GMRS Radio - What is it and What Do I Need to Know?

Perhaps you may be asking yourself, what is GMRS radio? It stands for General Mobile Radio Service. It provides a short distance radio two way communication service. The radio is a hand held device and it shares the same frequency with Family Radio Service (FRS).

In order to legally use a GMRS radio, one must have a license issued through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Most licenses are shared among family members and are used for personal use. To get a license, you must be at least 18 years old and a United States citizen. You must apply to the FCC and pay a fee. Currently, for a new, renewal or modification license, the fee is $85.00.

GMRS radio originally came out in the 1960's and was called citizens radio. Radio use became very popular in the 1970's and was becoming common place. The popularly of such radios brought down the cost, while manufactures increased production. Today, one can purchase such a device at a minimal cost. GMRS radios can be purchased anywhere from $50.00 - $3000.00; however, the general price for a quality radio is about $150.00. The best quality sound is achieved when placing the radios near a window or on the top floor of a building. The wavelength is about 25 inches and transmits UHF frequencies.

To research your device prior to purchase, there is a publication that has been around for years-it's called the General Mobile Radio Service National Repeater Guide and is a valuable resource.

Some areas have formed cooperatives to join resources and create a repeater station. This gives more power to individual users and provides more information. A good place to start is by researching your local group through the guide mention above, GMRS National Repeater Guide. The group also publishes a newsletter and provides such information as; FCC rules, basic information, and future technology series.

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