So, the first step is to look over the FCC site for GMRS:
https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/general-mobile-radio-service-gmrs
Each tab gives brief information about the GMRS licensing.
You and immediate family can use that license.
(The license can be used by the licensee and immediate family members which include the licensee’s spouse, children, grandchildren, stepchildren, parents, grandparents, stepparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and in-laws.)
There are specific frequencies and channels you are legally licensed to use. Most of the radios that you would purchase have these already in them. You would need to buy radios, program software and a program cable to make your own updates.
The frequencies are uniform across the US, but each city could have repeaters that have specific usage details on how to setup your radio and use them. Using the point-to-point (simplex) channels for local talk are standard.
GMRS operates on shared channels with FRS, but GMRS allows for higher power on certain channels, localized repeater use (to expand talk coverage area), and even mobile radios, or a radio setup at home.
When using GMRS, you do have to identify (say your call-sign) during your conversation, and at the end:
(An individual operating a GMRS station must identify themselves with their FCC-assigned call sign: at the end of a transmission or a series of transmissions, and. at least once every 15 minutes for a series lasting more than 15 minutes).
Example: If you and your spouse, or children, etc., are talking to each other, at least one of them has to identify during the conversation…. “Ok son, have a fun time down at the farm, ABCD123”; “Ok, Karen, see at home soon, don’t forget to pick up Chick-Fil-A, ABCD123” (where ABCD123is your FCC assigned call sign).
I know users that have their children using the radio system when they are playing down the street at neighbor’s houses, or at campgrounds, etc. Remember, in some cases, you will hear FRS radios as well. They don’t have to have a license, or identify. You do! You can always change channels, especially outdoors, or at campgrounds, hiking, etc., when others are talking on a channel you want to use.
It seems overwhelming at first, but once you get everything set, it will be easier.
GMRS will not cover across any given state. Some repeater systems are linked together to increase the talk range, but normally its local communications, via repeaters, or within a few miles for the point-to-point simplex channels.
A repeater is a device that is usually located in a higher location than the ground-level, hand-held radio or mobile radio, that ‘listens’ on one radio frequency and re-transmits (repeats) that same audio on a different frequency at a higher power output.
| Frequency | Channel | FRS power | FRS bandwidth | GMRS power | GMRS bandwidth | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 462.5625 MHz | 1 | 2 W | 12.5 kHz | 5 W | 20 kHz | (1)(4)(5) |
| 462.5875 MHz | 2 | 2 W | 12.5 kHz | 5 W | 20 kHz | (1)(4)(5) |
| 462.6125 MHz | 3 | 2 W | 12.5 kHz | 5 W | 20 kHz | (1)(4)(5) |
| 462.6375 MHz | 4 | 2 W | 12.5 kHz | 5 W | 20 kHz | (1)(4)(5) |
| 462.6625 MHz | 5 | 2 W | 12.5 kHz | 5 W | 20 kHz | (1)(4)(5) |
| 462.6875 MHz | 6 | 2 W | 12.5 kHz | 5 W | 20 kHz | (1)(4)(5) |
| 462.7125 MHz | 7 | 2 W | 12.5 kHz | 5 W | 20 kHz | (1)(4)(5) |
| 467.5625 MHz | 8 | 0.5 W | 12.5 kHz | 0.5 W | 12.5 kHz | (1)(4)(6) |
| 467.5875 MHz | 9 | 0.5 W | 12.5 kHz | 0.5 W | 12.5 kHz | (1)(4)(6) |
| 467.6125 MHz | 10 | 0.5 W | 12.5 kHz | 0.5 W | 12.5 kHz | (1)(4)(6) |
| 467.6375 MHz | 11 | 0.5 W | 12.5 kHz | 0.5 W | 12.5 kHz | (1)(4)(6) |
| 467.6625 MHz | 12 | 0.5 W | 12.5 kHz | 0.5 W | 12.5 kHz | (1)(4)(6) |
| 467.6875 MHz | 13 | 0.5 W | 12.5 kHz | 0.5 W | 12.5 kHz | (1)(4)(6) |
| 467.7125 MHz | 14 | 0.5 W | 12.5 kHz | 0.5 W | 12.5 kHz | (1)(4)(6) |
| 462.5500 MHz | 15 | 2 W | 12.5 kHz | 50 W | 20 kHz | (2)(5) |
| 462.5750 MHz | 16 | 2 W | 12.5 kHz | 50 W | 20 kHz | (2)(5) |
| 462.6000 MHz | 17 | 2 W | 12.5 kHz | 50 W | 20 kHz | (2)(5) |
| 462.6250 MHz | 18 | 2 W | 12.5 kHz | 50 W | 20 kHz | (2)(5) |
| 462.6500 MHz | 19 | 2 W | 12.5 kHz | 50 W | 20 kHz | (2)(5) |
| 462.6750 MHz | 20 | 2 W | 12.5 kHz | 50 W | 20 kHz | (2)(5)(7) |
| 462.7000 MHz | 21 | 2 W | 12.5 kHz | 50 W | 20 kHz | (2)(5) |
| 462.7250 MHz | 22 | 2 W | 12.5 kHz | 50 W | 20 kHz | (2)(5) |
| 467.5500 MHz | 15R | — | — | 50 W | 20 kHz | (3)(5) |
| 467.5750 MHz | 16R | — | — | 50 W | 20 kHz | (3)(5) |
| 467.6000 MHz | 17R | — | — | 50 W | 20 kHz | (3)(5) |
| 467.6250 MHz | 18R | — | — | 50 W | 20 kHz | (3)(5) |
| 467.6500 MHz | 19R | — | — | 50 W | 20 kHz | (3)(5) |
| 467.6750 MHz | 20R | — | — | 50 W | 20 kHz | (3)(5) |
| 467.7000 MHz | 21R | — | — | 50 W | 20 kHz | (3)(5) |
| 467.7250 MHz | 22R | — | — | 50 W | 20 kHz | (3)(5) |
- (1) Shared FRS and GMRS simplex
- (2) Shared FRS and GMRS simplex; GMRS repeater output.
- (3) GMRS repeater input. The output frequency of this repeater input is the input frequency minus 5 MHz.
- (4) FRS transmissions are limited to bandwidth of 11 kHz with a transmitter deviation of +/- 2.5 kHz. Channels are on 12.5 kHz centers.
- (5) GMRS transmissions may have a bandwidth of 16 kHz with a transmitter deviation of +/- 5.0 kHz. Channels are on 25 kHz centers.
- (6) GMRS transmissions are limited to a bandwidth of 11 kHz with a transmitter deviation of +/- 2.5 kHz. Channels are on 12.5 kHz centers.
- (7) National GMRS calling channel (CTCSS tone 141.3 Hz).
While using a repeater does increase your talk area, depending on where you live, you may not have a repeater, or distance may hamper your ability to use a repeater. Individual users can operate their own repeater system to cover a specific area, but FCC Rules and Regulations must still be followed and frequencies chosen for repeater use need to be researched to avoid potential interference with other systems close-by.
Go to the FCC site and register for an account
https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do?
This will get you an FRN. This is an account in the FCC database system
Then login to the License Manager site
https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsEntry/licManager/login.jsp
It will let you Apply for a New License
Choose ZA- General Mobile Radio (at the very bottom)
Fill Out the form with your information
Answer question Basic Qualification Information
Check for Errors
Continue to Verify and Certify Application
Pay the fees and wait on FCC to process your application and get your call sign.
Visit https://www.mygmrs.com/
Create you an account, and you can search for a see the details of GMRS Repeaters in the US. If you travel a lot, you can program channels and frequencies for locations you travel. Or use the simplex channels anywhere in the US.
If you stay in one general area, then setting up the radio for your own local use, is pretty much done out of the box. While traveling, you can use any of the pre-built channels in the radio. Traveling and using repeaters along the route, requires a little programming to specific channels and frequencies.
It is customary (and technically required) to request permission to use a specific repeater in a specific town. This can be done inside the https://www.mygmrs.com/ website.
(In transient use, a mobile station from one GMRS system may communicate through a mobile relay station (repeater) in another GMRS system with the permission of its licensee.)
If you live in Tuscaloosa, then you can look and see the Tuscaloosa coverage areas for repeaters, and request use for each. Before you travel to another city, you can request use of a repeater in that area, (through the website), and then program your radio(s).
There are several radio brands you can get for GMRS. Make sure they can be programmed with software and purchase the cable as well. If you google GMRS radios, that will get you started.
The https://www.mygmrs.com/ has a shopping page (https://shop.mygmrs.com/collections/gmrs-radios), as well online at Amazon and other retailers.
No endorsement is made, but you can review: