What does FRS mean for radio?

RobertN · Dec 28, 2003

Just got a couple FRS/GMRS walkie talky radios. I know GMRS means "General Mobile Radio Service".

What though, is "FRS"? Frequently repeated stories"? I have no good guesses /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

r0GuE · Dec 28, 2003

Frequency Repeatered System??? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Docsknotinn · Dec 28, 2003

Free Radio signal /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif Its free if you can get it to work half as far as any of the manufactures claim those things will go. A 10 mile one works about 500 yards in the woods. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Dave

Gomez · Dec 28, 2003

Family Radio Service.

Motorola Web Page

gws · Dec 30, 2003

Did you also get FCC issued license for those GMRS radios?
Your Radio's require a license to use. Check your manual, It should have a short notice about a license being required.

( Just got a couple FRS/GMRS walkie talky radios. I know GMRS means "General Mobile Radio Service".

What though, is "FRS"? Frequently repeated stories"? I have no good guesses /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif )

AndyMA · Dec 30, 2003

( Did you also get FCC issued license for those GMRS radios?

)

The radios require no license.

From the Motorola web site

"FRS (Family Radio Service) The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authorized FRS in 1996 as license-free, short distance, two-way radio service for family and individual recreational use. Talkabout® radios operate on FRS designated frequencies. You can use your radios anywhere in the United States and other areas listed by the FCC."

Andy

RanchMan · Dec 30, 2003

AndyMA -

FRS radios do not require a license, GMRS radios do.

Combination FRS/GMRS radios do as well because of their GMRS aspect. If it has GMRS anywhere on the box, chances are even while you are operating on an "FRS" you may be operating with an aspect of GMRS in effect (i.e. frequency or power output.) Operating without a license while using any aspect of GMRS even if it is a "FRS" radio will mean you are in violation of FCC regs.

This is a better link to find out the specifics of GMRS regs.

MikePA · Dec 30, 2003

gws said: (Did you also get FCC issued license for those GMRS radios?)
AndyMA said: The radios require no license. 

RobertN said he bought FRS/GMRS walkie talky radios. Any radio that supports GMRS requires a $75.00 FCC license.

Quoting from the Motorola site here. Bolding is mine.

Two-Way Radios: 5-Mile Range
Two-Way Radios: 2-Mile Range : 5-Mile Range

1 watt of power and up to a 5-mile range. These trusty, sporty two-way radios offer durability and reach when communicating in the great outdoors - with no monthly bills or service contracts. All models include GMRS channels and require a FCC license.

ronjhall · Dec 30, 2003

Mike
You are right FRS/GMRS radios require a license. Regardless if they have .5 or 1.0 watt power radios.
To avoid confusion here is a list of current model Motorola's from the same site you listed.
I have set of 6200's that do not require a license.
I'm sure other manufactures have a similar site.
Click Here

Docsknotinn · Dec 30, 2003

I was always under the impression that the combo radios only required a license to use the GMRS frequency's. I bought a set of the ten mile radios this year and even on the strongest GMRS stations could not get a half a mile out of them in the woods. Dave