Travis Olander 12.22.22
We’ve lined fundamental setup with the UV-5R, and how you can use the menu and its 40 choices. Now, let’s get into Basic Radio Programming. We’ll cowl all of the authorized issues you are able to do with a UV-5R and not using a Ham license. We’ll additionally cowl how you can program necessary frequencies, together with emergency, EMS, and NOAA channels for these “SHTF” moments.
New to Ham Radio? Read Our Other Guides
Before programming frequencies, know these three guidelines:
- You can transmit unlicensed in an emergency.
- You can use your UV-5R to transmit and not using a license on any frequency in a actual, life-threatening emergency. We nonetheless strongly suggest you get licensed. Read Part One of our information to find out how. Many of the channels and configurations we cowl on this information require you to not less than have a Technician License.
- You can obtain on any freq and not using a license.
- If you’re not licensed, you may nonetheless program your UV-5R to obtain on any frequency. But once more, you can’t transmit and not using a license.
- You Can’t transmit on GMRS and FRS. Ever.
- The FCC says you can’t use a Ham radio to transmit on GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) or FRS (Family Radio Service) bands. These two bands are reserved for short-range, narrowband Walkie-Talkies. You can solely pay attention to these bands together with your UV-5R. This stays true even in case you have a Ham license and/or a GMRS license. The GMRS license is completely different than a Ham license.
First, Program NOAA Channels
The National Weather Service (NWS) operates nationwide radio channels 24/7. They present climate alerts and emergency information. Let’s cowl how you can program and scan all seven NOAA channels.
List of NOAA Frequencies (VHF):
- 162.400
- 162.425
- 162.450
- 162.475
- 162.500
- 162.525
- 162.550
1. Press VFO/MR to enter Frequency Mode. If you see small digits to the proper of the frequencies displayed on the display screen, you’re in Channel Mode. In Frequency Mode you’ll not see these digits.
2. Cycle the A/B Button till the highest line is chosen. You can solely save frequencies to channels for those who’re utilizing the highest line on the principle display screen. A small arrow to the left of every line signifies whether or not you’re on high (A) or backside (B).
3. Enter the frequency you want to assign to a channel. Let’s begin with 162.400. Enter the frequency on the principle display screen utilizing the keypad.
4. Press MENU. Navigate to Menu Option #28. This means that you can clear the radio’s channel reminiscence. Select which channel you wish to save your frequency to (000 to 127) with the UP/DOWN arrows. Clear that channel by once more urgent the MENU button. If you could have the voice prompts enabled, the radio will say, “Confirmed.”
5. Navigate to Menu Option #27. This means that you can save the frequency to the channel you simply cleared out. Press Menu once more, and use the UP/DOWN arrows to pick out the channel of your alternative. Press Menu once more, and the channel might be saved with that frequency. The voice immediate will say, “receiving memory” when saving. Your frequency is now saved to the chosen channel. You can verify this by viewing the channel in Option #27. The assigned channel will show “CH-” earlier than its quantity.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 to retailer the opposite NOAA channels. If the channel you wish to use has “CH-” earlier than it, it have to be emptied with Option #28. You can now scan and monitor all NOAA channel for nationwide broadcasts.
How to Scan on the UV-5R
To scan channels, press the VFO/MR button to enter Channel Mode. While on the principle display screen, press and maintain the * (“SCAN”) button on the keypad. The high line on the display screen will shortly cycle between all saved channels. Press EXIT to cease scanning. To pressure the radio to remain on a channel that’s broadcasting, open the menu. Navigate to Option #18 (SC-REV) and set this perform to “SE”. The radio will now cease and stay on a channel that’s broadcasting till you navigate to a different channel, or inform it to scan once more.
To scan frequencies, press VFO/MR to enter Frequency Mode. Press and maintain the * (“SCAN”) button, and the radio will scan all frequencies within the VHF and UHF bands. The “SE” perform governs such a scanning, too. To scan VHF frequencies (136 – 174 MHz), enter 136.000 utilizing the keypad earlier than scanning. To scan UHF frequencies (400 – 520 MHz), enter 400.000 earlier than scanning.
Program MURS channels
Although it’s technically in opposition to FCC rules, these VHF channels are generally utilized by rebellious Hams and preppers. Follow the steps we offered above to save lots of these frequencies to channels:
- 151.820 – MURS calling frequency
- 151.880 – Common repeater frequency
- 151.940 – Emergency channel
- 154.570 – Grandfathered enterprise frequency (drive-thru)
- 154.600 – Grandfathered enterprise frequency (drive-thru)
International Distress Channel
VHF Channel 16 is globally acknowledged as a common emergency channel. Its frequency is 156.800 MHz. If rescue operations know that an individual in misery has a radio, however they don’t know the radio’s setup, personnel will try to make contact on this frequency. All U.S Coast Guard and world maritime personnel monitor this frequency 24/7.
National Simplex Calling Frequencies
A nationwide calling frequency is a broadly accepted place to start out speaking with different radio operators. If you identify a Mayday or SOS on these frequencies, you’re more likely to get a response. They sometimes work wherever within the U.S. For our UV-5R, suitable frequencies embody:
- 146.250 – VHF
- 446.000 – UHF
Store Your Local Frequencies
Radio Reference is the last word database for radio frequencies. You can discover many native repeaters and police, fireplace, dispatch, EMS, rescue, and different newbie operators’ channels. Note that solely VHF and UHF outcomes are suitable with the UV-5R. Many outcomes are digital or trunked; these are incompatible, too. To entry repeater data, you will want to pay and subscribe to the reference database ($30/12 months). To begin, navigate to “Frequency Databases” within the high menu and enter your city, metropolis, county, and/or state.
Other Useful Emergency Frequencies
- 156.050 – Port operations
- 156.350 – Commercial use
- 156.450 – Boater calling
- 156.500 – General industrial
- 156.700 – Port operations
- 156.850 – State and native authorities maritime
- 157.000 – Port operations
- 157.150 – U.S. Coast Guard solely
- 157.125 – U.S. Government solely
- 161.825 – Public correspondence
Now that you simply perceive fundamental programming, learn the ultimate a part of our information to Ham Radio: Advanced Programming (Repeaters and Tones).
