In our previous article we discussed the benefits of FRS and GMRS radios, but which one of these is best for use in your overlanding vehicle and what’s the difference between them?
What’s The Difference Between GMRS and FRS?
GMRS or the General Mobile Radio Service, primarily consists of 15 channels and 8 repeater channels. Some handheld GMRS radios may also include FRS channels 8-14, for a total of 22, and power on those channels is limited to 1/2 watt. On GMRS channels 1-7, 5 watts of output power is allowed, while on channels 15-22, and on the 8 repeater channels, 50 watts of power is allowed. All GMRS channels are now shared with FRS after a recent rule change. An FCC license is still required to operate GMRS radios, and while they share the same channels, GMRS radios have very different capabilities, making them better suited for long range applications.
GMRS Uses Wide Band FM – For Better Voice Quality and Less Noise
GMRS radios are allowed to use wide-band FM (20 kHz) on channels 1-7 and 15-22. What’s all this narrow and wide-band stuff you may be wondering? Narrow band FM takes up less space so channels are “skinnier” and more of them can be squeezed in, yet range and audio quality may not be as good as when using wide band FM.
A key feature that’s very useful for the overland community is that GMRS radios are available as full power, fixed-mount mobile units, transmitting up to 50 watts. In some areas you may be able to use repeater channels to extend your range over a wide area – even nationwide – with linked repeaters. Repeaters are often owned by clubs or individuals, and you may need the owner’s permission, and also special tones – programmed into your radio – to access them. There are GMRS repeaters available for use in some of the most popular off-roading areas. For more information about how to use these repeaters, visit MyGMRS.
Key Takeaways: GMRS mobiles have 15 channels (8 repeater capable ones), up to 50 watts power, and use wide-band FM for better audio and range.
FRS Radios
FRS or the Family Radio Service, consists of 22 channels, which are shared with GMRS. All FRS radios use 12.5 kHz narrow band FM, on all 22 channels. Maximum power is limited to 2 watts on channels 1-7 and 15-22 and 1/2 watt on channels 8-14. There are no repeater channels on FRS. No FCC license is required to operate FRS radios and the FCC now allows them for business use, though much better alternatives for business radios are available. FRS radios are sold in most discount stores such as WalMart and typically cost less than GMRS models.
FRS radios are not available as mobile units, since external antennas aren’t allowed. If the package says “GMRS anywhere on it, you need a license, it’s that simple.
Below is a chart showing the power and bandwidth allowed by each service.
Pros and Cons Of FRS
FRS radios are cheap and require no license. That’s one reason many people in the overland community use them for off-road communications. You can get by just fine using FRS, if you don’t expect to make long-range calls with them. Not having an external antenna means that much of the radio frequency (RF) energy coming out of your antenna will be absorbed into the metal of your cab, reducing range. They’re great to use for short range though, and the fact that no license is required is a big plus.
Can You Use An FRS Radio To Talk To GMRS Ones? Yes, But There’s A Catch!
While you can use a FRS radio to communicate with the GMRS radio mounted in your vehicle, you may have to sacrifice some audio quality and range. The power of a handheld FRS-only radio will be limited to 2 watts or 1/2 watt – narrow band only.
Sure you can get a FRS radio that will talk to the GMRS mobile in your Jeep, it just won’t work as well as a real GMRS handheld would.
A dedicated GMRS radio, such as the Baofeng UV-5X, has higher output power (5 watts), is repeater capable and uses wide band FM on channels 1-7 and 15-22, for better audio quality and range.
Note: A person using a GMRS radio must still use their call sign, even when talking to an unlicensed FRS radio user.
GMRS Is Better For Overland Vehicle Use
With longer range, better voice quality and the ability to use a growing number of repeaters, GMRS is the clear winner for overland vehicle use. There are a number of high-power mobile units on the market, including the 40 watt Midland MicroMobile units, which we’ve used in our truck when going off-road (since replaced with a Midland MXT575). These are repeater capable, but because of FCC rules regarding power and external antennas, don’t feature FRS channels 8-14.
Real World GMRS Range
Below is an illustration of the kind of range you might expect from GMRS – mobile to mobile, mobile to base, and mobile to handheld unit. Range varies greatly, and your results may be different.
C’mon, Do I Really Need A GMRS License?
With the new FCC rule changes allowing FRS users to transmit on the former GMRS only channels – 15-22 – some may think the FCC has “thrown in the towel” or left GMRS users consigned to the fate of old-school CB radio. Not everyone loves these rule changes, but they’re here to stay. That being said, don’t assume that you can operate a 50 watt GMRS radio however you like – using no call sign – and not be “called out” by licensed users, or worse, tracked down and fined by the FCC.
The FCC still issues fines for misuse of FRS and GMRS channels. Their monitoring equipment can easily tell if you’re using narrow vs. wide-band or high power without a license. With some of most valuable radio spectrum’s space on either side of these 22 channels – still used by military and emergency services – they’ll continue to track down and prosecute violators. Our advice is to get a GMRS license and play it nice and legal. A license costs $35, is good for 10 years, and covers your entire family.
Begin by visiting the FCC’s website and getting a FRN number. Next, visit the FCC License Manager and click on “apply for a new license” in the upper left hand corner. Scroll all the way down to GMRS at the bottom of the drop-down menu.
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Final Thoughts on GMRS and FRS
FRS radios, such as the the Btech FRS-A2, still fill a niche in the outdoor community by offering a cheap communications solution for short range use. Channels 8-14 are great to use within a short distance from camp, and because power is limited to 1/2 watt on these channels, you’re less likely to interfere with other users miles away. When you need more range though, a fixed-mount mobile GMRS and a couple GMRS handhelds will offer superior performance over FRS.
For more on how to use a GMRS radio, such as how to use your call sign, see How To Talk On A GMRS Radio.
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