Step Settings for GMRS Radios

[GMRSGuy]

Hey all, newbie here.

I was watching a video on how to setup a GMRS radio and it was talking about setting your "step frequency". It was suggested to set my step at 2.5k. Is there a resource I can read that explains "step frequencies" so i can get an understanding on what they are, why use a particular frequency over another? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[ladn]

Is there a resource I can read that explains "step frequencies" so i can get an understanding on what they are, why use a particular frequency over another? Any help would be appreciated.

The "step frequency" or "step interval" is the amount of frequency change with each click of a VFO knob.

For instance in traditional GMRS channels (not the FRS channels) the step value is 0.025 MHz or 25 KHz:

• The first frequency is 462.5500 MHz
• The next frequency is 462.5750 MHz
• The difference between the two (462.5750 - 462.5500) is 0.0250 MHz or 25 KHz. That's the step.
• The frequency after that is 462.600 MHz, a 0.025 MHz (or 25 KHz) step up.

The FRS and interstitial channels are different! they have a 0.0125 MHz or 12.5 KHz step. In direct answer to your question, you could use a 2.5 KHz step, but it would take to "steps" to go to the next valid GMRS channel.

You didn't specify the radio you are setting up in your post, but it sounds like it isn't a dedicated/type accepted GMRS radio. I'm not the radio police and how you operate is your responsibility (not mine). But do heed the established channels, bandwidth and power limitations as there are other radio services in the vicinity of the GMRS channels that you could accidentally interfere with if your radio is not set up properly.

Here are the established FRS and GMRS frequencies: FRS/GMRS combined channel chart - The RadioReference Wiki

 

[GMRSGuy]

The "step frequency" or "step interval" is the amount of frequency change with each click of a VFO knob.

For instance in traditional GMRS channels (not the FRS channels) the step value is 0.025 MHz or 25 KHz:

• The first frequency is 462.5500 MHz
• The next frequency is 462.5750 MHz
• The difference between the two (462.5750 - 462.5500) is 0.0250 MHz or 25 KHz. That's the step.
• The frequency after that is 462.600 MHz, a 0.025 MHz (or 25 KHz) step up.

The FRS and interstitial channels are different! they have a 0.0125 MHz or 12.5 KHz step. In direct answer to your question, you could use a 2.5 KHz step, but it would take to "steps" to go to the next valid GMRS channel.

You didn't specify the radio you are setting up in your post, but it sounds like it isn't a dedicated/type accepted GMRS radio. I'm not the radio police and how you operate is your responsibility (not mine). But do heed the established channels, bandwidth and power limitations as there are other radio services in the vicinity of the GMRS channels that you could accidentally interfere with if your radio is not set up properly.

Here are the established FRS and GMRS frequencies: FRS/GMRS combined channel chart - The RadioReference Wiki

You did a great job explaining and I thank you for that. But still not quite grasping the entire concept here. ALL brand new to this and trying to soak everything up like a sponge. Is there a list somewhere of each GMRS frequency with its associated step frequency?

 

[chief21]

Is there a list somewhere of each GMRS frequency with its associated step frequency?

Yep... See the link on the bottom of post #2, above.

Not sure what you're trying to do, but it would probably be easier to disregard the step size and just program the actual GMRS frequencies. There aren't that many.