Family Radio Service (FRS) - FRS radios use narrow-band frequency modulation (NBFM) with a maximum deviation of 2.5 kilohertz. The channels are spaced at 12.5 kilohertz intervals.
- FCC License: No
- Max Output: 0.5 watts or 2 watts on select channels
- Frequency: 1 meter (UHF)
- Bandwidth: Narrow FM (NFM) 2.5 kHz deviation
- FCC Reg: Part 95
FRS radios were limited to 500 milliwatts until the 2020 rule change. Now 2 watts allowed on select channels.
FRS stations on channels 1 through 7 may communicate with GMRS stations on those shared channels; the GMRS stations may use up to 5 watts of power, while the FRS stations are restricted to lower transmit power.
FRS radios must use only permanently attached antennas, such as handy talkies (walkie-talkies); there are also table-top FRS "base station" radios that have whip antennas. This limitation intentionally restricts the range of communications, allowing greatest use of the available channels. The use of duplex radio repeaters and interconnects to the telephone network are prohibited under FRS rules.
Despite manufacturer advertising claims range is typically less much less than a mile.
View a table of FRS/GMRS Frequences and Channels.
It seems that some hybrid FRS/GMRS two way radios operate WFM on FRS frequencies that the FCC restricts to NFM for FRS users. FRS two-way radios only operate on the narrow band frequency space.