Emergency Frequencies

The following emergency communications channels are recognized:

  1. Channel 9 on CB is routinely monitored by emergency services and non-governmental organizations.
  2. Channel 20 on FRS and GMRS radio. (For geeks, that’s repeater out 462.675 MHz, repeater in 467.675 MHz, and 141.3 Hz squelch.)
  3. Channel 16 (156.8 MHz) on VHF radio.
  4. 2182 kHz on HF radio.

Some pieces of equipment have special distress functionality, primarily marine equipment. For example:

  1. DSC-equipped marine radios have a distress button. Upon activation they transmit a digital distress signal overVHFchannel 70 orHFbands.
  2. Inmarsat’s Inmarsat-C satellite Internet device also features a distress button.