Radio Programming: What do I put in there?

Amatuer Radio is a great hobby that allows use of many bands (or sections of radio spectrum) for nar and far communications.

For radio programming, I recommend three separate parts to your basic progamming, with a couple of extra options for special use.

1. All of the ‘standard simplex frequencies’; GMRS, MURS, Marine Band, Calling frequencies,
2. All of your local and extended area repeaters, and,
3. Your special channels or frequencies for your own use, such as your personal cross band frequencies, your favorite simplex frequencies, and other such things.

I find it very helpful to keep the same Master Frequency Plan across all of my radios, and add special stuff based on the radio.
I.E.:

For HF radios it’s helpful to add your upper or lower band limits, then scan up or down from that frequency.
You might also find it helpful to add beacon frequencies for the band(s) you like to play on the most.
I also like to add other frequencies that I might like to listen in on, such as CB channel 19 (27.185 MHz AM).

Lastly, it can be helpful to program in your local Public Service (If your radio supports those protocols and bands) and Weather alert frequencies (NOAA Weather Frequencies).

You’ll find some helpful tools in my Digital Toolbox for this task, too.

So, what about Amateur Radio is interesting to you?
Drop a comment below to let me know what brought you here, what you’re looking for, or what you’d like to read more about!