HOW IS THE FRS (Family Radio Service) DIFFERENT
FROM THE GMRS
(General
CAN I USE MY GMRS LICENSE TO TALK ON REPEATERS?
UPGRADING/MIGRATING TO GMRS
The Family Radio Service (FRS) does not require a
license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). FRS radios have 14 channels or frequencies, 7
of which are "shared" with the General Mobile Radio Service
(GMRS). These 7 shared channels may be
used in FRS radios (unlicensed) provided that power does not exceed 1/2 watt
(and antenna is attached to radio, walkie-talkie style).
Many newer style radios (FRS/GMRS) feature higher power
and/or additional GMRS only channels (22 channel radios, [14 FRS channels plus
8 GMRS "output channels"]).
These radios require you (or an immediate family
member) to get a GMRS license from the FCC.
However, these 22 channel style radios do NOT include the GMRS
"input channels" needed to talk on repeater stations.
This can be confusing because you will be able to hear
GMRS repeaters on channels 15-22 ("output" [462 MHz]) in your
combination FRS/GRMS radio, but you will not be able to talk on the repeaters
because your radio does NOT have the GMRS only "input" channels (467
MHz).
If you have a GMRS license and you would like to be able
to talk through repeater systems you need a full-fledged GMRS radio with the
ADDITIONAL "input" frequencies (GMRS only). [GMRS repeater stations operate on DIFFERENT
frequencies to receive and transmit.] By
contrast, FRS/GMRS radios transmit and receive on the SAME frequency to talk
"directly" to other radios (NOT through a repeater), but the range is
limited, usually less than a mile.
[Transmitting and receiving on the SAME frequency is called
"direct", "simplex" or "talk-around" in radio
parlance.]
Where can I get full-fledged GMRS radios with the
"input" frequencies?
The
generic term for the higher quality radios that can include "input"
channels is "Land Mobile". Such portable radios generally have higher
power of 1 - 5 watts, and can be configured on any land mobile channels, such
as police, fire, business band, etc. depending on the customer's FCC license(s)
(including GMRS). These
"commercial" radios can be set up on different transmit and receive
frequencies to utilize GMRS repeaters.
Land mobile radios generally come unprogrammed out of the box, and are
programmed for each customer as part of the sale, usually by the local
dealer. A few companies require that this programming be done by
their local dealer; however, others sell their PC programming software/cables
to customers for self configuring.
The
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has the authority to approve radio
equipment for use in "land mobile", including the General Mobile
Radio Service. Section 95.129 of the FCC
Rules and Regulations requires that every transmitter used in the GMRS must be
on the FCC's list of equipment certified to comply with its technical rules (in
Part 2 of the FCC Rules and Regulations).
The
FCC's Equipment Authorization data base (previously called Type Acceptance
List) currently lists a dozen companies with land mobile portable radios
approved for GMRS (excluding combination FRS/GRMRS equipment not capable of
operating repeaters.) The listing is
(alphabetical): Advanced Wireless
Communications (Northfield Telecommunications, Inc.); E, F. Johnson
Company; ICOM, Incorporated; Kenwood
USA; M/A-Com, Inc.; Maxon CIC
Corp,; Midland Radio Corporation; Motorola,
Inc.; Ritron, Inc.; Tait Radio Communications; TEKK
(Genex Telecom); and Vertex Standard, Inc.
Many
of these companies are well known in the land mobile field, and traditionally
supply equipment for police/fire, business band, industrial, taxicabs,
etc. (E. F. Johnson, ICOM, Motorola, and
Vertex Standard.) Tait is also well
established, but less known in the
Land mobile radio dealers familiar with GMRS closest to
our area include Com-Rad in
What features do you recommend?
Price is usually directly proportional to the number of
channels in the radio. The number of
channels is less important if the subaudible tone can be changed on the radio
separately from (independent of) the frequency/channel. (Repeaters normally require sub-audible
"tone" [called CTCSS, PL, CG, QC, etc.] for access or use.) Plan on spending roughly $250-$450 per radio.
Many people prefer radios that have a display. This allows the channels to have names
("alphanumeric"). Also, having
a keypad on your radio gives a lot more flexibility for making channel and
other changes, selective calling, etc.
Another very useful feature is "selective
calling". This allows a given radio
to be signaled to "alert" that someone is calling (like a cell phone
ringing). This is a trend that we expect
to become more popular in the future, and would like to see used more on our
repeaters.
There are different selective calling formats, such as
2-tone, 5-tone, DTMF ("Touch-tone"), MDC, etc. We suggest 5-tone as the best format because
of its wide flexibility and because it is the most unobtrusive (least annoying)
to people listening on the channel. Radios
that feature 5-tone include: ICOM and
Tate (on all their portables), M/A Com (Panther 405P and 605P), Ritron
(SLX-400 model), TEKK (XU-1000), and Vertex Standard (VX-420 series, VX-820
series, and VX-920 series).
Having a high/low power switch is another important
feature. This can not only help to
pro-long battery life, but also limit your range when you want to keep your
conversation more private or minimize interference to others.
We also suggest that a radio that has a connector to attach
the antenna is better. This allows you to plug in other antennas (base or
mobile), which is legal in GMRS.
(Portables that have antennas that screw into the radio usually do not
allow for other kinds to be attached.)
Some companies sell computer software and cables so that
you can program your radio yourself from a PC instead of having to rely on a
land mobile dealer to make any future changes.
This obviously gives you more flexibility. For example, if you travel a lot you may need
to frequently reprogram your channels. Remember that virtually every
repeater has its own tone, which may require a separate "channel"
programmed in a radio.
Scanning is also another popular feature, so that you
can listen for traffic on several different channels/repeaters. Different companies offer varying additional
accessories, such as heavy duty batteries, fast chargers, different antennas,
holsters/cases, speaker mikes, headsets, concealed microphones, etc.
One model that looks especially good is the Vertex
Standard VX-420 series, specifically the VX-427. This is (by
comparison) a lower cost portable - apparently due to its limited number of
channels (32). However we understand a user can change the tone
frequency on any given channel without needing to reprogram with a computer.
This model appears attractive because of several
features: (1) Moderate
cost; (2) 8 character alphanumeric display (channel
naming); (3) Keypad for entry of unit numbers for
Selective Calling (SelCall); (4) 5-tone and 2-tone
encoding and decoding built in; (5) PC programmable, with
software and cables available for purchase; (6) High/low
power 5w/1w; (7) compact size.
In addition the VX-427 has receive scanning with
priority and dual watch, DTMF (touch tone) ANI and paging available as an extra
option, 6 programmable function buttons, numerous extra option boards,
etc. All in all an impressive array of features at a very
(comparatively) reasonable price. While MSRP is around $445, we
believe this radio can be bought for close to $300. To see the product brochure, check
www.vertexstandard.com for land mobile radio, portables, VX-420.
How do I get permission to use a GMRS repeater?
In order to use ANY repeater, you must first have
permission of the owner per FCC rules. Many repeaters have a
cooperative sharing fee to cover expenses/costs of operation, but
in GMRS this can NOT include any profit. A few do not
charge users anything. The FCC Rules and
Regulations (see Section 95.33(a)) require the licensee to maintain control and
to have a written contact. In practice
temporary authorization is sometimes given orally (for passing travelers,
short-term public service projects, etc.), but permanent arrangements should be
by written contract. If you are new to a
repeater, custom is that you ASK first for permission to use it. On any repeater users are subject to
restriction or cancellation at any time as part of the FCC required licensee
control of the system. It is a MAJOR breach of etiquette (not to
mention illegal) to just start using someone else's repeater without
asking/permission first.
What are some of the repeaters currently covering the
north shore area of Chicago?
North Shore Emergency Association members use the .675
repeater (462.675 MHz output) as their main channel (tone
4A [141.3] or 1B [107.2], north and northwest suburbs, Randy Knowles,
unit 503, owner). We also have systems for projects on .650 and
.700 (from downtown, Marc Drazin, unit 522, owner) on tone 1B (107.2). In addition there is a repeater in
What unit numbers will I hear?
N, S. E. A. members have unit numbers in the 500 series,
regular members 501-549, auxiliary 581-589, and probationary 591-599. Unit 500 is a call to any NSEA unit on the
air. GMRS operators authorized on the
repeaters who are not NSEA members have unit numbers in the 700 series.
What GMRS calls signs will I hear?
Newer GMRS licenses (since mid 1999) start with the
letter W, followed by 3 more letters and 3 numbers. For example, WPOK 361 is usually the NSEA net
control station. Older GMRS call signs
(1963-99) start with the letters KA, followed by one more letter and 4
numbers. For example, the oldest valid
GMRS call sign in
How can I use my radio(s) to participate with N. S. E. A.?
If you are interested in joining North Shore Emergency
Association we would be glad to have you apply. Forms are provided
on this web site. Or just contact any
member on any of the above repeater systems.
Of course any GMRS operator authorized on any of the repeater systems is
welcome to participate in an NSEA public service project as a non-member
volunteer if specific arrangements are made in advance.
How can I ask questions?
Randy Knowles has the longest standing GMRS license in