Forest Lakes radio
Radio communications play an important role in community awareness and emergency preparedness in Forest Lakes. A scanner radio allows you to monitor local communications from the Forest Lakes Fire District, the Navajo County Sheriff's Office, and other public safety agencies, helping you stay informed during emergencies and community events.
In addition to receiving local emergency communications, you are encouraged to obtain a GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) license. A GMRS license allows you to use the same radio to communicate with other licensed users in the community for general conversations, welfare checks, neighborhood information, and emergency communications. More information below on the GMRS license.
The Forest Lakes community has standardized on the BAOFENG UV-5R handheld radio. These radios are available for purchase at the Forest Lakes Library for $25 and come pre-programmed with all of the channels commonly used in our area. If you choose to purchase your own radio, there is additional information below.
The preferred method of communicating within Forest Lakes is through the Forest Lakes GMRS Repeater, which provides coverage throughout much of the area. The repeater operates on GMRS Channel 20 using a 141.3 Hz CTCSS (PL) tone. On the pre-programmed community radios, simply select the channel labeled "FLGMRS."
This page will continue to grow as additional radio resources become available. Be sure to check back for programming information, operating guides, frequently asked questions, and other helpful resources.
If you have questions, comments, or need assistance with your radio, please contact Dave Gardner at david@davids.org or call/text 480-844-8888.
jOIN THE WEEKLY NET
To help ensure our community is prepared for emergencies, we conduct a weekly Forest Lakes GMRS Net every Saturday morning at 9:00 AM. The net includes community announcements, an opportunity for licensed operators to check in, and an open forum for questions and local information.
Participation is encouraged, and listeners are always welcome. It's an excellent way to verify that your radio is working properly while becoming familiar with radio operations and meeting others in the community.
additional information
What if I purchase my own radio?
If you choose a different radio model, you will be responsible for programming it yourself. A complete list of the channels and frequencies used in Forest Lakes is available through the link below.
More on GMRS:
The license is issued directly by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), costs $35, is valid for 10 years, requires no examination, and covers your entire immediate family.
Step-by-step instructions for obtaining a GMRS license can be found below.
