📡 Your Southern California Ham Radio Hub
The friendliest place for
SoCal hams online.
Repeaters, linked systems, emergency frequencies, and a full disaster channel list — organized by region, easy to navigate, and always up to date. Welcome to the community!
📡 SoCal on the air — 73!
🌆
Los Angeles County
LA & the Valley
DARN, DCS/RACES, San Fernando Valley, South Bay, SGV
🏄
Orange County
The OC
OCARES, W4MCO linked system, Santiago Peak
⛵
San Diego County
San Diego
PARC, SD ARES linked system, North County, Palomar
🏔️
Inland Empire
Riverside & San Bernardino
Keller Peak, KPRA, Coachella Valley access
🌊
Ventura County
Ventura
VC ACS/ARES full county system, Sulphur Mtn, Simi
🌴
Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara
SB Section ARES, Santa Ynez Peak, WIN System
🏜️
High Desert
Palmdale / Victorville
Antelope Valley, High Desert ARES, Big Bear
🌵
Coachella Valley
Palm Springs / Desert
Desert area repeaters, Coachella Valley ARES
Coverage Map
Explore by Region
Click any region to jump to its primary frequencies, repeaters, and ARES/RACES info.
Los Angeles County — LA County's ARES program is called DARN (Digital Amateur Radio Network) and the government emergency program is the DCS (Disaster Communications Service), which is LA County's RACES equivalent. Many hospitals participate in the DARN nets weekly.
Primary Emergency Repeaters
Priority 1
LA COUNTY · DCS/RACES PRIMARY
145.300
LA County DCS — Primary
LA County Disaster Communications Service (RACES equivalent). Primary net Monday 7 PM. DCS tone encoded.
Offset: − · DCS Encoded
Priority 1
LA COUNTY · ARES/DARN
DARN System
DARN Repeater System
Large linked system covering most of SoCal. Primary LAX ARES net Monday 9 PM. Affiliated with ARES LAX Division. Many hospital participants.
darn.org — multiple linked sites
RACES
LA COUNTY · RACES ALTERNATE
147.270
LA RACES Net Alt
LA County RACES coordination alternate frequency. Used during county emergency operations.
Offset: + · PL: 179.9
Simplex
Simplex
146.520
National 2m Calling / Emergency
Universal — when repeaters fail, go here first. Every ham should have this programmed.
No PL — Simplex
Simplex
446.000
National 70cm Simplex
Backup simplex when 2m is crowded. Works with most HTs. Good for short-range post-disaster comms.
No PL — Simplex
Key Resources
Orange County ARES operates the W4MCO repeater system with both analog and digital (P25/DMR) modes. The linked system connects multiple sites across the county including downtown, East OC, Pine Hills, OIA, and Southwest OC. ocares.org
Orange County ARES — W4MCO Repeater System
| Mode | Callsign | Freq (MHz) | Offset | PL / Code | Location / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analog | W4MCO | 443.050 | +5.00 | 103.5 Hz | Downtown OC — Analog |
| P25 | W4MCO | 442.525 | +5.00 | NAC 0CA | East Orange County — Mixed Mode |
| P25 | W4MCO | 442.700 | +5.00 | NAC 0CA | Pine Hills — Mixed Mode |
| Analog | W4MCO | 443.525 | +5.00 | 103.5 Hz | OIA — Linked to 146.730 & 444.125 |
| Analog | W4MCO | 146.730 | −0.600 | 103.5 Hz | Downtown — Linked to 444.125 & 443.525 |
| DMR | W4MCO | 443.1625 | +5.00 | CC 11 | Downtown — Brandmeister Slot 2 only |
| Analog | W4MCO | 444.125 | +5.00 | 103.5 Hz | SW Orange County — Linked to 146.730 & 443.525 |
Resources
San Diego County has a robust linked ARES system anchored by Palomar Mountain and the SD ARES linked trio (147.060 / 449.260 / 449.440 all on PL 107.2). PARC (Palomar ARC) operates the flagship Palomar repeater which covers most of San Diego County reliably.
Primary Emergency Repeaters
Priority 1
SAN DIEGO · PARC FLAGSHIP
146.730
Palomar Mtn — W6NWG (PARC)
Very reliable high-site coverage for most of San Diego County. Top pick for SD emergency operations. Backed up with generator power.
Offset: − · PL: 107.2
Priority 1
SAN DIEGO · ARES LINKED — PRIMARY
147.060
San Diego ARES — Primary Link
San Diego ARES EC Net primary linked frequency. Linked to 449.260 − and 449.440 − (all PL 107.2). Wide county coverage.
Offset: + · PL: 107.2
ARES Linked
SAN DIEGO · ARES LINKED — UHF 1
449.260
SD ARES Linked — UHF
Part of the San Diego ARES three-site linked system. Same PL as 147.060 and 449.440.
Offset: − · PL: 107.2
ARES Linked
SAN DIEGO · ARES LINKED — UHF 2
449.440
SD ARES — Otay Mtn
Otay Mountain site, part of the SD ARES linked system. South San Diego county coverage.
Offset: − · PL: 107.2
Imperial Valley
IMPERIAL COUNTY · ARES
147.150
Mt. Laguna — Imperial ARES
Primary for Imperial Valley and eastern San Diego County ARES net operations. Mountain site gives wide coverage.
Offset: + · PL: 107.2
220 MHz
SAN DIEGO · 220 MHz BACKUP
224.900
Convair / Palomar — 220 MHz
220 MHz alternative when 2m and 70cm are congested. Good SD County backup option.
Offset: − · PL: 107.2
Resources
Inland Empire — The Keller Peak Repeater Association (KPRA) operates the official Inland Empire Emergency Communication Repeater on 146.385+. It covers Riverside, San Bernardino, LA, Orange, and parts of San Diego counties — one of the most useful wide-area machines in all of SoCal.
Primary Emergency Repeaters
Priority 1
INLAND EMPIRE · FLAGSHIP
146.385
Keller Peak — KE6TZG (KPRA)
Official IE Emergency Comm Repeater. Wide-area coverage: Inland Empire, LA, Orange, parts of SD. IRLP #3216. Extremely active.
Offset: + · PL: 146.2
Coachella Valley
RIVERSIDE COUNTY · DESERT
146.760
Coachella Valley
Primary coverage for Coachella Valley, Indio, Palm Springs area communities east of the mountains.
Offset: − · PL: 107.2
Keller Peak Net Schedule
| Net Name | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Red Eye Net | 10:00 PM | Nightly |
| Hospital Net | 7:00 PM | First Monday / month |
| SB County Fire EmComm | 7:30 PM | First Monday / month |
| National Traffic System | 9:00 PM | Mon / Wed / Fri & emergencies |
| SATERN | 8:00 PM | Sunday nights |
| Outdoor Adventure Net | 7:30 PM | Every Thursday |
| Swap Net | 7:00 PM | Wednesday nights |
| Trivia Net | 7:30 PM | Every Friday |
Resources
Ventura County ACS/ARES has an exceptionally well-organized system with 8 geographic areas, each with dedicated 2m, 220 MHz, and 70cm frequencies. The county-wide repeater on Sulphur Mountain ties everything together. Source: vccomm.org
2 Meter (VHF) Frequencies
| Area | Freq (MHz) | Offset/PL | Repeater / Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| County-Wide | 145.200 | − / 127.3 | Sulphur Mtn / WD6EBY — Primary county-wide |
| Area 1 | 146.805 | − / 100.0 | Simi Valley / K6ERN |
| Area 2 | 147.885 | − / 127.3 | Thousand Oaks – BOZO / N6JMI |
| Area 3 | 147.915 | − / 127.3 | Camarillo / WB6ZTQ |
| Area 4 | 146.970 | − / 127.3 | Oxnard / WB6YQN |
| Area 5 | 145.400 | − / 114.8 | Ojai Valley / N6FL |
| Area 6 & 7 | 146.385 | + / 127.3 | Santa Paula – South Mtn / WA6ZSN |
| Area 8 | 145.460 | − / 127.3 | Moorpark / K6ERN |
70 cm (UHF) Frequencies
| Area | Freq (MHz) | Offset/PL | Repeater / Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| County-Wide | 445.560 | − / 141.3 | Sulphur Mtn / WD6EBY |
| Area 1 | 445.580 | − / 100.0 | Simi Valley / K6ERN |
| Area 2 | 449.440 | − / 131.8 | Thousand Oaks – AMGEN / W6AMG |
| Area 3 | 447.000 | − / 103.5 | Camarillo Springs / K6ERN |
| Area 4 | 448.800 | − / 131.8 | Oxnard / K6JLW |
| Area 5 | 448.180 | − / 100.0 | Red Mtn – SMRA / K6ERN |
| Area 6 & 7 | 447.320 | − / 100.0 | Santa Paula – South Mtn / WA6ZSN |
220 MHz (1.25m) Frequencies
| Area | Freq (MHz) | Offset/PL | Repeater / Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| County-Wide | 224.020 | − / 127.3 | Red Mtn – SMRA / K6ERN |
| Area 1 | 224.060 | − / 127.3 | Simi Valley / K6ERN |
| Area 2 | 224.700 | − / 156.7 | Thousand Oaks – Grissom / K6HB |
| Area 6 & 7 | 224.100 | − / 127.3 | South Mtn – SMRA / K6ERN |
Resources
Santa Barbara County is served by the Santa Barbara Section ARES. The WIN System's Santa Ynez Peak repeater provides excellent coverage of the Santa Barbara/Ventura county border region. The section has dedicated HF and VHF emergency frequencies.
Key Repeaters
WIN System
SANTA BARBARA · WIN NODE
448.900
Santa Ynez Peak — K6JSI
WIN System node at Santa Ynez Peak. Excellent coverage of Santa Barbara County and into Ventura County. AllStar Node 1360.
Offset: − · PL: 123.0
ARES HF Frequency
HF Emergency
SANTA BARBARA SECTION
3.867 LSB
SB Section ARES HF Net
Santa Barbara Section ARES HF emergency net frequency. 80 meters, LSB mode.
Mode: LSB / 80 Meters
Resources
High Desert covers the Antelope Valley (Palmdale/Lancaster), the Victor Valley (Victorville/Hesperia), and Big Bear. This region is often underrepresented but has an active ham community and its own ARES infrastructure under San Bernardino County RACES.
Key Frequencies
SB County RACES
HIGH DESERT · SB COUNTY HF
3.987 LSB
San Bernardino County RACES HF
San Bernardino County RACES primary HF net. Connects High Desert, IE, and mountains under one county system.
Mode: LSB / 80 Meters
Simplex
146.520
National 2m Simplex — Essential
In High Desert areas with limited repeater coverage, simplex is especially important. Always have this programmed.
No PL — Simplex
For the most current High Desert and Antelope Valley repeater listings, check RepeaterBook.com filtered to San Bernardino and Los Angeles Counties, and contact San Bernardino County RACES for the official RACES channel assignments.
Coachella Valley includes Palm Springs, Indio, Cathedral City, and the desert communities east of the San Jacinto Mountains. The valley sits in Riverside County and uses the county ARES infrastructure, with the Coachella Valley repeater as the local primary.
Key Frequencies
Primary
COACHELLA VALLEY · PRIMARY
146.760
Coachella Valley Repeater
Primary repeater for Coachella Valley communities. Used for local ARES operations and everyday comms in the Palm Springs area.
Offset: − · PL: 107.2
Wide Area
INLAND EMPIRE WIDE
146.385
Keller Peak — Wide Area Backup
From the valley floor with a good antenna, Keller Peak is often reachable and links you to the full IE EmComm system.
Offset: + · PL: 146.2
For the full Coachella Valley and Riverside County ARES frequency list, visit RepeaterBook.com and search Riverside County. Contact your local ARES Emergency Coordinator through arrl.org/ares for official RACES channel assignments.
Everyday Operating · Open & Membership Systems
So Cal Repeaters
Your guide to the best repeaters for everyday operating across Southern California — ragchewing, nets, mobile use, and exploring the hobby. For emergency and ARES/RACES frequencies, see the Emergency section.
There are over 1,200 amateur repeaters listed in California on RepeaterBook. Rather than list them all, this page highlights the most active and well-known systems for SoCal operators — plus a county quick-start table and links to the full directories.
Notable Standalone Repeaters — Worth Knowing
These are the individual repeaters that come up most often in SoCal ham conversations — high sites, wide coverage, lots of activity, or unique characteristics that make them worth having in your radio.
| Call | Freq (MHz) | Offset | PL | Location | Why It's Notable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W6TOP | 146.085 | + | 127.3 | Heaps Peak — San Bernardino Mtns | Exceptional wide-area coverage: LA, OC, Riverside, SB counties. One of the best-positioned single sites in all of SoCal. Very active. |
| W6NWG | 146.730 | − | 107.2 | Palomar Mountain — San Diego | PARC flagship. C4FM/Fusion & FM. Covers most of SD County. 5,560 ft. EchoLink on 447.000. Open to all hams. |
| W6NWG | 147.075 | + | 107.2 | Palomar Mountain — San Diego | Second PARC Palomar 2m machine. C4FM enabled. Same excellent coverage as 146.730 — great backup. |
| W6NWG | 147.130 | + | 107.2 | Palomar Mountain — San Diego | Third PARC 2m Palomar machine. C4FM enabled. Additional SD County coverage option. |
| W6NWG | 447.000 | − | 107.2 | Palomar Mountain — San Diego | PARC 70cm. EchoLink Node W6NWG-R. C4FM & FM. Wide UHF coverage across SD County. |
| W6NWG | 52.680 | −0.500 | 107.2 | Palomar Mountain — San Diego | 6-meter machine — give the magic band a try! Active during E-skip season. One of very few 6m repeaters in SoCal. |
| KE6TZG (KPRA) | 146.385 | + | 146.2 | Keller Peak — San Bernardino Mtns | IE's most active repeater. Multiple daily nets — swap, trivia, outdoor adventure, traffic. Very friendly community. IRLP #3216. |
| KB3PX (MetroNET) | 146.970 | − | 107.2 | Vista — North San Diego County | MetroNET linked system. Also on 224.440 − and 224.020 −. Active North SD County community. |
| N6FQ (Fallbrook ARC) | 146.175 | + | 107.2 | Red Mountain — North SD / SW Riverside | Linked to 445.600 −. Covers the North SD / SW Riverside gap. Fallbrook ARC club machine. |
| KK6KD (HARS) | 147.945 | − | 107.2 | Mt. San Miguel — South SD County | Hispanic Amateur Radio Society. C4FM. Unique cross-border coverage into Tijuana, Mexico. Also 448.460 − PL 151.4. |
| WD6EBY | 145.200 | − | 127.3 | Sulphur Mountain — Ventura County | VC ACS/ARES county-wide machine. Best single repeater for coverage across all of Ventura County. |
| K6JSI (WIN) | 147.090 | + | No PL | Catalina Island — CARA | Solar-powered, 50+ years active. Great SoCal-wide coverage. Works out to sea — unique marine mobile option. |
County Quick-Start — First Repeater to Try in Each Area
Visiting a new part of SoCal? This is the single best everyday repeater to try first in each area. These are not emergency frequencies — just the best starting point for a QSO.
| County / Area | Best First Stop | Freq (MHz) | PL | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌆 Los Angeles | WIN — Santiago Peak | 448.060 − | 100.0 | Open, wide LA Basin coverage, always activity. |
| 🏔️ San Fernando Valley | WIN — Loop / Chatsworth | 448.900 − | 100.0 | Good SFV and surrounding area coverage via WIN. |
| 🏄 Orange County | W4MCO — Downtown OC | 443.050 + | 103.5 | OC ARES analog machine — active, well-maintained community. |
| ⛵ San Diego | W6NWG — Palomar Mtn | 146.730 − | 107.2 | SD's flagship repeater. Great audio, wide coverage, daily activity. |
| 🏔️ Inland Empire | KE6TZG — Keller Peak | 146.385 + | 146.2 | IE's most active machine by a wide margin. Multiple daily nets. |
| 🌊 Ventura County | WD6EBY — Sulphur Mtn | 145.200 − | 127.3 | County-wide coverage across all 8 VC areas. |
| 🌴 Santa Barbara | WIN — Santa Ynez Peak | 448.900 − | 123.0 | Open WIN node — excellent SB county coverage. |
| 🏜️ High Desert / AV | WIN — Mt. Disappointment | 446.460 − | 100.0 | Good coverage into High Desert areas via WIN. |
| 🌵 Coachella Valley | Coachella Valley Rptr | 146.760 − | 107.2 | Primary local machine for Palm Springs / Indio area. |
| 🏔️ Big Bear / Mountains | W6TOP — Heaps Peak | 146.085 + | 127.3 | Excellent mountain site — wide reach into surrounding valleys. |
| 🌊 Catalina Island | CARA — Catalina | 147.090 + | No PL | Solar-powered, open, works out to sea. Unique marine coverage. |
Open Linked Systems
WIN System
Largest free/open linked system in SoCal — 100+ linked repeaters. IRLP Node 9100. No membership required. Just key up and talk.
winsystem.org →
Condor Connection
Linked 220 MHz system covering CA, NV, and AZ. 100% free. Less crowded than 2m — a hidden gem for SoCal operators.
condor-connection.org →
CARA — Catalina ARA
Solar-powered Catalina Island repeaters, active 50+ years. Excellent SoCal-wide coverage. Daily nets, very friendly community.
cara.radio →
Calnet Repeater Group
17 statewide linked 440 MHz repeaters. AllStar, C4FM, and DMR via Brandmeister. Pleasants Peak covers LA & OC.
calnet.org →
CLARA
Clairemont Repeater Association. Santiago Peak and Barstow sites. Wide SoCal coverage — open to all licensed hams.
145220.com →
C.A.R.L.A.
California Amateur Radio Linking Association. Wide California and Western Nevada coverage. Open to all licensed operators.
carlaradio.net →
Membership / Private Systems
PAPA System
57 inter-linked analog, DMR, D-STAR, and P25 repeaters on 19 hilltops. SoCal's most feature-rich system. Free to try, membership for full access.
papasys.com →
Keller Peak RA
IE's most active community — 146.385 + PL 146.2. Daily swap nets, trivia, outdoor adventure nets. Great for all hams.
kpra.net →
DARN
45+ site linked system covering all of SoCal on 6m, 2m, 220, 440, 900 & 1200 MHz. Hospital affiliated. Active since 1959.
darn.org →
Full Repeater Directories
RepeaterBook
Best repeater directory online. Search by county, city, or zip. Free iOS and Android apps. 1,200+ California listings.
repeaterbook.com →
Radio Reference
Comprehensive frequency database. Great for cross-referencing repeater data and finding public safety scanner freqs.
radioreference.com →
SCRRBA
Southern California Repeater and Remote Base Association — frequency coordination and the definitive SoCal band plan.
scrrba.org →
PARC Repeater List
Full Palomar ARC repeater list — all W6NWG machines plus affiliated San Diego County repeaters with current PL tones.
palomararc.org →
Wide Area Coverage
Linked Repeater Systems
SoCal's linked repeater systems range from fully open (free for all hams) to membership-based. Open systems are listed first. If you use an open system regularly, please consider a donation to help keep them running.
🔓
Open Systems
Free for all licensed hams — no membership required. Key up and talk!
WIN System — Largest Open Linked System in SoCal
100+ linked repeaters. IRLP Node 9100. winsystem.org
| # | Site | Call | Freq (MHz) | Offset | PL | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vista | K6JSI | 448.800 | − | 100.0 | Oceanside / Vista |
| 2 | Palomar | K6JSI | 449.080 | − | 123.0 | Palomar Mtn — N. San Diego |
| 3 | Otay | K6JSI | 447.640 | − | 100.0 | Mt. Otay — San Diego |
| 4 | Santiago | K6JSI | 448.060 | − | 100.0 | Santiago Pk — Orange / Riverside County |
| 5 | Santa Ynez | K6JSI | 448.900 | − | 123.0 | Santa Ynez Peak — Santa Barbara |
| 6 | Sunset Ridge | K6JSI | 147.210 | + | 100.0 | Pomona, Riverside |
| 7 | Sunset Ridge 220 | K6JSI | 224.160 | − | 71.9 | Pomona, Riverside (220 MHz) |
| 8 | Loop | K6JSI | 448.900 | − | 100.0 | Los Angeles & San Fernando Valley |
| 9 | Angeles | K6JSI | 446.460 | − | 100.0 | Mt. Disappointment — SFV / LA Basin |
| 10 | Santa Anita Ridge | K6JSI | 447.580 | − | 100.0 | LA / Orange County |
| 11 | Thousand Oaks | K6JSI | 448.940 | − | 100.0 | Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, Simi, Oxnard |
CARA — Catalina Island (Solar-Powered)
Solar-powered, active 50+ years. Excellent SoCal-wide coverage. cara.radio
| Freq (MHz) | Offset | PL / Mode | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 147.090 | +0.600 | No PL | Main Catalina repeater — primary site |
| 224.420 | −1.600 | 110.9 | EchoLink *CATALINA* Node #384712 |
| 448.900 | −5.00 | 110.9 | C4FM or Analog FM |
| 51.860 | −0.500 | 82.5 | 6 meters |
| 446.140 | − | 110.9 | Avalon local — linked to 147.090 |
| 224.320 | − | 151.4 | Costa Mesa — Allstar N6ACG Node 57403 |
Condor Connection — 220 MHz Wide Area
Covers CA, NV, AZ and northern Mexico on 220 MHz. condor-connection.org
| Site | Location | Freq (MHz) | Call | PL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rasnow Peak | Thousand Oaks, CA | 223.940 | WB6RHQ | 156.7 |
| Santiago Peak | Orange County, CA | 224.820 | K8BUW | 156.7 |
| Toro Peak | Palm Desert, CA | 224.180 | WB6RHQ | 156.7 |
| Lyons Peak | San Diego, CA | 223.940 | W2IRI | 141.3 |
| Quartzite Mtn | Victorville, CA | 223.840 | K7GIL | 156.7 |
| Frazier Mtn | Gorman, CA | 224.720 | WB6RHQ | 156.7 |
| Goat Mtn | San Joaquin Valley, CA | 224.900 | WB6BRU | 156.7 |
Calnet Repeater Group — SoCal Sites
17 statewide linked 440 MHz repeaters. AllStar + Brandmeister DMR. calnet.org
| Site | Freq (MHz) | In PL | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pleasants Peak | 449.600 (−) | 151.4 | LA & Orange County (C4FM) |
| Sunset Ridge | 447.020 (−) | 110.9 | LA & San Bernardino County (C4FM) |
| Heaps Peak | 445.740 (−) | 136.5 | San Bernardino, Riverside, High Desert |
| Santiago Pk. | 448.080 (−) | 88.5 | Los Angeles / Southland |
Preparedness · Verified Frequencies
Disaster Freq's
A complete, verified channel list for Southern California earthquakes and natural disasters. Program these before you need them.
Program these now. In a major earthquake, many repeaters lose power. This list is priority-ordered: start local with your county ARES repeater, step down to wide-coverage machines, then simplex. Listen before you transmit — don't add to congestion when a disaster strikes.
⚡ Priority 1 — Must Have (Works Even Without Repeater Infrastructure)
Must Program
146.520
National 2m Emergency Simplex
The universal fallback when every repeater fails. Every ham in the US knows this frequency. Works with any radio, no infrastructure needed.
No PL — Simplex
Must Program
446.000
National 70cm Emergency Simplex
Primary 70cm simplex backup. Works when 2m is congested. Essential for HT-to-HT contact when no repeaters are operational.
No PL — Simplex
Must Program
144.390
APRS — National
Send your GPS position and a short status message without tying up a voice frequency. Excellent way to say "I'm OK" passively.
No PL — Data / APRS
Priority 2 — Wide-Coverage SoCal Repeaters (Backup Generator Power)
Inland Empire
146.385
Keller Peak — KE6TZG (KPRA)
Official IE Emergency Comm Repeater. Wide-area coverage: Inland Empire, LA, Orange, parts of SD. IRLP #3216. Primary for ARES nets.
Offset: + · PL: 146.2
San Diego
146.730
Palomar Mtn — W6NWG (PARC)
Highly reliable high-site coverage for most of San Diego County. Top choice for SD-area operators in any emergency.
Offset: − · PL: 107.2
San Diego ARES
147.060
San Diego ARES EC Linked
SD ARES linked system primary. Linked to 449.260 − and 449.440 − (both PL 107.2) for maximum county coverage.
Offset: + · PL: 107.2
Orange County
443.050
OC ARES — W4MCO (Analog)
Orange County ARES primary analog repeater. Downtown OC site. Linked system for county-wide coverage. Source: ocares.org
Offset: +5.00 · PL: 103.5
LA County
145.300
LA DCS / RACES Primary
LA County Disaster Communications Service primary. Monday 7 PM net. DCS tone encoded — check current tone with LA DCS.
Offset: − · DCS Encoded
Ventura County
145.200
Sulphur Mtn — County-Wide VC
Ventura County ACS/ARES county-wide primary repeater. Covers all 8 VC areas from Sulphur Mountain site.
Offset: − · PL: 127.3
Priority 3 — County-Specific Emergency Repeaters
SD / Imperial
449.440
Otay Mtn — SD ARES Link
Part of San Diego ARES linked trio. South SD county coverage. Same PL as 147.060 and 449.260.
Offset: − · PL: 107.2
Imperial County
147.150
Mt. Laguna — Imperial ARES
Primary for Imperial Valley and east San Diego County ARES operations.
Offset: + · PL: 107.2
OC ARES Link
146.730
OC ARES — W4MCO (Linked)
OC ARES linked site — tied to 443.525 and 444.125 for county-wide coverage. Note: different PL from the Palomar machine.
Offset: −0.600 · PL: 103.5
Riverside RACES
3.945 LSB
Riverside County RACES/ARES HF
Riverside County ARES/RACES HF emergency net. 80 meters, LSB mode. For when VHF/UHF infrastructure is down.
Mode: LSB / 80 Meters
SB County RACES
3.987 LSB
San Bernardino County RACES HF
San Bernardino County RACES primary HF net. Covers IE, High Desert, and mountains under the county system.
Mode: LSB / 80 Meters
Orange County ARES
3.965 LSB
Orange County ARES HF
Orange County ARES public service HF net frequency. 80 meters LSB — for when VHF repeaters are unavailable.
Mode: LSB / 80 Meters
HF — Statewide Fallback When All Local Infrastructure Fails
HF — Night
3.992 LSB
CA Emergency Services Net (Night)
Primary California Emergency Services Net — nighttime operation. Best 80m coverage after sunset across California.
Mode: LSB / 80 Meters · Night
HF — Day
7.192 LSB
CA Emergency Services Net (Day)
California Emergency Services Net — daytime. 40m provides excellent statewide coverage during daylight. Connects the whole state.
Mode: LSB / 40 Meters · Day
📡 Non-Ham Frequencies to Monitor During a Disaster
A scanner, SDR, or wideband HT lets you monitor these alongside your ham frequencies. No ham license needed to receive any of these.
NOAA Weather
162.400–162.550
NOAA Weather Radio — All 7 Channels
Continuous weather & emergency alerts. Most HTs with wide receive can tune these. Program all 7 channels. Critical for disaster warnings.
WX1: 162.550 · WX2: 162.400 · WX3: 162.475
Aviation
121.500 AM
Aviation Guard — International Emergency
All aircraft, search & rescue helicopters, and air resources monitor this. Receive only — AM mode. Know where the air assets are operating.
Mode: AM — Receive only
FRS / GMRS
462.5625
FRS Channel 1 / GMRS Emergency
Many civilians default to FRS channel 1 after a disaster. Monitor to assist neighbors who don't have ham radios.
FRS / GMRS · No ham license needed
MURS
151.940
MURS Channel 3
Multi-Use Radio Service — no license needed. Used by many neighborhood preparedness groups. Good for community-level comms.
MURS — No license required
CB Radio
27.065
CB Channel 9 — Emergency
Citizens Band emergency channel. Truckers, RV owners, and many vehicles still have CB. Useful for road conditions after a major quake.
CB AM — No license required
Marine
156.800
Marine Channel 16 — Distress & Calling
International maritime distress channel. Coast Guard monitors continuously. Relevant near the SoCal coast and inland waterways.
Marine VHF FM — Receive only w/o license
🌊 SoCal Earthquake Response — Step by Step
- Listen first. After a quake, monitor your priority frequencies before transmitting. Avoid adding to congestion.
- Start local → work outward. Try your county ARES/RACES repeater first. If active, check in with your call and location. If silent, try the next repeater down your list.
- Repeaters down? Go simplex. Switch to 146.520 MHz. It's the universal meeting point when infrastructure fails.
- APRS for "I'm OK" messages. 144.390 MHz. Even one position beacon tells the network you're safe without tying up a voice frequency.
- HF is the ultimate fallback. If all local VHF/UHF infrastructure is gone, 3.992 LSB (night) or 7.192 LSB (day) reaches the entire state.
- Solar-powered sites last longer. CARA (Catalina) repeaters run on solar and have the best chance of surviving extended grid outages. Prioritize them for longer-duration events.
- Join ARES now — don't wait for a disaster. Your county ARES group will give you the exact current channel assignments and keep you in the loop. arrl.org/ares
Reference
Band Plan & Resources
Current ARRL band plan, DX and propagation tools, and quick reference for key frequencies.
Key Online Resources
ARRL Band Plan (Current)
The official, current ARRL frequency allocation and band plan for all amateur radio frequencies in the US.
arrl.org →
DX Maps
Real-time DX cluster map showing current propagation openings and DX spots worldwide.
dxmaps.com →
VOACAP Propagation
HF propagation prediction tool. Great for planning which bands will work for a given path and time.
voacap.com →
Solar Conditions
Real-time solar data, A and K indices, and current HF band condition summaries. Bookmark this.
hamqsl.com →
PSK Reporter
Live propagation map from FT8 and other digital mode reception reports. Instantly see what's getting out.
pskreporter.info →
QRZ.com
Callsign lookup, logbook, forums, and ham radio community. Essential resource for every ham.
qrz.com →
Quick Reference — Ham Bands at a Glance
| Band | Frequency Range | Primary Uses |
|---|---|---|
| 160m | 1.8 – 2.0 MHz | NVIS emergency comms at night, low-band DX |
| 80m | 3.5 – 4.0 MHz | Regional/statewide nets (night), ARES/RACES HF, ragchewing. Emergency: 3.992 LSB (CA) |
| 40m | 7.0 – 7.3 MHz | Daytime statewide, DX evenings. Emergency: 7.192 LSB (CA day) |
| 20m | 14.0 – 14.35 MHz | DX workhorse. NTS national nets. SSB calling on 14.300 |
| 17m / 15m / 12m / 10m | 18 – 29.7 MHz | DX during solar peak. 10m local FM on 29.600 |
| 6m | 50 – 54 MHz | "Magic band" — E-skip DX openings, local FM. SoCal activity on 52.525 simplex |
| 2m | 144 – 148 MHz | Main local/repeater band. APRS: 144.390. Emergency simplex: 146.520 |
| 1.25m (220) | 222 – 225 MHz | 220 MHz — Condor Connection, Ventura County ACS, less congested than 2m |
| 70cm | 420 – 450 MHz | Local repeaters, digital modes (DMR/P25/C4FM). Simplex: 446.000 |
Get In Touch
Contact KE6MGB
Have a repeater update, frequency correction, or something to add to the site? I'd love to hear from you. This is a community resource and your input makes it better for everyone.
Coming soon: a forum for SoCal hams — a friendly place to connect with operators across the region, share tips, and coordinate activities. Stay tuned!
TASMA Approved · SoCal Band Plan
Simplex Frequency Guide
Simplex means radio-to-radio with no repeater in between. When repeaters are down or you just want to talk locally, these are your go-to frequencies for Southern California.
Why simplex matters: In a major earthquake, repeaters can lose power or be damaged. Simplex frequencies work with any HT, require zero infrastructure, and are the universal fallback for every ham. Always program 146.520 first.
2 Meters (144–148 MHz) — Primary Simplex Band
| Frequency | Use / Notes | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| 146.520 MHz | National 2m Calling & Emergency Frequency — the single most important simplex freq every ham must have. Universal fallback when all repeaters fail. | Must Have |
| 146.580 MHz | North American Adventure / SOTA Frequency — popular for hiking, SOTA activations, and outdoor ops throughout SoCal. | Recommended |
| 146.550 MHz | Active simplex frequency — commonly used in the LA Basin for local ragchewing and short-range contacts. | Recommended |
| 147.510 MHz | Popular simplex frequency throughout SoCal. Good second channel when 146.520 is busy. | Recommended |
| 145.570 MHz | Lake Balboa Emergency Preparedness Net — Sunday 9:00 AM. Also general simplex use. | Program |
| 145.525 MHz | TASMA approved SoCal simplex — good general use channel, less busy than 146.520. | Program |
| 145.540 MHz | TASMA approved SoCal simplex channel. | Program |
| 145.555 MHz | TASMA approved SoCal simplex channel. | Program |
| 146.445 MHz | TASMA approved SoCal simplex channel. Used occasionally for local contacts in the LA/OC area. | Program |
| 146.535 MHz | TASMA approved SoCal simplex channel. Just above the calling frequency — useful as a working channel. | Program |
| 146.565 MHz | T-hunt (foxhunt/hidden transmitter hunt) frequency in SoCal. Also general simplex. | Optional |
| 146.595 MHz | TASMA approved SoCal simplex channel. | Optional |
| 144.200 MHz | National 2m SSB Calling Frequency — weak signal, SSB mode only. Used by the Western States Weak Signal Net (Sundays 4:30 PM). | SSB/Weak Sig |
70 Centimeters (420–450 MHz) — Primary UHF Simplex
| Frequency | Use / Notes | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| 446.000 MHz | National 70cm Calling & Emergency Simplex — the 70cm equivalent of 146.520. Essential backup when 2m is congested. Every ham should have this programmed. | Must Have |
| 446.500 MHz | TASMA approved 70cm simplex for Southern California. Good secondary UHF simplex channel. | Recommended |
| 445.925 MHz | Adjacent to national calling — useful working channel after making contact on 446.000. | Program |
220 MHz / 1.25 Meters — The Hidden Gem Band
220 MHz is the least congested of the three main VHF/UHF ham bands. Excellent for simplex work — signals propagate similarly to 2m but with far less interference. If you have a tri-band HT, use it!
| Frequency | Use / Notes | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| 223.500 MHz | National 220 MHz Simplex Calling Frequency — the universal calling/emergency simplex for the 1.25m band nationwide. | Must Have |
| 223.400–223.480 MHz | Additional simplex channels on 220 MHz (15 kHz spacing in California). Less busy — good for private local contacts. | Program |
6 Meters (50–54 MHz) — "The Magic Band"
| Frequency | Use / Notes |
|---|---|
| 52.525 MHz | National 6m FM Simplex Calling Frequency — during E-skip openings this frequency lights up. SoCal ops monitor this regularly during summer sporadic-E season. |
| 50.125 MHz | National 6m SSB Calling Frequency — weak signal DX ops. During openings you can work stations across the country from SoCal. |
| 52.540 MHz | Secondary 6m FM simplex — used as a working channel after making contact on 52.525. |
📻 Simplex Best Practices for SoCal Hams
- Listen before transmitting. In the LA Basin especially, 146.520 can have ongoing QSOs you can only hear one side of due to terrain. Always listen for 10–15 seconds first.
- Keep 146.520 for calling only. Make contact, then move to a working frequency like 146.550 or 146.535 for longer QSOs.
- Program simplex AND repeaters. Alternate between simplex and your local repeater channels so you can quickly switch based on conditions.
- Simplex range varies by terrain. In flat areas like the Coachella Valley or OC, HT-to-HT simplex can reach 10+ miles. In hilly LA, it might be 1–2 miles. A mobile antenna dramatically improves range.
- SOTA & hiking. Use 146.580 (adventure frequency) for summit activations. Announce your freq on 146.520 first, then move.
Reference
SoCal Net Schedule · Verified 2025
Net Directory
Nets are scheduled on-air gatherings — a great way to practice operating, meet other hams, and stay sharp for emergency comms. All times are Pacific local time. Source: edsradio.com (AA6ED)
New to nets? When the Net Control Station (NCS) asks for check-ins, simply transmit your callsign. They'll acknowledge you, you'll give your name and location, and that's it! Nets are friendly and welcoming to all license classes.
Daily Nets — Active Every Day
| Net Name | Time | Days | Frequency / Repeater | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Judy's Net (NB6J) | 7:45 AM | Daily | 146.385 + PL 146.2 (Keller Peak) | Long-running morning net on the IE EmComm repeater. Very welcoming. |
| CARA Net at Nine | 9:00 AM & 9:00 PM | Weekdays | 147.090 + (Catalina) / 224.420 − PL 110.9 | Wellness check-in net on the solar-powered Catalina repeater system. |
| Rio Hondo ARC Health & Welfare Net | 9:00 AM | Weekdays | 146.175 + PL 156.7 (W6GNS) | Friendly morning net — health, welfare, and trivia. |
| LAFD-ACS Situational Awareness Net | 12:00 PM | Weekdays | 147.300 + (WA6PPS) | LA City Fire Dept Auxiliary Communications daily net. |
| GOTA Hams Net | 7:30 PM | Daily (exc 2nd Thu) | 449.160 − PL 77.0 (WG6OTA) | Get On The Air — friendly nightly net, great for new hams. |
| Leisure World Seal Beach EARC Net | 9:00 AM | Mon–Sat | 146.790 − PL 103.5 (K6SYU) | Active Seal Beach area net. |
Sunday Nets
| Net Name | Time | Frequency / Repeater | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Balboa Emergency Preparedness Net | 9:00 AM | 145.570 (Simplex) | EmComm preparedness net — simplex operation, great practice. |
| SoCal Boater's Net | 9:00 AM | PAPA System | For boaters and maritime enthusiasts throughout SoCal. |
| Conejo Valley ARC Newbie Net (AA6CV) | 7:00 PM | 147.885 − PL 127.3 (N6JMI) | Excellent for new hams. Friendly and welcoming — Ventura County. |
| Victor Valley ARC Net | 7:00 PM | 146.940 − PL 91.5 | High Desert area net covering Victorville / Apple Valley region. |
| Yucaipa ARS (YARS) Net | 7:30 PM | 147.180 + PL 88.5 (AI6BX) | Inland Empire / Yucaipa area club net. |
| QCWA So Cal Chapter 7 Net | 7:30 PM | DARN System | Quarter Century Wireless Association — for hams licensed 25+ years. |
| EmComm Hub on Keller Net | 8:00 PM | 146.385 + PL 146.2 (KE6TZG) | Riverside County Emergency Communications Group net on Keller Peak. |
| SANDRA Net | 8:00 PM | 146.640 − PL 107.2 (WB6WLV) | San Diego Repeater Association weekly net. |
| Culver City ARES Net | 8:00 PM | 445.600 − PL 131.8 (K6CCR) | LA County / Culver City ARES weekly EmComm net. |
| Crescenta Valley RC "What's Going On?" Net | 8:00 PM | 146.025 + PL 136.5 (WB6ZTY) | Friendly community net — Crescenta Valley / La Crescenta area. |
| DARN Chat Net | 7:45 PM | DARN System | Weekly social net on the DARN linked system covering most of SoCal. |
| Topanga DRT Net | 7:30 PM | PAPA System | Topanga Disaster Radio Team — community preparedness net. |
| SATERN Net | 8:00 PM | 146.385 + PL 146.2 (KE6TZG) | Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network — on Keller Peak. |
Monday Nets
| Net Name | Time | Frequency / Repeater | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| LA County DCS (RACES) Net | 7:00 PM | 147.270 + PL 100.0 (WA6ZTR) | Official LA County Disaster Communications Service EmComm net. |
| Orange County RACES/ACS Net | 7:00 PM | 146.895 − PL 136.5 (W6KRW) | OC RACES official net — Emergency coordinators check in. |
| Riverside County ARA Net | 7:00 PM | 146.880 − PL 146.2 (W6TJ) | Riverside County ARA club net. 4th Monday on simplex 146.880. |
| Western Riverside Hospital Net | 7:00 PM (1st Mon) | 146.385 + PL 146.2 (KE6TZG) | Hospital coordination net on Keller Peak — first Monday monthly. |
| SB County Fire EmComm Net | 7:30 PM (1st Mon) | 146.385 + PL 146.2 (KE6TZG) | San Bernardino County Fire Emergency Communications — first Monday monthly. |
| JPL Noon Net | 12:00 PM | 224.080 − PL 156.7 / 445.200 − PL 103.5 | Jet Propulsion Laboratory EARS weekly net — 220 & 70cm. |
| Seal Beach / Los Alamitos ARES Net | 6:00 PM | DARN System | OC coastal ARES net on the DARN linked system. |
| Keller Peak Hospital Net | 7:00 PM (1st Mon) | 146.385 + PL 146.2 (KE6TZG) | IE hospital emergency communications coordination. |
| NTS Traffic Net (SCN/V) | 9:00 PM (Mon/Wed/Fri) | 146.385 + PL 146.2 (KE6TZG) | National Traffic System net — traffic handling and message passing. |
Tuesday – Saturday Selected Nets
| Net Name | Day / Time | Frequency / Repeater | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citrus Belt ARC Tech Net (W6JBT) | Mon–Fri 7:00 AM | 146.850 − PL 146.2 | Morning technical net for IE hams. Great for learning. |
| SBARC Digital & Projects Net (K6TZ) | Tuesday 8:00 PM | 146.790 − PL 131.8 | Santa Barbara ARC — technical topics, newcomers very welcome. |
| SBARC Tech Mentoring Net (K6TZ) | Thursday 8:00 PM | 146.790 − PL 131.8 | Santa Barbara — technical mentoring and elmering for new hams. |
| Keller Peak Swap Net | Wednesday 7:00 PM | 146.385 + PL 146.2 (KE6TZG) | Buy, sell, and trade ham gear on the IE EmComm repeater. |
| Keller Peak Outdoor Adventure Net | Thursday 7:30 PM | 146.385 + PL 146.2 (KE6TZG) | Hiking, camping, SOTA — outdoor activities for SoCal hams. |
| Keller Peak Trivia Net | Friday 7:30 PM | 146.385 + PL 146.2 (KE6TZG) | Fun Friday night trivia on the Keller Peak repeater. All welcome. |
| Keller Peak Red Eye Net | Nightly 10:00 PM | 146.385 + PL 146.2 (KE6TZG) | Late night casual net on Keller Peak. Night owls welcome. |
| Bozo Net | Sun & Wed 7:00 PM | 144.240 (Simplex — Weak Signal) | Weak signal SSB/CW net — for those interested in VHF propagation. |
| Western States Weak Signal Net | Sunday 4:30 PM | 144.200 MHz SSB | VHF weak signal net — SSB mode. Great for antenna experimentation. |
| Wrightwood Disaster Preparedness Net | Sunday 6:00 PM | 145.280 − PL 131.8 | Mountain community EmComm preparedness net — San Gabriel Mountains. |
🎙️ Net Etiquette — Quick Tips
- Listen first. Before checking in, listen to understand the net's format — some are directed (NCS controls traffic), some are roundtable.
- Give your full callsign clearly. Use phonetics if conditions are rough: "Kilo Echo 6 Mike Golf Bravo."
- Keep it brief. Most nets prefer short check-ins: callsign, name, and location. Save the longer QSO for after the net.
- Emergency traffic first. If you have emergency traffic, announce it immediately when the NCS asks — it always goes to the head of the line.
- ARES/RACES nets are excellent training. Even if you're not yet enrolled, most welcome listeners and informal check-ins.
Full Net Listings
Welcome to Ham Radio!
New Ham Guide
Just got your license? Congratulations! Southern California is one of the best places in the world to be a ham. Here's everything you need to get on the air fast.
Welcome to the hobby! Ham radio has been around over 100 years and Southern California has one of the most active ham communities anywhere. You picked a great time and place to get licensed.
Step 1 — Get Your First Radio
You don't need to spend a lot to get started. Most new hams in SoCal start with a handheld transceiver (HT) that covers 2m and 70cm — the two most active bands locally.
| Radio | Price Range | Why It's Good for Beginners |
|---|---|---|
| Baofeng UV-5R / UV-82 | $25–$35 | Cheapest way to get on the air. Covers 2m and 70cm. Programming can be tricky — use CHIRP software (free). Popular, lots of online help available. Not the best audio quality but works fine for local nets and repeaters. |
| Yaesu FT-60R | ~$130 | Big step up in quality, durability, and audio. Easy to program manually. Very popular in SoCal EmComm — trusted by ARES/RACES operators. Great first "real" HT. |
| Yaesu FT-65R | ~$90 | Compact dual-band HT, waterproof, excellent audio. Great mid-range option if the FT-60R is out of budget. |
| Kenwood TH-D75A | ~$550 | Premium HT with built-in APRS, D-STAR, and a receiver covering almost everything. Not for most beginners — but worth knowing about when you're ready to upgrade. |
Step 2 — Program Your Radio for SoCal
The easiest way to program most HTs is with CHIRP — free open-source software that works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Connect your radio via a programming cable and import channels directly.
📻 First 5 Channels to Program
- 146.520 MHz simplex — National emergency calling. No PL tone. This is channel 1 in every SoCal ham's radio.
- 146.385 + PL 146.2 — Keller Peak (KE6TZG) — The IE EmComm repeater. Wide coverage, very active, great for getting your first QSOs.
- 446.000 MHz simplex — National 70cm emergency simplex. No PL tone.
- 144.390 MHz — APRS — Set this as a receive-only channel so your radio can hear APRS traffic in your area.
- Your county ARES/RACES repeater — Find yours in the Regions section of this site and add it to your radio now, before you ever need it.
Step 3 — Make Your First Contact
🎙️ How to Check Into a Net (Your First QSO)
- Tune to the frequency and listen for 30 seconds. Make sure it's not in use before transmitting anything.
- When NCS asks for check-ins, press PTT and say just your callsign clearly: "Kilo Echo 6 Mike Golf Bravo"
- NCS will acknowledge you and ask for your name and location: "My name is [your name], I'm in [your city], 73!"
- That's it — you did it! Your first net check-in is the hardest part. It gets easier every time.
- Best nets for beginners: Conejo Valley ARC Newbie Net (Sun 7PM, 147.885 −), CARA Net at Nine (daily 9AM, 147.090), and GOTA Hams Net (nightly 7:30PM, 449.160 −).
Step 4 — Join a Club
A local club is the fastest way to learn, meet other hams, and get access to club repeaters and equipment. Most clubs are free or very low cost to join. Find one near you:
ARRL Club Finder
Search for ARRL-affiliated clubs by zip code. Find the club nearest to you anywhere in SoCal.
arrl.org →
Keller Peak RA (IE)
Inland Empire's flagship repeater association. Great nets, active membership, welcoming to new hams.
kpra.net →
CARA (Catalina ARA)
One of SoCal's oldest and most respected clubs. Open repeaters, active daily nets, solar-powered infrastructure.
cara.radio →
Orange County ARES
Get involved in emergency communications. OC ARES welcomes new hams at any level.
ocares.org →
Step 5 — Upgrade Your License
Technician gets you on VHF/UHF. General class opens up HF (shortwave) — suddenly you can talk to hams across the US and worldwide. Most Technicians upgrade to General within a year. It's worth it!
HamStudy.org
The best free study tool for all license exams. Flashcards, practice tests, tracks your weak areas. Used by thousands of SoCal hams.
hamstudy.org →
Find an Exam Session
ARRL exam session finder — there are usually sessions in SoCal every weekend. Many are now available online too.
arrl.org →
QRZ.com
Set up your free QRZ profile — it's like your ham radio business card. Every ham looks up callsigns on QRZ.
qrz.com →
Step 6 — Consider Joining ARES
ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) is a volunteer organization of licensed hams who provide communications support during disasters and public events. In earthquake-prone SoCal, ARES operators are invaluable. You can join with any license class — Technician is perfectly fine to start. Contact your county Emergency Coordinator through arrl.org/ares.
Essential Resources for New Hams
HamStudy.org
Best free exam study tool — covers Technician, General, and Extra. Practice until you're scoring 90%+.
hamstudy.org →
RepeaterBook
Find active repeaters anywhere in SoCal. Free app for iOS and Android. Essential for programming your radio.
repeaterbook.com →
CHIRP Software
Free radio programming software for Baofeng and most other HTs. Much easier than manual programming.
chirp.danplanet.com →
ARRL
The American Radio Relay League — the national organization for ham radio. Tons of resources, guides, and the official band plan.
arrl.org →
APRS.fi
Real-time map of APRS stations. Find out who's active near you in SoCal and watch how APRS works before you transmit.
aprs.fi →
QRZ.com
Look up any callsign, set up your own page, and connect with the worldwide ham community.
qrz.com →
ARES · RACES · EmComm Frequencies by County
Emergency Freq's
by Region
County-by-county ARES and RACES primary frequencies for Southern California. These are emergency communication frequencies only — not casual operating channels. For everyday repeaters see the Frequencies section.
These are EmComm frequencies. Monitor before transmitting. During a disaster, listen first — check in only when you have something useful to report or when net control asks for check-ins.
Los Angeles County — EmComm Frequencies
Primary
LA COUNTY · DCS/RACES
145.300
LA County DCS — Primary
LA County Disaster Communications Service (RACES). Primary EmComm net Mondays 7 PM. DCS tone encoded.
Offset: − · DCS Encoded
RACES Alt
147.270
LA RACES — Alternate
LA County RACES alternate frequency. Used during county emergency operations when primary is congested.
Offset: + · PL: 179.9
ARES
DARN System
DARN — ARES LAX
LA division ARES net on the DARN linked system. Hospital affiliated. LAX ARES Monday 9 PM net.
Simplex Fallback
146.520
National 2m Emergency Simplex
If all repeaters fail — this is the universal LA Basin fallback. Every ham in LA should have this as channel 1.
No PL — Simplex
LA County HF Emergency
HF Night
3.992 LSB
CA EmComm Net — Night
California Emergency Services Net — nighttime. Connects statewide when VHF/UHF infrastructure is down.
80 Meters · LSB · Night
HF Day
7.192 LSB
CA EmComm Net — Day
California Emergency Services Net — daytime. 40m provides excellent statewide coverage during daylight hours.
40 Meters · LSB · Day
Resources
Orange County — EmComm Frequencies
Primary
OC ARES · W4MCO ANALOG
443.050
OC ARES — W4MCO Primary
Orange County ARES primary analog repeater. Downtown OC site. Primary for OC emergency coordination.
Offset: +5.00 · PL: 103.5
Primary Linked
OC ARES · W4MCO LINKED
146.730
OC ARES — W4MCO 2m Link
Linked to 443.525 and 444.125 for county-wide OC coverage. Note: different PL from Palomar W6NWG machine.
Offset: −0.600 · PL: 103.5
OC RACES
146.895
OC RACES/ACS Net
Official OC RACES net — Mondays 7 PM. Emergency coordinators check in. Official county EmComm net.
Offset: − · PL: 136.5
HF
3.965 LSB
OC ARES HF Net
Orange County ARES public service HF net. 80 meters, LSB — for when VHF repeaters are unavailable.
80 Meters · LSB
Resources
San Diego County — EmComm Frequencies
Primary
SAN DIEGO · PARC EMCOMM
146.730
Palomar Mtn — W6NWG
Highly reliable high-site EmComm primary for SD County. Generator backed. Most ARES activations start here.
Offset: − · PL: 107.2
ARES Linked
147.060
SD ARES — Linked Primary
SD ARES EC Net primary. Linked to 449.260 − and 449.440 − (both PL 107.2) for full county coverage.
Offset: + · PL: 107.2
ARES Link 2
449.260
SD ARES — UHF Link
Part of the SD ARES three-site linked system. Same PL as 147.060 and 449.440.
Offset: − · PL: 107.2
ARES Link 3
449.440
SD ARES — Otay Mtn
Otay Mountain site. South SD county coverage. Linked to 147.060 and 449.260.
Offset: − · PL: 107.2
Imperial County
147.150
Mt. Laguna — Imperial ARES
Primary for Imperial Valley and eastern San Diego County ARES operations.
Offset: + · PL: 107.2
HF
3.913 LSB
SD ARES HF Net
ARES Southern District HF Net. San Diego Section. 80 meters LSB — statewide reach when VHF/UHF is down.
80 Meters · LSB
Resources
Inland Empire — EmComm Frequencies
Primary
INLAND EMPIRE · KPRA FLAGSHIP
146.385
Keller Peak — KE6TZG (KPRA)
Official IE Emergency Communication Repeater. Wide coverage: IE, LA, OC, parts of SD. IRLP #3216. Primary for all IE ARES nets.
Offset: + · PL: 146.2
HF — SB County
3.987 LSB
San Bernardino County RACES HF
SB County RACES primary HF net. Connects IE, High Desert, and mountain communities county-wide.
80 Meters · LSB
HF — Riverside County
3.945 LSB
Riverside County RACES/ARES HF
Riverside County coordinated HF emergency net. Join if you're in the Riverside County area.
80 Meters · LSB
Keller Peak EmComm Net Schedule
| Net | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital Net | 7:00 PM | First Monday / month |
| SB County Fire EmComm | 7:30 PM | First Monday / month |
| NTS Traffic Net (SCN/V) | 9:00 PM | Mon / Wed / Fri |
| SATERN | 8:00 PM | Sunday nights |
| EmComm Hub on Keller | 8:00 PM | Sunday nights |
Resources
Ventura County — EmComm Frequencies
County Primary
VENTURA COUNTY · ACS/ARES
145.200
Sulphur Mtn — WD6EBY
Ventura County ACS/ARES county-wide primary. Covers all 8 VC areas from Sulphur Mountain. First stop for any VC emergency.
Offset: − · PL: 127.3
Area 1
146.805
Simi Valley — K6ERN
Ventura County Area 1 EmComm repeater covering Simi Valley.
Offset: − · PL: 100.0
Area 4
146.970
Oxnard — WB6YQN
Ventura County Area 4 EmComm repeater covering Oxnard and the coastal area.
Offset: − · PL: 127.3
UHF County-Wide
445.560
Sulphur Mtn UHF — WD6EBY
Ventura County 70cm county-wide EmComm machine. Backup to 145.200 when 2m is congested.
Offset: − · PL: 141.3
Resources
Santa Barbara County — EmComm Frequencies
WIN Node
SANTA BARBARA · WIN SYSTEM
448.900
Santa Ynez Peak — K6JSI
WIN System node at Santa Ynez Peak. Wide SB county coverage, into Ventura County. AllStar Node 1360. Open system.
Offset: − · PL: 123.0
HF
3.867 LSB
SB Section ARES HF Net
Santa Barbara Section ARES HF emergency net. 80 meters, LSB mode. Statewide reach when VHF infrastructure fails.
80 Meters · LSB
Resources
High Desert — EmComm Frequencies
Simplex — Critical
146.520
National 2m Emergency Simplex
In High Desert areas with limited repeater infrastructure, simplex is especially critical. Must be channel 1 in every radio.
No PL — Simplex
HF — SB County
3.987 LSB
San Bernardino County RACES HF
SB County RACES HF net covering High Desert under the San Bernardino County system.
80 Meters · LSB
For current High Desert ARES/RACES repeater assignments, contact San Bernardino County RACES directly and check RepeaterBook.com filtered to San Bernardino County for the most up-to-date local machines.
Coachella Valley — EmComm Frequencies
Primary
COACHELLA VALLEY
146.760
Coachella Valley — Primary
Primary local EmComm repeater for Coachella Valley communities — Palm Springs, Indio, Cathedral City, and surrounding desert areas.
Offset: − · PL: 107.2
Wide Area Backup
146.385
Keller Peak — Wide Area
From the valley floor with a good antenna, Keller Peak is often reachable and links to the full IE EmComm system.
Offset: + · PL: 146.2
HF
3.945 LSB
Riverside County RACES/ARES HF
Riverside County RACES HF net — the Coachella Valley falls under Riverside County's ARES/RACES organization.
80 Meters · LSB
For the full Coachella Valley and Riverside County ARES frequency list and EC contact, visit arrl.org/ares and search for the Riverside County ARES group.
Emergency Communication Organizations
ARES & RACES Info
Everything you need to know about organized emergency communication in Southern California — who runs it, how to join, and what to expect.
What's the Difference?
📻
ARES
Amateur Radio Emergency Service
An ARRL program. Volunteer hams who provide emergency communications support for public agencies, hospitals, Red Cross, and other served agencies. Open to any licensed ham. Organized by county with an Emergency Coordinator (EC) in charge. No government affiliation — purely volunteer.
🏛️
RACES
Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service
A government program administered by FEMA. Hams who are registered with their local government (city, county, or state) to provide communications during declared emergencies. Only activated during official declarations. In many SoCal counties, ARES and RACES members are the same people operating under different authorities depending on the situation.
How to Join ARES in Southern California
🎙️ Getting Involved — Step by Step
- Any license class can join ARES. Technician, General, and Extra are all welcome. You don't need HF privileges to be a valuable EmComm operator in your county.
- Find your county EC. Use the ARRL's ARES section directory to find your county Emergency Coordinator. They're the point of contact for joining your local group.
- Complete ICS training. Most SoCal ARES groups require ICS-100 and ICS-700 (free online through FEMA at training.fema.gov). Some also require ICS-200 and IS-800.
- Check into the weekly ARES net. Each county has a weekly net — find yours in the Net Directory and start checking in. This is how you get to know the team.
- Get RACES registered. Once you're active with ARES, your county EC can help you register with RACES through your county Office of Emergency Services.
- Have your go-kit ready. A portable station with at least 12 hours of battery backup is the minimum. HT + spare battery, your ARES/RACES ID, and a copy of the county frequency plan.
SoCal ARES / RACES Contacts by County
| County | Organization | Primary Net | Resource |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | LA DCS / ARES LAX Division | 145.300 − DCS · Mon 7 PM | arrllax.org |
| Orange County | OC ARES / ACS | 146.895 − PL 136.5 · Mon 7 PM | ocares.org |
| San Diego | San Diego Section ARES | 147.060 + PL 107.2 · Weekly | arrl.org/ares |
| Riverside | Riverside County ARA / ARES | 146.880 − PL 146.2 · Mon 7 PM | arrl.org/ares |
| San Bernardino | San Bernardino County RACES | 146.385 + PL 146.2 · Monthly | arrl.org/ares |
| Ventura | Ventura County ACS/ARES | 145.200 − PL 127.3 · Weekly | vccomm.org |
| Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara Section ARES | 3.867 LSB · HF Net | arrl.org/ares |
Key Resources
ARRL ARES
National ARES program page — find your section, EC directory, training resources, and how to enroll.
arrl.org/ares →
FEMA ICS-100 (Free)
Required by most SoCal ARES groups. Free online, takes about 3 hours. Complete this before your first activation.
training.fema.gov →
FEMA IS-700 (Free)
NIMS introduction — also required by most SoCal ARES groups. Free online. Pair with ICS-100 to meet basic requirements.
training.fema.gov →
OC ARES
One of SoCal's most organized county ARES groups — good model for what active EmComm looks like.
ocares.org →
Ventura County ACS/ARES
VC ACS/ARES is one of the best-organized systems in SoCal — great reference for nets, freqs, and training.
vccomm.org →
DARN — LA ARES Affiliate
DARN actively supports LA area ARES, Red Cross, and hospitals. Emergency-only use is free without membership.
darn.org →