Wilderness Protocol

As described in ARRL documentation......

The Wilderness Protocol is a suggestion that those outside of repeater range should monitor standard simplex channels at specific times in cases that others have priority calls.

The primary frequency is 146.52 with 446.0, 52.525, 223.5, and 1294.5 Mhz serving as secondary frequencies. This system was conceived to facilitate between hams that were hiking or backpacking in uninhabited areas, outside repeater range.

However, the wilderness protocol should not be viewed as something just for hikers. It can (and should) be used by everyone anywhere repeater coverage is unavailable. The protocol only becomes effective when many people use it.

The Wilderness Protocol recommends that those stations able to do so should monitor the primary (and secondary, if possible) frequency every three hours starting at 7 AM, local time, for 5 minutes starting at the top of every hour, or even continuously.

Priority transmissions should begin with the LiTZ signal. CQ like calls (to see who is out there) should not take place until after 4 minutes after the hour.

For more information on the Wilderness Protocol refer to QST (Feb 94, page 100: Apr 94, page 109; May 94, pages 103-104)

Comment: Although this protocol would not likely be used under the conditions suggested. It is a good rule of thumb for establishing communications during certain circumstances.