RADIO COMMUNICATIONS
It is strongly recommended that all pilots flying from our launch sites should carry a working UHF radio to allow informal communication with other pilots.
Radios can be used not only for instructing or guiding students but also for sharing information on conditions, location of active thermals or hazards and particularly for passing information on safety issues and in an emergency.
Voice procedures are informal though it is best to stick to convention where possible.
Channels are Citizen Band and anyone can use any channel although in practice some channels are allocated for specific use and are best avoided. Those in most frequent use locally are shown below.
We ask that you be mindful to only use the channels marked as able to be used.
Ask on launch which channel people are using and conduct a radio check before launching.
| To Be Used | Channel | Frequency, MHz | Usage Description |
| No | 1 thru 8 | 476.425 - 476.600 | Reserved for repeater use |
| Yes | 9 | 476.625 | Local Paragliding |
| No | 10, 11 | 476.650, 476.675 | Official use |
| Yes | 12, 13 | 476.700 - 476.725 | Local Paragliding |
| Yes for intended purpose |
14 | 476.750 | Mt Beauty Gliding Club |
| No | 15 | 476.775 | Forestry Ops |
| Yes for intended purpose |
16 | 476.800 | Sky High Club Flying |
| No | 17, 18, 19 | 476.825 - 476.875 | Local Forestry Operations |
| Yes | 20, 21 | 476.900, 476.925 | Local Paragliding |
| No | 22, 23 | 476.950 - 476.975 | Data |
| No | 24 | 477.000 | Forestry Ops |
| No | 25 | 477.025 | Hancock Victoria Plantations |
| No | 26 | 477.050 | Hancock Victoria Plantations |
| Yes | 27 | 477.075 | NEVHGC Club Flying |
| Yes | 28 | 477.100 | NEVHGC Club Flying |
| No | 29 | 477.125 | Forestry Ops |
| Yes | 30 | 477.150 | Local Paragliding |
| No | 31 thru 38 | 477.175 - 477.350 | Reserved for repeater use |
NOTE: Sometimes channels marked for ‘Local Paragliding’ are used by the paragliding schools. Always check with the instructor (on launch or in the Landing Zone) that your group has not chosen one which they are using.
TO SQUELCH OR NOT TO SQUELCH
To reduce interference with overlapping groups of users, local pilots will often select a CTCSS code or sub-channel (squelch).
A popular example used by NEVHGC members is the ‘Bright 11’ setting Channel 28 (477.100MHz) and CTCSS Code 11 (97.4 Hz).
VHF RADIO USAGE
Traffic in the vicinity of Porepunkah and Mt Beauty airfields can be monitored on VHF CTAF 126.0 MHz.
It is obligatory to maintain a listening watch on the airfield channel if ground handling, towing or conducting powered paraglider operations at the airfields.
If landing at the airfields, it is obligatory to make a VHF radio call announcing your intentions.
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