Back to basics - go simplex

The use of simplex operation is not new and in fact it was a way of life before voice repeaters arrived many decades ago.

If you find yourself on the shores of Australia’s large inland sea, Lake Eyre, or someone else remote, a call on simplex FM can surprisingly achieve results.

In fact a number of travelling radio amateurs do sit on the (Australian) national calling frequency of 146.500 MHz – and that should be encouraged.

Simplex also takes away some of the hassles with repeater operation such as what repeater to use and those CTCSS access tones.

The Simplex Preservation Society http://www.73sps.com/ is a club in the United States that is an alternative to what it calls the traditional repeater-centric amateur radio groups.

It’s not suggesting anyone gives up repeater use, but its members do monitor simplex, make regular contacts that way and maintain a capability to be able to operate independently of repeaters.

SPS members maintain, or improve, their VHF stations to ensure they can effectively communicate within their city limits.

Do you regularly evaluate your simplex capabilities or perhaps have an over-reliance on repeaters? There are plenty of regular repeater nets but not as many simplex nets.

As a suggestion a net controller could put everyone to the test by QSYing to simplex to see just how many can still maintain contact.

The Simplex Preservation Society believes that being simplex-capable will also be vital in times of natural disasters or other emergencies.

Jim Linton VK3PC
Wireless Institute of Australia