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Difference between revisions of "National Incident Radio Support Cache"

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(1) Use of this frequency is a nationwide exclusive use authorization
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== Federal Government Common ==
 
== Federal Government Common ==

Revision as of 12:20, 3 February 2013

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.

National Interagency Fire Tactical Frequencies
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.

Command
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
169.5375 164.7125 R CMD 8
170.0125 165.2500 R CMD 9
170.4125 165.9625 R CMD 10
170.6875 166.5750 R CMD 11
173.0375 167.3250 R CMD 12
  • During wildland fires in Texas in 2011, Civil Air Patrol HIGHBIRD aircraft flew airborne command repeaters over the incident area.
  • Command 8-12 are NC1 and IR1-4 in the Federal Interoperability Channel Plan. Several sources of information suggest that these have been incorporated nationally as Commands 8-12. Some sources indicate that up to 19 command frequencies exist, but the frequencies are unknown and the sources are not confirmed.
  • Some incidents may use the direct mode of CMD 8-12 for tactical operations. See the NTIA Federal Incident Response Channel Plan for more information.

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.
  • The repeater input/output frequencies of Logistics 1 -7 are sometimes reversed for different repeater configurations and some of the inputs may be used for simplex.
Logistics
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
406.4000 BM Repeater Link 1
406.5875 BM Repeater Link 2
408.7875 BM Repeater Link 3
410.2750 BM Repeater Link 4
410.7750 BM Repeater Link 5
408.8000 BM Repeater Link 6
408.5000 BM Repeater Link 7
411.4000 BM Repeater Link 8
408.9000 BM Repeater Link 9
411.5000 BM Aircraft Link 1
411.8000 BM Aircraft Link 2
412.6000 BM Aircraft Link 3
411.7500 BM Aircraft Link 4
411.9250 BM Aircraft Link 5
412.1500 BM Aircraft Link 6
412.2000 BM Aircraft Link 7
411.2500 BM Aircraft Link 8
410.2375 BM Aircraft Link 9
410.2375 419.2375 RM Aircraft Link 10
410.4375 BM Aircraft Link 11
410.4375 419.4375 RM Aircraft Link 12
410.6375 BM Aircraft Link 13
410.6375 419.6375 RM Aircraft Link 14
411.3000 BM Camp Net 1
411.4250 BM Camp Net 2
411.5250 BM Camp Net 3
411.5750 BM Camp Net 4
414.6500 BM Camp Net 5
417.9000 BM Camp Net 6
  • Aircraft links provide communications for the Incident Command Post (ICP) and/or Heliports - Helispots to/from distant VHF AM ("Victor") frequency remote bases. The aircraft transmit on Victor frequencies and the ICP and heliports/helispots reply on UHF frequencies, which in turn, via the link and the remote base, transmit back to the aircraft on VHF AM. This situation exists when the size of the incident is large and/or the topography is mountainous sufficient to prevent VHF AM air to ground communications over the entire incident. VHF AM radios transmit at very low power, but the distance it covers is short.
  • In some situations repeaters are placed in high locations when the ICP and supply sources or receiving/distribution centers are in separate and distant locations.

Logistics (old)

These are probably no longer used.

Logistics (old)
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 ("Foxtrot Mike") Frequencies

  • Air Tactics frequencies can also be used as air-to-ground and are normally pre-assigned by area.
  • 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).
  • These are preassigned frequencies for use during the initial attack phase of an incident. If the incident grows larger (extended attack) a unique air-to-air (FM) or air-to-ground is frequency assigned. This assignment is made by incident communications unit leaders using the pool of unused federal frequencies in the area of the incident. This frequency might not be used on other incidents or even used in the same area in the same, or subsequent, years.
  • When an incident evolves into an extended attack, the air tactics group supervisor (ATGS) is the person that requests unique air-to-air tactics and air-to-ground frequencies be assigned, which might occur while the shift is in progress. When this happens the change is announced over the command frequency, which during the initial attack phase is most often the forest net (USFS), district net (BLM), park net (NPS), refuge net (USFWS) or the fire/emergency net of any of those jurisdictions.
  • If this announcement is missed 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 and/or air-to-ground frequencies if traffic is not received on the pre-assigned frequencies listed below.
  • If an incident becomes more complex and a Type I or II incident management team is assigned, NIFC frequencies will be assigned for command and ground tactics. In some cases the incident communications unit leader will draw from the pool of unused federal frequencies in the area of the incident, rather than use one of the listed NIFC frequencies. This is contingent of the delivery and installation of NIFC portable repeaters. If air-to-air and air-to-ground frequencies change while a shift is in progress this will be announced over the incident command net.
  • In most circumstances the unique extended attack air-to-air tactics (FM) and air-to-ground frequency change will be made effective the beginning of a shift. Shifts are 0600 to 1800 (day shift) and 1800 to 0600 (night shift). Almost all changes are effective at the beginning of day shift, as that is when most of the aviation activity occurs.
  • National flight following is used by the majority of interagency dispatch centers, however, some of these now have their own local flight following frequency assigned for use in their areas only. These local flight following frequencies are employed when sufficient aviation activity occurs within the dispatch area. These frequencies will be listed in the state by state federal government listings as soon as they have been confirmed by listeners.
  • 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.
Air Tactics & Air-to-Ground Frequencies
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 California effective 2-18-13.

Air VHF AM ("Victor") Frequencies

  • Most areas have regionally assigned air-to-air frequencies.
  • Other locally assigned or temporary incident-specific frequencies may also be used.
Air VHF AM
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 & Helicopter Rappelling Air-to-Ground Frequencies & Smokejumper Ground Tactical Frequency

Frequency Type Tone Notes
168.5500 M 123.0 Smokejumpers Air to Ground (1)
168.5500 M 110.9 Rappel/RADS Air to Ground (1)
168.3500 M 123.0 Smokejumper Ground Tactical

(1) Nationwide exclusive use authorization

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.

Government Common
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
Intra-Crew
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

Non-Federal Forest Firefighting
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

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