The Online Radio Channel Suit

Online Radios channels suite on the Zello PTT platform

The Online Radios suite of channels has grown from a single public channel into a family of actively moderated spaces where both licensed radio amateurs and unlicensed radio enthusiasts communicate together.

With the guiding principles of “keep it simple” and “inclusive rather than exclusive,” Online Radios is expected to welcome thousands of listeners and operators worldwide who enjoy high-quality simplex communication in a friendly atmosphere.

The Online Radios channels are used by licensed radio amateurs, unlicensed enthusiasts, and people gaining operating experience before sitting their amateur-radio examinations.

Stations are encouraged to use a relaxed form of amateur-radio protocol and to promote good on-air etiquette at all times.

These channels are directly moderated and operated by SoCal PD Media, whose team works to keep operations family-friendly. Any operator who swears, abuses the system, or disrupts others is prohibited from transmitting or is blocked as required.

The moderator team—and many knowledgeable users—are also happy to assist newcomers, offering guidance and support so everyone can get the most from the Online Radios experience.

How many channels are in the Online Radios channel suite?

There are currently eight channels available in the Online Radios suite of channels.

Channel zero is called “Online Radios” (channel logo shows 00) — this is the primary channel operated by SoCal PD Media.

There are six standard channels named:

Online Radios CH 01 through Online Radios CH 06

(Channel logos show 01 to 06) — all directly operated and moderated by SoCal PD Media.

There is also a dedicated Events channel called “Online Radios EV” (channel logo shows EV) operated by SoCal PD Media.

This Events channel is used for things like:

- Special coverage days

- Field events

- Community communication drills

- Media broadcasts

- Themed discussion groups

*Operators or organizations wishing to use the Online Radios EV channel for an event should contact a moderator with full event details and time schedules.

There is no designated “calling channel.” Channels 00 to 06 are all open for calling and active communication.

If channel 00 is busy, simply try another — giving priority to mobile stations is always encouraged.

To add Online Radios to your Zello channels list:

- Open the Zello app

- Use the “Find a Channel” function

- Search for Online Radios

Make sure the channel descriptions mention SoCal PD Media as the operator

❗ Be aware of fake or copycat channels that are not affiliated with SoCal PD Media. These channels may use similar graphics or names but are not official.

Any channels not operated by SoCal PD Media are not part of the official Online Radios suite.

Fake or fraudulent channels that impersonate the Online Radios brand are in direct violation of Zello's Terms of Service and community guidelines. These channels were often created by individuals banned from the original suite for misconduct or abuse of the platform.

Always check that the channel is operated by SoCal PD Media to ensure you're in the official channel.

Simple Guidelines

The Online Radios suite of channels are:- Flexible, Simple, Friendly & Safe.

Simple Guidelines:

* Keep it Family Friendly. Please do not swear or be abusive to others.

* Use the Echo service in your Contacts to test/set up your audio.

* It is good practice to give Mobile stations priority.

* All transmissions must be in English.

* Offensive usernames, profiles or images are not allowed.

* All users MUST operate within the Zello Terms of Service and Community Guidelines at all times.

The Online Radios suite of channels DO NOT have a designated 'calling channel' — there are 7 standard channels, and you can call on any clear channel.

Please be sensible and call CQ on any channel that is not already in use. (Think of it like calling CQ on a clear frequency)

Operators on these channels must be ‘Family Friendly’ at all times. Keep it clean!

Users with offensive usernames, profiles, or images will be blocked.

Anyone swearing, being abusive, using offensive images, disrupting other stations, attempting to spread false information,

promoting illegal activity, or violating the Zello Terms of Service or Community Guidelines

will be removed.

Cross-linking with other channels or platforms is not allowed.

Attempting to connect any form of ‘Gateway’ or ‘Repeater’ to this suite of channels is prohibited.

In short, Play nice or play somewhere else. :)

Online Radios "OR" call signs.

‘Online Radios’ / ‘OR’ callsigns are entirely Optional. : OR callsigns are registered on a One per Person basis.

Unlicensed radio enthusiasts can use their registered OR callsign on the Online Radios channels.

Licensed Radio Amateurs can use their official amateur radio callsign on the channels and use their registered OR number as a ‘club member number.’

NOTE: Do Not set up a Zello account with an OR number that has not been registered.

Any user attempting to use an unregistered OR number will NOT be 'trusted in' and may be blocked from the channels.

You need to register an OR callsign before attempting to use it on the channels.

Official OR callsigns can only be allocated and registered in the official OR callsigns database by a moderator or administrator of the Online Radios suite of channels, operated by SoCal PD Media.

Fake OR numbers from any other source will be blocked from the channels and may result in a system ban.

Anyone found giving out OR numbers illegally may be prosecuted.

An OR callsign is registered to an individual person. One person can have one registered OR callsign. If you wish to use multiple devices with a Zello account for each specific device, you may add a suffix to your registered OR callsign: e.g., I am registered as OR707, but I also use OR707-T199 on an Inrico T199 screenless network radio.

To register for an OR callsign, you will need to call a moderator on one of the Online Radios suite of channels,

— or —

You can contact a moderator through the SoCal PD Media community channels.

The moderator can check availability of specific OR callsign numbers in the database and arrange registration for you.

When registering an OR callsign, you will be required to provide your Operator Name and a Rough Location.

Details given during registration are added to a private database accessible only to the Data Controller,

Moderators of the Online Radios Suite of Channels, and the channel suite administrators.

The stored data can only be modified or edited by the Data Controller or an Administrator with write access.

Moderators have read-only access to this data to verify callsigns when ‘trusting in’ new users

and checking OR number availability when handling new registration requests.

Registration requests are submitted to the Data Controller and administrators through a private internal system

used only by the Data Controller, Administrators, and Moderator team.

All data is stored privately and will NOT be published, released, or shared with any third-party organization.

Links to the Official Online Radios Channels on the Zello Website

Channel Name: Online Radios

Zello Page Link: https://zello.com/channels/k/iZUHX

Channel Name: Online Radios CH 01

Zello Page Link: https://zello.com/channels/k/iZUSv

Channel Name: Online Radios CH 02

Zello Page Link: https://zello.com/channels/k/iZUS4

Channel Name: Online Radios CH 03

Zello Page Link: https://zello.com/channels/k/iZUIn

Channel Name: Online Radios CH 04

Zello Page Link: https://zello.com/channels/k/iZUIz

Channel Name: Online Radios CH 05

Zello Page Link: https://zello.com/channels/k/iZUIC

Channel Name: Online Radios CH 06

Zello Page Link: https://zello.com/channels/k/iZUSS

Channel Name: Online Radios EV

Zello Page Link: https://zello.com/channels/k/iZUHB