36 - 20th Avenue NW- Birmingham, AL 35215 - Phone 205.854.2611 - Toll Free 800.489.2611

 An Introduction to Personal Radio

The origins of personal radio go back over 50 years to a service known as Class A Citizens Band, now known as GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) with several changes including a RESTRICTION AGAINST PERSONAL USE.  The band most of know as CB operates in the 27 MHz band (Originally known as Class D Citizens Band) and is now used mostly by over the road truckers (and those who want to talk to them).  FRS (Family Radio Service), is ultra low power short range service primarily for personal use although business related communications is permitted.

Falcon Direct specializes in serving the needs of business, institutional, and governmental users.  Accordingly, we do not promote the use of FRS radios (generally ineffective for the needs of our users) or GMRS for commercial or governmental use since GRMRS is for private, non-commercial use only.  However, if you have a need for GMRS radios, we do offer the full line of Midland, Ritron, and TEKK GMRS radios.  You can review the products on line at www.midlandradio.com.  Our two most popular GMRS radios are the Ritron SLX-400 and the TEKK XU-1000.  Additional information on the SLX-400 is available at www.info4u.us/slxgmrs.pdf. Information on the TEKK XU-1000 and other available models is available at www.falcondirect.com/TEKK.   If you have a need for FRS radios, you can find them at any discount store.  We will provide pricing information of commercial grade radios at the bottom of the page.

Family Radio Service (FRS)

Family Radio Service (FRS) is one of the Citizens Band Radio Services. It is used by family, friends and associates to communicate within a neighborhood and while on group outings and has a communications range of less than one mile. You can not make a telephone call with an FRS unit. You may use your FRS unit for business-related communications.

Licensing

License documents are neither needed nor issued. You are provided authority to operate a FRS unit in places where the FCC regulates radio communications as long as you use only an unmodified FCC certified FRS unit. An FCC certified FRS unit has an identifying label placed on it by the manufacturer. There is no age or citizenship requirement.

Bandplan

There are 14 FRS channels that can be used on a "take turns" basis. No FRS channel is assigned to any specific individual or organization.
Channel Allocation.  The first seven FRS channels are shared with GMRS and may be used at a full 5 watts of power (FCC license required).  All 14 FRS channels can be used without a license subject to a limitation of one-half watt power maximum and a fixed antenna.

                                                                                                    Channel Frequency (MHz)

                                                                                                              1  - 462.5625
                                                                                                              2   -462.5875
                                                                                                              3  - 462.6125
                                                                                                              4  - 462.6375
                                                                                                              5  - 462.6625
                                                                                                              6  - 462.6875
                                                                                                              7  - 462.7125
                                                                                                              8  - 467.5625
                                                                                                              9  - 467.5875
                                                                                                             10 - 467.6125
                                                                                                             11 - 467.6375
                                                                                                             12 - 467.6625
                                                                                                             13 - 467.6875
                                                                                                             14 - 467.7125

General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)

The General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) is a land-mobile radio service available for short-distance two-way communications to facilitate the activities of an adult individual and his or her immediate family members, including a spouse, children, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, and in-laws (47 CFR 95.179). Normally, as a GMRS system licensee, you and your family members would communicate among yourselves over the general area of your residence or during recreational group outings, such as camping or hiking.

The FCC grants five-year renewable licenses for GMRS Systems. The individual licensee is responsible for the proper operations of the licensed GMRS system at all times.

FRS/GMRS Dual Service Radios

Some manufacturers have received approval to market radios that are certified for use in both the Family Radio Service (FRS) and the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS). Other manufacturers have received approval of their radios under the GMRS rules, but market them as FRS/GMRS radios on the basis that:

* Some channels are authorized to both services, or
* A user of the radio may communicate with stations in the other service.

Radios marketed as "FRS/GMRS" or "dual-service radios" are available from many manufacturers and many retail or discount stores. The manual that comes with the radio, or the label placed on it by the manufacturer, should indicate the service the unit is certified for. If you cannot determine what service the unit may be used in, contact the manufacturer.

If you operate a radio that has been approved exclusively under the rules that apply to FRS, you are not required to have a license. FRS radios have a maximum power of ½ watt (500 milliwatt) effective radiated power and integral (non-detachable) antennas. If you operate a radio under the rules that apply to GMRS, you must have a GMRS license. GMRS radios generally transmit at higher power levels (1 to 5 watts is typical) and may have detachable antennas. The current fee for a new GMRS license is $80.
Licensing

Before any station transmits on any channel authorized in the GMRS from any point within or over the territorial limits of any area where the FCC regulates radio services, the responsible party must obtain a license. The FCC usually grants GMRS system licenses for a five-year term. To apply for a GMRS system license, you may file online through the Universal Licensing System (ULS), or file FCC Form 605 manually. New filers can learn more about ULS in its getting started tutorials. See Fee Requirements for FCC Form 605 for current licensing fee information.

Commercial Grade Radios

A good quality commercial or professional grade radio costs only a few dollars more than a good GMRS radio.  Complete information is available on a special web site at www.info4u.us/PersonalRadios.   Check it out - you'll be glad you did!

                             36 - 20th Avenue NW- Birmingham, AL 35215 - Phone 205.854.2611 - Toll Free 800.489.2611

Copyright 2008 - Falcon Direct, Inc.
This page was last updated on 04/11/2008