From WAGUNS.ORG
"
Yes, us hams tend to crap on CB and GMRS, but the truth is, for most people who don't give a #%(& about expanding their skill set, and want a radio for communicating more than the couple miles that CB or MURS will get you, GMRS is a valid option.
What is GMRS?
It's a set of 22 (30 if you count repeaters) frequencies in the UHF band, that, similar to ham radio, allows use of repeaters to extend your signal. It predates the FRS service by quite a bit, but FRS is basically GMRS-lite with significantly lower power, fewer frequencies, and no repeater access.
Unlike ham radio, no test is required, only a $35 fee which covers your entire family for 10 years.
GMRS is great for local area communication between friends/family members.
GMRS does not cover multiple bands. Getting interference? Want bigger coverage? You're pretty much SOL. You're not gonna be talking around the world like you can with ham radio.
Yes, the $25 Baofeng and Quansheng radios will work on GMRS.
Yes, you can buy similarly inexpensive mobile radios that work on GMRS to greatly extend your range.
GMRS, being on the UHF band, is better suited for urban environments and thick vegetation compared to VHF - but again, unlike ham, which allows you choose which band to operate on, GMRS doesn't give you that option.
Encryption is technically illegal on GMRS, but many radios support encryption when programmed on those frequencies. I'll leave it at that.
So, if you're looking for a legal, above-board communications method, that is pretty turnkey, and really hard to mess up, GMRS may be an option for you.
https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-div ... rvice-gmrs
Pro:
Con:
"
Yes, us hams tend to crap on CB and GMRS, but the truth is, for most people who don't give a #%(& about expanding their skill set, and want a radio for communicating more than the couple miles that CB or MURS will get you, GMRS is a valid option.
What is GMRS?
It's a set of 22 (30 if you count repeaters) frequencies in the UHF band, that, similar to ham radio, allows use of repeaters to extend your signal. It predates the FRS service by quite a bit, but FRS is basically GMRS-lite with significantly lower power, fewer frequencies, and no repeater access.
Unlike ham radio, no test is required, only a $35 fee which covers your entire family for 10 years.
GMRS is great for local area communication between friends/family members.
GMRS does not cover multiple bands. Getting interference? Want bigger coverage? You're pretty much SOL. You're not gonna be talking around the world like you can with ham radio.
Yes, the $25 Baofeng and Quansheng radios will work on GMRS.
Yes, you can buy similarly inexpensive mobile radios that work on GMRS to greatly extend your range.
GMRS, being on the UHF band, is better suited for urban environments and thick vegetation compared to VHF - but again, unlike ham, which allows you choose which band to operate on, GMRS doesn't give you that option.
Encryption is technically illegal on GMRS, but many radios support encryption when programmed on those frequencies. I'll leave it at that.
So, if you're looking for a legal, above-board communications method, that is pretty turnkey, and really hard to mess up, GMRS may be an option for you.
https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-div ... rvice-gmrs
Pro:
- No test to take
- One $35 license covers your entire family
- UHF frequencies = smaller antennas = easier to hide
- Higher gain antennas are much smaller compared to VHF
- Inexpensive radios
- Simple operation
- Can use repeaters for extended range
- Better range than MURS and FRS
Con:
- Limited channel capacity
- Easy to intercept communications
- limited range compared to ham
- Does not legally allow encryption or digital modes like P25"
