#Cobra gmrs desktop intercom license#

GMRS ('General Mobile Radio Service') existed prior to FRS, and was meant to accommodate less formal uses for two-way radio communications than the more established and formalized business and government frequency assignments available at the time (although GMRS still required a license it was/is considerably simpler to apply for and get than most other frequency assignments.) FRS ('Family Radio Service') was added later as a no-license service with power and range restrictions (limited to low power, no base stations, repeaters, or external antennas permitted, etc.) The 14 FRS channels are placed between the original GMRS channel assignments so they essentially share the same spectrum, plus many FRS radios are capable of operation on GMRS channels (although as mentioned a license is still required to use the GMRS assignments.) One has to imagine that the FCC knew that inclusion of these frequencies in FRS radios would inevitably lead to wholesale unlicensed use of the frequencies by everyone since few really understand the difference, but who am I to question the FCC's wisdom. OK, I'd love to hear from someone who truly knows this stuff so we can all learn something.

I've only heard that the 1/2-watt radios require no FCC license, but anything more powerful does (although I've never heard of anyone being cited for using one of these radios without a license). The one- and two-watt radios are FRS/GMRS.Īny discussiuon of licensing I will defer to someone who truly knows. But with Kenwood, the 1/2-watt radio is FRS only. So the following may not be accurate for all manufacturers. So, if you have an FRS/GMRS radio, and someone you're riding with has a pure FRS radio, they're limited to the lower 7 master channels, or a total of 266 channels to choose from.

GMRS master channels also have 38 sub-channels each. That's a total of 532 channels to choose from.įRS/GMRS radios generally only use the lower 7 FRS master channels, along with 7 GMRS master channels (these frequencies are probably all assigned by the FCC). Sub-Channels are sometimes referred to as Privacy Channels. I'm not a radio or electronics expert, so the following is pretty rudimentary and subject to correction by anyone who truly knows this stuff.įRS radios generally have 14 master channels with 38 sub-channels each. This is not to say they're the best, but I doubt there are many much better.Īs to types of radios, there are FRS (Family Radio System/Service) and there are GMRS (General Mobile Radio System/Service). I think most of these work reasonably well, regardless of manufacturer. Then you get up into the one-, two- and five-watt units. Of the cheaper 1/2-watt FRS radios, the Kenwood UBZ-LH-14 is a quality unit. I don't think they have the range or durability for our needs. You know the kind that you can get in a twin pack and Sam's Club for $40. There are many manufacturers out there who make FRS radios.

Cobra gmrs desktop intercom