New SAR Radio Frequencies and Use Policy
Authorization for Use
The NMESC Board has modified the previously published operating guidelines for the use of the New Mexico Emergency Services Council FCC license for the Primary SAR Frequency and is including the new Secondary SAR Frequencies as follows:
VHF UHF
155.160 MHz KC7064 State SAR 460.250 UHF No. 1
151.370 MHz KC7064 SAR No. 2 465.250 UHF No. 2
159.285 MHz KC7064 SAR No. 3
Authorization is given for all current NMESC member teams to operate under our licenses while participating in NM SAR (State Mission Number Issued) activities and trainings as specified below. The UHF frequencies were obtained for possible repeater use. It should be noted that these are not the same UHF frequencies allotted to the Amateur Radio Band. During a SAR mission, the Incident Commander can determine whether the use of one of these UHF frequencies is appropriate, such as for a “cross band repeater” function. For a copy of the FCC license so that you may have team radios programmed for these frequencies contact the New Mexico Emergency Services Council at P. O. Box 3396, Albuquerque, NM 87190. All use will be in compliance with FCC Regulations.
General Operational Procedures
All traffic on the NMESC frequencies will be carried out using plain English text only. Please refrain from using your codes (10 codes or others) on the SAR frequencies. The only acceptable deviation from this rule is the condition or “death” message assigned when the mission is started.
NMESC shares these frequencies with other FCC licensed entities including the State of New Mexico. No entity “owns” a frequency. Each can make their own use policy as long as it conforms to FCC licensing laws. NMESC policy is to grant current member teams the use of the frequencies. Continued use of this license by SAR teams requires meeting NMESC annual membership requirements.
Any Team that allows membership to lapse or that does abide by these guidelines and the rules of the FCC may have these privileges revoked, and they will be responsible for any FCC fines or penalties incurred. The TEAM is responsible for Team Members’ actions. No use of these frequencies other than during a SAR Mission or a SAR Training is permitted. Maximum Power allowed under the NMESC license is 100 watts.
Search and Rescue Missions
155.160 MHz, Primary SAR Frequency: This Primary SAR Frequency is to be used by teams in the field for communication with the Incident Base and other teams in the field. It is NOT FOR INTRA TEAM (within your own team) communication while on a SAR mission. Teams are expected to use a Secondary Frequency or their own FCC licensed team frequency for intra team communications 151.370 and159.285 MHz Secondary SAR Frequencies: The Incident Commander or his designee will assign the use of these Secondary SAR Frequencies as appropriate for the particular mission and circumstances.
Operational Frequency Control: Use of the NMESC frequencies will be the responsibility of the Incident Commander(s) or the assigned designee(s) during the mission. The Incident Commander(s) will assign staff for communication logging and monitoring services under the Logistics unit during each operational period.
Team Training Activities
151.370 MHz or 159.285 MHz for Training Activities: Authorization is given for all CURRENT NMESC member teams to operate under our licenses while conducting Team Training Activities. However, Teams are encouraged to use their own Team Frequency or the Secondary SAR Frequencies, 151.370 MHz or 159.285 MHz for training purposes rather than the Primary SAR Frequency, 155.160 MHz.
If a non-NMESC member team is participating in training with a NMESC member team, the use of this license is granted, however the NMESC Member Team has operational control and is responsible for policy and regulatory compliance, monitoring the frequency and legal operation by the non-member team.
The NMESC encourages teams on training exercises to also utilize other operational frequencies (team, ham, etc.). Use during Training Activities is predicated on non-interference with any actual SAR missions in progress.
Use by Other Agencies
The NMESC has a formal policy for extending the use of our Primary SAR Frequency to assisting agencies and resources. Contact the NMESC Board for additional information.
Also, since the State of New Mexico, Department of Public Safety (New Mexico State Police) also has a license for the SAR Frequency of 155.160MHz, they may grant use privileges to other agencies.