Background
Have you ever been in a place where you can’t
use your wireless telephone—like skiing at higher altitudes,
camping in a remote area, or even shopping at the mall? There are
other wireless services that allow you to keep in touch—personal
radio services.
A personal radio service is a short-range,
low power radio transmission using a device or devices that
operate much like walkie-talkies. Personal radio services include
one and two-way voice services, data transmission, and
transmissions that operate equipment by remote control. The most
popular types of personal radio services are Citizens Band Radio
Service (CB), Family Radio Service (FRS), General Mobile Radio
Service (GMRS), Low Power Radio Service (LPRS), and Multi-Use
Radio Service (MURS). Of these types of personal radio services,
only GMRS requires an FCC license to operate.
Personal radio services offer several
benefits over other services. Devices generally are not very
expensive, usually can be hand-held, and work without the need for
transmission towers or other equipment. Some types of personal
radio services, generally those that are authorized in the very
high frequency (VHF) and ultra high frequency (UHF) portions of
the radio spectrum, do not suffer from the static, noise, and
fading that you may encounter using CB service or walkie-talkies.
In addition, using a personal radio service requires no service
contract or monthly fee.
Here’s more information about each of the
most popular types of personal radio services.
Citizens Band Radio Service (CB)
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CB service allows private, two-way radio communications
for personal or business use. Communications (or attempts to communicate) with
stations over 250 km (155.3 miles) away are prohibited. The maximum authorized
power levels vary depending on whether the station is transmitting a single
side band (SSB) or an AM signal. SSB transmissions are authorized up to 12
watts Peak Envelope Power (PEP), while AM transmissions are permitted up to
four watts carrier power.
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CB radios, used most frequently in vehicles and by
truckers, can be purchased for between $70 and $200.
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You must use an FCC-certified CB unit in the United
States. FCC-certified CB units have an FCC-certified label placed by the
manufacturer.
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There is no minimum age requirement to operate a CB
radio.
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CB service operates on 40 shared channels on a
“take-turns” basis, meaning no CB channel is assigned to any specific
individual or organization. Users must never talk with another station for
more than 5 minutes continuously, and must wait at least one minute before
starting another communication.
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You may not raise the power output of your CB unit,
attach any type of power amplifier, or modify the unit internally.
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Family Radio Service (FRS)
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FRS allows two-way voice communications
over very short distances, generally less than one-half mile. It
is generally used by families or small groups to communicate
while on group outings when group members are fairly close
together, but can also be used in business-related settings.
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An FRS unit looks and works much like a
walkie-talkie. Prices for FRS units vary depending on features
and quality.
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If you have a dual-use, FRS-General Mobile
Radio Service (GMRS) unit, you may legally use only the FRS
channels unless you have a GMRS license. The label on the unit
or the operations manual should indicate the service the unit is
certified for. FRS-only units transmit at lower power levels and
have antennas that are integrated with the unit; GMRS units
transmit at higher power levels and may have detachable
antennas.
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You can operate your FRS unit anywhere in
the U.S. and its possessions. Before using FRS in other
countries such as Canada and Mexico, check to see if that
country allows operation of FRS units. There is no minimum age
requirement for operating an FRS unit.
General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)
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GMRS is a land-mobile radio service
available for short-distance, two-way communications to
facilitate the activities of an adult (18 years or older) and
his or her immediate family members, including a spouse,
children, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces
and in-laws.
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A GMRS system may legally be operated only
with a license granted by the FCC. The individual licensee is
responsible for the proper operation of the GMRS system.
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A GMRS system is made up of station
operators and a mobile station consisting of one or more mobile
units. It may also include one or more land stations. Some land
stations operate as repeaters, thereby extending the range of
GMRS mobile units.
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New GMRS licenses are granted only to
individuals, but GMRS licenses granted to non-individuals (such
as businesses) before July 31, 1987, can be renewed if certain
conditions are met. You can apply for a GMRS license on-line at
wireless.fcc.gov/uls/, or by filing FCC Form 605,
available at
wireless.fcc.gov/index.htm?job=all_wireless_forms. The FCC
sets license filing fees annually, and current filing fees, now
$85, can be found at
wireless.fcc.gov/feesforms/feeguide/WTB_Fee_Filing_Guide.pdf. Licenses are granted for five years.
Low Power Radio Service (LPRS)
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LPRS is a private, one-way short-distance
communication service that allows stations to transmit voice
data or signals for auditory assistance to people with
disabilities, people who require language translation, and
certain individuals in educational settings. LPRS also allows
stations to transmit voice, data, or tracking signals for health
care-related communications and certain law enforcement
activities. Two-way communications are prohibited. LPRS can also
be used for network control communications in the Automated
Marine Telecommunications System (AMTS).
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LPRS transmitters can be operated anywhere
in the United States. There is no minimum age requirement to
operate an LPRS transmitter.
Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS)
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MURS is a private, two-way short-distance
voice or data radio communications service used for personal or
business activities. The service operates on five Very High
Frequency (VHF) channels, originally set aside for business use,
but subsequently made available for personal use.
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MURS users must cooperate in using the five
channels to reduce interference to other users. No user has
priority over any other user, but all users must yield to
emergency communications. A MURS station may not operate as a
repeater station, including store-and-forward packet radio
operation, or a signal booster.
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Maximum allowable transmitter output power
for a MURS unit is two watts. Transmission range between two
hand-held units varies depending on the unit’s antenna height,
terrain, and weather.
Unlicensed Radio Operation
Be aware that if you operate a radio
transmitter that requires a license, or use a radio that is
authorized for use only in a specific service, in another service,
you may be fined or imprisoned, and/or the equipment may be
confiscated.
For More Information
For more information about personal radio
service, visit the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Web site at
wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=service_home&id=personal_radio. For
information about other communications issues, visit the FCC’s Consumer &
Governmental Affairs Bureau Web site at www.fcc.gov/cgb, or
contact the FCC’s Consumer Center by e-mailing
fccinfo@fcc.gov; calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice or
1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY; faxing 1-866-418-0232; or writing to:
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20554.
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