EME-112
The Wilderness Protocol
updated by Paul Smith, k5prs on 02 Mar 2026
The Wilderness Protocol is a dedicated effort to insure emergency communications help either in areas beyond normal repeater coverage or in the event local repeaters are off-the-air and not reachable in an emergency situation.
Here is some information provided by the ARRL and others:
ARES Field Resources Manual
Appendix 10, page 87
https://k6mpn.org/training/ARES-Field-ResourceManual.pdf
Various references to QST, etc. articles
https://leecares.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Wilderness-Protocol.pdf
Understanding the Wilderness Protocol: A Lifeline for Remote Ham Radio Communication
The Wilderness Protocol
Trinity County Amateur Radio Club Wilderness Protocol
The purpose of this initiative is to offer stations outside or without repeater range capability an opportunity to be heard when needed the most!
The Wilderness Protocol suggests that radio operators in the Amateur service should monitor standard simplex channels at specific times in case of Emergency or priority calls.
The primary frequency to monitor is 146.520 MHz, 2 meters/VHF. Other frequencies you can/should monitor are:
52.525 MHz, 6 meters
223.500 MHz,1.25 meters
446.000 MHz, 70 cm/UHF
1294.500 MHz, 23 cm
The idea is to allow communications between hams that are hiking or backpacking in uninhabited areas outside of repeater range. Whether for an emergency or just to hear another voice out there in the wilderness, this provides an alternative opportunity to be heard.
NOTE: Though it’s mainly used in the wilderness settings, it’s NOT just for hikers, back packers, or similar situations….it is also available for ANYONE to use at ANYTIME assistance might be needed.
Recommended procedures for “Wilderness Protocol”:
MONITOR THE STANDARD CALLING FREQUENCIES: *146.520* and/or any of the SECONDARY FREQUENCIES…(52.525, 223.500, 446.00, 1294.500, 23 cm)
MONITOR TIMING: To preserve battery life, stations should power up and monitor the calling frequencies every 3 hours starting from 0700 HRS ..on the hour until 5 (five) minutes past the hour.(7:00-7:05 AM, 10:00-10:05 AM, …,10:00-10:05 PM). Stations experiencing an emergency should ONLY transmit until they get a response after which they should listen only until they are called. Stations experiencing an emergency should also use earbuds or earphones to minimize power consumption.
ALTERNATE TIMING: 0655 to 0705, Etc 5 before till 5 after.. (to allow for differences in peoples watch settings). You can always listen for longer if you want and your power source allows.
ENHANCED MONITORING: Fixed stations or portable stations with enough battery power can LISTEN EVERY HOUR. (Obviously Continuous Monitoring is also an option and many operators use scanners for this purpose.)
LISTENING / MONITORING: Listen to the calling frequencies until 4 minutes past the hour, then make a few calls asking if there are stations listening that may need assistance. This calling traffic should only start at 4 minutes after the hour preceded by listening for 30 seconds…Unless of course you’re the one making an emergency call. LISTEN FIRST-CALL CQ with short transmissions. LISTEN FIRST! – always a good idea!
NOTE: 146.520 IS A CALLING FREQUENCY…. Make your Calls, and then move off the frequency so others can use the frequency. Suggested frequencies to move to; 146.55, 146.43, etc. etc.
PRIORITY TONE SIGNALS: Suggested for Priority Radio Transmissions ONLY.
USE LONG TONE ZERO (abbreviated LiTZ) Annunciation: Begin calls for assistance with about 10 seconds of TONE with the LiTZ signal. Do this by keying up and holding down the zero key to continuously transmit the zero DTMF tone (hence: LONG TONE ZERO). Then proceed to make your emergency call. This should help those listening to recognize that an emergency or priority call is coming through and to clear the frequency.
Remind people of the protocol at your club meetings and on radio nets. It a good thing to know.
That concludes tonight’s training. Are there any questions, comments or suggested additions to this material?
Thanks, this is (callsign) clear to net control.
Send corrections, modifications, updates or suggestions to k5prs@aol.com