Frequency Coordination Form: A frequency coordination form must be filled out when applying for coordination for a repeater, a repeater link, auxiliary station, or special-purpose operation such as an experimental mode or a beacon.  While not all such operations are subject to coordination, it is strongly recommended that such activities be known by the frequency coordinator to avoid potential interference issues:  It is only through accurate and complete recordkeeping that potential interference and regulatory issues that problems may be prevented. Utah VHF Society Frequency Coordination Form (PDF Format) The frequency coordination form was updated as of 3 April, 2006:  Please use this newer form for current and future applications. The completed form should be printed, filled-out, signed and mailed the old-fashioned way (that is, not E-mailed) to the frequency coordinator.  Experience has shown that it is the best interest of all parties involved if there exist paper forms with real signatures on them in the unlikely event that a dispute arises.

The Utah VHF Society provides Frequency Coordination within the state of Utah and is also a member of the National Frequency Coordination Committee (NFCC) - an organization that provides a framework of standards and practices referenced by local frequency coordination entities.  The frequency coordinator in Utah is an elected position, chosen at the meeting associated with the VHF Society Swap meet.

The purpose of a frequency coordination body is to facilitate reasonable usage of the VHF, UHF, and microwave-band amateur frequencies.  The frequency coordinator acts as a clearinghouse for information pertaining to repeaters (their frequencies and locations) as well as radio links, interference issues, and other technical information.

It is the strong recommendation of the FCC (refer for part 97.201 for an example,) the ARRL, and many other organizations, that amateurs follow the recommendations of the frequency coordinators in their areas.  Doing so allows for better utilization of our valuable spectrum, prevents problems before they arise, and provides a vehicle for the resolution of disputes and other problems should they arise.  Recently, the FCC reaffirmed the importance of frequency coordination on our increasingly congested frequencies:  Read about the FCC's statements - and several follow-ups - here.

If you wish to put up something like a repeater, an autopatch, or do some other sort of operation on our VHF, UHF, or Microwave bands that is "out of the ordinary" (i.e. not the usual repeater ragchew or simplex operation) then it is strongly suggested that you contact the frequency coordinator.  The frequency you choose may already be in use as a link, a repeater input, or something else and unconsidered operation on that frequency could adversely impact operations in your area, or an adjacent area into which your signals may overlap.
 

Coordinating coordination with other coordinators: Radio signals do not respect state boundaries.  Therefore, if you are putting together a system that has coverage in an adjacent state(s), or if you are in an adjacent state and your system is going to cover at least a portion of Utah then the coordinators in the relevant areas need to be notified.  When someone requests coordination of a Utah repeater that has the potential of causing interference with a repeater in a bordering state, the Frequency Coordinator will always check with the coordinator(s) in the state(s) that may be affected:  The person doing the coordination need not contact them as well - in fact, keeping a "single point of contact" may eliminate some confusion and possible coordination delays.  In the interest of openness, or if you find yourself wishing to place a repeater in one of these states, these other coordinators are listed here.  The states that may be affected by Utah operations are listed below, along with the coordinators in the respective areas:  - Arizona:  Go to  www.azfreqcoord.org  for more information.  - Colorado:  Go to www.ccarc.net (Coordinator: Doug Sharp, K2ADemail)  - Idaho:  Contact South Eastern Idaho Coordinator: Rod Wilde, AB7OS(email) - Nevada:  Coordination entity varies with location.  For more information, write to: Southern Nevada: Database Coordinator:  Noel R. Lozada N6JFO, n6jfo@snrc.us Southern Nevada Repeater Council  http://www.snrc.us - New Mexico:  New Mexico Coordinator:  Bill Kauffman, W5YEJ (email)   Go to:  www.qsl.net/nmfcc - Wyoming:  Contact Greg Galka, N7GT(email) If you are unsure as to whether you need to "coordinate" with other coordinators, contact your local frequency coordinator for advice.

For further reference, please refer to the following online pages:

• Frequency coordination policies - This document defines the Utah VHF Society coordination policies.
• And there is the So, you want to put up a repeater? page.  This spells out the process of getting a repeater coordinated in more detail.
• Frequency Coordination FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) - Do you wonder about some aspect of repeater coordination and/or operation?  The answer may be here.  If not, email the frequency coordinator.
• Go to the Utah Bandplan page to find out what modes are operated where on the VHF/UHF bands.  Please read the notes on this page concerning Utah's implementation of the bandplan.
• A list of  simplex frequencies and how they are often used may be found online here. Please read the notice at the top of this page concerning the use of simplex frequencies.
• The Online Utah Repeater Directory shows what repeaters are currently on the air, those that are temporarily off the air, and those that are being planned.
• The 2 Meter Repeater Pair Utilization along the Wasatch Front and the 70 Centimeter Repeater Pair Utilization along the Wasatch Front pages have details relating to how each and every available 2 meter and 70 cm repeater pair is used, as well as providing information on possible future frequency use and re-use.
• You may find the Repeater signal strength/sensitivity analysis page to be of interest.  It shows the relative signal strength and sensitivity of a few select repeaters on the Wasatch Front.

Questions, updates, or comments pertaining to this web page may be directed to:   uvhfs@utahvfs.org

Return to the  Utah VHF Society home page.