Dave Wilkie, K6EV – Revised May 9, 2020
The data included here is not exhaustive and represents an introduction only. Nor is it intended as a club channel plan. It introduces Analog FM repeaters that seem family-friendly and cover the area of highest concentration of GOTAhams members. (Roughly Glendora to Ontario, Mount Baldy south to Chino and Corona). Using these, it introduces the local band-plans. You will add other repeaters to suit your needs. Great resources to identify open repeaters in other areas are: a) free-to-use REPEATERBOOK (www.repeaterbook.com on the web and also found at the app stores for Android and iPhone), and, b) RFINDER, a subscription based ARRL-endorsed tool (www.rfinder.net on the web and also at Android/iPhone app stores). Our examples don’t include repeaters with emphasizing particular digital formats. And we focus on the 144, 220 and 440 MHz bands as these are the most active. The same principles apply to other UHF bands such as 902MHz and 1.2GHz.
Repeater information and ownership changes. You should consult the repeater owner or trustee with any questions and abide by their requests. The examples focus on fully open repeaters, those not requiring any memberships or dues. Repeaters are expensive to maintain and we are sure that many repeater owner/operators will appreciate any donations, particularly if you use a repeater substantially. Note that some repeaters carry requests by the owner that QSO’s be limited to short contacts. Some may be considered ‘calling repeaters’ and the owners suggest that longer conversations transition to another simplex or repeater frequency once contact is established. Also, with repeater ‘Systems’ such as the WINSYSTEM, your conversation may be carried over many dozens of repeaters in many states and even foreign countries. In those cases, it is almost always advisable to limit your conversations to 15 minutes or so (or less if so advised) to allow other use of the system. Not all repeaters are ‘up’ at all times and those not on hilltops tend to be limited in range.
Many repeaters are private or part of private systems which require membership and dues. They may not be listed in REPEATEREBOOK or RFINDER. Some of these repeaters and systems are extensive in size. Some, such as the PAPA system (www.papasys.com), CLARA (145220.com), or K6PIN(www.K6PIN.net) and others are visitor friendly (or offer free trial periods) and publish PL tones and related information on their websites. These private repeaters are not included here, but are interesting and may extend your coverage and operations.
One point of confusion for many hams has to do with ‘band plans’ or frequency assignments in the VHF and UHF bands — particularly for simplex frequencies. Addressing this for GOTAhams is a key goal here. While the ARRL publishes recommended band plans for each of the bands, the fine print notes that local area Frequency Coordination councils have the final say. In some areas (and Southern California is one) the band plan for the area will be substantially different than ARRL’s. ARRL advises you to abide by the local band plan. Southern California has three coordinators handling specific bands of interest. These are:
- TASMA: www.tasma.org 144-148MHz
- SCRRBA: www.scrrba.org 29 MHz, 51MHz, 420-450MHz, 902MHz, 1240MHz
- 220SMA: www.220sma.org 219-225 MHz
Refer to the band plans at these websites for the latest information. Their guidance overrides any recommendations herein. These coordinators allocate repeater and other frequencies in the southern California region. When you travel to other areas or states you will need to identify the coordinator for that area and use appropriate simplex frequencies (and local repeaters) for that area. There is some confusion at the national level “coordinating the coordinators”. The ARRL and FCC have not yet stepped in, but this informal list of coordinators may be helpful to you: www.w2xq.com/bm-ar-repeaters.html Thanks to W2XQ!
EXAMPLES OF OPEN REPEATERS LOCAL TO GOTAhams CORE AREA
2 Meter Band Repeaters
| # | Callsign | RX Freq. | TX offset KHz | PL | Approx. Location | Comment |
| 1 | N6AH | 145.200 | -600 | 103.5 | Arcadia | Arcadia City Empl. RC. Hamwatch,/Arcad. PD. |
| 2 | N6USO | 145.440 | -600 | 136.5 | Sunset Ridge | Linked to (2) K6TEM 70cm repeaters |
| 3 | WB6RSK | 146.025 | +600 | 103.5 | Pomona | Pomona Valley Am. Rad. Council |
| 4 | KA6AMR | 146.085 | +600 | 110.9 | Duarte | Guests OK, Email KA1WCC. Model Planes |
| 5 | KE6TZG | 146.385 | +600 | 146.2 | Keller Peak | Keller Peak Rptr. Assoc. Wide Coverage |
| 6 | KD6DDM | 146.610 | -600 | 103.5 | Corona | Sierra Peak |
| 7 | W7BF | 146.640 | -600 | 167.9 | Diamond Bar | Diam. Bar Am. Rad. Society |
| 8 | W6FNO | 146.820 | -600 | None | San Dimas | Hwy. Emerg. Calling Rptr., 30 sec timeout |
| 9 | NO6B | 147.030 | +600 | 100.0 | Diamond Bar | So. Cal. FM Society |
| 10 | W6PWT | 147.060 | +600 | 162.2 | Corona/Norco | Corona Norco ARC |
| 11 | K6JSI | 147.210 | +600 | 100.0 | Sunset Ridge | WINSYSTEM – multistate repeater system |
| 12 | WB6QHB | 147.300 | +600 | 123.0 | Upland | Montcl.,Upland, Rcho.Cuc. ACS/ARES. Local Area |
| 13 | K6RIA | 147.645 | -600 | 127.3 | Rialto | Rialto Amateur Radio Club |
| 14 | W6QFK | 147.765 | -600 | 131.8 | Sierra Madre | San Gabriel Vly. Rad. Club, Santa Anita Ridge |
Repeaters in the spectrum between 144.500 to 145.500 MHZ utilize a “low in-high out” configuration, on nineteen even numbered frequency pairs. Frequency pairs begin with 144.52/145.12 MHZ and end with 144.88/145.48 MHZ. Spacing is 20 kHz between repeater systems, and 600 kHz between repeater input and output. In addition, there are two additional 15 kHz band-edge pairs at 145.105 input/144.505 output and 145.495 input/144.895 output.
Repeaters in the spectrum from 146 to 148 MHz follow an inverted 15KHz sub-band plan, yielding 53 repeater pairs.
In addition, there are several pairs assigned as odd-splits, portable pairs, testing pairs, etc. Refer to the TASMA website for full details.
1.25 Meter Band Repeaters
| # | Callsign | RX Freq. | TX offset MHz | PL | Approx. Location | Comment |
| 1 | W6NRY | 223.980 | -1.6 | 103.5 | Johnstone Pk. | Edgewood Am. Rad. Soc. Wide Area |
| 2 | K6JSI | 224.160 | -1.6 | 71.9 | Sunset Ridge | WINSYSTEM – multistate repeater system |
| 3 | WA6CGR | 224.280 | -1.6 | 107.2 | Arcadia | So. Cal. Exp. Am. Radio. Assn. / WA6CGR |
| 4 | AA6DP | 224.420 | -1.6 | 110.9 | Catalina Island | Catalina ARA – Wide Area 1602 feet ASL |
| 5 | WR6JPL | 224.700 | -1.6 | 114.8 | Diamond Bar | JPL Amateur Radio Club |
| 6 | K8BUW | 224.820 | -1.6 | 156.7 | Santiago Peak | condor-connection.org, Linked Sys. Short QSO’s. |
| 7 | WA1IRS | 224.900 | -1.6 | 103.5 | Sunset Ridge | Amateur Intl. Radio System |
70 Centimeter Band Repeaters
| # | Callsign | RX Freq. | TX offset MHz | PL | Approx. Location | Comment |
| 1 | NO6B | 445.080 | -5 | 103.5 | Diamond Bar | Wide Area |
| 2 | K6TEM | 445.480 | -5 | 131.8 | Arcadia | LA Cnty. Sheriff. Link: N6USO/2m & K6TEM/70cm |
| 3 | K6OPJ | 445.560 | -5 | 136.5 | Chino | |
| 4 | K6CPP | 445.580 | -5 | 156.7 | Pomona | Cal Poly Pomona |
| 5 | KD6DDM | 445.760 | -5 | 103.5 | Corona | Sierra Peak |
| 6 | KD6AFA | 445.920 | -5 | 186.2 | Sunset Ridge | |
| 7 | WA6FZH | 446.400 | -5 | 103.5 | Johnstone Pk. | |
| 8 | K6ONT | 447.200 | -5 | 114.8 | Rancho Cuc. | Ontario city Emergency Comms.//Tri Cities ACS |
| 9 | KA6GRF | 447.320 | -5 | 136.5 | Fontana | Fontana ECS – Open |
| 10 | K6JSI | 447.580 | -5 | 100.0 | Arcadia | WINSYSTEM – multistate repeater system |
| 11 | K6JSI | 448.060 | -5 | 100.0 | Santiago Peak | WINSYSTEM – multistate repeater system |
| 12 | K6OES | 448.340 | -5 | 114.8 | Johnstone Pk. | Calif. Emerg. Svcs. Rad. Assn. Wide Area |
| 13 | AE6TV | 449.160 | -5 | 77.0 | Sunset Ridge | GOTAhams net repeater |
| 14 | K6TEM | 449.880 | -5 | 146.2 | Sunset Ridge | LA Cnty. Sheriff. Link: N6USO/2m & K6TEM/70cm |
Other Suggestions and Reminders:
Always listen first, avoid stepping on another conversation. Make sure you are transmitting on the frequency you intend and are within your operating privileges. If your signal turns out to be weak and highly noisy, failing to hold the repeater then consider keeping repeater conversations short as others monitoring may not enjoy the layer of noise.
Use the term ‘Break’ only to interrupt for an emergency. Otherwise, use ‘Comment’ or ‘Question’. ALWAYS give way to emergency or priority traffic and always be courteous and helpful. If you hear a ‘Break’, give way immediately. For a Comment or Question, acknowledge the caller, perhaps finish your immediate thought and then give them a chance to join.
Remember the young hams out there as you choose topics and words.
When keying, wait a second or so before speaking to avoid having the first syllables of your statement being truncated. Wait a little longer for repeater ‘systems’ as it can take a bit longer for all of the repeaters in the system to key up.
Wait until after the courtesy tone to transmit to avoid timing-out the repeater. Timeout timers are often 2 minutes or less (sometimes 30 seconds on ‘calling repeaters’). Remember to ID every 10 minutes and at the conclusion of each communication per Part 97.
Do not respond to or comment upon intentional QRM in ANY way. Ignore it as the zero value it really represents. If you are unable to continue your communications, just go elsewhere or shut down after a closing ID. It won’t help to comment on the problem, it just gives the illegal operator satisfaction. Take that away from them – let them be bored. Do not engage in communications with unlicensed stations or stations that do not identify themselves.
SOME SUGGESTED SIMPLEX FREQUENCIES
Note: It is suggested that you avoid long QSO’s on the national calling frequencies. Make contact but move to another frequency for conversations longer than a few minutes. As always, LISTEN before transmitting as part of assuring that the frequency is not already in use. When choosing frequencies in non-channelized areas, remember to respect the band edges, mindful of the bandwidth of the emission mode you are using. Your entire signal needs to fit within the band – not just your center frequency.
2 Meter Simplex:
| Frequency MHz | Comments |
| 144.310-144.375 | Un-channelized Simplex, Multiple use. Avoid band edges. |
| 144.405-144.475 | Un-channelized Simplex, FM. Avoid band edges. |
| 144.490 | Uplink FM to Int’l Space Station. Avoid for other use. |
| 145.510 | FM Simplex channel |
| 145.525 | FM Simplex channel |
| 145.540 | FM Simplex channel |
| 145.555 | FM Simplex channel |
| 145.570 | FM Simplex channel |
| 145.585 | FM Simplex channel |
| 145.600 | FM Simplex channel |
| 145.615 | FM Simplex channel. Some D-Star |
| 145.630 | FM Simplex channel |
| 145.645 | FM Simplex channel |
| 145.660 | FM Simplex channel |
| 146.520 | National US FM Calling Frequency. Short QSO. |
| 146.535 | FM Simplex channel |
| 146.550 | FM Simplex channel |
| 146.565 | FM Simplex channel. T-hunt. Avoid if T-hunt in progress |
| 146.580 | FM Simplex channel |
| 146.595 | FM Simplex channel |
| 147.480 | FM Simplex channel |
| 147.510 | FM Simplex channel |
| 144.390 | APRS Data (digital packet) |
| 144.970 | Packet Radio (digital) |
| 145.030 | Packet Radio (digital) |
| 145.050 | Packet Radio (digital) |
| 145.070 | Packet Radio (digital) |
| 145.090 | Packet Radio (digital) |
| Typical So. Calif. simplex spacing: Voice: 15KHz Data 20KHz |
1.25 Meter Band Simplex
| Frequency MHz | Comments |
| 223.400 | FM Voice Simplex |
| 223.420 | FM Voice Simplex |
| 223.440 | FM Voice Simplex |
| 223.460 | FM Voice Simplex |
| 223.480 | FM Voice Simplex |
| 223.500 | FM Voice Simplex. National US FM Calling Frequency. Short QSO. |
| 223.520 | FM Voice Simplex |
| Southern California channel spacing: 20KHz |
70 Centimeter Band Simplex
| Frequency MHz | Comments |
| 441.500 | Simplex Digital/packet |
| 441.520 | Simplex Digital/packet |
| 446.000 | FM Simplex. No Digital. National Calling Frequency. Short QSO. |
| 446.500 | FM Simplex. No Digital |
| 446.520 | FM Simplex. No Digital |
| Southern California channel spacing: 20KHz |
SOME SUGGESTED HOTSPOT FREQUENCIES
The band plans are not specific as to the use of modern hotspot devices (such as the Zumspot, etc.). Use of these has expanded since band plans were last updated. Also, it is true that these devices have very low power transmitters and tiny antennas (perhaps 10mW or so). But remember that the handheld radio you may use to reach the hotspot, even on its low power range, probably transmits many times this power – perhaps a full watt – and uses a higher gain antenna. To avoid interference to other operations, pay attention to activity in your area. Be sure to use the lowest power setting available on your radio. And seriously consider using a very low gain ‘stubby ducky’ antenna an inch or two long or so to minimize radiation from your radio. You only need to make it to the hotspot. This may minimize interference to other hams attempting to use the same frequencies.
These frequencies were found by locating reports from various hams about communications they had with SCRRBA and others, and only for southern California. If in doubt, reach out to SCRRBA yourself. As most hotspots focus on 70cm frequencies, these are the only ones considered here. We did not attempt to identify or suggest hotspot frequencies for 144 or 220 MHz as these seem less used.
The frequencies in bold text are stronger recommendations.
| Frequency | Comment |
| 431.0125 | low power, a bit close to 431MHz sub band segment edge |
| 431.0250 | low power, better guard band from sub 431MHz activity |
| 431.0375 | low power, better guard band from sub 431MHz activity |
| 431.0375 – 431.5875 | 12.5 KHz increments, but only if 3 channels above already in use |
| 438.9500 | low power. Close to sub band edge |
| 438.9750 | low power, nice pad from sub-band edge |
| 439.0000 | low power, nice pad from sub-band edge |
| 439.0250 | low power, nice pad from sub-band edge |
| 439.0500 | low power, close to sub band edge |
TASMA BAND PLAN EXCERPT – 2 METERS
144.000 – 144.100 CW only (Part 97.61a)
144.100 – 144.275 AM, SSB & other weak signal/narrow bandwidth modes
144.275 – 144.300 CW Propagation Beacons
144.310 – 144.375 FM simplex (un-channelized)
144.390 – Digital (packet) — (APRS)
144.405 – 144.490 FM simplex (un-channelized)
144.505 – Repeater output (paired with 145.105 input)
144.520 – 144.880 Repeater inputs: 20 kHz spacing
144.895 – Repeater output (paired with 145.495 input)
144.910 – Cross-band repeater input/output (not coordinated, CTCSS use mandatory)
144.930 – Portable repeater output, shared (paired with 147.585 input)
144.950 – Repeater output (paired with 147.405 input)
144.970 – Digital (packet)
144.985 – 145.015 Digital voice repeater inputs (i.e. D-Star): 10 kHz spacing
145.030 – 145.090 Digital (packet): 20 kHz spacing
145.105 – Repeater input (paired with 144.505 output)
145.120 – 145.480 Repeater outputs: 20 kHz spacing
145.495 – Repeater input (paired with 144.895 output)
145.510 – 145.660 FM simplex: 15 kHz spacing
145.675 – 145.785 Fixed simplex auxiliary stations (internet links, remote base, etc.: 15 kHz spacing)
145.800 – 146.000 OSCAR satellite use
146.010 – 146.385 Repeater input/output (15 kHz inverted tertiary sub-band plan; see text)
146.400 – Repeater input (paired with 147.435 output)
146.415 – Repeater input (paired with 147.450 output)
146.430 – ATV FM simplex
146.460 – Fixed simplex auxiliary station (internet links, remote base, etc.)
146.475 – Repeater input (paired with 147.420 output)
146.490 – Repeater input (paired with 147.495 output)
146.505 – Repeater input (paired with 147.465 output)
146.520 – National FM simplex
146.535 – 146.595 FM simplex: 15 kHz spacing
146.610 – 147.390 Repeater input/output (15 kHz inverted tertiary sub-band plan; see text)
147.405 – Repeater input (paired with 144.950 output)
147.420 – Repeater output (paired with 146.475 input)
147.435 – Repeater output (paired with 146.400 input)
147.450 – Repeater output (paired with 146.415 input)
147.465 – Repeater output (paired with 146.505 input)
147.480 – FM simplex
147.495 – Repeater output (paired with 146.490 input)
147.510 – FM simplex
147.525 – Cross-band repeater input/output (not coordinated, CTCSS use mandatory)
147.540 – 147.570 Digital voice repeater outputs (i.e. D-Star): 10 kHz spacing
147.585 – Portable repeater input, shared (paired with 144.930 output)
147.600 – 147.990 Repeater input/output (15 kHz inverted tertiary sub-band plan; see text)
See www.tasma.org for complete details.
220SMA BAND PLAN EXCERPT – 220 MHz
CHANNEL SPACING IS 20 kHz UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE.
FREQ. USAGE
219.000 – 220.000 POINT TO POINT DIGITAL LINKS (100 kHz CHANNELS)
222.000 – 222.110 WEAK SIGNAL, CW, & SSB (NO CHANNEL PLAN)
222.000 – 222.025 EME
222.050 – 222.060 PROPAGATION BEACONS
222.100 NATIONAL SSB CALLING FREQUENCY
222.120 – 222.140 FM VOICE SIMPLEX (NO AUTOMATED BASE STATIONS)
222.160 – 223.380 REPEATER INPUTS
223.400 – 223.520 FM VOICE SIMPLEX
223.500 NATIONAL FM CALLING FREQUENCY
223.540 – 223.600 DIGITAL CHANNELS
223.540 INTER – AREA LINKING / SIMPLEX DX CLUSTER LINKING
223.560 SIMPLEX LAN / GENERAL USE / BBS USER PORT
223.580 INTER – AREA LINKING / SIMPLEX METRONET
223.600 GENERAL USE / KEYBOARD TO KEYBOARD
223.620 LOW-LEVEL, LOW-POWER (<5W) AUTOMATED SIMPLEX STATIONS (IRLP, ELINK, AUTOPATCH)
223.635 LOW-LEVEL, LOW-POWER (<5W) AUTOMATED SIMPLEX STATIONS (IRLP, ELINK, AUTOPATCH)
223.650 LOW-LEVEL, LOW-POWER (<5W) AUTOMATED SIMPLEX STATIONS (IRLP, ELINK, AUTOPATCH)
223.665 LOW-LEVEL, LOW-POWER (<5W) AUTOMATED SIMPLEX STATIONS (IRLP, ELINK, AUTOPATCH)
223.680 COORDINATED AUX LINKS / CONTROL CHANNELS
223.695 COORDINATED AUX LINKS / CONTROL CHANNELS
223.710 COORDINATED AUX LINKS / CONTROL CHANNELS
223.725 COORDINATED AUX LINKS / CONTROL CHANNELS
223.740 COORDINATED AUX LINKS / CONTROL CHANNELS
223.760 – 224.980 REPEATER OUTPUTS
See www.220SMA.org for complete details.
SCRRBA BAND PLAN EXCERPT – 420-440 MHz (See full PDF file)
SCRRBA BAND PLAN EXCERPT – 440-450 MHz (See full PDF file)
See www.scrrba.org for complete details.
Page DATA Contributors: Chris Argueta KM6S and Dave Wilkie K6EV
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