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GMRS

• GMRS Stands for General Mobile Radio Service
• It is in the UHF radio band.  
• It consists of 15 FM Wideband and Narrowband channels.

• 8 are exclusive channels (only GMRS)
• 7 are shared channels (shared with the Family Radio Service - a.k.a. “FRS”).
• Repeater paired channels are available so that units may talk over a greater distance, when used with a repeater system.

THE RULES FOR GMRS (summarized) ARE:

• You MUST have a valid FCC license to operate on the GMRS channels.
• Each individual or family unit must have it’s own license.
• Licensees may talk to each other and among themselves.
• GMRS is for personal use only. It may NOT be used for business communications of any kind
• 5 Watt power limit on the channels which are shared with the FRS Channels
• 50 Watt power limit on the exclusive channels
• External antennas may be used, but may be placed no higher than 20 feet above the structure on which they are mounted.

   EQUIPMENT FOR GMRS:

• Radios for combined GMRS/FRS service must have

• A NON-detachable antenna.
• Automatic switching to low power (.5 watts) when tuned to FRS Channels.

• Radios for exclusive use on GMRS are allowed to have detachable antennas for connection to external antennas for mobile or base station use.
• Handheld radios, base stations, mobiles and repeaters may be used, as long as the rules governing use of those devices on GMRS channels are followed.

FRS

• FRS Stands for Family Radio Service
• It is in the UHF radio band.  
• It consists of 14 FM Narrowband channels.

• 7 are exclusive channels (only FRS)
• 7 are shared channels (shared with the General Mobile Radio Service - a.k.a. “GMRS”).
• NO repeater service is available on FRS.

THE RULES FOR FRS (summarized) ARE:

• License-Free channels (No FCC License required)
• FRS is open for personal, business, recreational or any other use.
• .5 Watt (1/2 watt) power limit on ALL channels
• External antennas may NOT be used.

   EQUIPMENT FOR FRS:

• Radios for FRS-only or for combined GMRS/FRS service must have

• A NON-detachable antenna.
• Maximum power of .5 Watts, or automatic switching to 1/2 watt when using to FRS-Only channels.  

• There are NO FRS mobiles or base stations. Just handhelds.

MURS

• MURS Stands for Multi-Use Radio Service
• It is in the VHF radio band
• It consists of 3 FM Narrowband channels and 2 FM Wideband or Narrowband channels
• There is NO repeater service available on MURS.

THE RULES FOR MURS (summarized) ARE:

• License-Free channels (No FCC License required)
• For Business or Personal use.
• 1 or 2 Watt power limit depending on channels
• External antenna may be used.

  EQUIPMENT FOR MURS:

• Radios for MURS Channels must:

• Be designed for 2-Watt Power level
• Or be programmed not to exceed 1 or 2 watts depending on the channels

• The highest point of any MURS antenna must no be more than 60 feet above the ground or 20 feet above the highest point of the structure on which it is mounted.

VHF/UHF Narrowbanding Information

Summary:

On January 1, 2013, all public safety and business industrial land mobile radio systems operating in the 150-512 MHz radio bands must cease operating using 25 kHz efficiency technology, and begin operating using at least 12.5 kHz efficiency technology. This deadline is the result of an FCC effort that began almost two decades ago to ensure more efficient use of the spectrum and greater spectrum access for public safety and non-public safety users. Migration to 12.5 kHz efficiency technology (once referred to as Refarming, but now referred to as Narrowbanding) will allow the creation of additional channel capacity within the same radio spectrum, and support more users.

After January 1, 2013, licensees not operating at 12.5 KHz efficiency will be in violation of the Commission's rules and could be subject to FCC enforcement action, which may include admonishment, monetary fines, or loss of license.

More Information:

Beginning in about 1998 radio manufacturers began manufacturing equipment capable of narrowband operation.  Just because a radio is “capable” of narrowband operation, it does not mean it is set up for narrowband.  Two things need to happen in order for your radio system to be compliant. 1) You must be licensed for narrowband operation and 2) you must have your radios re-programmed to narrowband mode if they are capable.  Radios which are too old to be compatible with narrowband operation will need to be replaced.

If you have questions regarding licensing for the new narrowband mode, to obtain new narrowband-capable radios or to have your old equipment reprogrammed to narrowband, please use our contact form or call us and we will be happy to help you out.

The following links are provided for your information:

VHF/UHF NARROWBANDING INFORMATION    

FCC License REQUIRED for Most Radio Communications

There’s a very common misconception among the general public that one may simply purchase a two-way radio and use it for any purpose whatsoever, without regard to any regulations or licensing requirements. This article will explore where we believe this misconception came from and expose the truth regarding FCC requirements for two-way radio operation.

The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) is the regulatory agency for all RF (Radio Frequency) emissions in the United States. They regulate all forms of electronic communication within our borders. The FCC’s rules for Two-Way Land Mobile radio communications are very specific: with few exceptions, ALL radio communications MUST be licensed.

The exceptions are as follows:

• MURS frequencies (see the article at the lower left of this page)
• FRS frequencies (see the article below)