GRMS bands are fixed channels (frequencies) that can also be accessed via (unlicensed) handheld walkie-talkies (called the ‘FRS’, Family Radio System.) GRMS has it’s own ‘repeater’ (longer-range, for our purposes here) channels. Ham radio operators usually will have handsets, such as the Baofeng UV-5R+, that can access these frequencies as well, but you need to confirm whether you’re legally allowed to broadcast on them from whatever device you choose. You can get a GRMS-certified device to be safe.
Check your license for details on whether you’re allowed to broadcast, aka talk, on whichever radio bands you’re interested in. Anyone can listen without a license.
Why get a GRMS radio license?
For $35 for no test, you, your spouse, your kids, and even your grandparents are covered to broadcast on the GRMS frequencies. It could be a great way to keep in touch if cell service is ever out, and it’s a lot of fun! Note that all communications are required to be unencrypted, so assume anything you say over the airwaves can be heard by anyone else in range who happens to be listening in to that frequency.
GRMS Transmitting (talking) Rules
Per this:https://www.rightchannelradios.com/pages/gmrs-licensing-information
- If an authorized FCC representative request to inspect a GMRS station (this means anything GMRS: handheld, mobile unit, base units, etc), the operator must make the station and any station records available
- No messages in connection with any activity that is against Federal, State, or local law
- No false or deceptive messages
- No coded messages with hidden meanings (“10 codes” are allowed)
- No music, whistling, sound effects or material to amuse or entertain
- No ads or offers for the sale of goods or services
- No ads for political candidate or political campaign
- No international distress signals (i.e. Mayday) unless in a vehicle in immediate danger
- No communicating with stations in the Amateur Radio Service, any unauthorized station, or to any foreign station
- No continuous or uninterrupted transmissions (unless communications have to do with the immediate safety of life or property)
- No messages for public address systems
- Must identify using FCC-assigned call sign at the end of transmissions and at periodic intervals during transmissions [BTF editor’s note: This is true for any family members operating under your GRMS license.]
How to get it (set aside 30 minutes to complete because the FCC website is so convoluted…)
Navigage to the FCC’s login page. Create an account if you don’t already have one. (Ham radio operators can login with their existing credentials.)
Select ‘Register a new FRN’:
Mark ‘individual’, assuming you are registering as one:
If you’ve been licensed by the FCC before for something else (i.e.: ham radio): Agree that you’re creating another one for your same social security number.
Once you get your new FRN number– WRITE IT DOWN (you’ll need it later! If you forgot to, login on a separate tab and navigate to ‘Manager FRNs’ to see the ones associated with your FCC CORES profile)–click ‘ULS’ to continue at the bottom of the page:
If you receive an error like the one below, try hitting the ‘back’ button on your browser and trying again to click the ‘ULS License Manager’ (worked for me):
Find ULS again: https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/universal-licensing-system , then click ‘File Online’:
‘Apply for a new license’:
Scroll all the way down in the list to ZA – GRMS, and ‘Continue’:
Leave the questions as ‘No’ and fill out your name & address (again…)
Answer ‘no’ to the felony question. (Not sure what happens if you have to say yes. Google it!)
‘Continue to Certify’ > ‘Submit Application’ after adding your name once more. ‘Continue to CORES for Payment’, then (amazingly), you have to re-login AGAIN and figure out how to pay:
Click ‘FRN Financial’:
‘View/make payments’ next to your GRMS FRN number to the right:
‘Make payment’:
Choose your GRMS FRN, and link your bank account or credit card to pay!
Finally, you did it! Now kick back and wait for the FCC to email your license & call sign info. Use that call sign when transmitting on GRMS bands.
What radio to use?
Baofeng is the prepper/cheapo choice for ham enthusiasts, and it looks like they make GRMS-certified versions of their ‘standard’ UV handset. That said, these will be extremely limited IF you also plan on getting or have your ham license. It appears that the broad-based ham Baofengs (ex: UV-5R+) WOULD work just find and be compliant with the requirements for GRMS EXCEPT they are NOT actually certified, and thus aren’t legal to use per the FCC’s rules (part 95E certification.) (Disclaimer: not a lawyer!) Instead, you would need a Baofeng UV-5G+ or similar (‘G’ seems to be their ‘GRMS-certified’ clue for all models.)
