Frequencies

courtesy of Cragin Shelton

To monitor pilot traffic by CHGPA members, simplex on 146.470 and 147.460 will get you the most used frequencies in our local HAM use. As soon as you get your Technician license from FCC (written exam, no morse code required) you will be legal to transmit on them.

To monitor the USHGA business band frequencies (these HAM radios are not legal to transmit on them, even if they have the MARS/CAP mod) New USHGA Radio Frequencies 3/23/01 The new call sign is WPRY420. The frequencies are 151.505, 151.625, 151.925, 151.955, 158.4 (two new frequencies).

For Weather Radio stations, Broadcasts are found in the public service band at these seven frequencies (MHz): 162.400 162.425 162.450 162.475 162.500 162.525 162.550. With those seven frequencies you can hear all of the NWS radio stations across the country. Only the 4 older ones are used in the local DC area, but you might as well have them all. Flip through them to find the closest (most clear) for where you are. At some of our sites you can get two or three.

To listen to local ham club chats and (once you get your license) participate in those longer distance chats, program in the repeater frequencies as shown on the club web site. Be sure to understand the rules and etiquette of repeaters before transmitting to them, and do NOT use them from the air. There are other repeaters around DC, too. Radio Shack sells a book of repeater frequencies by state and locality. Very handy when travelling.