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Last update August 24, 2009

Since the bulk of commercial and public communications is often destroyed in a disaster, emergency communications are usually provided by Licensed Amateur Operators. They have a robust network and train often to support this activity.

Santa Rosa County, Okaloosa County, and Escambia County Emergency Operation Centers have an operational section set up with Amateur Radio equipment and licensed volunteers to handle emergency communication. One licensed radio operator in each county is a designated the Emergency Communications Coordinator (EC). The links below will connect you to more information. If you'd like to become licensed, links below will show you how.

Amateur radio includes voice communications, digital, video, satellite, moon-bounce, and many other modes and interests in this great hobby. Check it out!


Recommended Frequencies for Scanning

Those who are not hams can monitor these on a scanner.
  • 146.700 MHz:
     Santa Rosa Emergency Management Amateur Radio repeater located at the Milton EOC. This is the link frequency between the EOC and its remote operations such as the Navarre CERT VRC. This is used to pass tasking down to us from Milton, and for status reports back to Milton from Navarre CERT.
  • 158.925 MHz:
      South Santa Rosa County fire dispatch
  • 453.975 MHz:
      Santa Rosa Sheriff South County
  • 146.520 MHz:
      National Amateur radio 2m calling frequency
  • 446.000 MHz:
      National Amateur radio 70 cm calling frequency
  • 146.550 MHz:
      Local Amateur radio direct (or "tac") channel (This will come in handy when 146.52 gets busy.)
  • 146.790 MHz:
      Ft Walton Beach main repeater, used for CERT/ ARES... etc
  • 162.400 MHz:
      National Weather Service broadcast for Santa Rosa County
  • 145.670 MHz:
      D-Star simplex

Crestview Repeaters

  • 146.910/-  KD4NHT
  • 147.360/+ W4AAZ 100Hz
  • 224.160/-  N4TCF
  • 224.820/-  WB4CDR
  • 444.600/+ K4FWB  -- D-Star
  • 444.850/+
  • 444.950/+ N4NID

 

KC4ERT

The Navarre CERT Amateur Radio Club repeater is operational. It operates on an output frequency of 444.2 MHz. You can listen with a scanner set to that frequency. Contact our Communications Coordinator, Steve VanDenAkker, for more information.
The following members of CERT are licensed hams:
  • Steve VanDenAkker, W4SJV (Navarre CERT Communications Coordinator)
  • Bob Ferson, KJ4CHK
  • Brian Woodman, KJ4JDR
  • Chris Arnold, KJ4CHH
  • Christina Thompson, KJ4CHF
  • Don Nicholson, N4DGN
  • Doug Schumpert, K4DPS
  • Dylan Beck, KI4MOC
  • Elaine Bieber, KJ4FNP
  • Howard Piansky, KJ4CHL
  • John Askill, KJ4JDU
  • John Thompson, KJ4CHG
  • Joshua Fuller, KJ4EWA
  • Larry Burner, KG4FFB
  • Lou Greene, KI4NZX
  • Mark Pokroy, KJ4JDP
  • Mike Magee, KJ4CHD
  • Mike Sandler, KJ4JDT
  • Peggy Armstrong, KJ4JDS
  • Ralph Agnew, KJ4CHI
  • Rick Morgan, KJ4JDO
  • Robert Lekanidis, KJ4JDQ
  • Sue Ferson, KJ4CHJ
  • TJ Doherty, KJ4CHE
  • Wally Stevens, AJ4EG
If you have a suggestion, email it to us for posting here.
Brief overview of what it takes to get an FCC Amateur Radio License. There are several classes of license, with each higher class permiting expanded operating previlages such as increased frequency range of operation. Each license class is attained by passing certain test elements.  You no longer have to learn Morse code to pass any test!
  • Technician is the entry level class and requires that you learn the rules and some simple electronics about radio communications, to pass the test.
  • General Class is the middle level and requires some increased knowledge of radio electronics.
  • Amateur Extra is the top level and requires even more knowledge and understanding of radio electronics.

All the materials to study and pass the test are available at a "self study" website found at http://hello-radio.org as well as other various web sites.