Wyoming “307 Channel” for Emergency

[KK6HRW]

The State of Wyoming Office of Homeland Security is promoting use of FRS/GMRS Channel 3, PL Tone 07 (462.6125, “Privacy Code” 85.4) for those in distress, hence what they are calling the “307 Channel”. This ‘channel’ will only be monitored by Search and Rescue when an active search is underway.
Why they chose a frequency limited to five (5) watts, instead of one allowing up to 50 watts, perplexes me. Here is a link to their announcement: Homeland Security - 307

 

[nd5y]

Why they chose a frequency limited to five (5) watts, instead of one allowing up to 50 watts, perplexes me.

Probably becasue older 14 channel FRS radios don't have the 25 kHz channels that allow 50 W.

 

[jeepsandradios]

Probably also due to licensing. If they chose a true GMRS channel (50 watts) then every SAR responder would need a GMRS license. a FRS channel actually makes sense as so many carry them. I just not sure many know how to change tones or channels to be honest. Good idea I guess.

 

[DeoVindice]

Probably also due to licensing. If they chose a true GMRS channel (50 watts) then every SAR responder would need a GMRS license. a FRS channel actually makes sense as so many carry them. I just not sure many know how to change tones or channels to be honest. Good idea I guess.

That is incorrect. FRS and GMRS share all frequencies except the GMRS repeater inputs. Nothing prevents a 50W GMRS base or mobile station from communicating with a 0.5-2W FRS portable on, say 462.550.

 

[W8UU]

307 is Wyoming's only (telephone) Area Code.

That's the significance of the chosen "307" channel and CTCSS tone.

 

[jeepsandradios]

That is incorrect. FRS and GMRS share all frequencies except the GMRS repeater inputs. Nothing prevents a 50W GMRS base or mobile station from communicating with a 0.5-2W FRS portable on, say 462.550.

I didn't say it did if you have a license. 50 watts requires a GMRS license. FRS 3 anyone can use with no license.

 

[KC3ECJ]

Requiring a pl tone isn't a good idea. Many older radios don't transmitt one.

 

[KK6HRW]

Requiring a pl tone isn't a good idea. Many older radios don't transmitt one.

Point taken. I will say that a radio that old probably cannot transmit more than 1/2 watt anyway, but still could still be used to receive calls from Search and Rescue Personnel.

 

[ecps92]

Every FRS [bubble pack] radio I've seen since day ONE has had PL capability

Requiring a pl tone isn't a good idea. Many older radios don't transmitt one.

 

[KC3ECJ]

Every FRS [bubble pack] radio I've seen since day ONE has had PL capability

Cobra made some that didn't.

 

[ecps92]

What model ?

Cobra made some that didn't.

 

[AI7PM]

Requiring a pl tone isn't a good idea. Many older radios don't transmitt one.

PL is irrelevant if you leave the receive CSQ.

 

[SteveC0625]

PL is irrelevant if you leave the receive CSQ.

Can’t do that with some bubble pack radios much it’s a very wise move.

 

[rescuecomm]

They should make that the national SAR Incident channel. PL will keep the bleep bleep down.

 

[cfsimmont]

Seems odd that they would choose to use a privacy tone for the emergency channel.... I would think it would be easier for the average user to tune to Channel 3 without having to ensure they were on the correct tone, KISS principle. I was quite surprised to find out there is no "standard" for the FRS tones. I was part of a group activity a few years ago and we all were to turn our radios to a predetermined channel and use a privacy tone, we had several different brands of radios in the mix (Motorola, Uniden, Cobra, and so on) with the tone enabled we couldn't hear each other when we switched to using no tone we could communicate. I looked further into this after I got home and found out that each manufacturer can choose what tones they assign to each tone number in the radio. I had found a cheat sheet that someone had created with multiple FRS radio manufacturers listed as to what tone frequency they use for each tone.

 

[rescuecomm]

As already stated, the MEOC teams can scan the channels and tone if it is known someone might try to contact them using FRS.

 

[KK6HRW]

Seems odd that they would choose to use a privacy tone for the emergency channel.... I would think it would be easier for the average user to tune to Channel 3 without having to ensure they were on the correct tone, KISS principle. I was quite surprised to find out there is no "standard" for the FRS tones. I was part of a group activity a few years ago and we all were to turn our radios to a predetermined channel and use a privacy tone, we had several different brands of radios in the mix (Motorola, Uniden, Cobra, and so on) with the tone enabled we couldn't hear each other when we switched to using no tone we could communicate. I looked further into this after I got home and found out that each manufacturer can choose what tones they assign to each tone number in the radio. I had found a cheat sheet that someone had created with multiple FRS radio manufacturers listed as to what tone frequency they use for each tone.

I think the reason that Wyoming chose to use CTCSS is that the “307 Channel” will only be used by Search and Rescue (SAR) personnel AFTER they have been activated for an emergency. Use of a ‘tone’ would then help SAR to more reliably be able to talk to and hear from ONLY the party in distress. Of note: The “307 Channel“ will NOT be routinely monitored.

 

[KK6HRW]

As already stated, the MEOC teams can scan the channels and tone if it is known someone might try to contact them using FRS.

In the case of the Wyoming “307 Channel”, there would be only the one channel (3) and tone (07) to be monitored and used by Search and Rescue (once they are activated). Scanning would neither be required nor desired.

Could you please define “MEOC”?

 

[rescuecomm]

Mobile Emergency Operations Center. I worked a lot of SAR operations in the 1980's in one. The advent of the cell phone reduced hunting for lost hikers by over 90 percent. Most "lost persons" are now handled by park rangers and game wardens.

 

[cfsimmont]

I think the reason that Wyoming chose to use CTCSS is that the “307 Channel” will only be used by Search and Rescue (SAR) personnel AFTER they have been activated for an emergency. Use of a ‘tone’ would then help SAR to more reliably be able to talk to and hear from ONLY the party in distress. Of note: The “307 Channel“ will NOT be routinely monitored.

I hope they are all using the same type radio, as from my experience if you have members in your group with a variety of FRS radios then your privacy tones can be different. Here is a site that explains things a little better than I probably have FRS/GMRS Privacy Codes Demystified (k0tfu.org)