FM Simplex - 2M/70cm
Simplex – In the amateur radio context, simplex operation means the radio stations are communicating with each other directly, on the same frequency. Both stations take turns transmitting and receiving on the same frequency with no repeater or other device in between. Antenna to antenna.
A very important aspect of Amateur Radio is Emergency Communications. While we jokingly say that "REAL HAMS DON'T NEED NO STINKING REPEATER, the truth is that we as Amateurs should be able to communicate without using a repeater. In a natural or man made disaster repeaters cannot be counted on, will you be able to communicate in the event the repeaters fail? The simple answer is sadly NO, most 2 meter and up FM Stations are designed to work from fixed station or mobil station through a repeater and having the repeater do all the heavy lifting in making the contact happen.
Some Amateurs will simply dismiss this concern from an aspect they are not involved in Emergency Communications, others will say they have no interest in talking to anyone beyond the local repeater group.
The first dismissal is pure and simple bad logic, no one knows when they find themselves involved in an emergency situation, it can happen at any time and any place. The second dismissal has rational logic, but is again dismissed by the same rational as the first.
Know this next argument is more in line with personal taste, and I will be the first to admit and support that there are as many individual interest within the Amateur Community as there are individual ham radio operators.
But let's focus for a moment on the other side of the Simplex verses Repeater coin.
At the end of the day for many Amateurs we are about several things, Experimentation, pushing the limits of our stations and our capabilities and chasing DX in one form or another.
A lot of people find it fun and interesting to get on a linked local repeater and talk to a station 150 to 300 miles or more away and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, but imagine the absolute thrill when you get on say 146.520 Simplex with just the power of your radio, the quality of your antenna and you make a similar contact? Most of us find our heart racing, and the thrill of the contact just has us wanting to tell someone about it.
Far to often I hear people say, you can't talk more than 5 to 15 miles on 2 meters with out a repeater, and I have to sadly admit for many amateurs that is a true statement, but I am telling you that it is easy to build a quality station that can work 24/7 60 to 80 miles antenna to antenna on 2 meters, and with morning enhancement or 100 to 150 miles is not uncommon and with tropo or e-skip 500 to 1000 miles is not out of the question.
Local communications do not require repeaters either, many HAMsters operate on 2 meters Simplex and we are communicating with each other as we drive around the San Antonio area, working mobil to fixed station, mobil to mobil and fixed station to fixed station…..We do so with very little issue.
YOU CAN DO IT TOO and believe it or not, it can be much more exciting.
Join us on this page as we develop building a Simplex Station and working to get more people looking to fun options beyond repeaters.
As a fast note, many of us are doing FM Simplex operating not only on 2 meters and 70cm, but 1.25m, 33cm and even a handful playing on 23cm simplex.
Simplex – In the amateur radio context, simplex operation means the radio stations are communicating with each other directly, on the same frequency. Both stations take turns transmitting and receiving on the same frequency with no repeater or other device in between. Antenna to antenna.
A very important aspect of Amateur Radio is Emergency Communications. While we jokingly say that "REAL HAMS DON'T NEED NO STINKING REPEATER, the truth is that we as Amateurs should be able to communicate without using a repeater. In a natural or man made disaster repeaters cannot be counted on, will you be able to communicate in the event the repeaters fail? The simple answer is sadly NO, most 2 meter and up FM Stations are designed to work from fixed station or mobil station through a repeater and having the repeater do all the heavy lifting in making the contact happen.
Some Amateurs will simply dismiss this concern from an aspect they are not involved in Emergency Communications, others will say they have no interest in talking to anyone beyond the local repeater group.
The first dismissal is pure and simple bad logic, no one knows when they find themselves involved in an emergency situation, it can happen at any time and any place. The second dismissal has rational logic, but is again dismissed by the same rational as the first.
Know this next argument is more in line with personal taste, and I will be the first to admit and support that there are as many individual interest within the Amateur Community as there are individual ham radio operators.
But let's focus for a moment on the other side of the Simplex verses Repeater coin.
At the end of the day for many Amateurs we are about several things, Experimentation, pushing the limits of our stations and our capabilities and chasing DX in one form or another.
A lot of people find it fun and interesting to get on a linked local repeater and talk to a station 150 to 300 miles or more away and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, but imagine the absolute thrill when you get on say 146.520 Simplex with just the power of your radio, the quality of your antenna and you make a similar contact? Most of us find our heart racing, and the thrill of the contact just has us wanting to tell someone about it.
Far to often I hear people say, you can't talk more than 5 to 15 miles on 2 meters with out a repeater, and I have to sadly admit for many amateurs that is a true statement, but I am telling you that it is easy to build a quality station that can work 24/7 60 to 80 miles antenna to antenna on 2 meters, and with morning enhancement or 100 to 150 miles is not uncommon and with tropo or e-skip 500 to 1000 miles is not out of the question.
Local communications do not require repeaters either, many HAMsters operate on 2 meters Simplex and we are communicating with each other as we drive around the San Antonio area, working mobil to fixed station, mobil to mobil and fixed station to fixed station…..We do so with very little issue.
YOU CAN DO IT TOO and believe it or not, it can be much more exciting.
Join us on this page as we develop building a Simplex Station and working to get more people looking to fun options beyond repeaters.
As a fast note, many of us are doing FM Simplex operating not only on 2 meters and 70cm, but 1.25m, 33cm and even a handful playing on 23cm simplex.
Nets & HAMster FM Frequencies
Nets:Girl Talk:
Thursday @ 6:pm - 147.120 pl 82.6
Alamo Area Traffic Net
Monday @ 7pm - 443.025 pl 82.5
Wednesday @ 7:pm - 443.025 pl 82.5
Friday @ 7:pm - 443.025 pl 82.5
Primary FM 2 Meter Band Frequencies
146.520 Simplex
146.500 Simplex
147.120 pl 82.5 plus System Fusion
147.240 pl 82.5 plus System Fusion
443.025 pl 82.5 plus System Fusion
HAMster Training Pages
Having fun on 2 meters Simplex
Is your coax charging you tax
Recommended Links
2M VHF 144 DX Propagation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE08k3yyHrM&t=114s