Higher-powered FRS radio
by David Harvey VK2DMH on Wednesday, August 26th, 2009 | 2 Comments
I have found a dual-band 5-watt two-way radio which transmits on both the VHF Marine band and is set up for FRS channels as well.
If this radio could use 5 watts on the FRS band, what range of communications could I hope to get?
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Anything from a couple of hundred feet in a built-up city area, up to several miles distance if both radios are located at high vantage points, like on top of tall buildings.
Don’t get excited about the radio having 5 watts power; that will only be for the VHF Marine band. To be type-approved for FRS radio channels, that radio will still use low power on the FRS channels – certainly NOT 5 watts. Therefore your expected distance on the FRS channels will be just as limited as any other FRS radio.
That is why FRS radios don’t require a license. They have been designed to be low power and short distance, and you are not allowed to add an external antenna (or modify the little one they already have). Otherwise you and every other FRS user would be picking up unwanted signals from thousands of other FRS radios, and the whole FRS service would become unusable!
If you don’t want to get a radio license but you want longer range, use a CB radio instead. Or you could contact your local Amateur Radio club and find out more about becoming a proper Ham Radio Operator.