GMRS vs FRS vs ham: which do you need?
If your group stays within about half a mile through trees or houses, or a mile or two in the open, a license-free FRS radio is enough. Get GMRS when you want more power, repeaters or a car radio. It costs $35, needs no test, and covers your whole family for 10 years. Ham radio needs an exam, so it's for hobbyists.
The difference is power
FRS and GMRS share the same 22 channels. "The FRS is allotted 22 channels, each having a channel bandwidth of 12.5 kHz. All of the FRS channels are also allotted to the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) on a shared basis." 47 CFR 95.563 What changes is how much power each may use.
More power helps less than you'd think. Range depends mostly on what's between the radios. A 5-watt GMRS handheld in the woods may only beat a 2-watt FRS radio by a little. See measured range. The real gains come from GMRS car radios and from repeaters, towers that relay your signal.
Side by side
| FRS | GMRS | Ham | |
|---|---|---|---|
| License | None | $35, no test, family covered | Exam required |
| Handheld power | 2 W (0.5 W on 8–14) | 5 W (0.5 W on 8–14) | Varies by band and license |
| Car and base radios | No | Up to 50 W | Yes |
| Repeaters | No | Yes | Yes |
| Removable antenna | No. "The antenna must be a non-removable integral part of the FRS transmitter type." 47 CFR 95.587 | Allowed | Allowed |
| Good for | Kids, family trips, events | Hiking, off-road, cars, longer distances | Hobby, emergencies, long distance |
How to get a GMRS license
- Be 18 or older (47 CFR 95.1705).
- Create a free FCC account and FRN number in the FCC's License Manager.
- Apply for GMRS and pay the $35 fee. "New license, modification $35." 47 CFR 1.1102
- Use the call sign the FCC gives you. It covers your immediate family.
The FCC's license file lists 460,770 active GMRS licenses, so you're far from alone.
One rule to know before you buy
Since 2019, no new radio may be sold for both services. "no person shall be permitted to manufacture or import, sell or offer for sale any radio equipment capable of operating under both this subpart (GMRS) and subpart B (FRS) of this chapter." 47 CFR 95.1791 So a radio is either FRS or GMRS. Check which one yours is.
Questions people ask
Do I need a license for walkie-talkies?
Not for FRS radios. You do for GMRS: "A valid individual license is required to operate a GMRS station." 47 CFR 95.1705
Who does a GMRS license cover?
You and your family. "Any individual who holds an individual license may allow his or her immediate family members to operate his or her GMRS station or stations." 47 CFR 95.1705 "Immediate family members are the licensee's spouse, children, grandchildren, stepchildren, parents, grandparents, stepparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and in-laws." 47 CFR 95.1705
How much is a GMRS license and how long does it last?
The FCC fee schedule lists $35 for a new license. In the FCC's own license file, 460,770 GMRS licenses are active. A new license lasts 10 years.
Can an FRS radio and a GMRS radio talk to each other?
Yes. GMRS radios include all 22 FRS channels. The FRS user just can't use the extra GMRS power or repeaters. The rule: "The FRS is allotted 22 channels, each having a channel bandwidth of 12.5 kHz. All of the FRS channels are also allotted to the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) on a shared basis." 47 CFR 95.563
Is ham radio the same thing?
No. Ham is a separate service with its own radios and rules, and it needs a test. "Each applicant must pass an examination for a new amateur operator license grant" 47 CFR 97.501