GMRS and FRS Radio in Western Washington

GMRS: General Mobile Radio Service

FRS: Family Radio Service

While neither of these services is part of Amateur Radio, they definitely belong in a list of Available Technologies for Emergency Communications and Preparedness.

the Seattle Emergency Community Hubs use GMRS Radios for their drills, practices, and events, and there are GMRS "Nets" every Monday evening in Seattle, using the 4 established GMRS repeaters in Seattle.

[Monday Night GMRS and Ham Nets in Seattle]

GMRS requires an inexpensive license from the FCC (approx. $70 for 10 years), which an entire household gets to use. No classes, no test to pass, and good Repeater-Capable "handie-talkies" are available for $50 or so.

[Search Google Shopping for GMRS Repeater-Capable Radios]

[How to Obtain your GMRS License Quickly]

FRS requires no license at all.

What's the difference? GMRS licensees can use more powerful radios, they can add larger antennas to their radios, and, most importantly, they can use Repeaters, to greatly increase their effective communications range, just as Amateurs, First Responders, and many Mobile Businesses, such as Taxis, Delivery Fleets, Buses, Plumbers and more.