Req 8e2 — FRS/GMRS Details

This requirement has seven parts (a through g). Prepare to discuss all of them with your counselor.

(a) Licensing

FRS: No license of any kind is needed. Anyone can use an FRS radio immediately after purchase.

GMRS: Requires an FCC license. The license costs $35, is valid for 10 years, requires no examination, and covers the licensee plus their immediate family members. Apply online at the FCC’s Universal Licensing System (ULS).

(b) Frequencies and Encoding

Both FRS and GMRS use frequencies in the UHF band around 462 and 467 MHz. They share 22 channels:

• Channels 1–7: Shared FRS/GMRS (up to 2W FRS, up to 5W GMRS)
• Channels 8–14: FRS-only (0.5W maximum)
• Channels 15–22: Shared FRS/GMRS (up to 2W FRS, up to 50W GMRS)

Information is encoded using FM (frequency modulation). Many radios also support CTCSS (Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System) — sub-audible tones that allow your radio to filter out transmissions from other users on the same channel. These are the “privacy codes” advertised on consumer radios (though they provide no actual privacy — anyone can hear you; the codes just filter what your radio plays through the speaker).

(c) Transmit Power

• FRS: Maximum 2 watts on channels 1–7 and 15–22; maximum 0.5 watts on channels 8–14.
• GMRS: Up to 5 watts on channels 1–7; up to 50 watts on channels 15–22. Repeater input channels (467 MHz) allow up to 50 watts.

More power generally means greater range, but the relationship is not linear — doubling power does not double range. Antenna quality and height matter more than raw power for UHF signals.

(d) Antennas

• FRS: Must use the fixed, non-removable antenna that comes with the radio. This is a deliberate FCC restriction to limit range and keep FRS as a short-range, casual service.
• GMRS: May use removable and external antennas — vehicle-mounted, base-station, or elevated antennas. This is the single biggest practical advantage of GMRS over FRS.

(e) Effective Range and Limitations

Advertised range: Consumer walkie-talkies are often marketed with claims like “35-mile range.” These numbers are misleading — they represent theoretical maximum range under perfect conditions (mountain peak to mountain peak, no obstacles, maximum power).

Realistic range:

• FRS: 0.5–2 miles in typical terrain (buildings, trees, hills)
• GMRS with handheld: 1–5 miles
• GMRS with external antenna: 5–25+ miles
• GMRS through a repeater: 25–50+ miles

What limits range:

• Terrain: Hills, buildings, and dense forest absorb and block UHF signals
• Power: Lower power = shorter range
• Antenna height: Higher antennas “see” farther over the horizon
• Antenna quality: A fixed rubber-duck antenna is much less efficient than an external antenna

(f) Common Everyday Uses

• Family communication at theme parks, campgrounds, ski resorts
• Hiking and trail communication (checking on group members ahead/behind)
• Event coordination (Scout activities, community events, races)
• Construction and work sites (GMRS with license)
• Hunting and fishing groups
• Neighborhood watch coordination
• Road trips (car-to-car communication in a convoy)

(g) Emergency Use

FRS and GMRS radios can be valuable in emergencies:

• When cell networks are overloaded or down (natural disasters, large events), walkie-talkies still work — they don’t depend on any infrastructure.
• GMRS Channel 20 (462.675 MHz) is widely recognized as an informal emergency/travel channel.
• No infrastructure needed — if you have charged batteries and a clear line of sight, you can communicate.
• Limitations: Short range means you may not reach emergency services directly. They’re best for coordinating within your group, not for calling 911.