1. FRS, GMRS, & HAM Radios Gary Aden SCARES September 18, 2008

2. Outline Family Radio Service (FRS) Family Radio Service (FRS) General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) Amateur Radio (HAM) Amateur Radio (HAM) Hybrid Radios (FRS/GMRS) Hybrid Radios (FRS/GMRS) FRS/GMRS Radio Frequencies FRS/GMRS Radio Frequencies Codes (tones) Codes (tones) CERT & Radios CERT & Radios Deployment example Deployment example

3. FRS Family Radio Service The Family Radio Service (FRS) is a unlicensed walkie talkie radio system The Family Radio Service (FRS) is a unlicensed walkie talkie radio systemwalkie talkiewalkie talkie FRS radios are compact, handheld, wireless 2-way radiosFRS radios are compact, handheld, wireless 2-way radios FRS radios provide very good clarity over a relatively short rangeFRS radios provide very good clarity over a relatively short range FRS is a license free radio serviceFRS is a license free radio service CobraUnidenMotorolaMidlandICOMGarmin

4. FRS key features U ses “channelized” frequencies in the ultra high frequency (UHF) band. Operate on any of 14 dedicated channels (1-14) U ses “channelized” frequencies in the ultra high frequency (UHF) band. Operate on any of 14 dedicated channels (1-14)ultra high frequencyultra high frequency I s quiet and clear because it uses frequency modulation (FM) instead of amplitude modulation (AM). I s quiet and clear because it uses frequency modulation (FM) instead of amplitude modulation (AM).frequency modulationamplitude modulationfrequency modulationamplitude modulation Has limited range (~0.5 mi) because Has limited range (~0.5 mi) because They have a maximum allowable power of 1/2 watt, andThey have a maximum allowable power of 1/2 watt, and They have a fixed small (poor) antennaThey have a fixed small (poor) antenna Note: FRS Radio transceivers and their antennas may not be modified to extend their range.

5. FRS radio distinctions: 1) Unlike with CB (citizens band), Ham radios, and most other 2-way radios, there is no license required to use an FRS radio. 2) There are no fees for usage, airtime or per-call charges. (Aside from the cost of batteries, they are virtually free to use.)

6. GMRS General Mobile Radio Service The General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) is a licensed walkie talkie or base station radio system The General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) is a licensed walkie talkie or base station radio systemwalkie talkiewalkie talkie GMRS radios are typically handheld portable devices much like FRS radios, and share some frequencies with FRSGMRS radios are typically handheld portable devices much like FRS radios, and share some frequencies with FRS GMRS radios provide very good clarity over a slightly longer range than FRSGMRS radios provide very good clarity over a slightly longer range than FRS GMRS is a licensed radio service ($85/5 years)GMRS is a licensed radio service ($85/5 years) Note: A Ham radio license does not cover GMRS Note: A Ham radio license does not cover GMRS frequencies frequencies Motorola

7. GMRS key features U ses “channelized” frequencies in the ultra high frequency (UHF) band. Operate on any of 15 dedicated channels (1-7, & 15-22) U ses “channelized” frequencies in the ultra high frequency (UHF) band. Operate on any of 15 dedicated channels (1-7, & 15-22)ultra high frequencyultra high frequency I s quiet and clear because it uses frequency modulation (FM) instead of amplitude modulation (AM). I s quiet and clear because it uses frequency modulation (FM) instead of amplitude modulation (AM).frequency modulationamplitude modulationfrequency modulationamplitude modulation Has slightly longer range (~1-2 mi) because Has slightly longer range (~1-2 mi) because HT’s have a typical power of 1-5W, butHT’s have a typical power of 1-5W, but Still have a small antenna (sometimes removable)Still have a small antenna (sometimes removable) Note: GMRS Base stations can have power up to 50W (on channels 15-22) and may use an external, gain antenna.

8. GMRS Is intended for use by an individual who possesses a valid GMRS license, as well as his or her immediate family members. Is intended for use by an individual who possesses a valid GMRS license, as well as his or her immediate family members. FCC definition of immediate family includes a spouse, children, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, and in-lawsFCC definition of immediate family includes a spouse, children, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, and in-laws Immediate relatives of the GMRS system licensee are entitled to communicate among themselves for personal or business purposes.Immediate relatives of the GMRS system licensee are entitled to communicate among themselves for personal or business purposes. Employees or friends of the licensee, who are not family members, may not use this service.Employees or friends of the licensee, who are not family members, may not use this service. There is no longer a GMRS license available for clubs or groups. There is no longer a GMRS license available for clubs or groups.

9. Radio Amateur - HAM The Amateur Radio Service (HAM) is a licensed radio service for many radio bands and many radio types The Amateur Radio Service (HAM) is a licensed radio service for many radio bands and many radio types CERT teams often use HAM radios that are handheld portable devices call handy talkies (HT’s) on the 2M (VHF) or 440 (UHF) bandsCERT teams often use HAM radios that are handheld portable devices call handy talkies (HT’s) on the 2M (VHF) or 440 (UHF) bands HT radios on these bands provide very good clarity over a much longer range than GMRSHT radios on these bands provide very good clarity over a much longer range than GMRS HAM radio is a licensed radio service that requires passing a test.HAM radio is a licensed radio service that requires passing a test.

10. Comparison ~0.5 mi range* $15-$80 AA or AAA No License ~1-2 mi range* $30-$200 AA or NiMH FCC License ~5 mi range* ** $100-$400 AA or NiMH FCC test & License * typical range in a city **much farther using repeaters FRS GMRS Ham

11. Dual-Service or Hybrid Radios FRS/GMRS These common radios provide access to both the FRS and GMRS bands These common radios provide access to both the FRS and GMRS bands FRS channels (1-14) andFRS channels (1-14) and GMRS channels (1-7 & 15-22).GMRS channels (1-7 & 15-22). GMRS channels requires an FCC operator’s license.GMRS channels requires an FCC operator’s license. These radios may be used without a license, if … These radios may be used without a license, if … the “FRS only” channels (8-14) are used, orthe “FRS only” channels (8-14) are used, or channels 1-7 are used on low power (<0.5 w)channels 1-7 are used on low power (<0.5 w)

12. FRS/GMRS Shared Frequencies (Ch 1-7, GMRS 5w max power) NameFrequency (MHz) Motorola convention Icom F21-GM convention "FRS 1“ or "5625" 462.5625 ** Ch. 1 **Ch. 9 "FRS 2“ or "5875" 462.5875 Ch. 2Ch. 10 "FRS 3“ or "6125" 462.6125 Ch. 3Ch. 11 "FRS 4“ or "6375" 462.6375 Ch. 4Ch. 12 "FRS 5“ or "6625" 462.6625 Ch. 5Ch. 13 "FRS 6“ or "6875" 462.6875 Ch. 6Ch. 14 "FRS 7“ or "7125" 462.7125 Ch. 7Ch. 15 ** National Call/Distress Channel by REACT & National SOS Radio Network

13. FRS Only Frequencies (Ch 8-14*, 0.5w max) ChannelFrequencyNotes FRS 8 467.5625FRS use only FRS 9 467.5875FRS use only FRS 10 467.6125FRS use only FRS 11 467.6375FRS use only National Drill Channel FRS 12 467.6625FRS use only FRS 13 467.6875FRS use only FRS 14 467.7125FRS use only * Great channels for CERT, no license needed on any radio

14. GMRS Only Frequencies (Ch 15-22, GMRS up to 50w) NameSimplex frequency (MHz) Repeater output Repeater input (MHz) Motorola convention Icom F21- GM convention "550"462.550467.550Ch. 15Ch. 1 "575"462.575467.575Ch. 16Ch. 2 "600"462.600467.600Ch. 17Ch. 3 "625"462.625467.625Ch. 18Ch. 4 "650"462.650467.650Ch. 19Ch. 5 "675"462.675467.675Ch. 20Ch. 6 "700"462.700467.700Ch. 21Ch. 7 "725"462.725467.725Ch. 22Ch. 8

15. Codes (Tones) 1 of 4 Tone Cobra 250/300 Cherokee 465 Midland 75-510 Motorola Sport Motorola TalkAbout Radio Shack 67.0111 11 69.3 2 69.4 2 71.9232 23 74.4343 34 77.0454A45 79.7565 56 82.5676 67 85.4787 78 88.5898B89 91.59109 9 94.8101110 11 97.4111211C 12

16. Codes (Tones) 2 of 4 ToneCobraCherokeeMidland Motorola Sport Motorola TalkAbout Radio Shack 100.0121312 13 103.5131413 14 107.2141514D 15 110.9151615 16 114.8161716 17 118.8171817E 18 123.0181918 19 127.3192019F 20 131.8202120 21 136.5212221G 22 141.3222322 23 146.2232423 24 151.4242524 25

17. Codes (Tones) 3 of 4 ToneCobraCherokeeMidland Motorola Sport Motorola TalkAbout Radio Shack 156.7252625 26 159.8 27 162.2262826 28 165.5 29 167.9272927 30 171.3 31 173.8283028 32 177.3 33 179.9293129 34 183.5 32 35 186.2303330 36 189.9 34 37 192.8313531 38

18. Codes (Tones) 4 of 4 ToneCobraCherokeeMidland Motorola Sport Motorola TalkAbout Radio Shack 196.6 36 199.5 37 203.5323832 206.5 39 210.7334033 218.1344134 225.7354235 229.1 43 233.6364436 241.8374537 250.3384638 254.1 47

19. CERT & Radios FRS are great radios for CERT teams FRS are great radios for CERT teams Radio communication within the teamRadio communication within the team Radio comms with CERT local commandRadio comms with CERT local command Follow simple “FRS Radio Basics”Follow simple “FRS Radio Basics” Do not use codes (tones) use “separation”Do not use codes (tones) use “separation” BUT - most “blister pack” Radios sold today are dual purpose (FRS/GMRS) and CERT trailers and teams will most likely have this type, so… BUT - most “blister pack” Radios sold today are dual purpose (FRS/GMRS) and CERT trailers and teams will most likely have this type, so… Assign & Practice with FRS only channels (8-14)Assign & Practice with FRS only channels (8-14) Do not use the GMRS frequencies unless all (or key) team members have a GMRS licenseDo not use the GMRS frequencies unless all (or key) team members have a GMRS license

20. Ham & FRS/GMRS Ham radios Are excellent for communications from CERT team “monitors” to the local, city or county EOC’s (Emergency Operation Center) Are excellent for communications from CERT team “monitors” to the local, city or county EOC’s (Emergency Operation Center) Can monitor all FRS/GMRS frequencies Can monitor all FRS/GMRS frequencies Can be set to scan all frequenciesCan be set to scan all frequencies Excellent for monitoring multiple teamsExcellent for monitoring multiple teams Cannot be used to communicate to the teams on FRS or GMRS frequencies Cannot be used to communicate to the teams on FRS or GMRS frequencies

21. FRS Summary License License NoneNone Pros Pros Simple OperationSimple Operation InexpensiveInexpensive PlentifulPlentiful No license requiredNo license required Shares frequencies with GMRSShares frequencies with GMRS Cons Cons Poor range in urban areasPoor range in urban areas Interference from other FRS/GMRS usersInterference from other FRS/GMRS users Not usually rugged or waterproofNot usually rugged or waterproof Uses Uses Intra-Field Team CommunicationsIntra-Field Team Communications Staging Area CommunicationsStaging Area Communications

22. GMRS Summary License License $85 for 5-year FCC license$85 for 5-year FCC license Pros Pros Simple OperationSimple Operation InexpensiveInexpensive PlentifulPlentiful Shares frequencies with GMRSShares frequencies with GMRS Pro-grade radios availablePro-grade radios available License requires no testLicense requires no test Cons Cons Limited range in urban areasLimited range in urban areas Interference from other FRS/GMRS usersInterference from other FRS/GMRS users Uses Uses Command/Field Team CommunicationsCommand/Field Team Communications Intra-Field Team CommunicationsIntra-Field Team Communications Staging Area/Logistics CommunicationsStaging Area/Logistics Communications

23. HAM Summary ( Amateur Radio Service) License License $14/Exam for 10 year FCC license$14/Exam for 10 year FCC license Pros Pros Quality constructionQuality construction Compatible with City systemsCompatible with City systems Many frequencies & longer rangeMany frequencies & longer range Powerful mobile & base station units availablePowerful mobile & base station units available Cons Cons Complicated operationComplicated operation Exam requiredExam required ExpensiveExpensive Uses Uses Command / EOC / FMZ (fire management zone)Command / EOC / FMZ (fire management zone) Command / Field TeamCommand / Field Team Health & WelfareHealth & Welfare

24. FRS radios are used for local CERT team commumincations GMRS radios are used for CERT coordinator communications HAM radios are used for EOC Communications

25. END Q&A Q&A Hands On Hands On Material referenced: FCC- www.fcc.gov/ Wikipedia- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page Portland Net- www.pdxprepared.net/www.pdxprepared.net/ Motorola- direct.motorola.com ICOM- www.icomamerica.comwww.icomamerica.com BestBuy- www.bestbuy.comwww.bestbuy.com