General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)

 

GMRS is a land-mobile radio service available for short-distance, two-way communications.

A GMRS system may legally be operated only with an FCC license. The individual licensee is responsible for the proper operation of the GMRS system. A licensee may permit his or her immediate family members to operate the GMRS system.

A GMRS system is made up of station operators and a mobile station consisting of one or more mobile units. It may also include one or more land stations. Some land stations operate as repeaters, thereby extending the range of GMRS mobile units.

New GMRS licenses are granted only to individuals, but GMRS licenses granted to non-individuals (such as businesses) before July 31, 1987, can be renewed if certain conditions are met. You can apply for a GMRS license online, or by filing FCC Form 605. The FCC sets license filing fees annually, and licenses are granted for 10 years.


The Midland has an article on their web-page, "Why Do I Need a GMRS License & How Do I Get It?" that guides you through the steps to get your GMRS license. (It comes down to filling out an application and submitting it with a $70 application fee - there is no test, and the license once granted covers your whole family for 10 years.)

Earlier, we discussed amateur radio. While amateur radio provides the greatest number of communication options, not everyone wants or needs all that amateur radio offers. GMRS radio provides an excellent system for family and small group communication in a local area. With the addition of mobile (vehicle mounted) and base stations, GMRS provides a capability very similar to amateur radio 2-meter band communication. (At Cascadia Preparedness most of us have GMRS licenses in addition to our amateur radio licenses.)

Table Notes

(1) Shared FRS and GMRS simplex.

(2) Shared FRS and GMRS simplex; GMRS repeater output.

(3) GMRS repeater input. The output frequency of this repeater input is the input frequency minus 5 MHz.

(4) FRS transmissions are limited to bandwidth of 11 kHz with a transmitter deviation of +/- 2.5 kHz. Channels are on 12.5 kHz centers.

(5) GMRS transmissions may have a bandwidth of 16 kHz with a transmitter deviation of +/- 5.0 kHz. Channels are on 25 kHz centers.

(6) GMRS transmissions are limited to a bandwidth of 11 kHz with a transmitter deviation of +/- 2.5 kHz. Channels are on 12.5 kHz centers.

(7) National GMRS calling channel (CTCSS tone 141.3 Hz).

GMRS is authorized to use repeaters, and there may be active repeaters in your area that will help you extend your communication range. The MyGRMS web-site has a GMRS repeater directory where you can find repeater and request access to repeater where that it required. 

All 22 GMRS frequencies are shared with the Family Radio Service (FRS), and users of the two services may communicate with each other. With the exception of FRS channels 8 through 14, GMRS licensees may use higher power radios with detachable or external antennas. FRS may not use the GMRS repeater frequencies. 

 

This YouTube video shows how "residents living in one rural Northern California community were tired of feeling helpless during recent wildfires and public safety power shutoffs. They didn’t have the ability to communicate with friends or loved ones because cell service, land lines and interest were all down. So, they took it upon themselves to solve the problem, at least for their own community, to “live prepared, not scared” as Lois Miller proclaims. They gathered their neighbors, communications experts and first responders and came up with a plan. Their solution was GMRS: General Mobile Radio Service."

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