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.

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 lowband radio systems). The lowband frequencies should be programmed with regular 20K0F3E or 16K0F3E emission (regular 20 kHz / 25 kHz bandwidth FM), not narrow band FM (11K3F3E, 11K2F3E, 11K0F3E, etc.).

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 - HEAR340/VMED28 - Ambulance to Hospital/Hospital to Hospital, medical interop (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)
  • 155.3700 MHz - INTERCITY Law Enforcement Point-to-Point Interop (only used in some areas)

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.

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 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.

  • 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)

700 MHz / 800 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). 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
  • 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
  • 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: 807.5125 MHz) both with 156.7 Hz CTCSS

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
  • 47.8000 MHz - Military NATO Combat Scene of Action Common
  • 49.9000 MHz - National Guard Disaster Common

VHF high band VHF 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.

  • 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)

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.

  • 36.2500 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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