FRS 

The Family Radio Service (FRS) is a private, two-way, short-distance voice and data communications service for facilitating family and group activities. The most common use for FRS channels is short-distance, two-way voice communications using small hand-held radios that are similar to walkie-talkies. The service is licensed-by-rule so the general public can use the devices without having to obtain a license and channel sharing is achieved through a listen-before-talk etiquette. 

The FRS is authorized 22 channels in the 462 MHz and 467 MHz range, all of which are shared with General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) which requires an individual license for use. 

FRS is licensed by rule. This means an individual license is not required to operate an FRS radio provided you comply with the rules. You may operate an FRS radio regardless of your age, and for personal or for business use if you are not a representative of a foreign government. 

Channels 

There are 22 FRS channels.  Each channel has a bandwidth of 12.5 kHz, but the power of each channel may vary as indicated below.  All channels are shared with GMRS, so you may hear communications from licensed GMRS stations on these channels. 

Channel No.	Frequency	Power (ERP in Watts)
1	462.5625	2 W
2	462.5875	2 W
3	462.6125	2 W
4	462.6375	2 W
5	462.6625	2 W
6	462.6875	2 W
7	462.7125	2 W
8	467.5625	0.5 W
9	467.5875	0.5 W
10	467.6125	0.5 W
11	467.6375	0.5 W
12	467.6625	0.5 W
13	467.6875	0.5 W
14	467.7125	0.5 W
15	462.5500	2 W
16	462.5750	2 W
17	462.6000	2 W
18	462.6250	2 W
19	462.6500	2 W
20	462.6750	2 W
21	462.7000	2 W
22	462.7250	2 W

Operating a Family Radio Service (FRS) Unit 

You can operate a FRS transmitter at any place where the FCC regulates radio communications, subject to certain limitations. A FRS transmitter may not be modified and must be certified by the FCC. 

None of the FRS channels are assigned for the exclusive use of any user. You must cooperate in the selection and use of the channels in order to make the most effective use of them and to reduce the possibility of interference. 

The usual range of an FRS device on channels 8-14 is less than one-half mile, but longer range communications can be achieve on channels 1-7 and 15-22 depending on conditions. You may not interconnect FRS transmitters and radios with the telephone system. 

GMRS FRS Dual-service radios 

Some manufacturers received approval to market radios that were certified under both FRS and GMRS, which allowed users to use one device to operate on FRS channels, which does not require a license, and GMRS, which requires an FCC license.  In 2017, the FCC changed its rules to stop equipment authorization of FRS dual-service radios and it changed the rules for both FRS and GMRS such that existing radios would be reclassified as either FRS or GMRS to remove the confusion of whether a license was needed for legal operation. 

Specifically, if you have a radio that was sold as a dual-service FRS/GMRS radio and it is limited to the channels and power limits provided under the “Data” tab on this page, then that device can be operated as an FRS device without a licensing requirement.  However, if the device exceeds the limits under the “Data” tab or includes any of the following channels (467.5500, 467.5750, 467.6000, 467.6250, 467.6500, 467.6750, 467.7000, and 467.7250 MHz), then it is a GMRS device and an individual FCC license is needed to operate the device other than on the channels and with the bandwidth and power limits shown under the “Data” tab.

GMRS 

The General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) is a licensed radio service that uses channels around 462 MHz and 467 MHz. 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. 

The GMRS is available to an individual (one man or one woman) for short-distance two-way communications to facilitate the activities of licensees and their immediate family members. Each licensee manages a system consisting of one or more transmitting units (stations.) The rules for GMRS limit eligibility for new GMRS system licenses to individuals in order to make the service available to personal users. (Some previously licensed non-individual systems are allowed to continue using GMRS.) 

In 2017, the FCC updated the GMRS by allotting additional interstitial channels in the 467 MHz band, increased the license term from 5 to 10 years, allowed transmission of limited data applications such as text messaging and GPS location information and made other updates to the GMRS rules to reflect modern application of the service. 

An FCC license is required to operate GMRS system. Licenses are issued for a ten-year term and can be renewed between 90 days prior to the expiration date and up to the actual expiration date of the license. After a license expires, an individual must request a new GMRS license. 

A GMRS system licensed to a non-individual prior to July 31, 1987 is also eligible for renewal, but the licensee may not make any major modification to the system. 

You may apply for a GMRS license if you are 18 years or older and not a representative of a foreign government. If you receive a license, any family member, regardless of age, can operate GMRS stations and units within the licensed system. 

The FCC service rules for the GMRS are located in 47 C.F.R. Part 95 Subpart E. You can find information about GMRS licensing in the rules. 

Channels 

There are 30 GMRS channels with a bandwidth of 25 kHz (20 KHz authorized bandwidth) or 12.5 kHz as outlined below: 

Channel	Authorized Bandwidth
462.5500	20 kHz
462.5625	20 kHz
462.5750	20 kHz
462.5875	20 kHz
462.6000	20 kHz
462.6125	20 kHz
462.6250	20 kHz
462.6375	20 kHz
462.6500	20 kHz
462.6625	20 kHz
462.6750	20 kHz
462.6875	20 kHz
462.7000	20 kHz
462.7125	20 kHz
462.7250	20 kHz
467.5500	20 kHz
467.5625	12.5 kHz
467.5750	20 kHz
467.6125	12.5 kHz
467.6000	20 kHz
467.6625	12.5 kHz
467.6250	20 kHz
467.7125	12.5 kHz
467.6500	20 kHz
467.5875	12.5 kHz
467.6750	20 kHz
467.6375	12.5 kHz
467.7000	20 kHz
467.6875	12.5 kHz
467.7250	20 kHz

A GMRS licensee may use a combination of portable, mobile, fixed and repeater stations consistent with the operational and technical rules in Subpart E of Part 95.  The use of some channels is restricted to certain types of stations and certain channels are reserved for voice-only operations, while other channels allow voice and data operations. 

None of the GMRS channels are assigned for the exclusive use of any system. You must cooperate in the selection and use of the channels in order to make the most effective use of them and to reduce the possibility of interference. 

You can expect a communications range of one to twenty-five miles depending on station class, terrain and repeater use.  You cannot directly interconnect a GMRS station with the telephone network or any other network for the purpose of carrying GMRS communications, but these networks can be used for remote control of repeater stations.  

Normally, you and your family members would communicate between yourselves directly or through a repeater station. The stations must be within the territorial limits of the fifty United States, the District of Columbia, and the Caribbean and Pacific Insular areas. 

In transient use, a mobile station from one GMRS system may communicate through a mobile relay station (repeater) in another GMRS system with the permission of its licensee. The communications may also be with mobile stations from other GMRS systems also with permission from the licensee to communicate through the mobile relay station. 

MURS

The Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS) uses channels in the 151 – 154 MHz spectrum range. The most common use of MURS channels is for short-distance, two-way communications using small, portable hand-held radios that function similar to walkie-talkies.  

MURS is authorized five channels that were previously in the industrial/business radio service and were known as the “color dot” frequencies in Part 90 of the FCC rules. 

Channels 

There are five MURS channels and the channels are either 11.25 kHz or 20.00 kHz each. The channel frequencies and (bandwidth) are: 

151.820 MHz (11.25 kHz)                                 
151.880 MHz (11.25 kHz)                                 
151.940 MHz (11.25 kHz)                                 
154.570 MHz (20.00 kHz)                                 
154.600 MHz (20.00 kHz)       

MURS is licensed by rule. This means an individual license is not required for an entity to operate a MURS transmitter if it is not a representative of a foreign government and if it uses the transmitter in accordance with the MURS rules outlined in 47 C.F.R. Part 95 Subpart J. There is no age restriction regarding who may operate a MURS transmitter. 

You may operate a MURS transmitter at any location the FCC regulates radio communications, subject to certain restrictions. A MURS transmitter must be certified by the FCC. 

None of the MURS channels are assigned for the exclusive use of any user. You must cooperate in the selection and use of the channels in order to make the most effective use of them and to reduce the possibility of interference. 

No MURS transmitter shall, under any condition of modulation, transmit more than 2 watts transmitter power output. 

The usual range of communications between MURS stations is less than a few miles; connecting a MURS radio to an external antenna can extend the range to ten miles or more. MURS stations are not allowed to be interconnected with the public switched telephone network. A station identification (callsign) announcement is not required to be transmitted. Other restrictions on the use of MURS stations also apply. 

CB 

The Citizens Band Radio Service (CBRS) is a 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 40 channels between 26.965 MHz and 27.405 MHz. 

The CB Service provides a service for short-distance communications by individuals and businesses. Over the years, changes occurred to the service such as adding additional channels; however, the purpose of the service has remained the same. 

Channels 

There are 40 CB channels. Each CB channel is 10 kHz. The channel number and its frequency are: 

1) 26.965                                                          2) 26.975 
3) 26.985                                                          4) 27.005 
5) 27.015                                                          6) 27.025 
7) 27.035                                                          8) 27.055 
9) 27.065*                                                         10) 27.075 
11) 27.085                                                         12) 27.105 
13) 27.115                                                         14) 27.125 
15) 27.135                                                         16) 27.155 
17) 27.165                                                         18) 27.175 
19) 27.185                                                         20) 27.205 
21) 27.215                                                         22) 27.225 
23) 27.255                                                         24) 27.235 
25) 27.245                                                         26) 27.265 
27) 27.275                                                         28) 27.285 
29) 27.295                                                         30) 27.305 
31) 27.315                                                         32) 27.325 
33) 27.335                                                         34) 27.345 
35) 27.355                                                         36) 27.365 
37) 27.375                                                         38) 27.385 
39) 27.395                                                         40) 27.405 

*Channel 9 is reserved for emergency communications or for traveler assistance. 

Anyone, regardless of age, can operate a CB station – except a foreign government, a representative of a foreign government, a federal government agency or someone who has received an FCC a cease-and-desist order that is still in effect. Anyone who is eligible may operate a CB station for personal or business use, in accordance with the rules. 

An individual license is not required to operate a CB station and the FCC does not renew formerly issued CB Radio Service licenses; 

The FCC service rules for the Citizens Band Radio Service (CBRS) are located in 47 C.F.R. Part 95. 

Operating a Citizens Band (CB) Device 

You may operate a CB transmitter at any location where the FCC regulates radio communications, subject to certain restrictions. A CB transmitter must be certified by the FCC. Transmitters that have been certified for use in the CB Radio Service may be found on the FCC website using the page at https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/reports/GenericSearch.cfm. 

None of the CB channels are assigned for the exclusive use of any station. You must cooperate in the selection and use of the channels in order to make the most efficient use of them and to reduce the possibility of interference. If you use a CB station to transmit a message, you cannot talk with another station for more than 5 minutes continuously and then you must wait at least one minute before starting another communication. 

There are several additional things to consider when using a CB device, including: 

• 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. 

Amateur Radio (HAM) 

Before you read all this information that might sound complicated and scary about Amateur Radio, just know that a young girl in Amarillo about ten years old was able to pass their Technician license test in 2024.

You can communicate with other hams using your voice and a microphone, interface a radio with your computer or tablet to send data, text or images, or Morse code, which remains incredibly popular. You can even talk to astronauts aboard the International Space Station, talk to other hams through one of several satellites in space, or bounce signals off the moon and back to Earth! 

Some hams like to build and experiment with electronics. Computer hobbyists enjoy using Amateur Radio’s digital communications opportunities. Others compete in “DX contests,” where the object is to see how many hams in distant locations they can contact. Mostly we use ham radio to form friendships over the air or through participation in one of more than 2000 Amateur Radio clubs throughout the country. There are over 600,000 radio amateurs in the United States and over 2,000,000 worldwide. 

The amateur and amateur-satellite services are for qualified persons of any age who are interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest. These services present an opportunity for self-training, intercommunication, and technical investigations. Twenty-nine small frequency bands throughout the spectrum are allocated to this service internationally. Some 1,300 digital, analog, pulse, and spread-spectrum emission types may be transmitted. 

Millions of amateur operators in all areas of the world communicate with each other directly or through ad hoc relay systems and amateur satellites. They exchange messages by voice, teleprinting, telegraphy, facsimile, and television. In areas where the FCC regulates the services, an amateur operator must have an FCC or Canadian license. FCC-issued Reciprocal Permit for Alien Amateur Licensee are no longer needed. Reciprocal operation in the U.S. is now authorized by Section 47 C.F.R. § 97.107. 

All frequencies are shared. No frequency is assigned for the exclusive use of any amateur station. Station control operators cooperate in selecting transmitting channels to make the most effective use of the frequencies. They design, construct, modify, and repair their stations. The FCC equipment authorization program does not generally apply to amateur station transmitters. 

Operator Class & Examinations 

Most new amateur operators start at the Technician Class and then may advance to the General Class or Amateur Extra Class operator license. The VEs give examination credit for the license class currently held so that examinations required for that license need not be repeated. The VEs construct the written examinations from question pools that have been made public. Helpful study guides and training courses are widely available. 

License Grants & Exams 

Panhandle Amateur Radio Club (PARC) offers in person testing. Testing may also be taken via Zoom online through many other groups.

Operation of an amateur station requires an amateur operator license grant from the FCC. Before receiving a license grant, you must pass an examination administered by a team of volunteer examiners (VEs). 

After you successfully complete the exam, the VEC collects your information from your VE team and, after carefully screening it, forwards the information thereon to the FCC for processing. Your operating authority begins when your license grant information appears on the amateur service licensee database of the Universal Licensing System. 

Common Filing Tasks 

Amateur licensees are required to submit applications using the Universal Licensing System (ULS). Common filing tasks include: 

• Changing Address 
• Checking Application Status 
• Vanity FAQ 
• Renewing a License 
• Replacing a License 

Pros – cost, portability, channelized options can be very simple for non technical users, small size

Cons – limited range unless utilizing a repeater (don’t worry, we’ll explain repeaters later), keeping battery charged

Pros – more power means more range, runs off of your vehicle electrical system so no batteries to worry about

Cons – although more powerful, still limited range unless utilizing a repeater system, must stay with vehicle to use generally

Pros – being stationary means you can get your antenna higher up, which means more range, HF Amateur Radios can achieve long distance communication and have even higher power options

Cons – can be bigger in size, most radios run on 12 volt power so you will need a power supply for base station or mobile style radios

Pros – repeaters will usually have very high antennas to help you get your signal out as far as possible, because of their height or position they may also be able to repeat signals that would otherwise be blocked by mountains, buildings, or even large hills between operators

Cons – cost, we do not have a lot of tall buildings or mountains to take advantage of in our area so most resort to towers (which can be costly), limited to VHF/UHF Amateur Radio (HAM) but starting to see some GMRS