05 Tactical - 163.4250 MHz
  • LE 06 Tactical - 167.2500 MHz
  • LE 07 Tactical - 167.7500 MHz
  • LE 08 Tactical - 168.1125 MHz
  • LE 09 Tactical - 168.4625 MHz
  • LE 10 Tactical - 418.9875 MHz
  • LE 11 Tactical - 419.1875 MHz
  • LE 12 Tactical - 419.6125 MHz
  • LE 13 Tactical - 414.0625 MHz
  • LE 14 Tactical - 414.3125 MHz
  • LE 15 Tactical - 414.3375 MHz
  • LE 16 Tactical - 409.9875 MHz
  • LE 17 Tactical - 410.1875 MHz
  • LE 18 Tactical - 410.6125 MHz
  • Incident Response Plan
  • NC 1 Calling - 164.7125 MHz
  • NC 2 Calling - 419.2375 MHz
  • IR 01 - 165.2500 MHz
  • IR 02 - 165.9625 MHz
  • IR 03 - 166.5750 MHz
  • IR 04 - 167.3250 MHz
  • IR 05 - 169.5375 MHz
  • IR 06 - 170.0125 MHz
  • IR 07 - 170.4125 MHz
  • IR 08 - 170.6875 MHz
  • IR 09 - 173.0375 MHz
  • IR 10 - 419.4375 MHz
  • IR 11 - 419.6375 MHz
  • IR 12 - 419.8375 MHz
  • IR 13 - 413.1875 MHz
  • IR 14 - 413.2125 MHz
  • IR 15 - 410.2375 MHz
  • IR 16 - 410.4375 MHz
  • IR 17 - 410.6375 MHz
  • IR 18 - 410.8375 MHz

Federal / Non-Federal Interagency Search and Rescue SAR Interoperability

  • 2182 kHz - USB voice - SAR operations - marine distress/calling
  • 3023 kHz - USB voice - SAR operations - marine, military
  • 4125 kHz - USB voice - SAR operations - marine distress/calling
  • 5680 kHz - USB voice - SAR operations
  • 6215 kHz - USB voice - SAR operations - marine distress/calling
  • 8291 kHz - USB voice - SAR operations - marine distress/calling
  • 8364 kHz - USB voice - SAR operations
  • 10003 kHz - USB voice - SAR operations
  • 12290 kHz - USB voice - SAR operations - marine distress/calling
  • 14993 kHz - USB voice - SAR operations
  • 16420 kHz - USB voice - SAR operations - marine distress/calling
  • 19993 kHz - USB voice - SAR operations
  • 40.5000 MHz - FM Guard - FM SINCGARS military emergency use only - Fox Guard or Fox Mike Guard 40.5 MHz
  • 121.5000 MHz - VHF Guard - VHF aircraft emergency use only - Victor Guard 121.5 MHz
  • 243.0000 MHz - UHF Guard - UHF aircraft emergency use only - Uniform Guard 243.0 MHz
  • 155.1600 MHz - SAR Ground Operations (127.3 Hz CTCSS transmit recommended, CSQ receive strongly recommended)
  • 155.3400 MHz - EMS/Medical Support
  • 123.1000 MHz - AM air-to-air (civilian)
  • 282.8000 MHz - AM air-to-air military SAR scene of action working channel
  • 345.0000 MHz - AM military USCG SAR calling
  • 156.8000 MHz - Marine hailing/calling DISTRESS ONLY (VHF marine channel 16)
  • 157.0500 MHz - Ground-to-marine assets SAR working channel (VHF marine channel 21A)
  • 157.0500 MHz - Marine operations, under authority of USCG Sector Commander (VHF marine channel 21A)
  • 157.1500 MHz - Marine operations, under authority of USCG Sector Commander (VHF marine channel 23A)
  • 157.1750 MHz - Ground-to-air SAR working channel (VHF marine channel 83A)
  • 122.8500 MHz - AM air rescue asset coordination
  • 122.9000 MHz - AM air rescue asset coordination
  • 123.0250 MHz - AM air rescue asset coordination
  • 123.0500 MHz - AM air rescue asset coordination
  • 123.0750 MHz - AM air rescue asset coordination - fixed-wing aircraft
  • 156.8500 MHz - SAR Command interop (VHF marine channel 17) - with USCG Sector Commander
  • 410.8375 MHz - IR 12 - SAR Command Federal/Non-Federal repeater (paired with 419.8375 MHz) - 167.9 Hz CTCSS
  • 159.4725 MHz - VTAC14 - SAR Command interop (VHF) - 156.7 Hz CTCSS
  • 453.8625 MHz - UTAC43D - SAR Command interop simplex (UHF) - 156.7 Hz CTCSS
  • 453.8625 MHz - UTAC43 - SAR Command interop repeater (paired with 458.8625 MHz) - 156.7 Hz CTCSS
  • 853.0125 MHz - 8TAC94D - SAR Command interop simplex - 156.7 Hz CTCSS
  • 853.0125 MHz - 8TAC94 - SAR Command interop repeater (paired with 808.0125 MHz) - 156.7 Hz CTCSS

National Incident Radio Support Cache

National Interagency Fire Center - NIFC Radio Cache National Incident Radio Support Cache - NIRSC. Forest fire firefighting wildfire fighting radio communications support. Includes extensive VHF aircraft band capability, remote links (using UHF) for portable/temporary VHF repeater networks, mountaintop VHF aircraft band, mountaintop VHF-FM base stations and linked repeaters using point-to-point UHF systems with directional antennas, VHF-AM base station kits (with UHF remote linking and directional antennas) solar-power charging stations, solar powered repeaters and base stations for VHF-FM and VHF-AM and other go-kits for setting up an entire radio communications network in a remote area with limited or no radio communications infrastructure.

Use of the 163.100 MHz and 168.350 MHz government common "work" channels, the VHF interoperability frequencies listed elsewhere on this page are included in their plan as well as numerous VHF-AM airband frequencies. The 168.625 MHz and 168.650 MHz frequencies require use of 110.9 Hz CTCSS tone 110.9Hz 110.9 PL tone. The other frequencies - Command, Air Tactics, Tactical, and Logistics all use various CTCSS tones as assigned to the particular incident/area. Region or state-specific frequencies will likely also be used (for example, CAL FIRE frequency plan for incidents in California), SOUTHEAST FORESTRY COMPACT 159.2850 MHz in the Southeast USA, etc.

The VHF aircraft band frequencies are in AM mode. The VHF and UHF land mobile frequencies are regular NFM mode. See remarks above regarding CTCSS tones. The A/G air/ground air to ground VHF FM frequencies are assigned on a local/regional basis. These frequencies may be used for other purposes outside their assigned GACC - Geographic Area Coordination Center. In addition to region-specific air-to-ground VHF FM frequencies, specific VHF-AM aircraft - "Victor" - frequencies are assigned to bases - 123.925 MHz, 123.975 MHz and several others are used.


  • 168.6250 MHz - Nationwide AIR GUARD - Must be included for emergency air-to-ground communications - 110.9 Hz CTCSS required
  • 168.6500 MHz - Nationwide Flight Following - National Flight Following frequency, interagency aircraft contact - 110.9 Hz CTCSS required
  • 170.9750 MHz - Command Repeater 1
  • 170.4500 MHz - Command Repeater 2
  • 170.4250 MHz - Command Repeater 3
  • 170.0000 MHz - Command Repeater 4
  • 169.7500 MHz - Command Repeater 5
  • 173.8125 MHz - Command Repeater 6
  • 168.7000 MHz - Command Simplex 1
  • 168.1000 MHz - Command Simplex 2
  • 168.0750 MHz - Command Simplex 3
  • 166.6750 MHz - Command Simplex 4
  • 167.1000 MHz - Command Simplex 5
  • 168.4750 MHz - Command Simplex 6
  • 166.6125 MHz - Air Tactics 1
  • 169.1500 MHz - Air Tactics 2
  • 169.2000 MHz - Air Tactics 3
  • 168.4000 MHz - Air Tactics 4
  • 167.9500 MHz - Air Tactics 5
  • 168.0500 MHz - Tactical 1
  • 168.2000 MHz - Tactical 2
  • 168.6000 MHz - Tactical 3
  • 166.7250 MHz - Tactical 4
  • 166.7750 MHz - Tactical 5
  • 168.2500 MHz - Tactical 6
  • 163.7125 MHz - Intra-Crew Base and Travel Net - Nationwide Mobilization - Handheld Portable Radios Only - NFM or P25 digital
  • 167.1375 MHz - Primary Intra-Crew Net at Incident Scene - Handheld Portable Radios Only - NFM or P25 digital
  • 168.6125 MHz - Secondary Intra-Crew Net at Incident Scene - Handheld Portable Radios Only - NFM or P25 digital
  • 173.6250 MHz - Tertiary Intra-Crew Net at Incident Scene - Handheld Portable Radios Only - NFM or P25 digital
  • 168.3500 MHz - Government Wide Tactical/Simplex
  • 163.1000 MHz - Government Wide Tactical/Simplex
  • 163.7125 MHz - Government Wide Tactical Simplex
  • 167.1375 MHz - Government Wide Tactical Simplex
  • 168.6125 MHz - Government Wide Tactical Simplex
  • 173.6250 MHz - Government Wide Tactical Simplex
  • 168.3500 MHz - Government Wide Tactical Repeater (163.1000 MHz input) - Portable Repeaters
  • 122.9250 MHz - Air A1 - Multicom - Natural Resources Aircraft
  • 122.9000 MHz - Air A2 - Multicom
  • 122.8500 MHz - Air A3 - Multicom
  • 122.7500 MHz - Air A4 - Fixed Wing Aircraft Air to Air
  • 123.0250 MHz - Air A5 - Helicopter Aircraft Air to Air
  • 406.4000 MHz - Logistics 1 (Repeater or simplex)
  • 406.5875 MHz - Logistics 2 (Repeater or simplex)
  • 407.7875 MHz - Logistics 3 (Repeater or simplex)
  • 410.2750 MHz - Logistics 4 (Repeater or simplex)
  • 410.7750 MHz - Logistics 5 (Repeater or simplex)
  • 408.6875 MHz - Logistics 6 (Repeater or simplex)
  • 408.5000 MHz - Logistics 7 (Repeater or simplex)
  • 411.4000 MHz - Logistics 8/ UHF Special Use 1 Simplex
  • 412.2250 MHz - Logistics 9/ UHF Special Use 2 Simplex


Federal Common Use Frequencies

Federal government itinerant frequencies.

Short-Distance Low-Power Service or "Short Distance Low Power Service"

  • 27.575 MHz
  • 27.585 MHz

These 27 MHz federal government frequencies are limited to 5 watt power output, 6 kHz bandwidth. A3E, A2A and A2D emissions are allowed.

The NTIA lists these in kHz notation, so 27575kHz and 27585kHz.

The following emissions are allowed:

  • 6K00A2A - Tone-modulated AM (modulated Morse code, MCW, tone modulated CW). Just like VOR and NDB IDs.
  • 6K00A2D - Data or digital transmission, telecommand, telemetry, one or two subcarriers - amplitude shift keying or audio-frequency shift keying over an AM voice radio circuit
  • 6K00A3E - AM voice (full carrier AM with both sidebands), regular AM radiotelephony

The 27.575 MHz and 27.585 MHz frequencies are allocated to provide U.S. Government short range voice radio communications, radio signaling, remote control of objects, devices, telemetry links, data links and other similar purposes. NTIA regulations specifically mention the use of FCC type-accepted Citizen's Band radio equipment - indicating that the federal government expects these frequencies to be used with modified 11 meter CB radio equipment, modified RCRS equipment and/or modified 10 meter transceivers (export radios).

Due to the large amount of freeband CB radio chatter on both 27.575 MHz and 27.585 MHz, these frequencies are rarely used. 27.575 and 27.585 MHz are sometimes compared to the old Civil Air Patrol 26 MHz AM voice frequency 26.62 MHz AM 26.620 MHz 26620 kHz AM.

Wide Area Common Use Frequencies

NTIA calls these Wide-Area, Common-Use Frequencies. Of them, 163.1 MHz and 168.35 MHz are the most commonly used (both as a repeater pair and for simplex operations). These are effectively federal itinerant frequencies. See the local area common use frequencies below as well.

  • 163.1000 MHz - Simplex or repeater output
  • 168.3500 MHz - Simplex or repeater input
  • 409.0500 MHz - Simplex or repeater output (paired with 418.05 MHz if used for repeater operation)
  • 409.3375 MHz - Simplex or repeater output (paired with 418.3375 MHz if used for repeater operation)
  • 412.8250 MHz - Simplex only
  • 412.8375 MHz - Simplex only
  • 412.8500 MHz - Simplex only
  • 412.8625 MHz - Simplex only
  • 418.0500 MHz - Simplex or repeater input (if used as input, output is 409.050 MHz)
  • 418.3375 MHz - Simplex or repeater input (if used as input, output is 409.3375 MHz)

Local Area Common Use Frequencies

NTIA calls these Local-Area, Common-Use Frequencies. Maximum transmitter power is 30 watts. Base station antenna gain must not exceed 6 dBi. The base station antenna (or repeater antenna) must not be higher than 6 meters (20 feet) higher than the highest point of the structure supporting the antenna. Mobile stations must stay within a 50 km (30 mile) radius of their associated base station (which is what makes these "local" frequencies instead of wide-area or itinerant frequencies (see above). Like the other general use frequencies, these frequencies are shared among all federal users. The UHF repeater frequencies follow the standard +9 MHz repeater offset for the 406 MHz - 420 MHz federal band.

  • 163.7125 MHz - Simplex only
  • 168.6125 MHz - Simplex only
  • 412.8750 MHz - Simplex only
  • 412.8875 MHz - Simplex only
  • 412.9000 MHz - Simplex only
  • 412.9125 MHz - Simplex only
  • 173.6250 MHz - Repeater output (input: 167.1375 MHz)
  • 407.5250 MHz - Repeater output (input: 416.5250 MHz)
  • 409.0750 MHz - Repeater output (input: 418.0750 MHz)

Many government agencies will include a mixture of the local area common use frequencies and the wide area common use frequencies for simplex, tactical, talkaround and similar purposes. Examples agencies such as the National Park Service and US Forest Service. In some areas, 168.350 MHz, 163.100 MHz, 163.7125 MHz and 168.6125 MHz are all included in agency radios for simplex purposes. Because of the shared nature of these frequencies, most agencies that use them as itinerant frequencies program the frequencies in regular analog NFM mode with carrier squelch.

Oil Spill Cleanup

These frequencies are part of the Business/Industrial Radio Pool (Business Radio Service) under Part 90 of the FCC rules. They are specifically designated for inter-system and intra-system communications relating to oil spill cleanup response and recovery operations. Use of CTCSS tones 156.7 Hz and 167.9 Hz appear to be "standardized" in some areas, but various tones are used. Digital voice modes such as Project 25 and DMR are also used, especially on the VHF/UHF frequencies. Note that most emergency response agencies - both public and private - have licenses for the itinerant business radio frequencies for use as an adjunct to the frequencies listed in on this page. The Oil Spill cleanup frequencies are often used with the 25.02 MHz to 25.32 MHz (25020 kHz to 25320 kHz) 25 MHz Petroleum Radio Service FM frequencies. 25 MHz FM activity was noted during the Deepwater Horizon clean up operation for boat-to-boat communications. 25 MHz, 36 MHz and 41 MHz frequencies should be programmed in 20K0F3E or 16K0F3E regular FM emission - wideband FM.

36.25 MHz and 41.71 MHz may only be used in coastal areas, rivers and inland waterways of the United States for oil spill cleanup operations. Repeaters and fixed stations for these frequencies may be installed next to waterways, but inland operation is not permitted.

454.0 MHz and 459.0 MHz are also used for racetrack communications.

  • 36.2500 MHz - Oil spill cleanup/interop (simplex or repeater input/output, often paired with 41.71 MHz)
  • 41.7100 MHz - Oil spill cleanup/interop (simplex or repeater input/output, can be paired with 36.25 MHz)
  • 150.9800 MHz - Oil spill cleanup interop (simplex or repeater input/output, can be paired with 158.445 MHz)
  • 154.5850 MHz - Oil spill cleanup interop (simplex or repeater input/output, can be paired with 159.480 MHz)
  • 158.4450 MHz - Oil spill cleanup interop (simplex or repeater input/output)
  • 159.4800 MHz - Oil spill cleanup interop (simplex or repeater input/output)
  • 454.0000 MHz - Oil spill cleanup interop (simplex or repeater output, paired with 459.000 MHz)
  • 459.0000 MHz - Oil spill cleanup interop (simplex or repeater input, paired with 454.000 MHz)



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