Wednesday, February 10, 2021

A New 2-Meter "OTA" Frequency?

 Many hams activating mountain peaks for the Summits on the Air (SOTA) program and similar "OTA" efforts bring along a 2-meter FM rig for simplex contacts as well as HF gear for working greater distances. The ARRL Letter is reporting that Bob Witte, K0NR, author of the book, VHF, Summits and More, is proposing that 146.58 MHz be designated as the "North American Adventure Frequency" on 2-meter FM. 

This, he says, would avoid possible congestion on 146.52 MHz, the national simplex calling frequency, and the need to change frequencies after establishing contact, which is the common practice for users of .52. The Letter did not indicate whether the ARRL planned to consider the proposal for inclusion in its voluntary 2-meter band plan.