Difference between revisions of "GMRS and FRS Radio in Western Washington"
(Created page with "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 Technol...") |
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Revision as of 12:20, 5 August 2019
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.
the Seattle Emergency Community Hubs use GMRS for their drills, practices, and events, and there are GMRS "Nets" every Monday evening in Seattle, using the 4 established GMRS repeaters 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.
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.