| Perhaps you may be asking yourself, what is GMRS | | | | radios can be purchased anywhere from $50.00 - |
| radio? It stands for General Mobile Radio Service. It | | | | $3000.00; however, the general price for a quality radio |
| provides a short distance radio two way | | | | is about $150.00. The best quality sound is achieved |
| communication service. The radio is a hand held device | | | | when placing the radios near a window or on the top |
| and it shares the same frequency with Family Radio | | | | floor of a building. The wavelength is about 25 inches |
| Service (FRS). | | | | and transmits UHF frequencies. |
| In order to legally use a GMRS radio, one must have a | | | | To research your device prior to purchase, there is a |
| license issued through the Federal Communications | | | | publication that has been around for years-it's called |
| Commission (FCC). Most licenses are shared among | | | | the General Mobile Radio Service National Repeater |
| family members and are used for personal use. To get | | | | Guide and is a valuable resource. |
| a license, you must be at least 18 years old and a | | | | Some areas have formed cooperatives to join |
| United States citizen. You must apply to the FCC and | | | | resources and create a repeater station. This gives |
| pay a fee. Currently, for a new, renewal or | | | | more power to individual users and provides more |
| modification license, the fee is $85.00. | | | | information. A good place to start is by researching |
| GMRS radio originally came out in the 1960's and was | | | | your local group through the guide mention above, |
| called citizens radio. Radio use became very popular in | | | | GMRS National Repeater Guide. The group also |
| the 1970's and was becoming common place. The | | | | publishes a newsletter and provides such information |
| popularly of such radios brought down the cost, while | | | | as; FCC rules, basic information, and future technology |
| manufactures increased production. Today, one can | | | | series. |
| purchase such a device at a minimal cost. GMRS | | | | |