Confused over GMRS/FRS channels and frequencies
I own seven different GMRS/FRS radios, and I don’t hold a GMRS license.
Since I am content only to use the FRS radio channels, I have no plans to buy a license to use the GMRS radio service frequencies.
However, I have found the information in my walkie talkie manuals is unhelpful, even confusing.
The book I have from the Maxus brand FRS/GMRS radios tells me that channels 1-7 are FRS only. The manual for my Motorola Talkabout FRS/GMRS radios says that channels 8-14 are FRS only.
However, the FCC website stated that 1-7 are shared between GMRS/FRS, while 8-14 are strictly FRS only.
What I need to know is, can I use channels 8-14 on my Maxus radios without having to buy myself a GMRS radio licence?
You may use channels 8-14 without a license. You may use channels 1-7 without a license ONLY if you use *low* power. Use of high power puts your power output over legal FRS power limits.
You could eliminate all confusion and just get a GMRS license. This will allow you full use of all channels.
Those who say it is all right to use all channels without a license are criminals. You are doing the right thing by asking your questions and operating within the limits of your operating authority.
I am making a guess here, so you will have to check and confirm this for yourself. But think for a moment…
What if both the Maxus instructions and the Motorola Talkabout instructions are correct FOR THEIR OWN RADIOS ???
I suspect then that Maxus channels 1 to 7 may be the same radio frequencies as Motorola Talkabout channels 8 to 14, and if this is so, then you will have to remember the different frequency assignments.
Try using Maxus ch 1 to talk to Motorola ch 8 and so on… but to be sure, double-check the actual radio frequency marked for each channel.
Different manufacturers may have deliberately assigned the frequencies differently so you’ll all have to use the same brand of radio. Rather sneaky if you ask me…