About Us
How Can We Help?
Our group is here for you. We work hard to be a resource for our communities.
We share a simple vision: to provide local communities, and public agencies, with alternative and emergency forms of communications via the use of two-way radios.
We can use your help . We are a Washington State non profit organization.
You do not need to be a member to use our services.
The Project
This project covers band plans that are accessible to the community such as Amateur Radio, GMRS, FRS, and MURS.
Many local agencies and communities have associated with the group. These entities all share the same communications plan and channel line-up. This provides for continuity in communications and channels.
- POCRG: Provides training, education and radio programming to ensure alternative forms of communications exists for
- Who is involved: Communities, neighbors, businesses, agencies, local governments.
- License Requirements: No licenses required to talk on our system using GMRS*, FRS, MURS.
- License required to talk on Amateur Radio Frequencies
- Multi-use radios start at $23.00 - $62.00 (for mid-grade) and can be purchased from sites such as Amazon and Ebay.
- Designed for constant monitoring and use: Some channels are reserved and used for monitoring, checking in and for calling others in community etc. Other channels are available to use for general purpose, day to day, family use, etc.
Daily use encouraged: Once programmed with shared frequency bands, you are encouraged to use them on scheduled ants and routinely as "walkie-talkie" type radios for the purpose of general communications (home/work/mobile/hiking, fishing, camping, etc). This also has the added benefit of providing you practice should a real-world emergency arise.
Radios can be programmed to:
- Receive emergency broadcasts from communities, Emergency Management, ARES/RACES, local/state agencies.
- Receive NOAA weather radio.
- Scan non-encrypted Police/Fire/EMS/USFS/DNR/etc. frequencies
- Talk on MURS, FRS, GMRS*, no license required.
- Talk on Ham radio frequencies, license required. (Recommended)
* Unlicensed use of GMRS is at a greatly reduced authorized power and without repeater access
your communications capabilities with an amateur radio license
You are not required to be an amateur radio operator to join POCRG and use the radio system, but it will open up more doors for you regarding communications if you wish to get your license in the future.
The easiest Amateur Radio License (Ham License) to get is technician class. Learning Morse Code is not required and the 35 question, all multiple choice, come from a published pool. No surprises! We can direct you to study material designed to help YOU pass your Amateur Radio Technician Class License and assist with your learning. The FCC license fee is $35.00 and is valid for 10 years.
Need a Radio?
We have a small supply of Baofeng UV-RE handi talkies available for $26.00 each. (Our cost of $21.00 plus a $5.00 donation to POCRG).
Radios are preprogrammed with the POCRG frequency set and include free local delivery. Programming software and the frequency set are available in the downloads section. These can be programmed manually from the keypad, but it is tedious and the programming cable is inexpensive and widely available,.