For campers, hikers and overlanders, GMRS and FRS radios offer an effective solution for short to medium distance communication in the backcountry. Handheld and mobile 2-way radios, especially GMRS ones, can allow adventurers to keep in touch up to 20+ miles away, but these radios have their limitations. Knowing what they are is important before over-relying on them.
GMRS-FRS Radio Myth #1 – A Reliable Way to Quickly Summon Help
One of the most common misconceptions about GMRS and FRS radios is that you can readily summon help by calling “mayday” or “SOS”. First off, the range of handheld FRS radios can be less than a mile in many areas, with GMRS handhelds performing just slightly better. (See myth #2.)
In a life or death situation, you may get lucky and be heard, yet besides range issues, many FRS and GMRS users have privacy codes enabled on their radios, meaning that they only hear other people in their party who are using same codes.
How To Call For Help On A GMRS or FRS Radio – If you need to call “mayday” using GMRS or FRS, try calling for help on all channels, starting with the first channel on your radio. Start by saying “mayday, mayday, mayday” followed by your callsign (GMRS only) name, your emergency and your location. For non life-threatening emergencies say “Break, Break, Emergency!” instead of “mayday”.
If your GMRS handheld is using privacy codes on receive, you probably won’t hear other people responding to your call. Learn how to disable DCS and CTCSS codes in your radio.
Speak clearly and transmit your message three times and wait at least a half-minute before switching to the next consecutive channel. Make sure power is set to “high” and that you’re up on a high spot with a clear view of the horizon. Don’t let your attempt to call for help on your FRS or GMRS radio distract you from other means of seeking help or from caring for injuries and basic survival needs.
GMRS-FRS Radio Myth #2 – You Can Expect Extremely Long Range
This myth gets reinforced by radio manufacturers such as Uniden and Midland, who repeatedly exaggerate the range claims of handheld FRS and GMRS radios in their advertising. Claims that GMRS or FRS handhelds can “talk” up to 60 miles are misleading. While it’s theoretically possible to communicate such distances, this is only under ideal conditions when you have actual “line of sight” between radios, such as on the summit of two Colorado fourteeners. GMRS users who’re lucky enough to be within range of a repeater may communicate up to 100 miles or more.
We’ve actually achieved this kind of range before, yet it’s not really possible in most situations. Expect FRS handhelds to work up to 2 miles or so, and GMRS handhelds about twice that. GMRS mobiles using 50 watts and a good antenna can communicate with base stations and repeaters up to 30 miles away, under line-of-sight conditions.
GMRS-FRS Radio Myth #3 – “Privacy Codes” Ensure Privacy
Most “bubble pack” FRS radios, and all GMRS units now feature CTCSS (Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System) or DCS (Digital Coded Squelch) as an option. These tones and codes keep your radio silent until another unit using the same code or tone calls you. By enabling them, you can avoid hearing other radio users in your area, yet they can still hear your conversation, if they haven’t enabled a different tone or code on their set.
GMRS-FRS Radio Myth #4 – More Power Always Means Longer Range
A common misconception about all two-way radios is that using more power will always allow you to talk farther. While extra power does help your signal “punch through” in some difficult situations, it can only do so much. UHF radio waves are able to travel just a bit farther than the actual “line of sight”. If the person you’re trying to communicate with is behind a mountain, etc., no amount of extra power will help. See our post “Real GMRS Radio Range” for more info on the subject.
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GMRS-FRS Radio Myth #5 – You Can Always Use Repeaters For Wide-Area Coverage
This myth is more relevant to GMRS, since FRS radios can’t take advantage of repeaters. A repeater is simply a station that picks up and re-transmits your signal over a wide area. Some GMRS handhelds and mobiles are equipped with “repeater channels” that enable the use of these powerful stations. Unfortunately, GMRS repeaters are sparse in many areas of the US. Out west, in Utah and Arizona especially, we’ve used repeaters to extend our radio’s range across hundreds of miles, and also meet some other nice GMRS users in the process. The problem is that GMRS repeaters aren’t found in all areas.
Be aware that many repeaters require CTCSS or DCS tones for access, and some are for club members only. You must request permission first, before using these. You can learn more about GMRS repeaters from our friends at MyGMRS.com
GMRS and FRS radios are an extremely valuable tool for the outdoor community. They don’t require a subscription or need towers or satellites to work. (GMRS only requires an easy to obtain FCC license). With GMRS and FRS handheld units costing as little as $40, these versatile devices are a valuable asset to carry in areas without cell phone coverage.
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