The Utah VHF Society provides Frequency Coordination within the state of Utah and is also a member of the National Frequency Coordination Committee (NFCC) - an organization that provides a framework of standards and practices referenced by local frequency coordination entities. The frequency coordinator in Utah is an elected position, chosen at the meeting associated with the VHF Society Swap meet.
The purpose of a frequency coordination body is to facilitate reasonable usage of the VHF, UHF, and microwave-band amateur frequencies. The frequency coordinator acts as a clearinghouse for information pertaining to repeaters (their frequencies and locations) as well as radio links, interference issues, and other technical information.
It is the strong recommendation of the FCC (refer for part 97.201 for an example,) the ARRL, and many other organizations, that amateurs follow the recommendations of the frequency coordinators in their areas. Doing so allows for better utilization of our valuable spectrum, prevents problems before they arise, and provides a vehicle for the resolution of disputes and other problems should they arise. Recently, the FCC reaffirmed the importance of frequency coordination on our increasingly congested frequencies: Read about the FCC's statements - and several follow-ups - here.
If you wish to put up something like a
repeater, an autopatch, or do some other sort of operation on
our VHF, UHF, or Microwave bands that is "out of the ordinary"
(i.e. not the usual repeater ragchew or simplex operation) then
it is strongly suggested that you contact the
frequency coordinator. The frequency you choose may
already be in use as a link, a repeater input, or something else
and unconsidered operation on that frequency could adversely
impact operations in your area, or an adjacent area into which
your signals may overlap.
Please note: The
online repeater directory does not include link,
control, auxiliary, as well as other frequencies that are not
in the public database. If you are considering
using a frequency, please contact the frequency coordinator
prior to commencing operation. Just because a frequency
does not appear to be used in your area, that
doesn't mean that operation on that frequency in your area will
not cause interference!
For further reference, please refer
to the following pages:
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Radio signals do not
respect state boundaries. Therefore, if you are
putting together a system that has coverage in an
adjacent state(s), or if you are in an
adjacent state and your system is going to cover at
least a portion of Utah then the coordinators in the
relevant areas of Wyoming, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, New
Mexico and/or Colorado need to be notified. When someone
requests coordination of a Utah repeater
that has the potential of causing interference with a
repeater in a bordering state, the Frequency
Coordinator will always check with the
coordinator(s) in the state(s) that may be
affected: The person doing the
coordination need not contact them as well
- in fact, keeping a "single point of contact" may
eliminate some confusion and possible coordination
delays If you are unsure as
to whether you need to "coordinate" with other
coordinators, contact your local frequency coordinator
for advice! |
- Frequency coordination policies - This document defines the Utah VHF Society coordination policies.
- And there is the So, you want to put up a repeater? page. This spells out the process of getting a repeater coordinated in more detail.
- Frequency Coordination FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) - Do you wonder about some aspect of repeater coordination and/or operation? The answer may be here. If not, email the frequency coordinator.
- Go to the Utah Bandplan page to find out what modes are operated where on the VHF/UHF bands. Please read the notes on this page concerning Utah's implementation of the bandplan.
- A list of simplex frequencies and how they are often used may be found online here. Please read the notice at the top of this page concerning the use of simplex frequencies.
- The Online Utah Repeater Directory shows what repeaters are currently on the air, those that are temporarily off the air, and those that are being planned.
- The 2 Meter Repeater Pair Utilization along the Wasatch Front and the 70 Centimeter Repeater Pair Utilization along the Wasatch Front pages have details relating to how each and every available 2 meter and 70 cm repeater pair is used, as well as providing information on possible future frequency use and re-use.
- You may find the Repeater signal strength/sensitivity analysis page to be of interest. It shows the relative signal strength and sensitivity of a few select repeaters on the Wasatch Front.
Questions, updates, or comments pertaining to this web page may be directed to: uvhfs@utahvfs.org
Return to the Utah VHF Society home page.