Stay Informed, Connected, and Ready When the Grid Goes Down
Introduction
In a grid-down emergency, your ability to communicate or gather information could mean the difference between chaos and control.
But not all radio frequencies are created equal. Whether you're deep in the backcountry or holding it down on your homestead, certain frequencies are worth knowing, programming, and practicing with right now — not after the emergency hits.
This is your no-fluff guide to the 10 most useful radio frequencies for off-grid living, preparedness, and tactical comms.
Why These Frequencies Matter
These frequencies give you:
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Local and regional communications
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Emergency weather alerts
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Situational awareness (fire, EMS, law enforcement)
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The ability to reach help or coordinate action
We’ve broken them into categories so you can plan your loadout and comms plan accordingly.
1. 146.520 MHz – HAM VHF National Simplex
This is the go-to frequency for HAM operators on the 2-meter band.
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Ideal for: Direct line-of-sight comms between operators
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Legal use: Licensed HAMs (Technician license)
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Why it matters: In an emergency, this is where other preppers, responders, and HAMs are likely to be listening
2. 446.000 MHz – HAM UHF National Simplex
Think of this as the UHF counterpart to 146.520 MHz.
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Better performance in urban areas, buildings, and wooded terrain
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Common for tactical or “talk-around” use
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Also requires HAM license
3. 462.675 MHz (GMRS Channel 20) – Repeater Ready
One of the most common GMRS repeater channels.
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Great range if you’re within reach of a GMRS repeater
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No test required (just a $35 license)
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Used by families, prepper groups, and convoy coordination
4. 462.5625 MHz (GMRS Channel 1 / FRS Channel 1)
This frequency is often used by FRS radios, which don’t require a license.
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It’s the “default” channel on many box-store radios
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Good for short-range comms or scanning for others
5. 151.940 MHz – MURS Channel 3 (Unlicensed VHF)
MURS is legal to use without a license and tends to be less congested than FRS.
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VHF = better range in open terrain
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Excellent for short-range comms on private property or bug-out sites
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Can be used with basic handhelds like the BTECH MURS-V1
6. 27.065 MHz – CB Channel 9 (Emergency Use)
CB radios still have a place in rural and mobile use.
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Channel 9 is the traditional emergency channel
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Range is limited, but it can be extended with mobile antennas
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No license required
7. 27.185 MHz – CB Channel 19 (Truckers and Road Intel)
Truckers still monitor this frequency for road conditions, accidents, and traffic issues.
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Good for situational awareness if you’re mobile
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Also used by off-roaders and convoy groups
8. 162.400–162.550 MHz – NOAA Weather Radio Channels
These are receive-only, but they’re mission-critical.
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NOAA continuously broadcasts weather, alerts, and hazard warnings
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Works nationwide
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Any basic weather radio will pick this up
9. Local GMRS Repeater Frequency (Varies by Region)
Search your area on RepeaterBook.com for local GMRS repeaters.
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Program in your most reachable repeater
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Essential for extending GMRS range up to 30+ miles
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Useful for team coordination or relaying info across town
10. Local Emergency Services Frequencies (Scanner Only)
While you can’t transmit on these, you can listen — and that can be a massive advantage.
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Use RadioReference.com to find your local PD, fire, EMS, and utility freqs
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Great for understanding real-time threats in your area
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Requires a scanner or dual-band HAM radio with receive-only capability
Pro Tip: Create a Frequency Card
Print and laminate a quick reference card with your top 10 programmed frequencies, tone squelch info, and who/what each channel is for.
Store copies in:
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Your radio case
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Your bug-out bag
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Your vehicle
Final Thoughts
These 10 frequencies represent your core survival comms toolkit. They're legal, practical, and widely used — meaning you're more likely to reach someone or gather critical information when it counts.
Don’t just read this list — program your radios, test them regularly, and train your team. When the grid goes down, these frequencies could be your only link to the outside world.