View source for FRS/GMRS

GMRS: The General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) is a land-mobile FM UHF radio service designed for short-distance two-way communication. Licensed.  GMRS is standard band FM (FM).

FRS: The Family Radio Service (FRS) is a mobile radio system authorized in the United States since 1996. This personal radio service uses channelized frequencies around 462 and 467 MHz in the ultra high frequency (UHF) band. Unlicensed.  FRS is narrow band FM (NFM).

<h2>FRS/GMRS Channels </h2><p>Channel numbers commonly used on 22 channel FRS/GMRS dual service radios. Most radios of this type are not capable of repeater operation and do not include the repeater input frequencies.

FRS devices have a maximum power of ½ watt (500 milliwatt) effective radiated power and integral (non-detachable) antennas. If you operate a device under the rules that apply to GMRS, you must have a GMRS license. GMRS devices generally transmit at higher power levels (1 to 5 watts is typical) and may have detachable antennas.  If you operate a radio that has been approved for both FRS and GMRS, and if you limit your operations to the FRS channels with a maximum power of ½ watt effective radiated power, you are not required to have a license. 

</p>

{{:GMRS and FRS Frequency Table}}

{{:GMRS CTCSS Tone and Number Code Table}}


<h2><span class="mw-headline" id="Midland_Extra_Channels"> Midland Extra Channels </span></h2><p>Midland has started marketing "Extra Channels" on several of their radios. These extra channels are simply existing FRS/GMRS frequencies with hard coded tones and low power on the FRS-only channels.
</p>
{|  class="rrtable sortable" 
! Channel No. 
! Actual Channel 
! Frequency 
! PL/DPL No. 
! PL Tone/DPL Code
|- 
| 23
| GMRS 1
| 462.5625
| 38
| 250.3
|- 
| 24
| GMRS 3
| 462.6125
| 35
| 225.7
|- 
| 25
| GMRS 5
| 462.6625
| 32
| 203.5
|- 
| 26
| GMRS 7
| 462.7125
| 29
| 179.9
|- 
| 27
| GMRS 15
| 462.5500
| 26
| 162.2
|- 
| 28
| GMRS 17
| 462.6000
| 23
| 146.2
|- 
| 29
| GMRS 19
| 462.6500
| 20
| 127.3
|- 
| 30
| GMRS 21
| 462.7000
| 17
| 118.8
|- 
| 31
| GMRS 2
| 462.5875
| 1
| 023
|- 
| 32
| GMRS 4
| 462.6375
| 4
| 031
|- 
| 33
| GMRS 6
| 462.6875
| 7
| 047
|- 
| 34
| FRS 8
| 467.5625
| 10
| 065
|- 
| 35
| FRS 10
| 467.6125
| 13
| 073
|- 
| 36
| FRS 12
| 467.6625
| 16
| 115
|- 
| 37
| FRS 14
| 467.7125
| 19
| 131
|- 
| 38
| GMRS 16
| 462.5750
| 22
| 143
|- 
| 39
| GMRS 18
| 462.6250
| 25
| 156
|- 
| 40
| GMRS 20
| 462.6750
| 28
| 172
|- 
| 41
| GMRS 22
| 462.7250
| 31
| 223
|- 
| 42
| GMRS 1
| 462.5625
| 14
| 107.2
|- 
| 43
| GMRS 3
| 462.6125
| 11
| 97.4
|- 
| 44
| GMRS 5
| 462.6625
| 8
| 88.5
|- 
| 45
| GMRS 7
| 462.7125
| 5
| 79.7
|- 
| 46
| GMRS 15
| 462.5500
| 2
| 71.9
|- 
| 47
| GMRS 17
| 462.6000
| 37
| 241.8
|- 
| 48
| GMRS 19
| 462.6500
| 34
| 218.1
|- 
| 49
| GMRS 21
| 462.7000
| 31
| 192.8
|- 
| 50
| GMRS 2
| 462.5875
| 2
| 025
|}


== GMRS ==

{{:GMRS}}

== FRS ==

{{:FRS}}

==Bubble Pack HT Combo Radios==
FRS/GMRS consumer radios have been introduced with 22 channels, instead of the 14 channels associated with FRS. On this type of radio, transmitting on shared FRS/GMRS channels 1–7 requires a license if using more than 0.5 watt. Channels 8–14 are strictly license-free FRS channels. Transmitting on GMRS-only channels 15–22 requires a license.

These hybrid radios are often referred to as "bubble pack" radios, since they are often packed in a plastic shell, for hanging on a display shelf.  Most bubble pack GMRS radios are simplex-only, so they do not function through a repeater. They operate only on the repeater output frequency (GMRS Channels 15 through 22).

FRS rules permit only 2.5 kHz (NFM) deviation on the FRS shared channels. GMRS uses ±5 kHz (FM) deviation on the GMRS channels.

== FRS, GMRS, and Combination Intercom / Base Station ==

One very useful application for the band is as a wireless Intercom system.  This works great from floor to floor within a building or house to shop Intercom.  A big advantage is that the system is completely compatible with mobile HT units.  Using PL tone you can block other FRS and GMRS users in the area.  

GMRS radios are typically handheld portable devices much like Family Radio Service (FRS) radios, and share the FRS frequency band near 462 and 467 MHz. Mobile and base station-style radios are available as well, but these are normally commercial UHF radios as often used in the public service and commercial land mobile bands. These are legal for use in this service as long as they are GMRS type-approved.   Radios much be type 95A approved to be legally used on GMRS.

Few companies have embraced this very useful application for the band.  A few companies produced Intercoms then discontinued the products.  Here is a list of the ones out of production or possible still in production.  Sometimes they can be found on eBay and Amazon.com

Some of these are FRS only, some are both.  Part 95A Approved.

Flat table top intercom style units with attached antenna

* Audiovox Multi Radio Station FRS1000 2-Mile 14-Channel FRS Two-Way Radio 
* Audiovox FRS GMRS Weather GMRS 2000 Multi Radio Station Base Station
* Audiovox GMRS 3000 5-Mile 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio with Mini Base Station
* Memorex 14 channel FRS Base Station Model MK1800 
* Maxon TruTalk TK514 Base Station
* [[Unwired Technology UFRBS10]] 2-Mile 14-Channel FRS Two-Way Radio Base Station
* [[RadioShack 22 Channel GMRS FRS Base Station 21-1846]]

Upright base station style units with attached antenna
* [[Midland XT511 Base Camp Two Way Radio]]
* Eton FR-1000 VoiceLink GMRS Radio

Car / Mobile
* Midland MXT100 GMRS MicroMobile 2-Way Radio (5-watt)

<small>
The following units have not been verified as Part 95A approved...
* Relm/Bendix King RMV800
* Relm Desktop Base Station 25 Watt 450 - 460 - 470 Mhz 16 Ch DBU2516B Radio
* Some information here: http://www.repeater-builder.com/rrw/r-r-w-index.html
</small>

What makes manufacturers cautious in producing GMRS products is the FCC being fickle on the regulations.  The FCC needs to give manufactures confidence that they will not take the frequency allocation away or relinquish it to unlicensed freebanders.

=== Using a Business / LMRS Radio for GMRS ===
Most 70cm ham radios as well as UHF LMRS radios can be programmed and used on GMRS frequencies.  Business radios are covered under Part 90 certification.  The rules that apply to GMRS are in Part 95, which requires an additional certification process that most business radio manufacturers do not bother with.  Part 95 covers all personal radio services and sub A is specifically GMRS.

The FCC states, "95.129 Station equipment; Every station in a GMRS system must use transmitters the FCC has certificated for use in the GMRS. Write to any FCC Field Office to find out if a particular transmitter has been certificated for the GMRS. All station equipment in a GMRS system must comply with the technical rules in part 95."

Language is ambiguous, and some will argue that it is permissible to use Part 90 certified radios on GMRS, however, many sources specifically indicate it is not legal unless the manufacturer has specifically had the radio Part 95 certified.  Furthermore, any use of scrambling on GMRS is forbidden.  

With that being said, it is actually somewhat interesting to note that there are a number of business band radios that have been part 95A certified.  A search on the FCC web site can reveal this.  This is good because business radios tend to be much better built and more reliable than anything made specifically for GMRS.

===Ham Radio Transceiver on GMRS===
It is forbidden to use an amateur radio transceiver on GMRS frequencies.  Although it is possible to modify many manufacturer amateur radios to operate on GMRS, the amateur operator may lose license privileges by doing so.  It is not illegal to perform the modification.  It is illegal to use the modified transceiver on these frequencies.  It is recommended that you do not perform such modification as to prevent accidental out of band operation.

Emergency use: There is a provision in FCC regulation whereas in the event of an emergency such as a life threatening event the use of an amateur radio transceiver out of band is permitted when no other means of communication are available.  In this example, the amateur radio being used to find help on a GMRS frequency when no other frequency yielded a response and no phone service is available, said use is permitted.  There is a list of some [[Ham Radios Easy to Mod for GMRS]].  

It would be very unusual that using an amateur radio on GMRS is the only way to receive help in an emergency. 

===Search FCC for Part 95A Certification===
From the FCC web site do the following to perform a search:
#Browse to https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/reports/GenericSearch.cfm
#Under Application Information: Application Status: select Grant Issued
#Under Equipment Information: Rule Parts (up to three): select 95A
===GMRS Mobile and Base antennas===

Base antenna:
* Comet CA-F72GF UHF Base Vertical Antenna.  N connector.   440-512 MHz, Tunable.

==Use of DMR and other digital formats on GMRS==
Use of DMR or other digital formats including dPMR, P25, NXDN is strictly forbidden by the FCC on FRS, GMRS, and MURS frequencies.  There are increasing reports of violations in major cities in the United Stations.  Most cases involve the use of [[MotoTRBO]] on GMRS repeater frequencies, which is in clear violation of FCC rules.  

The intermod from digital repeaters creates an unpleasant sound on GMRS receivers and scanners monitoring those frequencies.  The illegal use constitutes a problem for radio enthusiasts monitoring analog GMRS and those wanting to legally use GMRS repeaters.  All violations should be monitored and reported to the FCC.

== Related ==

{{:See_Also:_FRS_Related}} 
* PMR446

[[Category:Electronics]]
[[Category:Radio]]
[[Category:FCC Part 95]]