TO: ALL WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AMATEURS
ALL NON-WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AMATEURS
FROM: KEN HARRIS WA8LLM
WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INCORPORATED
WOOD COUNTY BULLETIN NR 14.02 DATE: January 12, 2014
SUBJECT: WHAT IS FRS
FRS is the abbreviation for Family Radio Service. The Family Radios Service is a license free radio service that is part of the Citizens Radio Service which has several license free radios services. FRS radios operate in the 462 and 467 MHz band, and must follow the FCC Rules and Regulations under Part 95. The output power of FRS radios is 500 Milliwatts, or one half watt. There are 14 FRS channels that are located between the 16 channels of the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS). The GMRS service is a licensed radio service.
With the FRS channels spaced between the GMRS channels, they can receive interference from GMRS, since GMRS service is allowed to operate with power up to 50 Watts. Just because some FRS portable radios are also equipped with 8 of the GMRS channels, doesn't mean you are allowed to use them. If you read the fine print on the instructions that comes with the FRS radios, it will say that to use the GMRS channels you must obtain a GMRS license.
Some FRS radios are equipped the privacy tones. Just because the radio instructions call the tones privacy, they can still be heard by anyone monitoring the channels.
Another thing that may be misunderstood is distance that FRS radios can communicate. Some instructions says you can communicate a distance of 20 miles, but those are under ideal conditions. Ideal conditions are when there are no obstructions like trees, hills and buildings, or anything between the users. Under most conditions, the distance of one quarter to one half mile is more like it.
FRS radios are still a good communications tool to keep available for emergency communications.
Ken Harris WA8LLM
WCEC
Wood County WV