GMRS/FRS Radios in Emergency.

GMRS/FRS Radios in Emergency.

I have been asked a question regarding the relationship of GMRS/FRS radio frequencies in regard to Ham radio frequencies.  The question was are the FRS frequencies on the 2 meter ham band.  As you can see, the FRS frequencies are closed to the UHF ham band or the 70 cm band.  Ham radios have to be modified to transmit on these frequencies which can be done...outside of the FCC laws, but to stay within the law one must either get a free GMRS license to use the GMRS frequencies or one may use the FRS frequencies at any time without license.

In regard to use for emergency.  These radios are not useful in city conditions over a few blocks unless the antenna is placed in a higher area where the transmitter can "see" the receiver radios or vice versa.  Their power is extremely limited, and the frequency somewhat higher than 2 m ham radios and so transmitting through brick and mortar is somewhat hindered.  Therefore one may be forced to use these radios outside a structure to get any gain.

Many manufacturers falsely claim that they will work for many miles.  This is true in ideal conditions where there are no structures between the sender/receiver like transmitting over still water.  Even so, FM radios are all line of sight, and the curvature of the earth precludes line of sight much over 14-15 miles in good conditions standing on the ground.  Even higher powered ham radios are limited to the 14-15 mile rule unless they use repeaters or are transmitting on top of a mountain or very tall building.

Channel	Frequency (MHz)	Notes
1	462.5625	Shared with GMRS
2	462.5875	Shared with GMRS
3	462.6125	Shared with GMRS
4	462.6375	Shared with GMRS
5	462.6625	Shared with GMRS
6	462.6875	Shared with GMRS
7	462.7125	Shared with GMRS
8	467.5625	FRS use only
9	467.5875	FRS use only
10	467.6125	FRS use only
11	467.6375	FRS use only
12	467.6625	FRS use only
13	467.6875	FRS use only
14	467.7125	FRS use only