GMRS Radio...Stay in Touch

Both the GMRS Radio and FRS Radio are great communication links when you are traveling either by car or on foot. You can use the radio to communicate between vehicles, hiking or shopping. We give our kids a radio to keep in touch.

For licensing details, see below.

The radios are inexpensive and keep the communication flowing when you are out of speaking distance. If you are not familiar with these little gems, they are the upgraded walkie-talkie. The GMRS operates on a different frequency than the traditional walkie-talkie and perform much better.

The quality and features of the GMRS radio and FRS radios are continually improving. We initially purchased "one-channel" radios several years ago, and they still work! Now, with new models, the added sub-codes allows for hundreds of channels to choose from and longer distances.

The GMRS Radio OR Cell Phone...

We've contemplated this thought GMRS Radio vs Cell Phones; however, due to the Cost Savings we chose the GMRS for communications while hiking, camping or whenever we need communications in a close area. (The range is limited, unlike a cell phone but if you are in close area communication the GMRS does very well.)

You don't have to use your Radio all the time, there's no monthly fee. If one you should lose or break your GMRS, it's no big deal. Just get another...they're cheaper than a cell phone. We're sure you can come up with a whole list of reasons too.

A cell phone does have its place' however, supplementing the cell phone with your GMRS enhances your communication abilities.

The GMRS Radio has a Wide Variety of Uses...

We've use our GMRS radios and FRS radios extensively. Recently, we caravaned, across Spain, with four vehicles. The radios made the trip so smooth.

You can imagine the amount of bathroom and food stops we made with eight adults and 10 kids! The radios proved their worth. (We left four GMRS radios in Spain...they are not on the market there, perhaps because of frequency regulations...I don't know.)

UPDATE...UPDATE...We were informed that the GMRS and FRS Radios are not marketed in Spain because of regulations. The frequencies of the GMRS and FRS radios may cause interference with local law enforcement, public service and national defense. In Europe they use different frequencies. If you plan a trip overseas you need to know this about the GMRS radio.

We also use the GMRS hiking, camping, traveling with 2 or more vehicles, just about anywhere and anytime communication is needed.. It makes communication simplistic with these little GMRS radios...and there is no additional cost like a cell phone.

In 2001, two climbers were stranded on Mt. Rainier. They sent out calls on their FRS radio. A kid several miles away picked up their distress call and notified authorizes. A rescue team was dispatched. The FRS radios saved their lives.

Don't underestimate the value of these FRS radios. Over the last year the FCC added more FRS frequencies. The typical range of the FRS radio is about two miles. It will vary with the terrain. Also, we have found it to vary with the battery level. Keep fresh batteries or charge the re-chargeable ones.

Licensing...

The GRMS radio, on the other hand, requires a simple license to operate the radio. The license is easy to get from the FCC, just fill out a form, send in the application fee and presto...you have a license. Call 1-888-225-5322.

The license is good for 5-years and costs $80 as of this writing. That cost could change in the future. Either call for updates or visit GMRS Licensing the Home Page to the FCC is: http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls.

We like the GMRS radio because of it's wattage output. This in turns means the distance increases. Some of the radios can go up to seven-miles; however, most of them on the marketplace right now go up to five-miles. This again is determined by the terrain. If you need that added distance then the GMRS radio is a great way to go.

The cost of the GMRS radio is more expensive than the FRS radio. You get that added distance for a little more cost.

Our kids love the radios. For us it's like having an extended arm. They know to contact us for any emergency. Often they contact us just to talk. We love it.

We encourage you, as you travel throughout the Northwest, or anyplace for that matter, bring your GMRS Radio or FRS Radio...you'll be glad you did.

Craig Dahl & The Editorial Staff
Senior Editor

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