Quick Navigation:
| MF: | 160m |
| HF: | 80m 40m 30m 20m 17m 15m 12m 10m |
| VHF: | 6m 2m 1.25m |
| UHF: | 70cm 33cm 23cm 13cm |
| Info: | Definitions Notes Organization Procedure for Changes |
| 160 meters, 1.8-2.0 MHz (same as ARRL) | |
|---|---|
| 1.800-1.810 | Digital |
| 80 meters, 3.5-4.0 MHz (same as ARRL) | |
| 3.570-3.600 | Digital |
| 3.585-3.600 | Automatically controlled digital |
| 3.590 | DX Digital |
| 40 meters, 7.0-7.3 MHz, 1.8-2.0 MHz (same as ARRL) | |
| 7.040 | DX Digital |
| 7.080-7.125 | Digital |
| 7.100-7.105 | Automatically controlled digital |
| 30 meters, 10.1-10.15 MHz (same as ARRL) | |
| 10.130-10.140 | Digital |
| 10.140-10.150 | Packet, Automatically controlled digital |
| 20 meters, 14.0-14.35 MHz (same as ARRL) | |
| 14.070-14.095 | Digital |
| 14.095-14.0995 | Packet, Automatically controlled digital |
| 14.100 | NCDXF Beacons |
| 14.1005-14.112 | Packet, Automatically controlled digital |
| 17 meters, 18.068-18.168 MHz (same as ARRL) | |
| 18.100-18.105 | Digital |
| 18.105-18.110 | Packet, Automatically controlled digital |
| 15 meters, 21.0-21.45 MHz (same as ARRL) | |
| 21.070-21.110 | Digital |
| 21.090-21.100 | Automatically controlled digital |
| 12 meters, 24.89-24.99 MHz (same as ARRL) | |
| 24.920-24.925 | Digital |
| 24.925-24.930 | Packet, Automatically controlled digital |
| 10 meters, 28-29.7 MHz (same as ARRL) | |
| 28.070-28.150 | Digital |
| 28.120-28.150 | Packet, Automatically controlled digital |
| 6 meters, 50-54 MHz (same as ARRL) | |
| 50.60 | BBS long-haul Forwarding |
| 50.62 | Keyboard to Keyboard , Packet calling |
| 50.64 | Duplex , cross-band |
| 50.66 | NA |
| 50.68 | NA |
| 50.70 | NA |
| 50.72 | NA |
| 50.74 | NA |
| 50.76 | NA |
| 50.78 | NA |
| 2 meters, 144-148 MHz | |
| 144.31 | EP |
| 144.33 | Telemetry & Experimental |
| 144.35 | Keyboard to Keyboard, Mailbox |
| 144.37 | BBS Forwarding |
| 144.39 | APRS (USA and CaNADA) |
| 144.41 | APRS (seconDAry channel) |
| 144.43 | TCP/IP (OK to run Duplex with 145.65) |
| 144.45 | NA |
| 144.47 | NA |
| 144.49 | NA |
| 144.91 | EP |
| 144.93 | NA |
| 144.95 | NA |
| 144.97 | Misc. Digital |
| 144.99 | TCP/IP |
| 145.01 | WinLink |
| 145.03 | Keyboard to Keyboard, Mailbox |
| 145.05 | Keyboard to Keyboard, Mailbox |
| 145.07 | EP |
| 145.09 | BBS |
| 145.61 | Duplex , cross-band |
| 145.63 | WinLink |
| 145.65 | TCP/IP 9600 baud (OK to run Duplex with 144.43) |
| 145.67 | DX Spotting |
| 145.69 | EP |
| 145.71 | DX Spotting |
| 145.73 | EP |
| 145.75 | EP |
| 145.77 | DX Spotting |
| Notes: 144.90-145.10 is a non-repeater segment. 144.31 is near the beacon segment, please watch your FM deviation. 144.49 may very rarely be used for voice uplink to the ISS. Some packet operations in the middle segment have report receiving interference | |
| 1.25 meters, 219-225 MHz (same as ARRL) | |
| 219.05-219.95 | 100 kHz channels, Backbone |
| 223.52 | Keyboard to Keyboard, Mailbox |
| 223.54 | EP |
| 223.56 | EP |
| 223.58 | Duplex , cross-band |
| 223.60 | BBS local Forwarding |
| 223.62 | EP |
| 223.64 | Links, Control |
| 223.66 | Links, Control |
| 223.68 | Links, Control |
| 223.70 | Links, Control |
| 223.72 | TCP/IP |
| 223.74 | DX Spotting Backbone |
| Notes: 219-220 channels are by coordination only. There are currently political/legal problems with using 219-220, making them unavailable in most of Northern CA. Contact the NCPA (Gary Mitchell, wb6yru@ix.netcom.com) for details. | |
| 70 centimeters, 420-450 MHz | |
| 433.05 | TCP/IP Backbone , 100 kHz |
| 433.15 | Duplex , cross-band, 100 kHz |
| 433.21 | NA |
| 433.23 | NA |
| 433.25 | WinLink, 9600 baud |
| 433.27 | NA |
| 433.29 | NA |
| 433.33 | VARA-FM, high-speed (60 kHz) |
| 433.37 | BBS , 9600 baud |
| 433.39 | DX Spotting |
| 433.41 | EP Backbone |
| 433.43 | TCP/IP 9600 baud |
| 433.45 | EP |
| 433.47 | Keyboard Node Interlink |
| 433.49 | TCP/IP |
| 433.51 | Keyboard to Keyboard, Mailbox |
| 433.53 | Keyboard to Keyboard, Mailbox |
| 433.55 | EP |
| 433.57 | EP |
| 433.59 | EP |
| 434.85 | NA (100 kHz) |
| 434.95 | NA (100 kHz) |
| 438.40 | NA (100 kHz) |
| 438.60 | NA (100 kHz) |
| 438.70 | NA (100 kHz) |
| 441.50 | any digital |
| Notes: Amateur 70 cm is secondary to the PAV PAWS radar at the US Air Force base near Sacramento. Many amateur stations in Northern CA have had to cease operation on 70 cm or significantly reduce power output. If you will be transmitting any significant 70 cm signal near the greater Sacramento area, you might want to consider using another band. | |
| 33 centimeters, 902-928 MHz (same as ARRL) | |
| 904.0-907.0 | TCP/IP 3 MHz (1.5 MB/s Duplex pair, 14 MHz sEParation) |
| 918.0-921.0 | TCP/IP 3 MHz (1.5 MB/s Duplex pair, 14 MHz sEParation) |
| Notes: 900 MHz activity is on a non-interference basis to vehicle locator service. 900 MHz is not considered suitable for omindirectional systems and is recommended for point-to-point links only. | |
| 23 centimeters, 1240-1300 MHz (same as ARRL) | |
| 1246.0-1248.0 | FM point-to-point links and digital, Duplex with 1258-1260, 25 kHz channels |
| 1248.0-1249.0 | NA 1 MHz |
| 1249.075 | D-Star DAta link, 150 kHz |
| 1249.150-1249.900 | NA (750 kHz) |
| 1249.90-1250.0 | NA (100 kHz) |
| 1251.00 | Experimental 2 MHz |
| 1252.0-1258.0 | ATV #2 (digital) 6 MHz |
| 1258.0-1260.0 | FM point-to-point links and digital, Duplex with 1246-1248, 25 kHz channels |
| 1298.00 | NA , 2 MHz |
| 1299.05 | NA , 100 kHz |
| 1299.15 | NA , 100 kHz |
| 1299.25 | NA , 100 kHz |
| 1299.35 | NA , 100 kHz |
| 1299.45 | NA , 100 kHz |
| 1299.55 | NA , 100 kHz |
| 1299.65 | Duplex , cross-band, 100 kHz |
| 1299.75 | NA , 100 kHz |
| 1299.89 | DX Spotting |
| 1299.95 | NA , 100 kHz |
| Notes: Channels in this band are 25 kHz unless otherwise noted | |
| 13 centimeters, 2300-2310 & 2390-2450 MHz (same as ARRL) | |
| 2300.0-2303.0 | NA , fast DAta (4800 or more) Duplex |
| 2303.0-2303.5 | NA , slow packet (2400 baud or less) |
| 2303.5-2303.8 | NA , slow TTY, packet (2400 or less) 2.5 kHz |
| 2303.8-2303.9 | NA , packet, TTY, CW, EME, 2.5 kHz |
| 2304.2-2304.3 | NA , packet, fax, AMTOR, SSB, SSTV, AM, 2.5 kHz |
| 2304.4-2304.5 | Experimental , packet, fax, AMTOR, SSB, ACSSB, SSTV, AM, 2.5 kHz |
| 2396.0-2396.55 | NA , fast DAta (4800 baud or more) Duplex |
| 2396.65 | Duplex , cross-band, 100 kHz |
| 2396.75-2399.0 | NA , fast DAta (4800 baud or more) Duplex |
| 2399.0-2399.5 | NA , slow packet (2400 baud or less) |
| 2413.0-2418.0 | NA , fast DAta (4800 baud or more) Duplex |
| Notes: Channels in this band are 25 kHz unless otherwise noted | |
Definitions
| 9600 | Stations using 9600 baud, typically using direct FSK or 9600 baud modems such as G3RUH, TAPR, etc. |
| APRS | Automatic Packet Reporting System. |
| ATV | Amateur TV, digital. |
| Backbone | No uncoordinated stations. These channels are for specific purposes as defined by the NCPA and/or affiliated groups. These are frequencies where the various BBS, nodes, and networks forward traffic at high volume. Not for user access. |
| BBS | Full-service Bulletin Board System, part of the cooperative world wide packet BBS network carrying routine personal messages, bulletins, and NTS traffic. See BBS list. Some Keyboard to Keyboard activity is tolerated on these channels. (See mailbox for stand-alone systems that do not forward traffic. See EP for emergency BBSs.) |
| DA | Digitized Analog. Any digitized analog, including voice or audio. Simplex only. |
| Duplex | Simultaneous transmit and receive. Duplex channels are intended for high-volume applications. 9600 baud or higher is encouraged, but not required. Cross-band is for duplex operation with either the transmit or receive in this band, the other on a similar channel in another band--thus eliminating the need for RF cavities. |
| DX Spotting | Northern California DX Packet Spotting Network ( DXPSN). No other activity should be on these channels. |
| EP | Emergency Packet. Emergency communications involving ARES, RACES, OES, EOC, etc. Any digital modes and systems may be employed, including WinLink, APRS, BBS, keyboard, nodes, etc. During non-emergencies, general usage is allowed. |
| Experimental | This is where you can test new gear, programs, etc. Pretty much anything is allowed, but no permanent activity. |
| Forwarding | These channels are where the various BBSs, nodes, and networks forward traffic to each other and are very high volume. Not intended for user access. No uncoordinated stations. |
| Interlink | Typically used to link nodes or systems of nodes. See Forwarding. |
| Keyboard to Keyboard | Primarily users chatting directly or through nodes. Also includes mailboxes. Some emergency communications may be here too. No continuous high-volume activity such as full service BBS, DX Spotting, or TCP/IP servers. |
| LAN | Local Area Network. These are forwarding frequencies where participating systems are grouped into LAN's for more efficient forwarding. Please do not attempt to access servers on these channels. |
| Links, Control | These include forwarding links, remote control of a station, or even audio links. They can be digital or analog. |
| Mailbox | A BBS-like system that stores messages of a personal, local, or special-purpose nature. These are stand-alone systems which do not forward traffic. Such systems are typically part of a TNC's firmware or run on a computer for more capacity and features, (the latter are sometimes called maildrops). Mailboxes operate on keyboard to keyboard channels. |
| Misc. Digital | For digital modes other than AX.25 packet. This is intended for the sorts of digital modes you see on HF. |
| NA | Not Allocated. These channels are not currently allocated to any specific activities, but may be assigned at any time, so no permanent activities please. Otherwise, treat the same as Experimental. |
| TCP/IP | Stations using TCP/IP protocol either direct (e.g. ethernet) or in an AX.25 envelope. Regular AX.25 is tolerated to communicate to TCP/IP stations if a compatible p-persistance access method is used. |
| Telemetry | Balloons, model rockets, model vehicles, or anything else sending data by telemetry. Devices that do not use standard collision avoidance techniques (as AX.25 normally does) should only operate temporarily. |
| User Access | User access to a network. This is for the next generation of packet which is expected to operate like the internet. Users would access such a network on these frequencies. The load on these channels may be rather high, like BBS channels. The activity may be like a combination of BBS , keyboard to keyboard, TCP/IP, or other modes. |
| VARA-FM | Anything using high-speed VARA-FM. VARA is a High Performance software modem based on OFDM modulation. VARA HF is a slow version for shortwave, VARA-FM is a high speed version for VHF/UHF. It's often used with WinLink to send email. VARA software and info. |
| WinLink | Radio Email. A WinLink message server or anything involving the WinLink network. |
Notes
The Northern California region is roughly the top 2/3 of the state, from the Tehachapi Mountains north. Click here for a map. (NARCC covers the same territory.)
All bands except 2 M and 70 cm are the same as the ARRL's band plans.
Channel spacing, unless otherwise noted:
20 kHz for VHF and 70 cm
25 kHz for 33 cm and above
Bandwidth and data rate limits:
300 baud or 1 kHz FSK on 160 M through 12 M
1200 baud or 1 kHz FSK onr 10 M
19200 baud or 20 kHz on 6 M and 2 M
56 kbaud or 100 kHz on 125 cm and 70 cm
Data rates up to 9600 baud are generally allowed on any channel. Lower data rates are tolerated on channels specified as 9600 baud or higher so long as it doesn't interfere with higher speed communications.
For 1200 baud packet, the FM deviation should be between 3 and 4 kHz.
Organization information
Coordination: Except for the 219-220 segment, the NCPA currently isn't coordinating individual stations, nodes, etc. leaving that to the special interest groups. BBS station coordination is done by the PSNC in Northern CA. DX Spotting is coordinated by DXPSN. Some digital may be coordinated on auxiliary channels by NARCC. All repeaters, including digital repeaters are coordinated by NARCC in the repeater segments.
Meetings: The NCPA conducts most of its meeting activity on the remailer list: ncpa@ncpa.hamdigi.net, (one needs to subscribe first). As with face-to-face meetings, interested persons are welcome. Subscribe to the remailer list on the list web site.
Frequency Coordinator: Gary Mitchell, WB6YRU, wb6yru@ix.netcom.com, packet BBS: WB6YRU@N0ARY.#NCA.CA.USA.NOAM
Procedure for changes
Send requests for changes to either the frequency coordinator or the NCPA remailer. The frequency coordinator will then present the requests to the NCPA along with suggested assignments. The NCPA, a representative committee, makes all digital assignments.