Whether it's handheld radios for spotting and recovering on the trail, walkie talkies for the farm, or MicroMobiles for your next adventure, knowing the differences and learning about FRS & GMRS radio communication is key.
About FRS and GMRS Communication
FRS stands for Family Radio Service while GMRS stands for General Mobile Radio Service. FRS & GMRS share the same pre-programmed channels, so whether you have an FRS radio or GMRS, you will be able to communicate.
The main difference between the two is power. Any radio with 2 Watts or less is classified as FRS and you don't need a license to use it. Any radio over 2 Watts, up to 50 Watts, is classified as GMRS and you do need a license to operate GMRS.
Channels 1-7 are limited to 5 Watts of power. Channels 8-14 are limited to 0.5 Watts of power. Channels 15-22 allow for the max of 50 Watts of power which greatly extend your range.
FRS & GMRS on FM Mode
FRS and GMRS are UHF radios operating in FM mode between 462-467 mHz. The sound quality of FRS and GMRS radio is better than traditional CB because the radios are running on FM rather than AM, similar to sound quality of your car radio on either AM or FM stations.
About FRS & GMRS Radio Privacy
Not interested in hearing other conversations? FRS & GMRS radios also feature privacy tones & channels that allow you to block out unwanted noise. Some privacy codes come pre-programmed, where other you have to manually input, but either way you will be able to block out unwanted chatter.
About FRS Radio Communication
FRS walkie talkies are convenient for short distance communication due to its power limits. You should expect about 1/2 mile to 2 miles of FRS radio range.
FRS walkie talkies have a fixed antenna and are not repeater capable. Having an FRS radio that was repeater capable would go against FCC regulations.
FRS handhelds are perfect for pairing with GMRS mobile radio to use for spotting and recovery on the trail, in close proximity.
About GMRS Radio Communication
GMRS radio is allowed up to 5 Watts of power in a handheld device. 50 Watts is the highest powered radio allowed by law.
GMRS radios come with pre-programmed channels so there is no programming of the radio required for general use. GMRS operators enjoy anywhere between 5 and up to 35 miles of range, depending on terrain, wattage and the antenna. And of course, you can extend that range even further the the use of a repeater.
About GMRS Radio Licenses
A GMRS license is required by the FCC to legally operate these radios. The license is $35 and lasts up to 10 years and covers you and your family. You can read more about that here.
Comments
0 comments
Please sign in to leave a comment.