Difference between revisions of "National Incident Radio Support Cache"
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=== Government Common === | === Government Common === | ||
− | As of January, 2008 the NTIA Redbook contained direction that these frequencies are to be used as a repeater pair, with 168.350 being the input and 163.100 being the output. This repeater pair is to be used for temporary, or itinerant, repeater placement. | + | As of January, 2008 the NTIA Redbook contained direction that these frequencies are to be used as a repeater pair, with 168.350 being the input and 163.100 being the output. This repeater pair is to be used for temporary, or itinerant, repeater placement. Simplex use is permitted if the four new federal common frequencies are already in use. Some agencies are now using the new commons in place of this repeater pair. |
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|168.3500||163.1000||R|||| | |168.3500||163.1000||R|||| | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |163.7125||||M||||(2) | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |167.1375||||M||||(2) | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |168.6125||||M||||(2) | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |173.6250||||M||||(2) | ||
+ | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
− | + | (1) Often used as air tanker base deck frequency. | |
+ | |||
+ | (2) New federal simplex common frequencies allocated in 2005. | ||
=== Intra-Crew Communications === | === Intra-Crew Communications === |
Revision as of 04:42, 24 January 2013
Contents
National Incident Radio Support Cache
This cache is maintained and used primarily for wildland fire, however, it may show up on any large incident such as floods, hurricanes, law enforcement (it was used for the Republican and Democratic National Conventions in 2004), and tornadoes. The cache is located and maintained by the National Interagency Incident Communications Division (NIICD) of the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) in Boise, Idaho. The use of these frequencies is coordinated by the NIICD Communications Duty Officer to avoid interference with nearby incidents.
- All frequencies listed are narrowband FM (FMN) and carrier squelch (CSQ, no PL tone) unless noted. It is possible that P25 digital mode may be used in some areas. According to this PDF document on the US Forest Service web site, in January 2010 all aviation FM radios are required to be P25 capable.
- Pre-assigned national frequencies are listed in Interagency Standards for Fire & Aviation Operations 2013 Chapter 15 Communications.
- Other frequencies temporarily assigned to specific incidents may also be used.
- Frequencies listed are be subject to change at any time and are not verified to be 100% accurate, complete or current in all areas.
Tactical
These frequencies are authorized for use in handhelds and mobiles only. Installation in base stations is not authorized.
Frequency | Type | Description | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
168.0500 | M | TAC 1 | |
168.2000 | M | TAC 2 | |
168.6000 | M | TAC 3 | |
166.7250 | M | TAC 4 | |
166.7750 | M | TAC 5 | |
168.2500 | M | TAC 6 |
- According to this pdf document on the NIFC web site 164.1375 (formerly TAC 4) is no longer available for use as of April 2011.
Command
These frequencies can be used direct (simplex), but are most commonly used with repeaters. These repeaters fit in a small fiberglass case and are placed on the ground in a high place that provides coverage to all or most of the incident. Portable antennas and solar power are normally employed.
Frequency | Input | Type | Description |
---|---|---|---|
168.7000 | 170.9750 | R | CMD 1 |
168.1000 | 170.4500 | R | CMD 2 |
168.0750 | 170.4250 | R | CMD 3 |
166.6125 | 168.4000 | R | CMD 4 |
167.1000 | 169.7500 | R | CMD 5 |
168.4750 | 173.8125 | R | CMD 6 |
162.9625 | 171.7875 | R | CMD 7 |
- During wildland fires in Texas in 2011, Civil Air Patrol HIGHBIRD aircraft flew airborne command repeaters over the incident area.
- NTIA Federal Incident Response VHF frequencies are sometimes used as command repeaters in some areas.
Logistics (2009)
- The outputs can be used Simplex as well
- Links for Aircraft are typically dedicated to Aircraft Ops
- These frequencies may also be used for cross band repeaters and links.
Frequency | Input | Type | Description |
---|---|---|---|
406.4000 | 415.4000 | R | Logistics 1 |
406.5875 | 415.5875 | R | Logistics 2 |
407.7875 | 417.7875 | R | Logistics 3 |
410.2750 | 419.2750 | R | Logistics 4 |
410.7750 | 419.7750 | R | Logistics 5 |
408.8000 | 417.8000 | R | Logistics 6 |
408.5000 | 417.5000 | R | Logistics 7 |
408.9000 | BM | Link - Special 2 | |
411.2500 | BM | Link - Aircraft | |
411.3000 | BM | Link - Misc | |
411.4000 | BM | Link - Special 1 | |
411.4250 | BM | Link - Misc | |
411.5000 | BM | Link - Aircraft | |
411.5250 | BM | Link - Misc | |
411.5750 | BM | Link - Misc | |
411.7500 | BM | Link - Aircraft | |
411.8000 | BM | Link - Aircraft | |
411.9250 | BM | Link - Aircraft | |
412.1500 | BM | Link - Aircraft | |
412.2000 | BM | Link - Aircraft | |
412.6000 | BM | Link - Aircraft | |
414.6500 | BM | Link - Misc | |
417.9000 | BM | Link - Misc |
Logistics (old)
These are probably no longer used.
Frequency | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
414.6500 | R | Logistics 1 |
415.4000 | R | Logistics 2 |
415.5000 | R | Logistics 3 |
417.3000 | R | Logistics 4 |
417.3500 | R | Logistics 5 |
417.5000 | R | Logistics 6 |
417.8000 | R | Logistics 7 |
Air VHF FM
- These frequencies are no longer being referred to as Air Tactics 1, 2, 3, etc. like the tactical, command, and logistical frequencies. They are now referred to using the frequency only. This is due to many aviation radios not being pre-programmed for incidents like mobiles and handhelds are, with frequencies being dialed in.
- Air Tactics Frequencies can also be used as Air to Ground and are normally pre-assigned by area.
- Other locally assigned or temporary incident-specific frequencies may also be used.
- These frequencies are only approved for use in the western U.S., which starts at either 95 degrees longitude or at the Mississippi River. In the east these frequencies may be used, but with restrictions and subject to pre-approval by the National Interagency Incident Communications Division Communications Duty Officer (NIICD CDO).
- There are additional air to ground frequencies being used in local areas for initial attack. They are shown in the annual "Fire Mobilization Plan" for each Geographic Area Coordination Center (GACC). These frequency assignments are made for portions of a GACC and are somewhat permanent without much change from year to year. Many of these plans are available on the Internet, however, since 2006 this type of frequency information has not been available to the public. In addition, incidents that grow past the initial attack phase will often have a unique air tactics frequency assigned to it. This assignment is made by incident communications unit leaders using the pool of non-allocated federal frequencies in the area of the incident. This frequency may not be used on other incidents or even used in the same area in the same, or subsequent, years.
- Anyone monitoring a large incident that uses air support should search the federal VHF frequency band (162.000-174.000, 12.5 kHz steps) to find the VHF FM air to air tactics frequency for the incident if they do not receive air to air radio traffic from the incident on the frequencies listed below.
- According to this document there will be two permanently assigned air-to-ground FM frequencies for each initial attack zone nationwide. The table below shows some of the known frequencies that may be assigned but it may not be current or accurate.
Frequency | Type | Name | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
168.6250 | BM | National Air Guard (PL 110.9 tx/CSQ rx) | |
168.6500 | BM | National Flight Following (PL 110.9 tx/rx) | |
154.3100 | M | A/G 01 | |
166.6375 | M | A/G 02 | |
166.6750 | M | A/G 03? | (1) |
166.6875 | M | A/G 04 | (2) |
166.7500 | M | A/G 05 | |
166.8000 | M | A/G 06 | |
166.8500 | M | A/G 07 | |
166.8750 | M | A/G 08 | |
166.9125 | M | A/G 09 | |
166.9375 | M | A/G 10 | |
151.3100 | M | A/G 11 | |
167.0750 | M | A/G 12 | |
167.4250 | M | A/G 13 | |
167.5000 | M | A/G 14 | |
167.5250 | M | A/G 15 | |
159.3450 | M | A/G 16 | |
167.9875 | M | A/G 17 | |
168.0125 | M | A/G 18 | |
168.1250 | M | A/G 19 | |
168.1750 | M | A/G 20 | |
168.4250 | M | A/G 21 | |
168.5000 | M | A/G 22 | |
168.5500 | M | A/G 23 | |
168.6375 | M | A/G 24 | |
168.7250 | M | A/G 25? | |
168.7500 | M | A/G 25? | |
169.8750 | M | A/G 26 | |
166.8250 | M | A/G 27? | |
169.9500 | M | A/G 27? | |
170.0000 | M | A/G 28 | (1), (3) |
166.9000 | M | A/G 29 | |
171.1375 | M | A/G 30 | (2) |
162.7500 | M | A/G 30 | (4) |
171.5250 | M | A/G 31 | |
166.9625 | M | A/G 32 | |
171.5750 | M | A/G 33 | |
167.1750 | M | A/G 34 | |
164.5000 | M | A/G 34 | (4) |
167.2250 | M | A/G 35 | |
172.2500 | M | A/G 36 | |
172.2750 | M | A/G 37 | |
167.3750 | M | A/G 38? | |
172.3250 | M | A/G 38? | |
164.9875 | M | A/G 38 | (4) |
172.4000 | M | A/G 39 | |
167.4500 | M | A/G 40 | |
167.4750 | M | A/G 41 | |
165.2250 | M | A/G 41 | (4) |
167.5500 | M | A/G 42 | |
166.2500 | M | A/G 42 | (4) |
167.6000 | M | A/G 43 | |
167.6250 | M | A/G 44 | |
168.9625 | M | A/G 45 | (4) |
169.1250 | M | A/G 46 | (4) |
169.1750 | M | A/G 47 | (4) |
170.5250 | M | A/G 48 | (4) |
168.0375 | M | A/G 49 | |
168.2875 | M | A/G 50 | |
168.3125 | M | A/G 51 | |
? | M | A/G 52 | |
168.4875 | M | A/G 53 | |
168.5375 | M | A/G 54 | |
? | M | A/G 55 | |
168.6625 | M | A/G 56 | |
168.7250 | M | A/G 57? | |
168.0875 | M | A/G 58? | |
169.0875 | M | A/G 58? | |
169.1125 | M | A/G 59 | |
? | M | A/G 60 | |
169.2875 | M | A/G 61 | |
169.3625 | M | A/G 62 | |
166.6750 | M | A/G 66? | (1) |
166.9500 | M | A/G ? | |
167.3000 | M | A/G ? | |
167.6000 | M | A/G ? | |
167.9500 | M | A/G ? | (1) |
169.1500 | M | A/G ? | (1) |
169.2000 | M | A/G ? | (1) |
171.7875 | M | A/G ? | |
171.8250 | M | A/G ? |
- Notes
- (1) Pre-assigned national interagency air tactics frequency
- (2) According to this document 166.6875 and 171.1375 are no longer available for use as of April 2011.
- (3) According to this document 170.0000 will no longer be available for use after 2019. As of 2012 is has been replaced in California.
- (4) New FM Air Tactics for Region 5 eff 2013.02.18
Air VHF AM (Victor)
- Most areas have regionally assigned air-to-air frequencies.
- Other locally assigned or temporary incident-specific frequencies may also be used.
Frequency | Type | Description | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
122.925 | BM | AA/AG/FW/RW | |
122.850 | BM | AA/AG/RW | |
123.025 | BM | AA/RW | |
123.050 | BM | AA/RW/Helispots | |
123.075 | BM | AA/AG/RW/Helispots | |
123.975 | BM | National Air Tanker Base | (1) |
AA = Air to Air AG = Air to Ground FW = Fixed Winged (Airplanes) RW = Rotary Wing (Helicopters)
- (1) According to this PDF document on the US Forest Service web site 123.975 is no longer a nationally assigned air tanker base frequency.
Smokejumpers & Rappellers Air-to-Ground
Frequency | Type | Tone | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
168.5500 | M | 123.0 | Smokejumpers |
168.5500 | M | 110.9 | Rappel/RADS |
Federal Government Common
- These are used for local tacticals in some areas, however they are common for the entire Federal government.
- See Federal Government Itinerant
Government Common
As of January, 2008 the NTIA Redbook contained direction that these frequencies are to be used as a repeater pair, with 168.350 being the input and 163.100 being the output. This repeater pair is to be used for temporary, or itinerant, repeater placement. Simplex use is permitted if the four new federal common frequencies are already in use. Some agencies are now using the new commons in place of this repeater pair.
Frequency | Input | Type | Tone | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
163.1000 | BM | (1) | ||
168.3500 | BM | |||
168.3500 | 163.1000 | R | ||
163.7125 | M | (2) | ||
167.1375 | M | (2) | ||
168.6125 | M | (2) | ||
173.6250 | M | (2) |
(1) Often used as air tanker base deck frequency.
(2) New federal simplex common frequencies allocated in 2005.
Intra-Crew Communications
- Hand held use only
- Crews are encouraged to use Continuous Tone Coded Subaudible Squelch (CTCSS), or Network Access Code (NAC) while in digital operation, to reduce interference from other crews or other federal uses. This is not an exclusive assignment as these are VHF federal common frequencies and may be used by any agency at any time or location. These crew nets are to be used for crew logistics only and tactical communications are not allowed
Frequency | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
163.7125 | M | National Intra-Crew Mobilization at Crew Base & Travel Net |
167.1375 | M | Primary Intra-Crew Communications at Incident Scene |
168.6125 | M | Secondary Intra-Crew Communications at Incident Scene |
173.6250 | M | Tertiary Intra-Crew Communications at Incident Scene |
Non-Federal Forest Firefighting Agencies
- The following frequencies may be authorized to fixed, land and mobile stations operated by non-Federal forest firefighting agencies on a secondary non-interfereing basis.
- See: NTIA Manual Chapter 4 US Footnotes US8 and 47CFR90.265(c)
Frequency | Type | Description | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
170.475 | BM | East of Miss. River | |
171.425 | BM | East of Miss. River | |
171.575 | BM | East of Miss. River | |
172.275 | BM | East of Miss. River | (1) |
170.425 | BM | West of Miss. River | |
170.575 | BM | West of Miss. River | |
171.475 | BM | West of Miss. River | (1) |
172.225 | BM | West of Miss. River | |
172.375 | BM | West of Miss. River |
- (1) Frequency may also be used by non-federal conservation agencies for repeater operation only.
Related Links
- National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC)
- Geographic Area Coordination Centers (GACC) (Some of the regional GACC web sites and dispatch centers listed on the regional GACC web sites have frequency plans)
- Interagency Air Tactical Group Supervisor's Guide Chap. 4 Sec. IV Communications (Page 4-7, PDF file page 37)
- National Interagency Incident Communications Division (NIICD)
- National Incident Radio Support Cache User's Guide
- National Wildfire Coordinating Group
- NTIA Manual of Regulations and Procedures for Federal Radio Frequency Management (Redbook) Chapter 4 Frequency Allotments
- US Bureau of Land Management Fire & Aviation
- US DOI Bureau of Indian Affairs Wildland Fire Management
- US Fish & Wildlife Service Fire Management
- US Forest Service Fire & Aviation
- US National Park Service Fire & Aviation
- Wildfire Air to Ground Freqs - USA