FRS (Family Radio Service) and GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) are two types of radio services available in the United States. While they are both used for personal communications, there are some differences between them that are worth considering. Here’s a comparison guide to help you choose which radio service is best for your needs.
- Range: FRS radios have a range of up to two miles, while GMRS radios have a range of up to five miles or more. This makes GMRS radios a better option if you need longer-range communication.
- Power: FRS radios have a maximum power output of 0.5 watts, while GMRS radios can transmit up to 50 watts of power. This higher power output allows GMRS radios to transmit over longer distances and through obstacles like buildings and trees.
- Licensing: FRS radios do not require a license to use, while GMRS radios require a license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The GMRS license allows for higher power output and access to additional frequencies.
- Channels: FRS radios have 22 channels available, while GMRS radios have 22 channels plus an additional 8 channels reserved for GMRS license holders.
- Privacy: Both FRS and GMRS radios have the option of using privacy codes or “sub-channels” to reduce interference from other radio users on the same channel. However, these privacy codes are not secure and can be easily bypassed by someone with a radio set to the same frequency.
- Cost: FRS radios are generally less expensive than GMRS radios, and there are no licensing fees for FRS radios.
Overall, if you only need short-range communication and don’t want to bother with licensing, FRS radios may be a good option. However, if you need longer-range communication and are willing to obtain a license, GMRS radios may be the better choice. It’s important to keep in mind that regardless of which service you choose, it’s always important to follow FCC regulations and be considerate of other radio users.