Ham Radio EmComm Frequencies and Channels
Knowing which frequencies your local and regional EmComm community uses — and having them pre-programmed before an emergency — is one of the most practical things you can do to be deployment-ready. This page covers national simplex calling frequencies, standard EmComm band assignments, common ARES net frequencies, and how to find the specific frequencies used by your local group.
| Frequency | Band | Mode | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 146.520 MHz | 2m | FM simplex | National VHF calling — first contact, then move to working frequency |
| 446.000 MHz | 70cm | FM simplex | National UHF calling frequency |
| 52.525 MHz | 6m | FM simplex | National 6m calling frequency |
| 3.985 MHz (±) | 75m | LSB | ARRL National Traffic System — area nets |
| 7.185 MHz (±) | 40m | LSB | ARRL National Traffic System — area nets |
| 14.300 MHz | 20m | USB | IARU Region 2 Maritime Mobile / Emergency |
| 14.325 MHz | 20m | USB | Hurricane Watch Net — active during tropical events |
| 7.268 MHz | 40m | LSB | Hurricane Watch Net secondary frequency |
| 3.950 MHz (±) | 75m | LSB | Many state ARES emergency nets |
| 7.240 MHz (±) | 40m | LSB | Many state and regional ARES nets |
VHF/UHF — local coordination
2 metres and 70 centimetres are the workhorses of local EmComm. Repeaters provide wide-area coverage, and simplex frequencies allow direct radio-to-radio communication without infrastructure. Your local ARES group will have a primary repeater and at least one backup, plus designated simplex working frequencies for when repeaters are unavailable. Programme all of these into your radio before any activation, not during. In a major disaster, high-site repeaters may lose power — know your simplex fallback frequencies and what range to expect.
HF — regional and national reach
80 metres (3.5–4.0 MHz) and 40 metres (7.0–7.3 MHz) are the primary EmComm HF bands. Both support NVIS propagation for regional coverage. 80m is more reliable at night and in lower solar flux conditions. 40m has better daytime range. For Winlink digital traffic, these bands host most HF gateway activity. 20m (14 MHz) is used for longer-range EmComm — national nets, hurricane watch operations, and inter-regional coordination when needed.
What is the most important frequency to programme first?
146.520 MHz — the national VHF simplex calling frequency. If you have no other information and need to contact other hams in an area, this is where to call. After that, your local ARES primary repeater and designated local simplex EmComm frequencies are the priorities.
Are there specific frequencies reserved only for EmComm?
FCC Part 97 does not designate specific frequencies exclusively for emergency use, except that any amateur can use any frequency in a genuine emergency involving immediate threat to life. However, many ARRL sections and local ARES groups designate specific frequencies in their emergency plans that are kept clear by local agreement.
What is the Hurricane Watch Net?
The Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) activates when a hurricane threatens populated areas. It operates primarily on 14.325 MHz USB and 7.268 MHz LSB, coordinating with the National Hurricane Center and passing weather observations from operators in the storm path. Monitor these frequencies during Atlantic hurricane season (June–November) when storms are active.
How do I find my local Winlink gateway frequencies?
The Winlink Express channel selector shows active RMS nodes and their current frequencies when planning online. For VHF, your local ARES group or a nearby club should be able to tell you the frequency of the nearest VHF Winlink gateway. The full RMS station list is also available at winlink.org.