GMRS/FRS Radios

GMRS/FRS Radios

GMRS/FRS radios have been out since 1996 and are becoming popular with boaters. These radios can be just FRS (Family Radio Service) radios that use the UHF range of signal. No license is required for FRS radios and they have less interference than CB (Citizen Band) radios and they use a FM signal not an AM signal. They are required to use only a permanently attached antenna. Base station units are available with a whip-antenna and FRS radios are limited to 500 mill watts.

GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) radios can use the same channels as the FRS an also have additional channels, can go up to 5 watts of power but these radios require a license. Some of these have over 40 channels and a range of 35 miles in unobstructed areas.

The GMRS/FRS units can have 50 channels, NOAA weather information, channel scan and other features. The price range on these radios start at about $30 and go up from there and depend on the features the unit has.

These radios have less inference and are clearer then CB two way radios. The prices of these are reasonable and they offer features CB radios do not have.

These radios just give the boater another choice for communication in addition to VHF and CB and Cell phones.  All these can make your boating outing safer.