Utah & Idaho On Target 2016 Band Plan and Operating Protocol

• We will be using the “Intermountain Intertie” repeater system again this year, with the kind permission of the Utah VHF Society www.utahvhfs.org .   It has been recommended that we use the 147.120 repeater (pl = 100 Hz) for teams along the Wasatch Front.  This repeater is located on the Oquirrh Mountain range.  Other repeaters on the Intertie system may be better for your location - look through the repeaters listed at utahvhfs.org/snowlink.html and program the ones into your radio that you believe will work the best for your intended location. Also check the above link for the latest status of any known problems with any of the repeaters in the system.
  

• Schedule (All times in 24 Hr. format, MDT)

Saturday, 16 July 2016 - Operation On Target schedule...

10:30 - 10:59 Check in on the 147.120 repeater (or any repeater on the system) as you arrive at your peak.

11:00 - 11:10 Welcome and training item from Rick Donkin

11:10 Begin making contacts by listening for ham chatter between the peaks.  If you hear a ham on a peak that you want to contact, call them briefly on the repeater frequency and then break off to one of the simplex frequencies listed below to handle your peak to peak contact.  Come back to the repeater when you want to make contact with another peak.

13:00 On Target ends. You may remain on your peak and make unofficial contacts.

13:00 - 14:00 We are planning on having someone monitoring the repeater system for emergency traffic.

Band Plan -

      + When breaking away from the repeater to contact another peak, use one of the following secondary simplex frequencies (please note that almost all simplex frequencies are not coordinated):

For more information about using simplex frequencies please refer to the information in this link from the Utah VHF Society (http://utahvhfs.org/simpfreq1.html).

• We have also been given permission to use the Marty Atwood’s Francis Peak repeater as well as his 3 repeater system for peak to peak contacts when simplex will not work.  Those repeaters area as follows:

We will also be using the On Target Conference call #  712-775-7085, Access code: 915255 to try and link those teams with only cell phones with those that have HAMs during the event

• Use a gain antenna. Avoid the rubber duck antenna (also known as a radiating dummy load) that came with your radio.

• Use sufficient power for reliable communications.  This is not a QRP exercise.  The goal is reliable communications, not to discover the minimum power you can get away with.

• Take an external loudspeaker so the youth can hear the training item.

• Take at least one complete change of batteries.

• Hams should teach those they are assisting about Amateur Radio and how to get licensed..

• To minimize transmitting wind noise hold the radio (or external microphone) touching the corner of your mouth and speak across the microphone.

• Avoid distortion and over-modulation by not yelling.

• The new sub-miniature handhelds are handy and easy to carry but their low power may limit your communications with distant peaks.  See if you can borrow an old fashion brick radio from a friend.  Two (2) Watts should be considered the minimum.

• For units on Mt. Timpanogos teams only: Check in with TERT (Timpanogos Emergency Response Team) at trailhead and inform them of your schedule and mountain top location.  In case of emergency contact the Team on 145.63 simplex.

.The following is listed simply for general information and for those interested:

This is the FCC's 2 meter band plan as listed in the 2009/2010 ARRL Repeater Guide.

• 144.000 - 144.050 EME (CW)

• 144.050 - 144.100 General CW and weak signals

• 144.100 - 144.200 EME and weak-signal SSB

• 144.200 SSB calling frequency

• 144.200 - 144.275 General SSB operation

• 144.275 - 144.300 Propagation beacons

• 144.300 - 144.500 New OSCAR sub-bands

• 144.500 - 144.600 Linear translator inputs

• 144.600 - 144.900 FM repeater units

• 144.900 - 145.100 Weak signal & FM simplex

• 145.100 - 145.200 Linear translator outputs

• 145.200 - 145.500 FM Repeater outputs

• 145.500 - 145.800 Miscellaneous and experimental modes

• 145.800 - 146.000 OSCAR sub-band

• 146.010 - 146.370 Repeater inputs

• 146.400 - 146.580 Simplex use

• 146.520 National simplex calling frequency (you can listen here while hiking to your location)

• 146.610 - 147.390 Repeater outputs

• 147.420 - 147.570 Simplex use

• 147.600 - 147.990 Repeater inputs

Notes:
1) Due to differences in regional coordination plans, the simplex frequencies listed may be repeater inputs/outputs as well.  Local band coordinators can give more details.
2) Different states have differences in channel spacing.  Utah is using 20 kHz spacing.  Other states are using 15, 20, 30, or 60 kHz spacing.