Comms — Wimberley Watchtower

Local Repeaters

All from your CHIRP programming file. Tones are transmit-only — you don't need to set them to listen. NFM mode, squelch 20–30.

Primary local net: KE5LOT (HCARC) 147.050 MHz — Hays/Caldwell Amateur Radio Club. Weekly net Tuesdays 7:30 PM. First call during any local emergency.

2-Meter (VHF) Repeaters

Callsign	Output	Offset	TX Tone	Notes
WA5AP	147.100	+600k	141.3	PrimaryClosest to Wimberley — under 1 mile. Try this first.
KE5LOT HCARC	147.050	+600k	114.8	Club NetHays/Caldwell ARC. Tuesdays 7:30 PM
W5FUA	147.060	+600k	103.5	Backup
WB5LVI	147.000	+600k	103.5	BackupAlso on 147.220 (+600k, 103.5 Hz)
N5OAK	147.250	+600k	114.8	BackupSame tone as HCARC
AK5Q	145.250	−600k	162.2	BackupNegative offset. CHIRP also has KF5KOI entry on same freq (77 Hz tone)
KE5AMB	145.430	−600k	114.8	MonitorAlso on 443.000 UHF (same tone)
AC5AS	146.680	−600k	94.8	Monitor
W5DK	146.920	−600k	131.8	MonitorW5DK also has 224.58 / 442.675 / 443.500 / 444.350 pairs
W5MIX	146.740	−600k	—	MonitorNo tone required
W5TAA	145.563	−600k	—	MonitorNo tone required
(unnamed)	146.880	−600k	100.0	MonitorIn your CHIRP file without a name

70-Centimeter (UHF) Repeaters

Callsign	Output	Offset	TX Tone	Notes
WA5AP	442.550	+5 MHz	141.3	Primary UHFSame trustee as closest 2m repeater
WA5PAX	444.150	+5 MHz	114.8	BackupSame tone as HCARC 2m
KG5IWQ	440.625	+5 MHz	103.5	Backup
KE5AMB	443.000	+5 MHz	114.8	BackupPair with 145.430
W5DK	442.675	+5 MHz	131.8	MonitorAlso 443.500 (141.3) and 444.350 (151.4)
AE5BA	443.525	+5 MHz	114.8	Monitor
WB5LVI	443.850	+5 MHz	103.5	MonitorSame trustee as 147.000 / 147.220
WA5KBQ	443.250	+5 MHz	103.5	Monitor
W5MOT	444.325	+5 MHz	186.2	MonitorUnusual tone — note carefully
K5TRA	444.500	+5 MHz	110.9	Monitor
W5ERX	444.450	+5 MHz	114.8	Monitor
KG5PVG	442.700	+5 MHz	123.0	Monitor
WS5DRC	440.275	+5 MHz	—	MonitorNo tone
WA5JEC	443.975	+5 MHz	—	MonitorNo tone
AI5TX	443.650	+5 MHz	—	MonitorNo tone

1.25-Meter (222 MHz) Repeaters

Callsign	Output	Offset	TX Tone	Notes
W5DK	224.580	−1.6 MHz	131.8	MonitorRarely congested — useful for local tactical comms
K1LFK	224.900	−1.6 MHz	100.0	Monitor

Simplex Calling Frequencies

Frequency	Band	Notes
146.520 MHz	2m	NationalNational 2m simplex calling. First place to call if repeaters are down. CHIRP: HAM2MNAT
146.420 MHz	2m	PrepperInformal SHTF simplex. CHIRP: HAMSHTF
146.440 MHz	2m	PrepperInformal preparedness simplex. CHIRP: HAMPREP
446.000 MHz	70cm	NationalNational UHF simplex calling. CHIRP: HAM70CM
446.100 MHz	70cm	MonitorSecondary UHF simplex. CHIRP: HAM70CMG

Tones (CTCSS/PL) are transmit-only. To listen to any repeater, just tune the output frequency in NFM mode with squelch at 20–30. You'll hear all traffic regardless of tone settings.

Public Safety — Hays County

All from your CHIRP file. Fire, EMS, Sheriff, SAR, emergency management, and more. Receive/monitor only.

Receive only. These are licensed public safety frequencies. Transmitting without authorization is a federal crime. Monitor passively for situational awareness during emergencies.

Wimberley / Hays County Fire & EMS

CHIRP Name	Frequency	Notes
WVFD	154.010 MHzNFM	PrimaryWimberley Volunteer Fire Department. Most important channel during a local fire or flood.
NHayFire	154.250 MHzNFM	North HaysNorth Hays County fire dispatch
SHayFire	154.355 MHzNFM	South HaysSouth Hays fire — uses DCS code 351 in your CHIRP file
EHayFire	154.385 MHzNFM	East HaysEast Hays County fire dispatch
SAR	155.160 MHzNFM	Search & RescueHays County SAR operations
WFire/EM	155.895 MHzNFM	Wildfire / EMWildfire and Emergency Management coordination. Regional mutual aid and OEM operations during fire events.

Sheriff, State & Federal

CHIRP Name	Frequency	Notes
HaysSher	155.865 MHzNFM	PrimaryHays County Sheriff primary dispatch
HayCoShe	155.970 MHzNFM	BackupHays County Sheriff secondary / tactical
STAPOL	155.475 MHzNFM	MonitorTexas DPS / State Police interoperability
NATGAR	149.538 MHzNFM	MonitorNational Guard tactical — activated during major declared disasters
FEMAOP	163.100 MHzNFM	MonitorFEMA operational — active during federal disaster declarations
REDCRSS	47.420 MHzFM	MonitorAmerican Red Cross low-band VHF coordination. Use Balun One Nine + wire antenna (low VHF).

Aviation, Marine & Specialty

CHIRP Name	Frequency	Mode	Notes
AIRTG / Guard	121.500 MHz	AM	MonitorInternational aeronautical emergency guard. All aircraft + ATC 24/7. Listen for MAYDAY and medevac traffic during large incidents.
CTAF	122.900 MHz	AM	MonitorCommon Traffic Advisory — uncontrolled airspace. Useful during aerial firefighting ops.
MILEMER	243.000 MHz	AM	MonitorMilitary UHF emergency guard (10× 121.5 MHz). Military aircraft and medevac helicopters.
MAR16DIS	156.800 MHz	NFM	MonitorMarine Channel 16 — international distress and calling. Monitored by USCG 24/7.
MAR9BOAT	156.450 MHz	NFM	MonitorMarine Ch 9 — boater calling. Canyon Lake and Guadalupe River waterway traffic.
RAILRD	160.230 MHz	NFM	MonitorRailroad dispatch — useful during derailments or hazmat incidents near rail lines.
ISSDL	145.800 MHz	NFM	RX onlyISS downlink — infrequent voice passes, ~10 min windows when overhead.

NOAA Weather Radio

NFM mode. ANT500 extended to ~44 cm. RF gain 30–40 dB. All 7 WX channels are in your CHIRP file (NOAA 1–8 plus satellite entries).

Best for Wimberley: WXK27 on 162.400 MHz — Austin transmitter covering Hays County. SAME code 048209 for Hays County-only alerts on a dedicated weather radio.

162.400 MHz

WXK27 — Austin, TX
Hays, Travis, Blanco, Bastrop, Caldwell, Burnet, Williamson, Lee counties

NFM · CHIRP: NOAA 2

162.475 MHz

San Antonio area backup
Try if Austin signal is weak

NFM · CHIRP: NOAA 5

Scan all 7

162.400 → 162.425 → 162.450 → 162.475 → 162.500 → 162.525 → 162.550

If primary is off-air

NOAA Weather Satellites (SDR receive)

CHIRP / Source	Frequency	Notes
NOAASAT (CHIRP)	137.100 MHz	APT downlink. Decode images with WXtoImg or noaa-apt. V4 dipole at 54 cm per element.
NOAA-15	137.500 MHz	NFM mode. ~14 passes/day over Wimberley.
NOAA-19	137.620 MHz	Most active NOAA satellite as of 2026.

SAME code for Hays County: 048209. Program this on a Midland or Uniden weather radio to wake the alarm only for local county alerts — filters out surrounding counties.

AM/FM Broadcast Stations

FM: WFM mode. AM: AM mode, RF gain 40–50 dB, Balun One Nine + wire antenna for best results.

Local Wimberley FM — Emergency Stations

Freq	Call	Notes
94.3 FM	KWVH-LP	Local EmergencyWimberley Valley Radio — your community's emergency broadcaster, born from the 2011 wildfires and 2015 Memorial Day flood. 100W nonprofit. wimberleyvalleyradio.org
104.1 FM	KOWO	LocalWimberley Texan Radio — volunteer community station. wimberleyradio.org

Regional FM

Freq	Call	Notes
103.9 FM	KBEY	Hill Country news — Blanco, Burnet, Marble Falls, Johnson City. News on the hour mornings/evenings weekdays.
98.1 FM	KVET	Austin news/talk. CBS News affiliate.
90.5 FM	KUT	UT Austin NPR. Extended emergency coverage.
107.1 FM	KLBJ	Austin legacy news/talk. ABC News affiliate.

AM Band

Freq	Call	Notes
590 AM	KLBJ	EmergencyAustin's main news/talk AM. ABC News. Stays on during most disasters.
1300 AM	WOAI	San AntonioSA major news/talk. Good when Austin signals disrupted.
740 AM	KTRH	Night DXHouston 50kW clear-channel. Audible at night via skywave.

After sunset, the ionosphere reflects AM signals hundreds of miles. Stations from Dallas (WBAP 820), Houston (KTRH 740), and SA (WOAI 1300) become audible — useful if local stations are knocked off-air.

Emergency Nets & HF Frequencies

For licensed amateur operators. HF nets are the backbone of long-range emergency comms when repeaters and internet are down.

Grid-down priority: (1) Monitor 147.100 / 147.050 local repeaters → (2) If repeaters down, call 146.520 simplex → (3) Regional/statewide info on TX ARES HF nets → (4) Family welfare traffic: 3.935 MHz LSB

Texas ARES / RACES HF Emergency Frequencies

Frequency	Mode	Net	Schedule
3.873 MHz	LSB	TX ARESTexas State ARES Net — primary statewide emergency net	Mon 6:30 PM CT · Active during disasters
7.285 MHz	LSB	TX ARES DayTexas ARES Emergency Daytime — when 80m is long	Daytime disasters · TX Traffic Net daily
3.910 MHz	LSB	Central TXCentral Texas Emergency Net — Austin/Hill Country regional	Active during regional emergencies
3.935 MHz	LSB	H&WTexas ARES Health & Welfare Traffic — family welfare messages	Active during disasters
7.248 MHz	LSB	TX RACESTexas RACES Primary — government-activated only	Gov't activation only
3.975 MHz	LSB	TX RACES AltTexas RACES Alternate	Backup to 7.248
7.290 MHz	LSB	H&W DayTexas ARES Health & Welfare daytime	Daytime backup

HF Propagation Guide

Band	Frequency	Mode	Best Time	Reach
80m	3.5–4.0 MHz	LSB	Night	Regional — Texas and neighboring states. TX ARES nets live here.
40m	7.0–7.3 MHz	LSB	Eve/Night	Regional to national. TX traffic nets active daytime.
20m	14.0–14.35 MHz	USB	Daytime	National to international. SATERN disaster net: 14.265 MHz.

HCARC / Hays County ARES: hchams.org is the local ARES affiliate. Tuesday net on 147.050 connects you with local operators. Register with ARES before a disaster — not during one.

GMRS & MURS — License-Light Comms

All channels are in your CHIRP file. GMRS requires a $35 FCC license (no test, covers whole family). MURS is completely license-free.

GMRS Key Channels (from your CHIRP file)

CHIRP Name	Frequency	Power	Notes
GMRSEME	462.675 MHz	5W	Emergency Ch 20GMRS national emergency/calling channel. Monitor during any event. All GMRS and BaoFeng GMRS handhelds reach this.
GMRS1–7	462.5625–462.7125	5W	Main GMRS simplex channels. Programmed with 88.5 Hz tone in your radio.
GMRS8–14	467.5625–467.7125	2W	Interstitial channels — lower power, shorter range.
GMRS15–19, 21–22	462.550–462.725	5W	Wide-channel GMRS frequencies.
RPT1–8	462.550–462.725 +5 MHz	5W	Repeater input+5 MHz offset. Use if a local GMRS repeater is available in the area.

MURS Channels (no license required)

CHIRP Name	Frequency	Notes
MURS 1	151.820 MHz	VHF cuts through terrain better than UHF. Useful for farm/ranch, neighborhood, or town square area comms. No tone needed. 2W max by FCC rule. NFM mode.
MURS 2	151.880 MHz
MURS 3	151.940 MHz
MURS 4 / BLUDOT	154.570 MHz	Dual entry in your CHIRP file (MURS 4 and BLUDOT). Same frequency.
MURS 5	154.600 MHz	Widest bandwidth MURS channel.

CB Radio (from your CHIRP file)

CHIRP Name	Frequency	Notes
CB19	27.185 MHz	Trucker channel — active on I-35. Road condition reports and awareness. (Note: real CB radios use AM mode; your radio has it as FM — SDR monitoring use AM mode.)
CB9EMER	27.065 MHz	Official CB emergency channel. Monitored by REACT teams. Range 5–20 miles.

GMRS vs ham: GMRS is the simplest path to family/neighborhood comms — $35 FCC license, no exam, covers everyone in your household. Midland T71 and similar radios work with your CHIRP channels. Ham radio has more power, more bands, and better emergency infrastructure, but GMRS is a solid fallback.

SDR Quick Reference

RTL-SDR Blog V4 · SDR# · Balun One Nine + Wire (HF) · ANT500 (VHF/UHF) · V4 Dipole Kit (satellites/ADS-B)

⚙️ Mode Selection

WFM — Wideband FMFM broadcast 88–108 MHz

NFM — Narrow FMRepeaters, weather, public safety

AMAM band, shortwave, air band, CB

USB — Upper SidebandHam voice above 10 MHz

LSB — Lower SidebandHam voice below 10 MHz · TX ARES nets

🎚️ RF Gain by Band

FM Broadcast5–15 dB

VHF (144 MHz repeaters)20–30 dB

Public Safety (150–160 MHz)25–35 dB

NOAA Weather (162 MHz)30–40 dB

UHF (440 MHz repeaters)30–40 dB

HF Shortwave (3–30 MHz)35–50 dB

AM Broadcast40–50 dB

🔌 Antenna Guide

Balun One Nine + WireHF 0.5–30 MHz

Red wire (7.5m) → ANT post · Black wire (2.5m) → GND post. Also usable for VHF low-band (47–160 MHz) public safety monitoring.

ANT500 TelescopicVHF/UHF

Extend to ~44 cm for NOAA (162 MHz) and 2m repeaters. Best antenna for public safety + ham monitoring.

V4 Dipole KitSatellites / ADS-B

54 cm per element for NOAA satellites (137 MHz) · Short elements for ADS-B (1090 MHz).

🕐 Always-On Reference

WWV Fort Collins, CO2.5 / 5 / 10 / 15 / 20 MHz AM

UTC time ticks + propagation reports 24/7. Can't hear WWV on 10 MHz? Your HF setup has a problem.

CHU Ottawa, Canada3.330 / 7.850 / 14.670 MHz AM

Canadian time signal, EN/FR.

SDR# frequency entry

Right-click frequency display to type directly. Format in Hz — 6.05 MHz = type 6050000.

Best Shortwave Bands (⭐ = Prime)

Band	Frequency	Best Time	Notes
49m ⭐	5.900–6.200 MHz	Evening/Night	Best evening band — lots of international broadcasters
31m ⭐	9.400–9.900 MHz	Day & Eve	Prime international band. Very active.
19m ⭐	15.100–15.800 MHz	Daytime	Best daytime band. WWV at 15.000 MHz.
41m	7.200–7.450 MHz	Evening/Night	Broadcasters + 40m ham (LSB). TX ARES nets active here evenings.
25m	11.600–12.100 MHz	Day/Early Eve	Radio Martí at 11.930 MHz

Waterfall too red? Reduce RF gain — background should be dark blue. Audio fuzzy? Check gain first, then verify the correct mode (AM vs USB vs WFM). Signal at an unexpected frequency? Disconnect the antenna — if it disappears, the signal was real; if it stays, it's an internal artifact.

Useful Links

Online resources for frequency lookup, repeater data, satellite passes, weather, and local club info.

Ham Radio & Repeaters

hchams.org

Hays/Caldwell Amateur Radio Club — local nets, events, ARES info

repeaterbook.com

Find local repeaters, verify tones, check activity comments

radioreference.com

Complete frequency database — scanner, public safety, ham

rtl-sdr.com

RTL-SDR V4 users guide, tutorials, project ideas

Shortwave & Propagation