landscape · 2 pages · US Letter or A4 · prints fine in black and white
PACE comms card
A comms plan for your household or group: four ways to reach each other, in order, with the exact frequency, tone, check-in windows and the trigger to move to the next level. Page 2 holds the channel plan, brevity words, rally points and roster.
- Write the plan with your group, then give everyone the same card.
- Program every radio from the channel plan in the same memory order, and test each channel before you need it.
- Pick check-in windows people will actually keep, and say exactly what triggers moving down a level.
- Practice once a month: check in on Primary, then walk the plan down to Emergency.
- GMRS needs an FCC license (no exam; it covers your immediate family). Ham needs a license for each operator who transmits. MURS is license-free at 2 W.
War Box
PACE comms card
Group / plan
Effective
Review by
Times
Net control
Check-in format (same order every time)
PACE plan work down the levels in order; everyone carries the same card
| Level | Method and device | Frequency / channel | Mode | CTCSS tone | Call signs and ID | Check-in windows | Move to next level when |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PPrimary | |||||||
AAlternate | |||||||
CContingency | |||||||
EEmergency |
Radios, antennas and power every radio on the plan, with what it runs on
| Station | Radio (make, model) | Power out | Antenna and feedline | Battery / supply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spares and charging | ||||
Before you need it
Every radio programmed from the channel plan (page 2) and tested on every channel
Batteries charged, spares packed, and a way to charge them without grid power
Everyone in the group has this card and knows the check-in windows
Run the plan once a month: check in on Primary, then walk it down to Emergency
Licenses current: GMRS for the family, ham for each operator who transmits
Licensing
GMRS needs an FCC license (no exam; it covers your immediate family). Ham frequencies need an FCC amateur license (Technician or higher) for anyone who transmits. MURS is license-free on certified radios, 2 W max. GMRS power depends on the channel: up to 50 W on main channels 15-22 (ch 17 included) and repeaters, 5 W ERP on 1-7, 0.5 W on 8-14. Anyone can listen. GMRS and ham rules ban codes meant to hide a message’s meaning, so keep brevity words plain and shared.
War Box
PACE comms card
Radio and channel plan program these memories into every radio in the same order
| Mem | Name | RX MHz | TX MHz | Duplex | CTCSS TX / RX | Mode | Power | Service | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brevity words plain shorthand, not codes
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
Rally points
| RP | Where | Route in | Hold / windows | Sign left |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Roster
| Call sign | Who | Radios | License / FCC call | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|