Important Radio Frequencies for Public Safety and Emergency Response

In emergency situations, having the right radio frequencies can be a matter of life and death. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates radio frequencies to ensure public safety and emergency response.

The FCC designates specific frequencies for emergency services, such as 151.625 MHz for emergency vehicle communications. This frequency is widely used by police, fire, and ambulance services.

In addition to emergency vehicle communications, the FCC also allocates frequencies for other public safety purposes, including 154.570 MHz for emergency medical services. This frequency is often used by emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics to communicate with hospitals and other emergency responders.

Using the right radio frequency can help emergency responders stay connected and coordinate their efforts more effectively, ultimately saving lives.

Radio signals are measured in megahertz, which stands for one-million cycles per second. This is the standard unit of frequency measurement for radio signals.

Megahertz measures the frequency of a radio wave, which is the number of radio waves passing a fixed point in one second. The time it takes for a wave to pass that point is called a hertz.

A million waves passing that point in a second is a megahertz, and there are lower amounts measured in kilohertz and higher amounts measured as gigahertz. Megahertz is a really fast measurement, and it's not commonly used in everyday life.

Any radio signal, from radio to traditional TVs to cell phones, depends on radio waves to function. The FCC and other agencies around the world manage and assign frequencies to make things like emergency frequencies possible.

Assigned frequencies are intended solely for the use of certain entities, whether it's an FM rock and roll radio station or a broadcast from the Emergency Alert System.

GMRS, or General Mobile Radio Services, is a type of radio service commonly used for recreation and business activities. It's a step up from FRS, with a significantly longer range.

The range of GMRS varies depending on terrain, but can be as low as 2 miles or as high as 30 miles. Wattage also affects the effective range, with 15 watts being ideal.

If you're considering purchasing a GMRS radio, you can expect to pay between $25 to $100. Channel 22 (462.7250 MHz) is used for emergency frequencies, and a license is required to use GMRS.

You'll want to consider what type of radio is right for you, but buying every type on the market is unreasonable. Most radios for 2-way communication are intended for that purpose.

Citizens' Band (CB) radio is a great option, especially for truckers, hikers, and campers. It's easy to use and requires no license to receive or transmit.

CB radio operates off of 40 distinct channels, with Channel 9 reserved for the Emergency/REACT channel. This channel is the only one distinctly reserved for emergency use.

Keep in mind that anything you say on CB radio frequencies can be heard by anyone within range, so it's not a source of private conversation.

The Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS) is a great option for those who need a reliable way to communicate over longer distances. It's perfect for recreation, travel, construction, and surveying.

MURS radios have a range of up to 10 miles, making them ideal for covering larger areas. They're also relatively easy to use and don't require a license, which is a bonus.

One of the key features of MURS radios is their emergency frequencies, which include 5 channels (151.820 MHz to 154.600 MHz). This is a great safety feature to have, especially in situations where communication is crucial.

Here's a quick comparison of MURS radios with FRS radios:

As you can see, MURS radios offer a significant range advantage over FRS radios, making them a better choice for longer-distance communication.

The General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) is a type of radio service that's commonly used for recreational and business activities. It requires a license and has a significantly longer range than the more common 2-way walkie-talkies.

GMRS radios can operate on a range of frequencies, but they typically have a range of 10 to 15 miles. This can vary depending on terrain and wattage, with 15 watts being identified as ideal.

One of the key features of GMRS is that it uses a specific frequency for emergency situations, which is channel 22 (462.7250 MHz).

Here are some key facts about GMRS:

Overall, GMRS is a versatile and reliable option for those who need to communicate over longer distances.

A police scanner radio is a type of radio that receives communication from police, fire, and emergency services. It's not intended for 2-way communication, so you can't use it to send messages.

Police scanner radios are useful for listening to local police communication, although some frequencies may be encrypted. The range of a police scanner radio averages about 30 miles for most scanners.

You don't need a license to use a police scanner radio, which makes it a great option for those who want to stay informed about emergency situations in their area. The average price of a police scanner radio is around $100 to $300.

Here are some key facts about police scanner radios:

Radio frequencies vary depending on the type of radio equipment and location. The full range of emergency radio frequencies is surprisingly large and reaches across various resources on a federal, state, and local level.

VHF frequencies range from 30MHz to 300MHz, with the FCC designating 136-174MHz for land mobile radios. These frequencies are well-suited for use outdoors with maximum range and little to no obstructions.

UHF frequencies, on the other hand, are segmented into 403-430MHz, 450-470MHz, and 450-512MHz ranges. Most two-way radios in the USA operate in the UHF range, making it a great all-purpose frequency for businesses that need to work both inside and outside.

Radio frequencies vary greatly in their range, depending on the type of radio and the terrain. The range of emergency radio frequencies is surprisingly large and reaches across various levels, from federal to local.

In general, VHF (very high frequency) frequencies are well-suited for outdoor use where maximum range is required and there are little to no obstructions. They fall between 30MHZ to 300MHz range and are commonly used in industries such as marine, air-to-ground, and land mobile radio.

UHF (ultra-high frequency) frequencies, on the other hand, are suited for businesses that will be operating indoors, but it is also a great all-purpose frequency for businesses that need to work both inside and outside. They operate in the 403-430MHZ, 450-470MHZ, and 450-512MHZ frequency bands.

The range of VHF frequencies can vary from a low of 2 miles up to 30 miles, depending on the terrain and wattage. For example, a GMRS (General Mobile Radio Services) system with 15 watts of power can reach up to 30 miles in open terrain.

Here's a summary of the range of different radio frequencies:

Keep in mind that the range of radio frequencies can vary greatly depending on the terrain, weather, and other factors.

The 4.9 GHz public safety broadband frequency is a set-aside protected for public safety and associate users. It's ideal for point-to-point links for public safety applications like backhauling video surveillance and linking public safety towers and sites. The frequency is licensed for use in public safety broadband networks.

This frequency range is also used for broadband communications in public safety. It's a valuable tool for first responders and emergency services to stay connected and coordinate their efforts.

The 4.9 GHz public safety broadband frequency is part of the broader range of radio frequency ranges used for public safety and emergency communications. These frequencies are carefully allocated to ensure that critical communications are not interrupted.

Here are some key facts about the 4.9 GHz public safety broadband frequency:

The 900 MHz band is a widely used license-free spectrum that's perfect for in-building coverage. This frequency range is great for schools, hotels, retail, and light manufacturing.

You can easily deploy 900 MHz radios without needing ISED licensing. However, this also means possible interference and conflict with others, and ISED is unlikely to intervene to help resolve.

The 900 MHz band uses a Frequency Hopping Digital Spread Spectrum method, which rapidly switches a carrier among many frequency channels. This technology is unique to the Motorola DTR700.

This license-free technology is ideal for small operations in warehousing, hotels, healthcare, education, and retail. The Motorola DTR700 is a great radio option for these industries.

2.4 GHz Wi-Fi is a license-free spectrum, making it widely available for use. This frequency range is extremely busy, with many devices competing for bandwidth.

Some devices that previously used 900MHz have migrated to 2.4GHz to access fresh spectrum. This migration has contributed to the congestion in this frequency range.

Wi-Fi is the dominant use for 2.4GHz, but even Wi-Fi is experiencing congestion in this spectrum. This is why Wi-Fi is starting to move up to 5GHz, using the 802.11ac standard.

WiMax 3.65 GHz is a frequency range that's still in use today, particularly in areas where licensed frequencies are required.

Municipalities and wireless internet providers (WISPs) are deploying point-to-multipoint WiMax systems with some comfort of a more controlled spectrum.

WiMax is mostly used for fixed wireless in situations where licensed frequencies are required, such as in Canada.

This frequency range is often touted as the "Wi-Fi on steroids" due to its range and bandwidth, although the hype may have settled.

The 5.7/5.8 GHz broadband range is a popular choice for wireless deployments. This frequency range offers excellent performance and uses similar to the 4.9 GHz range.

It's open to all users, making it a great option for point-to-point and point-to-multipoint applications that require bandwidth. Wi-Fi is also supported in this range.

Good RF planning and design can deliver high-reliability bandwidth, even in a license-free environment. This means you don't have to worry about licensing costs or restrictions.

CBRS is a game-changer for businesses, providing access to publicly-available broadband spectrum for the first time.

CBRS operates on the 3.5GHz band, specifically between 3550MHz and 3700MHz. This previously protected spectrum was used by the US Navy and other DoD members, but has now been opened up for shared wireless access.

CBRS is ideal for a variety of industries, including manufacturing, hotels and resorts, education, hospital and extended care facilities, and air and sea ports.

These industries can design their own coverage, customize the network, and bring devices online with better capacity and data insights. This level of control and flexibility is a major advantage for businesses looking to upgrade their wireless connectivity.

Some of the key benefits of CBRS include better capacity, improved data insights, and the ability to design and customize the network.