ESD Radio frequency information

[chromatest]

I have a Baofeng radio for camp in case we need to contact ESD. This was bought due to this post:
https://survival.burningman.org/surviva ... ting-help/ "“911” Service in Black Rock City — Best Ways to Get Help Fast"

I'm programming it via CHIRP software, but it seems there are some settings that aren't specified and I don't know if they are needed.

Is anybody else doing this, and can you share a chirp preset file with your settings? (or whatever it's called)

[Molotov]

I don't have a CHIRP file, but everything you need was in the announcement with the exception that you need to set your radio to Narrow band-UHF. I just programmed mine from the radio keyboard-yes it's tedious, but can be done. I also put the tone on the receive side, so I won't have to listen to a lot of idle chit-chat. Here is an excerpt of an e-mail I received:

"For 2022, this is changing. ESD will no longer be monitoring the old MURS channel but instead will be monitoring a new licensed frequency that anyone can use to report an emergency: 451.9000 MHz with a CTCSS/PL tone of 91.5 (This is narrowband, so set your radio for “narrow” setting or 2.5 kHz deviation.) Although it’s a licensed frequency, the frequency is licensed to BMP, which grants to all participants the right to use it if needed."

[chromatest]

Thanks. I'm super new to this, and when I got into CHIRP software I saw all sorts of other columns that looked like maybe were important.

Seems I was overthinking it. Thanks Molotov!

[Drizzt321]

I'd be interested in hearing the why the move to not listen in on one of the MURS channels, that seemed like a great way to let advanced, but not Ham level, regular folks still be able to call for ESD out and about. Or was there just too many invalid calls or were people stomping on that channel too much to make it useless/pointless to try and monitor?

[chromatest]

Since there are only 5 MURS channels, and probably a lot more than that number of groups of people trying to use it, I'd wager your guess is correct. Too much chatter on it to monitor it for emergencies effectively.

[Molotov]

MURS has always been a shitshow on the playa, what with multiple calls stepping on each other, along with random alerting tones, roger beeps, limited range and other nonsense. I tried in once and turned it off after just a few hours.

I hope this plan works out, and will be monitoring it closely when I have time, along with 146.52 and 446.00 MHz calling channels. I did put the PL tone on the receive side of my handheld, so that should mute some of it. Of course I will hit the "monitor" button before calling so I can hear if the channel is in use by someone who didn't program in the PL/CTCSS tones.

[Drizzt321]

I thought FRS was the real shitshow, although I can believe MURS is as well. How's GMRS? I'd believe the same as MURS, even with more channels.

[Molotov]

As I understood the announcement of the new UHF channel it said "anyone" can use it to report an emergency. No mention of licensed amateur radio operators. I guess that goes along with the general consensus that states: "Anyone, licensed or not, can use your radio equipment in an emergency to call for help on any frequency."

I defer to Black Rock Emergency Dispatch that they have have jumped through the FCC hoops to set up this emergency channel.

[Drizzt321]

As I understood the announcement of the new UHF channel it said "anyone" can use it to report an emergency. No mention of licensed amateur radio operators. I guess that goes along with the general consensus that states: "Anyone, licensed or not, can use your radio equipment in an emergency to call for help on any frequency."

I defer to Black Rock Emergency Dispatch that they have have jumped through the FCC hoops to set up this emergency channel.

What I read in that was it was licensed spectrum, and they were granting anyone at the event the right to use it to contact ESD as needed, whether you have an FCC license/Ham/etc or not. Provided you have a 4W or less radio.

So correct, even though I don't have a Ham license, if I can set a radio to the right details and it's 4W or less transmit power, I can use that for contacting ESD. However, if someone doesn't have a Ham license, they're far FAR less likely to have an appropriate radio that can end up contacting ESD. That's just my impression though.

[chromatest]

I don't have a HAM license and I have two radios set up to contact ESD. I've suggested that the owner of our camps Mutant Vehicle, and the camp lead also buy radios which I will program for them. You know, for emergencies.

[Drizzt321]

I'm referring to "normal people", not big camp/art car folks. Which presumably have enough know-how or know people to get how to set it up/what to buy, and enough money to buy something like that (I know, it's like $40-50) that they'll use for once a year. The vast, VAST majority of attendees don't think like that.

[HarryN]

So people are willing to pay:
- $1500 for a ticket
- probably spend a few $thousand more on food, supplies, transportation, etc
- Most likely own a $1K cell phone

and won't spend $50 on safety and communication ?

[chromatest]

So people are willing to pay:
- $1500 for a ticket
- probably spend a few $thousand more on food, supplies, transportation, etc
- Most likely own a $1K cell phone

and won't spend $50 on safety and communication ?

Thanks for following along! I think that is the case.

[ptvans]

Does anyone know if there will be any GMRS repeaters in BRC this year?

[HarryN]

So people are willing to pay:
- $1500 for a ticket
- probably spend a few $thousand more on food, supplies, transportation, etc
- Most likely own a $1K cell phone

and won't spend $50 on safety and communication ?

Thanks for following along! I think that is the case.

Thinking about it some more - you are probably right.

[Drizzt321]

So, bringing this conversation back up. Appropriate (low end) hardware for this. I'm seeing conflicting information from around saying the Baofeng UV-5R only does 420-450MHz in UHF, and the ESD is 451.9MHz. And elsewhere, it says it does 400-520MHz. And some places the UV-5R is discontinued and any new ones are fakes, and others saying there's a 3rd gen out there that's current.

So, any thoughts on a radio that'll do this? BF-F8HP seems recommended as a UV-5R "replacement", even though it's more powerful (don't need/want really). I'd just leave it at 1W or 4W.

As an extra thought, could I (with FCC GMRS license) program one of these to include GMRS frequencies and maybe MURS frequencies and be OK? I'm thinking one with just the ESD 911 frequency, but off, at my camp and have laminated instructions and train a few folks on where and how to use it. And then one to keep with me, with GMRS/MURS/ESD 911 that I'll have with me.

I'd say including FRS, but only if it can be switched down to low enough power. Although according to https://midlandusa.com/blogs/blog/6-thi ... mrs-radios, FRS can go up to 2W on any channel now? So a switchable to 1W can do FRS legally just fine?

Or it really will get me in trouble/cause issues if I try and use a radio for more than just ESD 911 (such as including GMRS), so don't bother?

[swaybreeze]

hi. how do i tell when looking info on a radio if it is one which will work for this ESD Radio Freq need? how can i know the following info before buying??
* some descriptions say it is UHF or not (that's good..).
* which frequencies a radio is limited or can be used with to be sure the 451.9000 is accessible?
* the wattage... again, not on the normal description information...

i have been searching online for user manuals etc but if there is a quicker way to identify a basic radio that will work, what should i look for?

having just found this ESD radio process, i want to be sure i get a radio and set up if at all possible, for my personal and camp use.

thank you.

[Token]

Don’t overthink it folks.

For ~ $70 the BaoFeng UV-82C out of the box meets the specification of the licensed spectrum the BORG purchased and is allowing you, Joe Q Public to use while attending Burning Man.

It is CFR 90 certified.
It is switchable to 12.5KHz spacing.

Program your radio to 451.9000 MHz with a PL tone of 91.5 and 12.5 kHz spacing to reach the Black Rock City 911 Dispatch.

Follow this document: from 2022 but still good.

https://burningman.org/wp-content/uploa ... .08.09.pdf

.