Many, if not most, ham radio walkie-talkies, such as the popular Baofeng UV5 series, will receive any of the VHF/UHF frequencies listed above. However, they won’t transmit on those frequencies. The exception is 146.520 MHz, the 2 meter calling frequency which will work straight out of the box. Transmitting on non-ham frequencies requires the radio to be modified for extended range or “opened up.” Each radio is modified differently. Some must have the internal components modified, which can be daunting. Others can be modified via software.
Whether modified or not, “inputting” a frequency on ham radios is less than intuitive. Understanding how the frequencies propagate (transmit from one location to another), even less so. Unfortunately, many people think that using one of these radios is as easy as using the Disney walkie-talkies we had as kids. It’s not.
Many people dismiss the idea of getting a ham radio license by saying, “Nobody’s going to care if I have the license when the SHTF.” True enough. But that’s like saying, “Look at this great AR-15 and M&P 9MM I just bought. I don’t need to waste time at the range or ever shoot them. I’ll just load them and put them in the corner until someone attacks.
That’s planning to fail. The person that thinks they can just pull out a ham radio, tune to a channel, and get help in an emergency is going to be sorely disappointed and probably expire quickly in a worst-case scenario. It takes practice to transmit effectively, even in the best conditions. Add the distress of operating when injured or under duress and failure is not only an option, it’s imminent. Practicing with a radio requires a license. Learning how to properly use it requires a license.
The advantage of using high frequencies in an emergency increases the chance of survival exponentially. We haven’t even addressed how we can use a light-weight 10 watt high frequency radio to contact that commercial airliner flying overhead at 35,000 feet. Heck, with the right amount of practice we can contact the International Space Station or use our walkie-talkie to relay through a ham radio satellite. But the skill set required increases exponentially, as well.
Simply put, get your ham radio license. It’s not that hard. If I can do it, anyone can. Yes, I sell a study course for ham radio Technician class license. Yes, I’m shamefully plugging it here. But you don’t have to take my course to pass the exam. If you can’t pony up the funds for my course, or you can’t stand the sound of my voice for a few hours, no judgement. Use one of the free study guides I review in this blog post.
Just do it. Your chances of survival, and the chance for your loved ones or even a stranger, increase exponentially.
So, what’s the shortcut to call for help on a radio? Tune the radio to one of the frequencies listed above. You can spin the dial or punch in the numbers. Then push the button (usually marked PTT) on the side of the walkie-talkie or microphone and say “MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY” or “EMERGENCY EMERGENCY EMERGENCY.” Then release the PTT button and listen. You might need to repeat the call several times. If no one answers after 3 or 4 attempts, try a different frequency.
Which frequencies would I try first? Probably 121.500 MHz (Aviation Distress) or 156.800 MHz (Coast Guard Marine Distress). Of course, that’s assuming I’m in the middle of nowhere and I have no idea what local frequencies to use.
Keep trying until someone replies. And once they do, they’ll take over. They’ll let you know what to say and what to do.
