Adding Two-Way Radios to Your Preparedness Plan: A Guide to FCC Personal Radio Services

Communication is an important part of a preparedness plan and adding two way radios to that plan can help you stay in touch. Two-way radios are used in various types of environments to give the users a way to communicate quickly and effectively. Knowing the different types of radios and how to use them can be very beneficial to businesses, security teams, or groups looking for communications in for both emergency situations and recreation. In this post I will cover Federal Communication Commissions (FCC) radio service known as Personal Radio Services, and give you some options when it comes to adding radios to your preparedness plan.

What is the FCC?

The FCC is an independent Federal regulatory agency that is responsible for regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable. Its jurisdiction covers all U.S states and territories, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Possessions. There are many types of radio services the FCC oversees both licensed and unlicensed operations. These services include Industrial/Business Radio Services, Amateur Radio Services, Personal Radio Services and many more.

Personal Radio Services

These services are primarily for short-range, low-power radio communications using devices that operate much like walkies-talkies. Personal radio services include one- and two-way voice services, data services and remote-control transmissions that operate equipment. The types of services under this section are Citizens Band Radio Service(CB), Family Radio Service(FRS), General Mobile Radio Service(GMRS), Low-Power Radio Service and Multi-Use Radio Service(MURS). If you want to know more about each of these services in depth check out rule: 47 C.F.R, Part 95 

CB (HF Range 40 channels: 26.965 MHz and 27.405 MHz)

CB is an unlicensed private, two-way, short-distance voice communications service for personal or business activities of the general public. It also may be used for voice paging. It is authorized for 40 channels. Channel 9 is reserved for emergency communications or for traveler assistance. Anyone can buy the equipment and use this service but it is popular among individuals that are in the trucking industry and hobbyists.

Max transmit power:

• When transmitting amplitude modulated (AM) voice signals, the mean carrier power must not exceed 4 Watts.
• When transmitting single side-band (SSB) voice signals, the peak envelope power must not exceed 12 Watts.

Addition things to know:

• You may not raise the power output of a CB transmitter.
• You may not attach a “linear,” “linear amplifier” or any other type of power amplifier to your CB transmitter.
• There are no height restrictions for antennas mounted on vehicles or for hand-held devices.
• For structures, the highest point of your antenna must not be more than 20 feet above the highest point of the building or tree on which it is mounted, or 60 feet above the ground. There are lower height limits if your antenna structure is located within two miles of an airport.
• You may use an on-the-air pseudonym (“handle”) of your choosing.
• You must at all times and on all channels, give priority to emergency communications.

FRS (UHF Range 22 Channels: 462MHz – 467MHz)

FRS is a private unlicensed, two-way, short-distance voice and data communications service for facilitating family, group and business activities. The most common use for FRS channels is short-distance, two-way voice communications using small hand-held radios that are similar to walkies-talkies. Range of FRS radios varies but in general on channels 8-14 is less than one-half mile, but longer range communications can be achieved on channels 1-7 and 15-22 depending on conditions. Anyone can use this service and you often see these radios for sale at Walmart and other stores in the electronics section. 

Max transmit power: 

The effective radiated power (ERP) on channels 8 through 14 does not exceed 0.5 Watts and the ERP on channels 1 through 7 and 15 through 22 does not exceed 2.0 Watts. 

Addition things to know

• FRS radios must not be capable of transmitting on any frequency or channel other than those listed in § 95.563 (Assigned 22 channels).
• The antenna of each FRS radio must meet the following:
  • The antenna must be a non-removable integral part of the radio.
  • The gain of the antenna must not exceed that of a half-wave dipole antenna.
  • The antenna must be designed such that the electric field of the emitted waves is vertically polarized when the unit is operated in the normal orientation.

• FRS radios having the capability to transmit digital data must meet the following:
  • FRS units may transmit digital data containing location information, or requesting location information from one or more other FRS or GMRS units, or containing a brief text message to another specific FRS or GMRS unit or units.
  • Digital data transmissions must be initiated by a manual action or command of the operator, except that FRS radio may be designed to automatically respond with location data upon receiving an interrogation request from another FRS unit or a GMRS unit.
  • Digital data transmissions must not exceed one second in duration.
  • Digital data transmissions cannot be sent no more than 1 transmission per 30 seconds, except that an FRS unit may automatically respond to more than one interrogation request received within a thirty-second period.

GMRS (UHF 30 Channels: 462 MHz and 467 MHz)

GMRS is a licensed radio service that uses 30 channels, 22 of which are shared by FRS. The most common use of GMRS channels is for short-distance, two-way voice communications using hand-held radios, mobile radios and repeater systems. In 2017, the FCC expanded GMRS to also allow short data messaging applications including text messaging and GPS location information. Anyone can apply for a license.

License fee: $35. No test is required, just apply and pay the fee and a license will be issued. Apply at: https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/universal-licensing-system 

Max transmit power: 

• The transmitter output power of mobile, repeater and base stations must not exceed 50 Watts.
• The transmitter output power of fixed stations must not exceed 15 Watts.
• 462 MHz interstitial channels: mobile, hand-held portable and base stations transmitting on the 462 MHz interstitial channels must not exceed 5 Watts.
• 467 MHz interstitial channels: hand-held portable units transmitting on the 467 MHz interstitial channels must not exceed 0.5 Watt. 

Addition things to know:

• License is good for 10 years
• One license covers everyone in your immediate family.
• Communications range from one to twenty-five miles depending on station class, terrain and repeater use.  
• You can set up your own repeater without going through a repeater council but you must not cause interference with other established repeaters.

*I have a GMRS license and use this service as part of my emergency communication for my family and outdoor activity communications. This service is great for those that don’t want to get an Amateur radio license but need repeater capability, ability to set up better antennas, and need more range than the FRS service provides.*

MURS (VHF 5 Channels: 151 – 154 MHz)

MURS is a unlicensed radio service that uses five channels that were previously in the industrial/business radio service. The most common use of MURS channels is for short-distance, two-way communications using small, portable hand-held radios that function similar to walkies-talkies. Unlike FRS and GMRS that are UHF this service is VHF. That makes this service a good choice if you are in an open area and need further range. Anyone can use this service and there are some businesses that use this radio service. For example Walmart uses MURS channel 5.

Max transmit power: 

MURS radio transmit power  must not exceed 2 Watts under normal operating conditions. 

Additional things to know:

• MURS radios may be used to transmit voice, data or image signals, and telemetry functions.
• Cannot use repeaters or boost signal of radios.
• Can use external antennas and mounting height must not exceed 60feet above ground or when mounted on a building not more than 20ft above the roof line. 
• Usually the range of communications between MURS radios is less than a few miles but  connecting the radio to an external antenna can extend the range to ten miles or more.

*I also use MURS service as part of my emergency communication for my family and outdoor activity communications. This service is great for those that don’t want to get a GMRS license but need a bit more power and range than FRS radios provide.*

Which one should you choose?

Choosing between these options can be difficult especially if you are new to radios and don’t really know all the technical features. If you are new and are looking to add some two-way radios to your personal preparedness plan I recommend starting with FRS. FRS radios are inexpensive and there are many different makes, models and manufactures. FRS are also good for family outings at the park or for short hikes where cell service might be spotty. You will not be contacting emergency services on these radios as they are for personal communications only . Therefore, it is important that you and your group practice using the radios and come up with a standard communications plan for when an incident occurs.