Frequency codes help

[Hiram1717]

Good morning, good afternoon, or good evening to you from where ever you are in the world.

I hope all is well with everyone!

I am a newbie so please be patient as I might ask a dumb question.

Well anyway: where can I find frequency codes (UHF) that don’t require a license , if that’s even a thing?

 

[clbsquared]

Family Radio Service (FRS) (United States) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for Family Radio Service (FRS) (United States)

www.radioreference.com

 

[Hiram1717]

Family Radio Service (FRS) (United States) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for Family Radio Service (FRS) (United States)

www.radioreference.com

Thank you !

Are these frequencies as good as the business radio frequencies? Because it’s FRS does it mean the range is affected? Sorry if the question is dumb.

Thanks once again.

 

[clbsquared]

The only difference is the wattage allowed. I believe it’s no more than 2 watts on the FRS channels. Anything over that and you may as well get a ham or GMRS license.

 

[ecps92]

Thank you !

Are these frequencies as good as the business radio frequencies? Because it’s FRS does it mean the range is affected? Sorry if the question is dumb.

Thanks once again.

FRS you are limited to extremely low power (under 1 watt), unlike business band (License Required) that can run up-to 4-5 watts on a handheld

Grab a few bubble-packs from WallyMart and experiment, only YOU will know what ACTUAL distances you get

 

[mmckenna]

Thank you !

Are these frequencies as good as the business radio frequencies? Because it’s FRS does it mean the range is affected? Sorry if the question is dumb.

Thanks once again.

Not a dumb question.

All transmitters in the USA require a license. The difference is what kind of license.

FRS is "license by rule". What that means is the FCC allow usage of the radio on FRS channels without an issued license as long as you abide by all the rules for the radio service.

On the UHF band, that is the only traditional two way radio service that you can legally use without applying for a license with the FCC. The only other option is to use 900MHz band, but that requires some specific radios (See Motorola DTR line of radios). All business frequencies will require a license issued by the FCC in all situations.

Don't get hung up on wattage, that doesn't impact range as much as you think, you need a good receiver as part of the equation. A good 2 watt FRS radio with a decent antenna will perform very well. Stay away from the Chinese crap.

 

[Hiram1717]

Not a dumb question.

All transmitters in the USA require a license. The difference is what kind of license.

FRS is "license by rule". What that means is the FCC allow usage of the radio on FRS channels without an issued license as long as you abide by all the rules for the radio service.

On the UHF band, that is the only traditional two way radio service that you can legally use without applying for a license with the FCC. The only other option is to use 900MHz band, but that requires some specific radios (See Motorola DTR line of radios). All business frequencies will require a license issued by the FCC in all situations.

Don't get hung up on wattage, that doesn't impact range as much as you think, you need a good receiver as part of the equation. A good 2 watt FRS radio with a decent antenna will perform very well. Stay away from the Chinese crap.

I am planning to order the Motorola cp 200d.
For this will I be needing license frequencies since it’s business radios?

Thanks again

 

[TampaTyron]

Yes

 

[mmckenna]

I am planning to order the Motorola cp 200d.
For this will I be needing license frequencies since it’s business radios?

Thanks again

Yes.

However, there's a number of steps involved. Buying the radios should be one of the last.

For licensing a frequency (or more than one), you have two options:
- You can use an itinerant frequency, which allows you to have a shared frequency with no guarantee against interference, and the option of a wider area of operation. That requires filing with the FCC. The forms that need to be submitted are not consumer friendly, and unless you've done it before, you'll need help. A reputable local radio shop would be able to help you with this and save you a lot of headaches.

- You can have a frequency coordinator find one or more frequencies that are not currently assigned in your immediate area and have some relief from interference. Frequency coordination will cost you a few hundred bucks, but again, well worth the cost. They will file the FCC paperwork for you, again, saving headaches.

Once that is all done, and you have the FCC license in hand, then you purchase radios. Never purchase radios first since you don't know where the frequency coordinator will put you.

While many will try to find less expensive ways of doing this, the process can be complicated and a good radio shop can provide a lot of useful assistance.

 

[otobmark]

You may find GMRS license more practical, cheaper and easier to obtain and operates on FM UHF. You can google GMRS (General mobile radio service) to find out more and even some step by step tutorials on how to apply for a license. The FCC site is somewhat alien to those who don’t use it regularly and I admit I used one of the tutorials to help me get my license a few months back. Your area may even have some public GMRS repeaters that you could operate on. Do some research on GMRS, visit MyGMRS.com site and read up on it. Afterwards you will be able to ask more specific questions if you have any. There is a forum on radio reference just for GMRS and MUIRs users which will be a great place for you to explore. One license can cover your whole (immediate) family.

 

[mmckenna]

GMRS is -only- for individuals and families. Businesses can use it, but the licenses are only issued to individuals and that license only covers their family.

If this is for business use, and those that work at your business are not related, then GMRS is NOT an appropriate choice.