Ham Radio Frequencies for Emergencies

Key ham radio frequencies for emergencies: 146.520 and 446.000 MHz calling channels, 52.525 MHz, HF emergency nets, band privileges and repeater offsets.

Amateur (ham) radio is the only personal radio service that can reach across a region or a continent without any infrastructure. Local nets and repeaters on 2 meters and 70 centimeters carry neighborhood and county traffic; HF bands such as 40 and 20 meters carry messages hundreds or thousands of miles.

Monitoring needs no license, and a scanner or handheld can listen to all of the frequencies below. Transmitting requires an FCC amateur license.

Calling frequencies and emergency nets

Band	Frequency (MHz)	Mode	Use
2 m	146.520	FM simplex	National simplex calling frequency
70 cm	446.000	FM simplex	National simplex calling frequency
6 m	52.525	FM simplex	National simplex calling frequency
1.25 m	223.500	FM simplex	National simplex calling frequency
10 m	29.600	FM simplex	FM calling frequency
20 m	14.300	USB	Maritime Mobile Service Net and Intercontinental Assistance & Traffic Net (emergency and priority traffic)
20 m	14.325	USB	Hurricane Watch Net (activated for hurricanes)
40 m	7.268	LSB	Hurricane Watch Net when 20 m conditions close

US amateur bands and license privileges (summary)

Band	Range (MHz)	Technician	General
80 m	3.500–4.000	CW only, 3.525–3.600	CW/data 3.525–3.600, phone 3.800–4.000
40 m	7.000–7.300	CW only, 7.025–7.125	CW/data 7.025–7.125, phone 7.175–7.300
20 m	14.000–14.350	None	CW/data 14.025–14.150, phone 14.225–14.350
15 m	21.000–21.450	CW only, 21.025–21.200	CW/data 21.025–21.200, phone 21.275–21.450
10 m	28.000–29.700	CW/data 28.000–28.300, SSB phone 28.300–28.500	Full band
6 m	50.000–54.000	Full band	Full band
2 m	144.000–148.000	Full band	Full band
1.25 m	222.000–225.000	Full band	Full band
70 cm	420.000–450.000	Full band	Full band

Standard repeater offsets

Band	Offset
2 m	±600 kHz
1.25 m	−1.6 MHz
70 cm	±5 MHz
6 m	Varies by region (commonly −500 kHz or −1 MHz)

Licensing and rules

Transmitting on amateur frequencies requires an FCC license. The entry-level Technician license needs a 35-question multiple-choice exam (no Morse code); General and Amateur Extra add HF privileges.
The FCC application fee is $35 and a license is valid for 10 years. Exams are given by volunteer examiner teams, in person and online.
In a genuine emergency, FCC rules (47 CFR 97.403 and 97.405) allow amateur stations to use any means necessary when life or property is in immediate danger and normal communication is unavailable. That is not permission for routine unlicensed use.

Practical tips

Program your local repeaters and the ARES/RACES net frequencies for your county; they matter more than national frequencies in a local disaster.
Listen first. Check into a weekly local net to learn procedure before an emergency.
Simplex 146.520 MHz is the fallback when repeaters are down; agree on it with your group.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ham radio emergency frequency?

There is no single one. The national simplex calling frequencies are 146.520 MHz (2 m) and 446.000 MHz (70 cm); local ARES/RACES nets and repeaters carry most disaster traffic, and 14.300 MHz is a long-distance HF net for emergency and priority traffic.

Can I listen to ham radio without a license?

Yes. Anyone may listen with a receiver or scanner. A license is required only to transmit.

Which ham license do I need for emergency communication?

A Technician license covers local VHF/UHF radio, repeaters and nets, which is what most community emergency groups use. A General license adds most HF bands for long-distance contact.