What is the U.S. Military voice SAR on-scene and direction finder (DF) frequency?

• A. 138.78 MHz
• B. 121.5 MHz
• C. 2182 kHz
• D. 156.8 MHz

Answer: (A)

In search and rescue, crews rely on a dedicated on-scene voice channel that also serves for direction-finding coordination. The frequency used by the U.S. military for this purpose is 138.78 MHz. This channel allows rescuers to communicate with each other while they perform bearings and triangulate a beacon’s location, keeping the operation coordinated as assets converge on the target.

Other frequencies serve different roles: 121.5 MHz is the long-standing international distress channel used for emergency calls, not the routine on-scene coordination. 2182 kHz is a traditional marine distress channel in the MF band and isn’t used for U.S. military SAR voice on-scene/DF. 156.8 MHz is a maritime channel used for ship-to-ship communications and not the designated SAR on-scene/DF frequency.