Blog/2016/12/FRS GMRS Radio Primer: Difference between revisions

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[[Category:Radio Communication]]
[[Category:Radio Communication]]


First published: Dec 29, 2016
First published: Dec 29, 2016 Updated Sept 11, 2025


FRS/GMRS radios are the go-to radios for most intra-team NET communication. Every NET member should have one in their go-kit. Here’s what you need to know about the world of FRS/GMRS to be an effective (and legal) FRS/GMRS operator. There is also some buying advice for those who still need to get their radio.
FRS/GMRS radios are the go-to radios for most intra-team NET communication. Every NET member should have one in their go-kit. Here’s what you need to know about the world of FRS/GMRS to be an effective (and legal) FRS/GMRS operator. There is also some buying advice for those who still need to get their radio.<span id="the-services"></span>
 
<span id="the-services"></span>
=== The Services ===
=== The Services ===


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FRS (Family Radio Service) is free, and no license is required. It offers a short range of operation due to low power and antenna restrictions.
FRS (Family Radio Service) is free, and no license is required. It offers a short range of operation due to low power and antenna restrictions.


GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) covers a much farther range through higher power and the options of external antennas and repeater operation. However, it requires a license. The license is $65 for 5 years with a simple, online application. There is no exam. The license covers your entire “family.”
GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) covers a much farther range through higher power and the options of external antennas and repeater operation. However, it requires a license. The license is $35 for 10 years with a simple, [https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/support/knowledge-base/universal-licensing-system-uls-resources/applying-new-license online application]. There is no exam. The license covers your entire “family.”


The services have 22 channels – some are shared and some are exclusive for the particular service.
The services have 22 shared channels - with differences in maximum wattage according to whether you are using an unlicensed FRS radio or a licensed GMRS radio. See [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Mobile_Radio_Service#Frequency_table Channel and Frequency Table] Users of FRS and GMRS radios do not need know the frequencies their radios use because the radios come pre-programmed with the frequencies stored as channels.  


[https://portlandprepares.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/FRS-GMRS-chart.jpg [[File:FRS-GMRS-chart.jpg|513x548px|class=wp-image-26822]]]
<span id="being-legal"></span>


<span id="being-legal"></span>
=== Being Legal ===
=== Being Legal ===


It is your responsibility to operate your radio in a legal manner.
Each NET team is assigned a channel from 2-22. Channel 1 is informally recognized as a national calling channel for emergencies. Using the shared FRS/GMRS channels allows for teams to have both unlicensed and licensed team members. The non-licensed members are restricted to low power while the licensed members may use higher power.
 
* If you do not have a GMRS license, you may only operate on channels 1-14 and only with low power.
* If you have a GMRS license, you may operate on any of the 22 channels with the maximum power shown on the chart.


Each NET team is assigned a channel from 2-7. Channel 1 is informally recognized as a national calling channel for emergencies. Using the shared FRS/GMRS channels allows for teams to have both unlicensed and licensed team members. The non-licensed members are restricted to low power while the licensed members may use higher power.
Most consumer handheld radios are FRS radios covering the 22 channels at relatively low power. More expensive radios are GMRS radios and offer more power and therefore greater range but require an FCC license (but no test).
 
Ninety-nine percent of today’s consumer handheld radios cover both services. The exceptions are GMRS-only radios which we’ll cover below. All of the dual-service radios automatically reduce power on the FRS-only channels 8-14. On the shared FRS/GMRS channels 1-7 however it is the user’s responsibility to use low power if they are not licensed. While it is simple to do, each manufacture has a different way to do this. Some radios (newer Motorola models) have two PTT (Push-To-Talk) buttons – one for low power and one for high power. Nice and simple. Other radios (Midland, et al) have a menu option to set power level on a channel-by-channel basis.  It seems that these radios come from the factory with the default power level set to high. If you are not licensed, you will need to consult your radio manual on how to reduce power on the shared channels.
 
One caveat: A few older dual-service radios do not have the ability to reduce power on the shared FRS/GMRS channels. Unfortunately, this renders the radio useable to GMRS-licensed members only. If you think you may have one of these radios, your team ARO may be able to help you check if you are concerned.


Of course, in an emergency involving the threat of life safety or imminent property damage, you may operate on any channel with any power level.
Of course, in an emergency involving the threat of life safety or imminent property damage, you may operate on any channel with any power level.
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{| class="wikitable" style="height: 603px;" width="809"
|+Radios Available in 2016 or so. Current model numbers are probably different.
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=== The GMRS-Only Option ===
=== The GMRS-Only Option ===


As of late 2016, there are two GMRS-only radios. Basically, a GMRS-only radio gives up the ability to transmit on the FRS-only channels (7-14) but retains the shared FRS/GMRS channels and gains the options of higher power and use of an external antenna. Both can significantly increase the available range and could be useful for teams needing more geographic coverage.
Two good GMRS radios are the BTech GMRS-V2 and the Wouxun KG-805G. The Wouxun is more expensive than the BTech but has a better receiver.<span id="gmrs-repeater-notes"></span>
 
The [https://midlandusa.com/micromobile-2-way-radio/ Midland MXT100] is a mobile GMRS-only radio with five watts and a magnetic-mount external antenna. It does not contain batteries but uses a cig-lighter plug for powering off a vehicle 12v system. The radio is quite small and includes a quick release bracket for easy vehicle changes. Here’s a link to an earlier, [https://portlandprepares.org/2016/12/gear-review-midland-mxt100-gmrs-radio/ more detailed NET review.]
 
The BTech/Baofeng [https://baofengtech.com/gmrs-v1 GMRS-V1] is a handheld GMRS-only radio. It has the ability to transmit on any GMRS channel including GMRS repeaters. It can also be programmed to receive VHF/UHF ham, public service, NOAA, and FM broadcasts. It has a replaceable antenna. It is also a 5-watt radio. Many battery, antenna, and earbud/mic options are available.
 
<span id="what-about-the-baofeng-uv-5r-and-their-ilk"></span>
=== What About the Baofeng UV-5R and Their Ilk? ===
 
As they say, “It’s complicated.” Basically, the UV-5R is not FCC accepted for either FRS or GMRS. While it is possible to program the UV-5R to transmit on FRS/GMRS frequencies, it is illegal to transmit on those channels except during an emergency. That little caveat is why many NET AROs have a UV-5R in the radio stash. NET AROs can use the UV-5R as their ham handheld and monitor FRS/GMRS channels at the same time. They typically have a regular dual-service FRS/GMRS handheld for transmitting on the channels. If push came to shove in an emergency, they could use the UV-5R for FRS/GMRS as well as ham.
 
<span id="gmrs-repeater-notes"></span>
=== GMRS Repeater Notes ===
=== GMRS Repeater Notes ===


The FCC allows for repeaters in the GMRS service. A GMRS repeater can dramatically increase the coverage area. There are currently no GMRS repeaters in the Portland area although several NET teams in geographically challenging areas are considering them. If anyone is interested in the topic, a good resource is [https://www.mygmrs.com/ myGMRS].
The FCC allows repeaters to be used with GMRS radios. A GMRS repeater can dramatically increase the coverage area. There may be GMRS repeaters available in the Portland area and others may be turned on buy NET teams during deployments. If anyone is interested in the topic, a good resource is [https://www.mygmrs.com/ myGMRS].  Both the BTech and Wouxun GMRS radios mentioned above can be used with repeaters that support support GMRS channels 15 through 22.  To access one of these repeaters using a BTech or Wouxun add 8 to the channel number.  In some cases you may also have to program a "tone".
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