While I did not originate the idea, I have been promoting the use of 146.58 MHz as the North America Adventure Frequency. (Rex/KE6MT and George/Kj6VU came up with the idea.) My previous blog post explained the thinking behind it, along with my own personal biases, I’m sure.
When presented with the idea of The Other Simplex Frequency, I generally get three types of reactions:
1. Great idea! These people generally live or operate in locations where the 2m FM calling frequency (146.52 MHz) can get kind of busy, so they see that having an alternate frequency that everyone knows about has value. They may or may not still call on .52 but having another designated frequency is a plus.
2. It will never get used in my area This reaction comes from locations where people tend to congregate on 146.52 MHz and will probably not monitor any other frequency. The SOTA activators say stuff like “I’ll never contact anyone on 146.58 MHz so I’ll have to just use keep using 146.52.” This is not a problem, do whatever makes sense. The North America Adventure Frequency will probably not get used everywhere and that is just fine.
3. What, people actually talk on 2m FM simplex? These folks are just plain missing out. I don’t know how to help them.
73 Bob K0NR
Here , in Orlando, Fl. we use that freq. as a local chat Freq. at various times….146.580 No biggie tho… Notice out of state travelers that are passing thru Orl. do call on the 146.520 freq.from time to time, whether they stay in Orl. or elsewhere in our state?
In 30+ years licensed, I’ve found there are those who believe that:
1) 2m and 70cm radios can only be used through repeaters;
2) 2m and 70cm are for Emcomm only;
3) 2m and 70cm FM Simplex will only work within 1-to-3 miles.
Promotion of VHF/UHF Simplex certainly needs to continue, and include other legacy modes, CW, AM and SSB.
Yep.
Take a look at this article:
https://www.k0nr.com/wordpress/2021/02/2-meter-band-more-than-fm/
I’ll take Doors #1 and #2.
Apart from SARNET-FL, the VHF & UHF bands in my little corner of NFL are mostly dead. So yeah, great idea, I’ve added 146.58 to my scan list and I’ll keep monitoring, with the full expectation that it’s yet another quiet channel. Not giving up yet though!
Rob,
Now don’t take this the wrong way, but if Florida wasn’t so dang flat you might have some SOTA activity there 😃
Love those beaches, though.
Bob K0NR
:^) Realistically, I think that the sports-adventure frequency here is 156.45, Ch. 9 in the VHF marine band. Hm, think I’ll start monitoring that one too.
Does the top of a water tower count as a summit?
OK, I *finally* got a simplex VHF QSO in, the first one since moving back to FL. Of course, the CQ-calling jet was at 41,000′, which is about the only way to get elevation in FL! Hey, I’ll take it.
Rob,
Congrats on the aeronautical mobile contact. That is always a kick. (Talk about Height Above Average Terrain !)
Bob K0NR