AACoPD Helicopter was assisting DNR with a search at Sandy Point. AACoPD Dispatcher asked the helicopter operator if they had the ability to talk on SAR 160. I never heard their response. Any idea the frequency for SAR 160?
SAR 160
- Thread starter ThePhotoGuy
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AD9O
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Possibly 155.160. I believe this frequency is licensed to many SAR groups.
Rachel
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Rachel
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Thanks!
ecps92
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DisasterGuy
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That would be correct, 155.160. It has become the standard for SAR around the US however is by convention only as there is nothing in Part 90 that restricts it for that use. In Maryland DNR and MSP have licensed it and require that all SAR Teams have it licensed as well. It is simplex only.
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What identifier does AACoPD use for their helicopter - is it Air 1 or something like that?
What is the purpose of SAR 160? Is it a coordination channel for private SAR teams and local / state government agencies? I don't think the major federal government agencies (USCG / USAF(CAP) charged with SAR responsibilities use it.
Air-1 and Air-2
ecps92
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Since SAR160 is a Part 90 licensed channel, Originally a PS (Special Emergency) channel ,you will be Private and Local/County/State Government agencies using is. Be prepared to hear the Local School Bus etc as well
Unless asked (USCG Air Assets) you won't generally find FEDERAL agencies using it on a Regular Basis.
Unless asked (USCG Air Assets) you won't generally find FEDERAL agencies using it on a Regular Basis.
DisasterGuy
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The use of 160 started because it was the frequency originally coordinated by the Mountain Rescue Association and due to their footprint became adopted by many teams as a standard. Many states have statewide licenses for it that all state certified teams use (Virginia is the closest to MD). As mentioned by another poster, the frequency falls within the Special Emergency Pool that can and frequently is used by wchool buses, hospitals, etc.
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I beg to differ with this, I have seen it in federal command buses and radio templates.
Probably for ground operations however.
I'm talking about air assets - I haven't seen the button for that freq on the -65s. Not sure about the current freq template on CAP aircraft, although their aircraft radios are certainly capable of tuning it (probably preset however.) It may be a FCC rule - the USCG has a wavier to use the marine radios while airborne, (mostly) at low power, because of potential interference causing by transmitting at altitude. Might have the same restrictions
Anyway, it would be interesting to find out if the local jurisdictions have the ability to use SAR 160. It depends on how they have programmed their radios - you would think that Air-1/2 already have VHF-FM capabilities for at least the marine channels; I'm sure the Troopers have VHF-FM radios.
Finally, why was AACo dispatch inquiring about Air-1s ability to communicate on SAR 160? Maybe a NRP / MdTAP command bus was set up at Sandy Point? Might as well use those expensive pieces of kit - practice makes perfect - and they have A/C....
DisasterGuy
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Very few jurisdictions in MD have VHF capabilities at the operational level. MOST that have mobile patching assets do have 160 available for patching.
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VSAR16 aka SAR160 is in the NIFOG as a national search and rescue frequency. However ...
It is not covered by the blanket authorization for national interop. And as previously mentioned, you need a license ... and it may also be licensed for other uses.
I did a search in Maryland for 155.16 and it comes up with 6 active licenses. All appear SAR related except for Calvert County Schools.
Here in Virginia, it's licensed by the FCC to the Department of Emergency Management across the entire state. It is channel 1 in the Virginia SAR radio template.
FYI.
It is not covered by the blanket authorization for national interop. And as previously mentioned, you need a license ... and it may also be licensed for other uses.
I did a search in Maryland for 155.16 and it comes up with 6 active licenses. All appear SAR related except for Calvert County Schools.
Here in Virginia, it's licensed by the FCC to the Department of Emergency Management across the entire state. It is channel 1 in the Virginia SAR radio template.
FYI.
Special Emergency has long been merged into the Public Safety pool of frequencies. In years past, you'd SE listed for the Radio Service on an FCC license for frequencies like 155.160 and the 155.xxx frequencies commonly assigned to EMS or school buses. (Don't ask me why SE included school buses, it just did.) Now it's all PW (Public Safety Pool, Conventional) or IG (Industrial/Business Pool, Conventional.)
Maybe for evacuation purposes? IDK...
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Although listed in Virginia statewide, the Appalachian Search and Rescue Council's frequencies are what is used in Maryland by Maryland Search and Rescue and other SAR units.
fourwd1
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Years ago (before trunking ) it was used by the Beach Patrol in Ocean City MD.
My understanding is that the trooper helicopters do have VHF FM capability.
For your final question, I venture to guess that if there was a search at Sandy Point as the OP indicated, that there was some sort of incident command setup. The type of vehicle and AC is irrelevant but I'm curious as to your practice makes perfect remark. An incident is an incident - not practice.
Darkstar350
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Intresting that you mention a school bus - because one of the big bus companies here in New York use 155.160 aka "search and rescue common" as one of their main dispatch channels
It suprises me how they are "allowed" to use such a freq- but then again i guess it could be a good thing just in case they need to search and rescue a school bus
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