Tactical Spectrum & Communication Regulations in Panama
Regulatory Compliance Notice
To ensure proper and responsible use of the electromagnetic spectrum during emergency or contingency situations, CIPRO Panama establishes the following regulatory and technical guide.The frequency information provided is for reference purposes. It is the responsibility of each operator or user to review and confirm current regulations with regulatory authorities (ASEP in Panama), keeping in mind that provisions and band allocations may change at any time.
🔴 Amateur Radio Bands (Licensed)
⚠️ MANDATORY REGULATORY WARNING:
Transmission on the frequencies listed below requires an Official Amateur Radio License (HP Callsign). Passive monitoring and listening by the general public is 100% FREE and open without a license.
Transmission on the frequencies listed below requires an Official Amateur Radio License (HP Callsign). Passive monitoring and listening by the general public is 100% FREE and open without a license.
VHF / UHF Simplex Frequencies
- 146.520 MHz FM (VHF): National Simplex Calling and Emergency Frequency in 2 Meters.
- 433.000 MHz FM (UHF): Local Simplex Frequency for Short-Range Tactical Links.
International HF Emergency Frequencies (EmComm)
- 7.110 MHz LSB: 40 Meter Band — IARU Region 2 Emergency Net.
- 14.300 MHz USB: 20 Meter Band — Global Maritime Emergency & Service Net.
- 21.360 MHz USB: 15 Meter Band — Intercontinental Emergency Net.
- 3.760 MHz LSB: 80 Meter Band — Regional Night Emergency Net.
📊 Real-Time HF Propagation Map & Calculator
The ionosphere fluctuates constantly based on solar activity. Access the real-time regional HF propagation map to determine optimal bands:
🟢 License-Free Public Bands (No License Required)
✅ FREE ACCESS & TRANSMISSION FOR EVERYONE:
These bands do NOT require an amateur radio license to transmit. Any citizen or family can operate them immediately on CB radios or LoRa Mesh devices.
These bands do NOT require an amateur radio license to transmit. Any citizen or family can operate them immediately on CB radios or LoRa Mesh devices.
📻 Citizens Band (CB 11 Meters) — CHANNEL 9
⚠️ MANDATORY REGULATORY WARNING (CITIZENS BAND):
According to the National Frequency Allocation Plan (PNAF), Revision 2025 (Res. AN No. 20335-Telco), the use of Citizens Band in Panama (26.96 to 27.28 MHz) is exempt from fees. However, it DOES REQUIRE a permit/registration issued by the Ministry of Government and Justice of Panama. Operators are urged to regularize their equipment during peacetime.
According to the National Frequency Allocation Plan (PNAF), Revision 2025 (Res. AN No. 20335-Telco), the use of Citizens Band in Panama (26.96 to 27.28 MHz) is exempt from fees. However, it DOES REQUIRE a permit/registration issued by the Ministry of Government and Justice of Panama. Operators are urged to regularize their equipment during peacetime.
- 27.065 MHz Frequency (AM / SSB): Official International Emergency & Highway Distress Channel in Citizens Band.
📱 Itinerant Use Radios (FRS / GMRS Walkie-Talkies)
✅ FREE USE UNDER PNAF (REV. 2025):
Article 12.7 of the ASEP PNAF (Revision 2025) stipulates that the frequencies listed below are for "Itinerant Use" by the general public and DO NOT require a concession, license, or authorization.
Article 12.7 of the ASEP PNAF (Revision 2025) stipulates that the frequencies listed below are for "Itinerant Use" by the general public and DO NOT require a concession, license, or authorization.
To remain legal, transmitting equipment must strictly comply with the following conditions (PNAF Art. 12.7):
- Transmission Type: Simplex (direct radio-to-radio communication).
- Antenna: Integrated into the equipment, or external portable/mobile type.
- Restrictions: The use of repeaters or base station installations is NOT permitted.
Authorized Frequencies and Power Limits (Panama - PNAF Art. 12.7):
🔵 VHF Itinerant Band (Up to 2.0 Watts / 12.5 kHz)
| FREQUENCY (MHz) | LEGAL USE IN PANAMA (PNAF ART. 12.7) |
|---|---|
140.4250 MHz | Free itinerant simplex use |
153.9750 MHz | Free itinerant simplex use |
159.4750 MHz | Free itinerant simplex use |
162.5750 MHz | Free itinerant simplex use |
🟢 UHF Itinerant Band - Low Power (Up to 0.5 Watts / 12.5 kHz)
Frecuencias equivalent to standard FRS (Family Radio Service) channels.
| FRS CHANNEL | FREQUENCY | FRS CHANNEL | FREQUENCY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Channel 1 | 462.5625 MHz | Channel 8 | 467.5625 MHz |
| Channel 2 | 462.5875 MHz | Channel 9 | 467.5875 MHz |
| Channel 3 | 462.6125 MHz | Channel 10 | 467.6125 MHz |
| Channel 4 | 462.6375 MHz | Channel 11 | 467.6375 MHz |
| Channel 5 | 462.6625 MHz | Channel 12 | 467.6625 MHz |
| Channel 6 | 462.6875 MHz | Channel 13 | 467.6875 MHz |
| Channel 7 | 462.7125 MHz | Channel 14 | 467.7125 MHz |
🔴 Banda UHF Itinerante - Alta Potencia (Hasta 5.0 Vatios / 25 kHz)
Frequencies equivalent to primary GMRS simplex channels.
| GMRS CHANNEL | FREQUENCY | GMRS CHANNEL | FREQUENCY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Channel 15 | 462.5500 MHz | Channel 19 | 462.6500 MHz |
| Channel 16 | 462.5750 MHz | Channel 20 | 462.6750 MHz |
| Channel 17 | 462.6000 MHz | Channel 21 | 462.7000 MHz |
| Channel 18 | 462.6250 MHz | Channel 22 | 462.7250 MHz |
- General Operational Use: Neighborhood tactical communications, family coordination, and security perimeters using standardized commercial radios (Handy-Talkies).
🌐 LoRa Mesh Networks — 915.000 MHz (ISM)
- 915.000 MHz ISM Band (Meshtastic & Reticulum Network Stack):
- Usage: Encrypted off-grid digital messaging, tactical GPS tracking, and free community telemetry without cell tower dependence.
- Legal Framework (PNAF Rev. 2025): Article 12.2 classifies the ISM band (902 to 928 MHz) as Short Range Radiocommunication Devices, which authorizes its free public use without the need for a concession, license, or registration (Art. 11.5.1 establishes a technical upper limit of 1W for outdoor use, which these portable nodes do not exceed).
Created by the Author: Revision v1.0. Corrections and suggestions from the community are welcomed.