FRS/GMRS Radio - General - Revision history

BruceSchafer: /* PREPARATIONS: TEAM SUPPORT COMMUNICATIONS */ Added missing word.

2023-12-17T00:41:50Z

PREPARATIONS: TEAM SUPPORT COMMUNICATIONS: Added missing word.

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:41, 16 December 2023
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	* Know your team’s channel.		* Know your team’s channel.
	* Standardize radios if possible (every Member owns the same kind).		* Standardize radios if possible (every Member owns the same kind).
	* Test and map radio range from the NET staging		* Test and map radio range from the NET staging area(s).

BruceSchafer: Added section

2023-12-17T00:39:37Z

Added section

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:39, 16 December 2023
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	Today, both FRS and GMRS radio provide access to all 22 channels, but GMRS transmit at higher power on most channels and can only be used with an FCC license - currently a cost of $35 every ten years. A GMRS license covers all immediate members of a licensee’s family, but a licensee can also designate anyone to operate a GMRS radio in a life safety emergency. There is no test to obtain a GMRS license and the license expires after ten years but can be renewed. For more information about the rules governing GMRS, please review [https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/general-mobile-radio-service-gmrs this part of the FCC’s regulations].		Today, both FRS and GMRS radio provide access to all 22 channels, but GMRS transmit at higher power on most channels and can only be used with an FCC license - currently a cost of $35 every ten years. A GMRS license covers all immediate members of a licensee’s family, but a licensee can also designate anyone to operate a GMRS radio in a life safety emergency. There is no test to obtain a GMRS license and the license expires after ten years but can be renewed. For more information about the rules governing GMRS, please review [https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/general-mobile-radio-service-gmrs this part of the FCC’s regulations].

			===== PREPARATIONS: TEAM SUPPORT COMMUNICATIONS =====
			Teams should:

			* Own their own radios if possible.
			* Practice with radios as a team, and drill a communications plan frequently.
			* Know your team’s channel.
			* Standardize radios if possible (every Member owns the same kind).
			* Test and map radio range from the NET staging

BruceSchafer: Created initial content for new page

2023-12-17T00:37:31Z

Created initial content for new page

New page

Family Radio Service (FRS) or General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) radios are the recommended means for team support communications. These radios are usually rugged, lightweight, and compact.

In the past, FRS radios had 7 FRS/GMRS shared frequencies (channels 1 to 7) and 7 dedicated FRS frequencies (channels 8 to 14). FRS radios now support 22 channels but are limited 2 watts or 1/2 watts depending on the channel. They cannot be lawfully modified, and require no FCC license to operate.

Conversely, GMRS radios supported first seven frequencies (channels 1 to 7) or on the GMRS dedicated channels (15 - 22). A GMRS radio user must have an FCC license to operate on the GMRS channels. GMRS radios had more power (generally 1 to 5 watts).

Today, both FRS and GMRS radio provide access to all 22 channels, but GMRS transmit at higher power on most channels and can only be used with an FCC license - currently a cost of $35 every ten years. A GMRS license covers all immediate members of a licensee’s family, but a licensee can also designate anyone to operate a GMRS radio in a life safety emergency. There is no test to obtain a GMRS license and the license expires after ten years but can be renewed. For more information about the rules governing GMRS, please review [https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/general-mobile-radio-service-gmrs this part of the FCC’s regulations].