A radio can be a great tool in an emergency. The problem, however, comes when we actually need it and the only channels programmed into our radio are the repeaters we use every day. That is why it is worth spending a few minutes and setting up a separate group of channels that may come in handy when something goes wrong.
Of course, the idea is not to program everything that has ever appeared on one of the countless “emergency frequencies” lists found online. Many of those lists contain historical frequencies, outdated information, or descriptions that can be very misleading today. It is much better to have a dozen or so verified channels than a hundred random frequencies.
For a ham radio operator, I would start with the two most obvious ones. 146.520 MHz is a popular FM calling frequency in the 2-meter band, while 446 MHz is commonly used as a simplex frequency in the 70-centimeter band. These are simplex frequencies, meaning they do not rely on a repeater. If we don't have access to a local repeater, or simply don't know which repeater to use, these are good places to try to make contact with another amateur radio operator. A similar role in the 6-meter band is served by 52.525 MHz. The propagation characteristics of this band are quite different, however, and during a band opening it is possible to hear stations located very far away.
If our radio can receive the VHF public-safety bands, it is also worth programming several interoperability frequencies used by emergency services. In Illinois, the particularly interesting ones are 154.280 MHz, 154.265 MHz, and 154.295 MHz, corresponding to VFIRE21, VFIRE22, and VFIRE23. These are interoperability channels intended for communications related to firefighting operations and they continue to appear in current Illinois interoperability materials.
Another frequency worth programming is 155.160 MHz, used for Search and Rescue communications. For people who spend a lot of time outdoors, go camping, or take part in various outdoor activities, this is definitely a frequency worth having in the radio's memory.
In Illinois, it is also worth remembering 155.475 MHz, or ISPERN – Illinois State Police Emergency Radio Network. This frequency is associated with emergency communications and coordination between law-enforcement agencies. For someone using a radio in Illinois, the name ISPERN is actually much more useful than the generic description “law enforcement emergency frequency.”
Of course, all of the public-safety frequencies mentioned above are primarily interesting from a monitoring perspective. Simply programming them into a radio does not mean that the radio operator is authorized to transmit on them. Normal operation on these frequencies requires the appropriate authorization and compliance with the rules governing the particular service.
An exception is a situation in which human life is in immediate danger and there is no way to use other available means of calling for help. In a life-threatening emergency, available communications equipment may be used to summon assistance even if we do not normally have authorization to operate on that frequency. This should not, however, be treated as an alternative to 911 or as a general authorization to transmit on public-safety frequencies.
If we take our radio out on the water, it is definitely worth programming 156.800 MHz, or Marine Channel 16. This is an international channel used for distress, safety, and calling communications. For people operating boats, kayaks, or participating in other activities on the water, it is one of the most important channels to have programmed into a radio capable of receiving the marine VHF band.
Another very practical group consists of the NOAA Weather Radio frequencies. In the United States, NOAA uses seven primary frequencies: 162.400 MHz, 162.425 MHz, 162.450 MHz, 162.475 MHz, 162.500 MHz, 162.525 MHz, and 162.550 MHz. They continuously broadcast weather information, warnings, and hazard information. Unlike many of the random “emergency frequencies” found online, these frequencies have a very practical purpose.
Which one we will receive depends on where we are, since individual NOAA transmitters use different frequencies. If we frequently travel by car, camp, or spend time outdoors, it is a good idea to program all seven. They take up very little memory, and when the weather suddenly turns bad, they may prove to be far more useful than most of the channels found on popular online emergency-frequency lists.
If our radio is capable of receiving the aviation AM band, it is also worth programming 121.500 MHz. This is the international aviation emergency frequency, commonly known as 121.5 Guard. In an emergency, it can be used by aircraft and appropriate ground stations. One important thing to remember is that aviation uses AM here, rather than the typical NFM used by most handheld radios.
If the radio covers the appropriate frequency range, we can also add 243.000 MHz, the military aviation emergency frequency. It is essentially the military counterpart to 121.500 MHz and also uses AM.
And that is really enough. I don't see much point in filling the radio's memory with dozens of supposedly “national emergency frequencies,” some of which come from the days of analog federal communications and have long since lost their original purpose. In an emergency, having a few well-chosen channels that we know and understand is much more valuable than having a huge list of frequencies we have never actually checked.
I have a simple rule: the radio should be prepared before we need it. In an emergency, we may not have internet access, our phone may have no cellular coverage, a local repeater may be offline, and the situation around us may be completely different from normal. At that point, it is good to have several frequencies programmed that we know and understand.
And one more important thing: programming a frequency does not automatically give us the right to transmit on it. When it comes to public-safety, aviation, or marine frequencies, we must follow the regulations applicable to that particular service. For amateur radio operators, the most important frequencies remain those within the bands and services where we are authorized to operate. The other channels can be programmed primarily so that we can monitor what is happening around us and know where to look for information when we need it.