UPDATE (8/30/2010): The medical helicopters in our area have completed rebanding. This information has been superseded by BRICS Special Order 2010-002.

See this post for more information.

Procedural Update:  Medical Helicopter Communication
Affects:  All BRICS users that may serve as landing zone coordinator

Medical HelicopterTypically, landing zone coordinators communicate from ground to helicopter using a simplex (direct) frequency.  In the 800MHz band, the national mutual aid frequencies (also known as NPSPAC frequencies) are the standard for ground to helicopter coordination.

The BRICS 800MHz voice system is rebanded (what’s that?) and, as such, uses the rebanded mutual aid frequencies (8 CALL 90, 8 TAC 91D, 8 TAC 92D, 8 TAC 93D, and 8 TAC 94D).  These direct, tactical frequencies are found in the bottom of Zone C in your radio.  Normally, 8 TAC 92D or 8 TAC 94D would be assigned for helicopter communication.

ZoneC-ZoneYImportant: The medical helicopters serving our area do not yet have the rebanded mutual aid frequencies in their radios.  To bridge the gap, we’ve placed the old, pre-rebanded frequencies in your radios temporarily.

These pre-rebanded frequencies (named 8i CALL, 8i TAC 1D, 8i TAC2D, 8i TAC3D, and 8i TAC4D) have been added temporarily in your Zone Y.

Until further notice, expect to use 8i TAC 2D or 8i TAC 4D when communicating with medical helicopters.

Learn More

National 800MHz Mutual Aid Channels

Repeated vs. Direct / Simplex

Categories:

Comments are closed