FAQ of GMRS

As FCC lowers GMRS fees, more and more people join the ranks of GMRS. However, many people will have questions about GMRS before joining. This article has compiled common questions about GMRS, hoping to help you.

GMRS frequently asked questions

Q: Do I need a license to use a GMRS Radio?

A: Yes, GMRS needs a license, In the US, the FCC regulates the frequencies used by devices such as two-way radios. The FCC requires that anyone operating equipment on the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) must obtain a license.

Q: How do I apply for a GMRS license?

A: The GMRS license requires you to complete FCC Forms 159 and 605, which can be found on the FCC Forms page.

You can also apply for a GMRS license online at the FCC Universal License System (ULS) website.

You can also check out our other article for more details👉How to apply for a GMRS license?

Q: Is there a fee for a GMRS license?

A: Yes, the GMRS license costs $35/10 years, and as long as one person applies, the whole family can use it.

Q: I have a GMRS license, who can use?

A: If you have the GMRS license, all your immediate family members can use it.

The GMRS is available to an individual (one man or one woman) for short-distance two-way communications

to facilitate the activities of licensees and their immediate family members.

Any individual who holds an individual license may allow his or her immediate family members to operate his

or her GMRS station or stations. Immediate family members are the licensee's spouse, children, grandchildren,

stepchildren, parents, grandparents, stepparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and

in-laws.

Q: GMRS  radios, can I use frequencies other than GMRS?

A: The transmitting frequency must be the specified frequency of GMRS, and the receiving frequency can be in a wide range.

Q: What are the GMRS certification standards?

A: FCC Part95, GMRS frequency
FCC Part15, full-band reception 400-480Mhz

Q: What are the rules for GMRS radio?

A: You may apply for a GMRS license if you are 18 years or older and not a representative of a foreign government. If you receive a license, any family member, regardless of age, can operate GMRS stations and units within the licensed system. The FCC service rules for the GMRS are located in 47 C.F.R. Part 95 Subpart E.

Q: Can I transmit on GMRS without a license?

A: The FCC requires a GMRS license as a way to regulate frequencies that are used by two-way radio devices. Before operating a GMRS radio, a consumer must have a valid license.

Q: Can my wife use my GMRS license?

A: Yes, Any individual who holds an individual license may allow his or her immediate family members to operate his or her GMRS station or stations.

Q: Can GMRS talk to CB?

A: No,  CBs operate at 27 megahertz AM and GMRS operates at 462/467 megahertz FM. They are two entirely different unit.

Q: Can radio transmissions be tracked?

A: Almost impossible.

The networks rely on radio frequency, not an internet connection and radio frequencies can be hard to trace through GPS but it's not impossible. Two-way radio traceability can be seen as a negative, but it also can be used to the company's advantage to allow you to trace your employee's whereabouts.

Q: Is Morse code Legal on GMRS?

A: No, The reason why YOU can't do morse code on GMRS is that your radio is FM - Frequency Modulation. Morse Code - CW - Ham Radio, uses a form of Amplitude Modulation where the key turns on and off the transmitter carrier in such a way that it produces a tone. The receiver on the other end receives the tone.

Q: Which GMRS channel is for the emergency?

A: No channel specified.
Although channel 20 is often cited as the emergency channel for GMRS, the FCC does not assign an official channel for this use, so technically, emergency calls could be transmitted on any GMRS channel.

Q: How long does it take for FCC to approve GMRS license?

A: 24 - 48 hour.

Click CONTINUE FOR Payment OPTIONS button to choose the method of payment. How long does it take to receive my GMRS license? Most GMRS licenses are issued within 24 - 48 hour time frame. The FCC Licensing Support Center hours are 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM EST, M – F.

Q: Do GMRS repeaters have to ID?

A: No, In simple terms, the repeater does not need to auto ID if it's a intended for use as a private or closed repeater system. Consider, for instance, a family farm or ranch. Since a GMRS license covers the entire family, the repeater does not have its own callsign. The repeater is also identified by that family license

Q: How long is a GMRS license good for?

A: 10 years.

Q: Does a ham license cover GMRS?

A: Ham licenses are split into three tiers, each requiring an increasingly difficult test. There is one GMRS license tier and no test is required. A ham license only covers an individual while a GMRS license covers a family. Hams are free to build their own experimental equipment.

Q: What GMRS channel do Jeepers use?

A: GMRS 16 Channel. It is probably used most often by the Jeep and overland communities when traveling off-road, yet adoption of this frequency is far from universal.

Q: What's better CB or GMRS for Farm and Ranch Use?

A: GMRS, for farms and ranches, GMRS will be better, GMRS's power advantage overcomes UHF's slight range disadvantages to give longer range in most scenarios. GMRS may work better in wooded areas since UHF radio waves can easily travel through small spaces.

Q: What radio do farm tractor use?

A: GMRS mobile is more and more popular, use for farm and ranch tractors can brig long talking distance, clear and stable calls.

Q: Can police track your GMRS walkie talkie?

A: hardly ever, 2 way radios are difficult to trace. Two-way radios, also known as walkie-talkies, remain popular even after the advent of cell phones. Police and security forces, the armed forces, event managers, hunters and many others use them. Two-way radios are extremely difficult to trace.

Q: Which GMRS channels are high power?

A: Except 8-14 channels, all other channels are high power, 23-60 channels use to connect GMRS repeaters.

Q: What does a GMRS repeater do?

A: GMRS repeater use to extend the GMRS handheld and mobile talking range. It is an automatically controlled transmitter and receiver that simply transmits what the receiver hears. By placing repeaters at sites with high elevation and antennas atop large towers, workable coverage is greatly increased.

Q: How much does it cost to set up a GMRS repeater?

A: Depends on what kind of repeater you need to build, taking Retevis RT97 as an example, you can spend $350-$400 to build a complete home repeater, suitable for home use, family farms, family ranches, family estates, golf courses, etc. It is enough, Of course, if you need a higher specification, the price will be more expensive.
Retevis RT97 GMRS repeater complete bundle:

Q: What is the most popular GMRS frequency?

A: 462.5625

Q: Can Ham Radio talk to GMRS?

A: Yes, FRS and GMRS can talk, but a ham radio can only receive FRS and GMRS if it has a wide enough receiver. GMRS cannot transmit on ham frequencies legally and ham radio cannot transmit on GMRS frequencies legally

Q: How far will an 5 watt GMRS handheld radio transmit?

A: Depends on the usage environment, in an ordinary city, about 3-5km, if the environment is open, the distance will be further.

Q: How far will a 50 watt GMRS mobile radio transmit?

A: Depending on the use environment, antenna gain, feeder attenuation and other factors, the general distance is 6-10 miles, if you change a few open areas, the distance will be further.

Q: How do I increase my GMRS range?

A: Three Tips for Extending Two Way Radio Range

Q: How do I check the status of my GMRS application?

A: To check the status of an application, go to the Universal Licensing System and:

Q: Can GMRS talk to FRS?

A: Yes, FRS channels 1 through 7 overlap with GMRS and can be used to communicate with GMRS radios. If you need to talk only to other FRS radios, use channels 8 through 14 to avoid possible interference with low band GMRS users

Q: What is a GMRS travel tone?

A: The channels 20 462.675MHz with a PL of 141.3Hz is generally considered the 'travel/calling' frequency on GMRS. Repeater channels with the same PL will get you into many of the open repeaters as well. This has been the convention since the early 70's when GMRS was still 'Class A' CB

Q: Are GMRS radios UHF or VHF?

A: UHF, Both FRS and GMRS radios operate in the UHF band, while most of the national park and guiding services operate on the VHF band.

Q: Can I use a CB antenna on a GMRS radio?

A: No

Q: What is the highest watt GMRS radio?

A: GMRS handheld limited to 5W, GMRS mobile, and GMRS repeater limited to 50W.

Retevis Solutions is committed to providing GMRS radios and long range radio solutions for farms, we are also happy to help farmers build emergency communication systems on their farms, if you need any assistance, please feel free to contact us: molly@retevissolutions.com .