TO: ALL ARES OPERATORS IN DISTRICT 3
(OFFICIAL)
ALL AMATEURS IN WEST VIRGINIA
(INFORMATION)
FROM: WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INCORPORATED AND WOOD
COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY SERVICES (ARES)
ARES DISTRICT 3 BULLETIN NR 07.40
DATE: October 7, 2007
SUBJECT: USING SIMPLEX FREQUENCIES
Since this is Simplex Sunday again. I thought I'd reuse and old
simplex bulletin. Why use a simplex frequency when a repeater will
do just as well, if not better? Some reasons are unique to
individual organizations, others are common to all. One reason is to get
off a wide area repeater and tying it up if the activity is within a
small area. This allows others to use the repeater if they need
it. In public safety systems the repeater frequency may be used
for routine dispatch and communications, while a simplex frequency may
be used for the on-scene, tactical and incident command communications.
On Public Safety, Civil Air Patrol, and MARS frequencies the users
are disciplined and controlled. This is not always so on most
Amateur Radio frequencies. It usually becomes a compromise in the
ham bands to move to a simplex frequency. A move to a simplex
frequency that is NOT part of any national simplex plan would be the
best, but is not always practical. Why? Many times a radio
operator may be limited, by using a crystal controlled radio, which only
has a few frequencies. For that reason, the use of frequencies
such as a nationally known frequency of 146.520 MHz should be used.
But, if all radio operators that are involved in the activity have
radios that are programmable, then another frequency should be used.
The use of simplex during non-emergency activities allows us to
practice communications and message handling for the real thing, and the
main repeater is down. From time-to-time activities such as a Foot
Races, Bike Races, Regattas, and Parade line-ups simplex frequencies
will be used to provide the needed communications.
(Reprinted, with modifications of, Wood Co. ARES Bulletin 99.27)
Ken Harris WA8LLM
Wood County WV;
ARES Assistant Section Coordinator WV
ARES District Emergency Coordinator WV DISTRICT 3