Living in AZ we are fortunate to have many great mountaintop based repeaters, but one system in particular is very popular with hams traveling from the Phoenix metro area into northern AZ or the White Mountains. “Rimlink” is an ARA (Arizona Repeater Association) linked repeater system covering vast sections of the state with links from the Phoenix metro area to the Mogollon Rim, all over the White Mountains, plus the Prescott, Flagstaff, and the Williams areas in northern AZ.
Similar in design to an intercom system, or a linked chain of cell phone towers from your carrier of choice, these ARA Rimlink repeaters are linked together (allowing the repeater closest to you to connect you to all of the other club linked machines around the state) – allowing a single linked repeater system to provide two-way radio coverage to a significant majority of Arizona’s main highway corridors.
Use of these repeaters is regulated by the FCC, which only permits their legal use by individuals who have obtained at least the Technician Class Amateur Radio license. Do not attempt to use them without a minimum of an active Technician license issued by the FCC.
| Frequency | Status | Location | Call Sign | PL Tone |
| 146.720 | Active | Greens Peak – Eagar/Springerville | W7ARA | 162.2 |
| 147.140 | Active | Mt. Elden – Flagstaff | W7ARA | 162.2 |
| 147.200 | Active | Pinal Peak – SW of Globe | W7MDY | 162.2 |
| 147.360 | Active | Mt. Ord – Midway Fountain Hills to Payson | W7MDY | 162.2 |
| 443.775 | Active | Smith Peak – West of White Tank Mountains | W7ARA | 100.0 |
| 442.850 | Active | Shaw Butte – I-17 and Cactus Road in Phoenix | W7ARA | 100.0 |
| 448.500 | Active | Mingus Mtn. – Midway between Cottonwood and Prescott | W7ARA | 100.0 |
| 927.4125 | Active | Pinal Peak – SW of Globe | W7ARA | 151.4 |
Local Club Benefits
The Arizona Repeater Association (ARA) is one of several AZ based ham radio organizations worth joining. More information can be found on their website (https://www.w7ara.org).
The Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) is our national organization promoting Amateur Radio within all 50 states, and more importantly, to our elected representatives, many of which only know of amateur radio’s contributions to public service when a disaster strikes. Additional information can be found at their website (https://www.arrl.org).
Folks interested in two-way radio communications should also consider joining your local amateur radio club. Clubs are in nearly every corner of the state. In the Happy Jack, AZ area, for example, the local club is the Mogollon Rim Amateur Radio Club. They meet on the second Wednesday of every month at 1100 at 8318 Haven Crest Dr. in Happy Jack. They run VHF Nets (146.520) the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 1500 and an HF 80-meter net (3.858) on the fourth Wednesday at 1900. Contact the MRARC by visiting this page Contact MRARC.
Many clubs also have their own club repeaters, which are separate from the ARA Rimlink repeaters shown above. In southeastern AZ, another strong club is the Eastern AZ Amateur Radio Society (aka EAARS) which has 11 linked repeaters stretching from Truth or Consequences, NM (the furthest east) to Bisbee, AZ (the furthest south) to MT. Lemmon in Tucson (the furthest west) to Greens Peak in Eagar (the furthest north).
In the Show Low, AZ area, the local club is the Kachina Amateur Radio Club. They meet on the second Thursday of every month at 1830 at 660 North 9th Place in Show Low.
Both the Kachina Club (www.kachina-arc.org), the EAARS club (www.eaars.com) and ARA don’t mind your using their repeaters on an occasional basis, but all amateur radio clubs would greatly appreciate your support (in the form of membership dues) should you find yourself using one or more of their repeaters on a consistent basis. Membership in most clubs is usually $2-$3 per month (hardly a deal breaker when you consider the cost of the technology and the time/expense to build and maintain multiple mountaintop repeater systems).
Again, local clubs are available in nearly every corner of the AZ, so, if those mentioned above aren’t near you, just google local amateur radio clubs in your area, whether that is in Kingman, Payson, Flagstaff, Cottonwood, Tucson, or Yuma and you’ll find one (or more) near you.
Additional Useful Prepper Information
You’ll hear ham radio operators referring to various frequencies as either the “2 meter” band (144-148 MHz) or the “70 centimeter” band (420-450 MHz). Ham radio operators have many additional bands, many of which most inexpensive Chinese or Japanese radios don’t normally cover, like the 1.25-meter (222-225 MHz) band, or the 33-centimeter (902-928 MHz) band, plus many more HF (1.8-29.7 MHz) bands. All told, amateur radio bands contain millions of possible frequencies that can be used, BUT only with the appropriate license, which is now easier than ever to obtain.
Many preppers use various FRS (UHF) or MURS (VHF) channels to communicate, as these frequencies don’t require a license to use, but don’t support the use of repeaters to extend your distance. The most popular of them have become FRS channel 3 (462.6125) and MURS channel 3 (151.9400). GMRS (UHF) has also become a popular option (462-467 MHz) but does require a license from the FCC.
“Local” Communications Sources
If you have finally decided to get your amateur radio license off your “someday” bucket list, or you just want to have the extended range of being able to talk around the country with a small handheld or mobile radio, you now have a couple of local sources in the Phoenix area for two-way radio, satellite communications gear, base and mobile antennas, radio programming software, ham license study guides, etc.
RF Gear2 Go has now opened a new sales office location at the Mesa Falcon Field Airport (4711 East Falcon Drive, Suite 202, Mesa, AZ 85215). These folks attend multiple hamfests, prepper shows, outdoor expos, gun shows, and 4WD overland expos all over the southwest-in short, they are experts at getting you communications prepared. Their toll-free number 866-448-4327 Craig, N7LB, at Ext. 300 or Danette, W7WBE, at Ext.301. www.rfgear2go.com and Craig.N7LB@gmail.com.
A second option is Ham Radio Outlet. “HRO is a family-owned business with multiple sales locations throughout the United States which include a formidable presence on the internet, making it the largest Ham radio dealership in the world. Customer service is one of our primary goals. We employ active hams with varied backgrounds and expertise to be able to assist in many areas of the hobby.” There is an HRO store located at 10613 N. 43d Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85029. Visit their store or contact them at: phoenix@hamradio.com; 602-242-3515; toll free at 800-559-7388. They have a very large selection of amateur radio equipment and resources.