Multi Use Radio Service (MURS)
May 12, 2009 by Admin
Filed under MURS Radio
A Radio Shack mobile radio set up for MURS use
The MURS or Multi Use Radio Service was set up by the FCC in 2002 to become a new type of Citizens Band (CB) service.
The Multi Use Radio Service was designed to be used by the general public for private, two-way, short-distance voice (or data) communications for personal or business activities.
MURS uses five Industrial/Business Pool VHF channels known in the PLMR community as the VHF “color dot” frequencies. These had previously been covered by FCC Service Rules Part 90, but are now known as Part 95.
The MURS frequencies are:
151.820 MHz
151.880 MHz
151.940 MHz
154.570 MHz
154.600 MHz
One advantage that MURS radios have over the old CB radios is that you can use a thing called CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System). Each of your five MURS channels or frequencies has 38 CTCSS tones you can choose from. (You and the person you are talking to both agree on the same CTCSS tone you will both use.) This locks out anyone else on the same channel so you wont hear them.
The CTCSS tone system allows you to operate on a busy channel without being bothered by the other people there. And since there are 5 available MURS channels and 38 tones you can use on each of them, it’s rather like having 190 “channels” to choose from.
Anyone may operate a MURS two way radio as long as they are not a foreign government or someone representing a foreign government, but they must use the apparatus in accordance with the rules set out in 47 CFR. 95.1309 and in Sections 95.1301-95.1309.
No MURS radio is allowed to transmit more than 2 Watts transmitter power output, and FCC restrictions state the highest point of any MURS antenna must no be more than 18.3 meters (60 feet) above the ground or 6.10 meters (20 feet) above the highest point of the structure on which it is mounted.
FCC Reference: http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=service_home&id=multi_use
