I was programming another set of Baofeng UV-5R Mini radios I picked up during a “Black Friday” sale on Amazon, and it got me thinking about how I’ve evolved my approach to setting up these handhelds over the years. These aren’t my primary radios, but ones I keep them in our vehicles, toss one into our hurricane preparedness kit, or hand them out to family and friends when we need reliable short-range communication.
For a long time, I used to program my radios based on generic frequency lists I found online or by copying what other operators had stored. Back then, as a new ham, I just wanted to fill every memory channel “just in case” I needed it someday. But after years of experience and countless unused channels, I realized that strategy wasn’t a very good one. So I started streamlining my approach.
First, I looked up all the local repeaters in my area and tested which ones I could actually reach from my most common locations. Then I began adding more purpose-driven frequencies, like those used by SARnet, a network of linked UHF repeaters that spans the state. These are especially valuable before, during, and after emergencies, allowing us to check in across long distances when normal comms might be down.
My programming plan has gone through many iterations and continues to evolve. Things get added, edited, or deleted as our needs change. It’s very much a living system.
Here’s my current strategy for organizing channels on these radios:
Simplex Frequencies
I separate these into two main groups: VHF and UHF. Within each, I include the standard calling frequencies (146.520 MHz on 2 meters and 446.000 MHz on 70cm), the ADVENTURE Frequency for outdoor trips, and any simplex channels regularly used by family and friends.
Local Repeaters
This section includes the repeaters in my immediate area, sorted by how often I use them.
SARnet Repeaters
These are linked UHF repeaters that operate on a statewide microwave network. Most are active and monitored during drills and major events, like hurricanes, floods, etc.
NOAA Weather Frequencies
Most modern radios include weather alert features, but I still manually program the seven standard NOAA frequencies between 162.400 and 162.550 MHz. Having them on standby means I won’t miss critical weather updates, especially during hurricane season.
Fire Department Channels
My local fire department transmits in the clear, so I’ve programmed those frequencies into my radio in receive-only mode. This helps with situational awareness during emergencies — and even during daily commutes.
Local Schools
Some nearby schools also use open radio systems for internal coordination. Monitoring them (again, receive-only) helps me stay aware of drills, closures, or unexpected events that might affect traffic.
If you’re building your own communication plan, two resources stand out: Repeater Book and Radio Reference.
- RepeaterBook.com is a crowd-sourced, up-to-date database of amateur radio repeaters across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. It’s great for finding local repeaters, including their frequencies, offsets, and tones.
- RadioReference.com Perfect for exploring local public service communications — police, fire, EMS, schools, and more. It’s a go-to for situational awareness, though remember: listen only, never transmit.
Both of these, along with a few years under my belt, have helped me create a smarter, more practical setup. Instead of cluttering my radios with unused channels, I now focus on what’s relevant and reliable when it counts.