Search and Rescue FAQ
GPS Usage in the news:
What lighting is legal on SAR vehicles?
Amber Only! For more details down the law. Washington State Lighting Law
Where Can I find information on Helicopter Training?
Washington State Helicopter Operations Training Program
What's narrow banding and will it effect me?
Narrow banding is coming January 1st, 2013 - Download for more information
Where is the A-Line?
The "A" line which runs through Washington state becomes important when SAR groups are attempting to file for a new radio license or following the permissible transmission orders found in their existing license. The FCC imposes restrictions on most licenses that prohibit the licensee from operating his/her station north of the Line A. Many a licensee has been surprised to find that although their license indicates they can transmit state wide, further reading shows they can only do so South of the 'A" line.
The FCC Line "A" Regulations were established in 1979 and are meant to protect Canadian Land/Mobile operations near the US/Canadian border from interference. The line pretty much follows the 48th Parallel until reaching Washington State. Near Chelan it takes a Southwesterly diagonal toward Aberdeen. It has been calculated as an arc line running from southwest at Aberdeen, northeast toward a location mapped as approximately 11 miles north and one mile east of the southern tip of Lake Chelan in Chelan County. Since it runs diagonally through the Puget Sound Area, locations south of, yet near to Line A are: Tacoma, Federal Way, Auburn, Kent, Maple Valley and North Bend. North of, yet close to Line A are: Gig Harbor, Des Moines, Sea Tac, Burien, Renton, Snoqualmie, Seattle, and Bellevue.
In general: the northern 40% of the state is involved. This includes the following major highways: I-5 from the Seattle-Tacoma Airport Exit (mile marker 152) north to the US/Canadian border. I-90 from the Issaquah Exit (mile marker 25) west to its terminus. I-405 along its entire length around Seattle. US 2 from Milan northeast to the Washington/Idaho border. US 97 from the junction of State Highway 17 north to the US/Canadian border. US 395 from Loon Lake north to the US/Canadian border.
One can go to the following site, fill in your coordinates and it will tell you whether you fall North or South of the "A" line. http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/index.htm?job=line_a_c