FRS Radio Channel Updates

Published on October 18, 2022

Effective 1 October 2022, OES is implementing the following changes to our neighborhood FRS channel plan. For those neighborhoods impacted, please make these changes immediately.

Purpose of this change: To improve our FRS communications system by better aligning FRS channel use to the size of our neighborhoods. Some neighborhoods remain the same, while others will change, listed in Red below.

Planning Summary:

1. There are a total number of 13 changes to currently assigned neighborhoods.

2. Large neighborhoods are for the most part assigned 2 watt channels.

3. Try to limit 2 watt channels to no more than two neighborhoods.

4. Medium and small neighborhoods will be assigned to .5 watt channels.

5. No more than 4 Neighborhoods on same .5 watt channels.

6. Use geographic distance to keep same channels as far apart as possible to reduce interference.

7. Recognize that channels 15 through 22 can be used for GMRS repeaters We will stay off of 17,20,21,22.

8. CERT groups, when deployed, will use 11/0 for team communications, instead of 5/5.

Table of FRS channels and changes by neighborhood

For questions contact the City of Palo Alto Office of Emergency Services at 650-617-3197 or esv@paloalto.gov

FRS-Channel-Update-Sep-2022-Overview.pdf(PDF, 658KB)