• HAM Band Plan

What is the HAM Band Plan?

Each CERT Area is assigned a set of unique HAM radio frequencies for use in that area. The collected set of unique frequencies and the radio memory channels in which they are stored is called the WC CERT HAM Band Plan.

• • Channels 16-99 are STANDARDIZED and must not be changed.

  • Channels 16-19 are City-Wide frequencies (the CERT Repeater, Simplex Backup, CERO, and CERO crossband repeater)

  • Buena Vista "owns" channels 20-29, Civic Park 30-37, Heather Farm 40-47, Lar Rieu 50-57, Northgate 60-67, Rossmoor 70-77, Sugarloaf 80-87, Tice Valley 90-97.

  • The name of channel 99 is the version of the Band Plan loaded in your radio.  If you don't have the latest version, ask your COMMS Unit Leader for help!

  • All other channels (1-15 and 100 and above) are for personal programming use.

Why do we need it?

It is important to download the Band Plan to every CERT HT and mobile rig in Walnut Creek.

• • Programming in the field under adverse conditions is trying and error prone.  Selecting a channel to use is straightforward.

  • Each local CERT Area has its own assigned channels and frequencies to use as needed.  (remember: you can't own an FCC frequency, but CERT areas agree not to use the frequencies assigned to other areas.  If an outsider wishes to use an "assigned" frequency, they can.  However, politely ask them to change to one of your unused, but "reserved" frequencies.)

  • It promotes mutual assistance among the CERT Areas.  If you are sent to help in some other CERT Area, you just select the appropriate memory channels as they are already programmed in your radio.

How is it put into my radio?

Your COMMS Unit Leader can help you.

• • Each CERT Area Comms Unit Leader needs to schedule a date for all HAMS in that Area to meet so that we can mass program the radios in your area.  Please email gmontanteweb@gmail.com or call Gary Montante at 925-788-5012 to schedule a programming party.

  • I have the software and cables to download the Band Plan to the radios (i.e.,most WC CERT radios) shown in the "Google Folder" specified in the Current HAM Band Plan table above.

  • ( current list of radios we can program: WCCERT Ham RTSystems Software & Cables  )

Can I install it myself?

Yes, but you need the proper programming software and cable.  Use the links below to retrieve a file, load the file into the programming software, then send(download) to the radio. For each radio type, there is one file - an .FT60, .UVD, .IMG, or .VX8 file which contains the Band Plan and other radio settings for that radio.  Also, there is a CSV file (spreadsheet) which contains just the Band Plan with the Yaesu column headings that you can customize if your radio doesn't appear in the directory tree listing in Current HAM Band Plan table above.

What about the channels I've already programmed?

The major consideration is that channels 16-99 are STANDARDIZED across the city.  You can customize anything else.  It is easiest if you use a spreadsheet - download the CSV below.  Export your current programmed memories to a separate CSV.  Open both CSVs and merge them.  Download to your radio.  See the "Other radios" section below.