| Revision as of 03:04, 13 September 2005 edit68.167.12.50 (talk) →Interstitial Frequencies: Reversed order of last two sentences in section to enhance clarity.← Previous edit | Revision as of 14:03, 15 October 2005 edit undoXaosflux (talk | contribs)Edit filter managers, Autopatrolled, Bureaucrats, Importers, Interface administrators, Oversighters, Administrators83,936 edits Added Frequency ChartNext edit → | ||
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| GMRS licensing in the USA is followed more in the breach than in the observance. While hundreds of thousands of GMRS radios are sold in "bubble packs" (many of which cost less than $50 per pair of radios), the FCC GMRS license database shows very few licenses (e.g. as of 07/2005, less than 3000 for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts). Reports of GMRS enforcement are sporadic at best; the general consensus among commentators on the Internet is that the FCC is more concerned about post 9/11 surveillance than it is about policing home GMRS users. This has led to a lot of consternation among the "non-bubble-pack" segment of the GMRS user population, who have significantly more expensive equipment, and have paid approximately $80 for a license. Online communities such as www.gmrs.net.tc and www.popularwireless.com are working to solve this problem by encouraging GMRS enforcement. | GMRS licensing in the USA is followed more in the breach than in the observance. While hundreds of thousands of GMRS radios are sold in "bubble packs" (many of which cost less than $50 per pair of radios), the FCC GMRS license database shows very few licenses (e.g. as of 07/2005, less than 3000 for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts). Reports of GMRS enforcement are sporadic at best; the general consensus among commentators on the Internet is that the FCC is more concerned about post 9/11 surveillance than it is about policing home GMRS users. This has led to a lot of consternation among the "non-bubble-pack" segment of the GMRS user population, who have significantly more expensive equipment, and have paid approximately $80 for a license. Online communities such as www.gmrs.net.tc and www.popularwireless.com are working to solve this problem by encouraging GMRS enforcement. | ||
| ==Frequency Chart== | |||
| The "Friendly Name" of a frequency is the portion of the frequency to the right of the decimal. | |||
| This first set of frequencies shows the split ferquency pairs used in duplex operational mode, often used with repeaters. Simplex (talk-around) opearional mode only utilizes the 'Lower Freq' values. | |||
| '''"Name" Lower Freq Upper Freq''' | |||
| "550" 462.550 MHz 467.550 MHz | |||
| "575" 462.575 MHz 467.575 MHz | |||
| "600" 462.600 MHz 467.600 MHz | |||
| "625" 462.625 MHz 467.625 MHz | |||
| "650" 462.650 MHz 467.650 MHz | |||
| "675" 462.675 MHz 467.675 MHz | |||
| "700" 462.700 MHz 467.700 MHz | |||
| "725" 462.725 MHz 467.725 MHz | |||
| This second set of frequencies shows the interstitial ranges shared with the ] services. These frequencies can only be used for simplex operations. | |||
| '''"Name" "Freq"''' | |||
| "5625" or "FRS 1" 462.5625 MHz | |||
| "5875" or "FRS 2" 462.5875 MHz | |||
| "6125" or "FRS 3" 462.6125 MHz | |||
| "6375" or "FRS 4" 462.6375 MHz | |||
| "6625" or "FRS 5" 462.6625 MHz | |||
| "6875" or "FRS 6" 462.6875 MHz | |||
| "7125" or "FRS 7" 462.7125 MHz | |||
| ==GMRS in Canada== | ==GMRS in Canada== | ||
Revision as of 14:03, 15 October 2005
The General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) is a land-mobile UHF radio service in the United States available for short-distance two-way communications to facilitate the activities of an adult individual and his or her immediate family members, including a spouse, children, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, and in-laws (47 CFR 95.179).
Normally, as GMRS system licensees, family members would communicate among themselves over the general area of their residence or during recreational group outings, such as camping or hiking.
GMRS radios are typically handheld portable devices much like Family Radio Service (FRS) radios, and share some frequencies. Mobile and base station-style radios are available as well, but these are normally commercial UHF radios often used in the public service and commercial land mobile bands. These are perfectly legal and their use is encouraged. They are more expensive than the walkie talkies typically found in discount electronics stores, but are higher quality.
Interstitial Frequencies
There are 7 "interstitial" channels shared with Family Radio Service, and 8 channels exclusively for GMRS. GMRS use requires an FCC license in the US, and licensees are permitted to transmit at up to 50 watts on GMRS frequencies (1 to 4 is more common), as well as have detachable antennas. GMRS licensees are also able to use the first 7 FRS frequencies (the "interstitial" frequencies), but at the lower 5 watt maximum power output, for a total of 15 channels. Radios programmed for GMRS may also use repeater systems. FRS channels 8 through 14 are not available for GMRS use; use of these frequencies requires an FRS transceiver.
Recently, consumer radios have been introduced that have 22 channels, instead of the 14 channels associated with FRS. All channels above channel 14 are GMRS channels and require a license. It is the responsibility of the radio user to read and understand all applicable rules and regulations regarding GMRS.
GMRS licensing in the USA is followed more in the breach than in the observance. While hundreds of thousands of GMRS radios are sold in "bubble packs" (many of which cost less than $50 per pair of radios), the FCC GMRS license database shows very few licenses (e.g. as of 07/2005, less than 3000 for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts). Reports of GMRS enforcement are sporadic at best; the general consensus among commentators on the Internet is that the FCC is more concerned about post 9/11 surveillance than it is about policing home GMRS users. This has led to a lot of consternation among the "non-bubble-pack" segment of the GMRS user population, who have significantly more expensive equipment, and have paid approximately $80 for a license. Online communities such as www.gmrs.net.tc and www.popularwireless.com are working to solve this problem by encouraging GMRS enforcement.
Frequency Chart
The "Friendly Name" of a frequency is the portion of the frequency to the right of the decimal.
This first set of frequencies shows the split ferquency pairs used in duplex operational mode, often used with repeaters. Simplex (talk-around) opearional mode only utilizes the 'Lower Freq' values.
"Name" Lower Freq Upper Freq
"550" 462.550 MHz 467.550 MHz
"575" 462.575 MHz 467.575 MHz
"600" 462.600 MHz 467.600 MHz
"625" 462.625 MHz 467.625 MHz
"650" 462.650 MHz 467.650 MHz
"675" 462.675 MHz 467.675 MHz
"700" 462.700 MHz 467.700 MHz
"725" 462.725 MHz 467.725 MHz
This second set of frequencies shows the interstitial ranges shared with the Family_Radio_Service services. These frequencies can only be used for simplex operations.
"Name" "Freq"
"5625" or "FRS 1" 462.5625 MHz
"5875" or "FRS 2" 462.5875 MHz
"6125" or "FRS 3" 462.6125 MHz
"6375" or "FRS 4" 462.6375 MHz
"6625" or "FRS 5" 462.6625 MHz
"6875" or "FRS 6" 462.6875 MHz
"7125" or "FRS 7" 462.7125 MHz
GMRS in Canada
In Canada, hand-held GMRS radios up to 2 watts have been approved for use since September 2004. Typically these are dual FRS and GMRS units, with fixed antennas, and operating at 2 watts on GMRS and 0.5 watts on the FRS-only channels. A licence is not required in Canada for operation at 2 watts on the GMRS channels. Mobile units, base stations and repeaters are not currently permitted on the GMRS channels in Canada.
External links
- FCC: GMRS Specifications and U.S. Licensing Info
- The Personal Radio Steering Group
- Basic information about consumer-grade radios
- Personal Radio Association. Aids the GMRS community in reporting unlicensed persons to the FCC