FRS (Family Radio Service)
- License: No license required
- Frequency: UHF (462-467 MHz)
- Power: 2 watts maximum
- Range: Shortest of the three, typically a mile or less in real-world conditions
- Antennas: Fixed, non-detachable
- Repeaters: Not allowed
- Channels: 22 (shared with GMRS)
- Cost: Most affordable of the three
- Best for: Short-range communication in simple situations, like amusement parks, close-range hiking, or keeping in touch within a small group.
MURS (Multi-Use Radio Service)
- License: No license required
- Frequency: VHF (151-154 MHz)
- Power: 2 watts maximum
- Range: Longer than FRS, can reach several miles in good conditions
- Antennas: Some models allow for detachable antennas
- Repeaters: Not allowed
- Channels: 5
- Cost: More expensive than FRS, but can be less expensive than GMRS
- Best for: Situations where longer range is needed without licensing, such as farms, events, neighborhood watch, and some recreational activities.
GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service)
- License: License required from the FCC
- Frequency: UHF (462-467 MHz)
- Power: Higher power allowed, up to 50 watts with a license
- Range: Can be significantly longer than MURS and FRS, especially with repeaters
- Antennas: Detachable antennas are common
- Repeaters: Allowed, which greatly extends range
- Channels: 22 shared with FRS and 8 repeater channels
- Cost: Generally more expensive than MURS and FRS, licensing fee required
- Best for: Situations where long-range communication is crucial, such as off-roading, large events, and some businesses.
Here’s a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | FRS | MURS | GMRS |
| License | No | No | Yes |
| Frequency | UHF | VHF | UHF |
| Power | 0.5 watts max | 2 watts max | Up to 50 watts with license |
| Range | Shortest | Moderate | Longest |
| Antennas | Fixed | Detachable on some models | Detachable common |
| Repeaters | Not allowed | Not allowed | Allowed |
| Channels | Many | Fewer | More |
| Cost | Lowest | Moderate | Highest |
Which is right for you?
- Choose FRS if: You need a very basic, inexpensive option for short-range communication. Keep in mind that these are on the same frequencies as the radios sold at Walmart aimed at children. It can get annoying.
- Choose MURS if: You need longer range than FRS, don’t want to deal with licensing, and your needs don’t require repeaters.
- Choose GMRS if: You need the longest possible range, are willing to get a license, and may need to use repeaters to extend your communication distance.
All of these can have CTCS and DCS privacy codes. These codes don’t provide true privacy, but they help to filter out unwanted transmissions and reduce interference. It’s like a mute button that blocks you from hearing anyone transmitting without the code, but doesn’t keep them from hearing you.
By considering these factors, you can make an informed decision about which radio service best fits your specific needs.