Just posting this since it seems to have vanished.

USA-PREPCOM

A suggested radio comms standard for USA preppers

The objective of the USA-PREPCOM is to coordinate between licensed amateur and unlicensed citizens band, Family Radio Service, Multi-Use Radio Service and other USA based survivor radio stations following a major disaster in which conventional telecommunications have ceased.

For easy mnemonics the standard is the RULE OF 3S

3 is the important number. Remember it!

The 3 parts to the Standard are:

• 1/3:WHEN (Time coordination so we all know WHEN to call and listen)

• 2/3:WHERE (Frequency coordination so we all know WHERE to call and Listen)

• 3/3:HOW (Radio set-up so that everyone’s transmissions are compatible)

PART 1/3 =WHEN

Everybody looking to communicate needs to coordinate the time at which to do so. By coordinating times and limiting operational time window precious electrical power will be conserved.

Rule of 3s again:

• Start communication sessions on the hour.
• Every 3 hours (starting 00.00h).
• For 3 minutes calling and listening, if nothing heard, close the station and try again at next scheduled time.

Note, if a contact is made it is good practice to move communications to another channel / frequency so that the emergency calling channel is freed for other users.

There is no requirement to end it after the magic 3 minutes, it can continue as long as required, but bear in mind power consumption.

PART 2/3 =WHERE

Where relates to frequency coordination so that everyone is also communicating on compatible frequencies, failure to coordinate frequency is like not knowing the direction in which to flash a torch to signal to someone at night. We need to know exactly where to send and where to look.

Rule 2 is broken into two parts 2a for simple License-free transceivers (CB, FRS and MURS walkie-talkies), whereas 2b Ham is a full version incorporating both license-free and USA Ham frequencies.

PART 2a =WHERE License free

So for license free, the RULE of 3 continues. Set your radio to one of the following:

• AM only CBs = Channel 03 26.985 Mhz AM US band

• SSB capable CBs = Channel 33 27.335 MHz USB

• FRS and GMRS = Channel 03 462.6125 MHz FM- NB (CTCSS/ DCS code turned OFF)

• FM-NB only MURS = Channel 03 151.92 MHz FM-NB MHz (US band)

PART 2b/ =WHERE Full version (From ARRL Net Directory)

3723 MHz CW Emergency Response Communications Net CW

3883 MHz LSB Emergency Response Communications Net SSB

3907 MHz LSB Coastal Carolina Emergency, Missionary Radio Service

3935 MHz LSB Central Gulf Coast Hurricane Net

3940 MHz LSB Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Net

3950 MHz LSB National Hurricane Center

7.137 MHz CW Emergency Response Communications Net CW

7.238 MHz LSB Mobile Emergency and County Hunters Net

7.240 MHz LSB Eastern Region NTS Traffic

7.244 MHz LSB Tahoe Interstate Emergency Net

7.251 MHz LSB North States ARS, South Coast ARS

7.255 MHz LSB East Coast ARS

7.258 MHz LSB Midwest ARS

7.260 MHz LSB Baptist Disaster Relief Net

7.265MHz LSB Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Net

7.284 MHz LSB Good Sam RV Radio Network

7.292 MHz LSB Emergency Response Communications Net SSB

14.244 MHz USB Emergency Response Communications Net SSB

14.260 MHz USB Baptist Disaster Relief Net

14.265MHz USB Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Net

14.280 MHz USB International Mission Radio Net

14.300MHz USB Maritime Mobile Service, INTERCON Traffic, Pacific Seafarer’s Net

14.303 MHz USB International Emergency Assistance and Traffic Net

14.315 MHz USB Pacific Islands Disaster Net

14.325 MHz USB Hurricane Watch Net

14.336 MHz USB Mobile Emergency Assistance and County Hunters Net

14.340 MHz USB California-Hawaii Traffic and Emergency

26.985 MHz US AM CB Ch 03 Prepper Emergency Channel*

27.065 MHz US AM CB Ch. 09 – Motorist Emergency Calling

27.185 MHz US AM CB Ch. 19 – Highway Traffic Advisory

27.555MHz USB CB FREEBAND ( Illegal frequency) but well populated.

27.335MHz USB CB Ch 33 Emergency Channel*

462.5625 MHz FM FRS Ch.1 – unofficial calling channel

462.6125 MHz FM FRS Ch3 Prepper emergency channel***

462.675 MHz FM GMRS Ch. 6 Unofficial Travelers Information /Repeater input 467.675 PL 141.3

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* License free: Rule of 3s = USA CB Ch 03 AM every 3 hours, on the hour for 3 minutes (staring 00.00h)

** License free: Rule of 3s = CB Ch 33 USB every 3 hours, on the hour for 3 minutes (staring 00.00h)

*** License free: Rule of 3s = USA FRS/GMRS Ch3 462.6125-NB (CTCSS/DTS OFF) every 3 hours, on the hour for 3 minutes

****License free: Rule of 3s + USA MURS Ch3 151.94 FM (CTCSS/DTS OFF) every 3 hours, on the hour, for 3 minutes

(staring 00.00h)

================================================== ==

PART 3/3=HOW to set up the radio and transmitting antenna

3.1 Identifying and setting the operating MODE of your radio. In all descriptions there are annotations FM/USB/LSB/FM NB.

These are the different TYPES/ FORMATS/MODES of signal that radios can transmit.

It is essential that sending and receiving stations are using identical transmission TYPES otherwise they will not be able to hear one another even if transmitting and receiving on the same frequency at the same time.

Look at your radio: If it has a MODE knob it will allow you to select the modes required. If it does not have a mode knob and it’s a CB it will almost certainly be FM only. This should be confirmable by looking for a label or stamp of conformity on which the letters FM will be shown. US-FRS equipment is only manufactured in FM variety so no choices to make.

3.2 POLARITY of your antenna.

• For CB the antennas must be vertical.
• For FRS and GMRS antennas must be vertical.
• For Ham frequencies below 28MHz antennas must be HORIZONTAL.
• For Ham frequencies in FM mode above 28MHz antennas must be VERTICAL.
• For Ham Frequencies in LSB/USB mode above 28 MHz antennas must be HORIZONTAL.