Paragraphs below are extracted from the
FCC regulations and cover the main "argument points" surrounding this issue.
If you have a specific question about these bands, you can click the following
link and search the regulations yourself
Government Printing Office - FCC Regulations
Click here
to go to the GMRS specific information on this page
Click here to go to the FRS specific
information on this page
GMRS band plan:
GMRS is
allocated 8 frequency pairs and 7 additional simplex frequencies in the 462
MHz/UHF range.
GMRS PRIMARY FREQUENCY PAIRS
Designator Lower Frequency Upper Frequency
550 462.550 MHz 467.550 MHz
575 462.575 MHz 467.575 MHz
600 462.600 MHz 467.600 MHz
625 462.625 MHz 467.625 MHz
650 462.650 MHz 467.650 MHz
675 462.675 MHz 467.675 MHz
700 462.700 MHz 467.700 MHz
725 462.725 MHz 467.725 MHz
The lower
frequencies of the pairs are used for base-to-mobile and mobile-to-mobile
communication. Repeaters will also use one of these lower frequencies for its
output. The upper frequencies are used for mobile transmissions to repeaters.
GMRS
INTERSTITIAL FREQUENCIES
Designator Frequency AKA Channel
5625 462.5625 MHz FRS Channel 1
5875 462.5875 MHz FRS Channel 2
6125 462.6125 MHz FRS Channel 3
6375 462.6375 MHz FRS Channel 4
6625 462.6625 MHz FRS Channel 5
6875 462.6875 MHz FRS Channel 6
7125 462.7125 MHz FRS Channel 7
The GMRS
interstitial frequencies are located between the primary frequencies and are
treated differently than the primary frequencies.
Only GMRS-licensed persons may use the interstitial frequencies (no teams,
groups, associations, or any other entities, whether licensed or not).
Also,
these frequencies may only be used by mobiles and small base stations with
antennas less than 20 feet. No large base stations or repeaters are
permitted. In addition, the maximum transmit power on these frequencies is
limited to 5 watts.
The GMRS
Definition
[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 47, Volume 5, Parts 80 to End]
[Revised as of October 1, 2000]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 47CFR95.1]
[Page 519]
TITLE 47--TELECOMMUNICATION
COMMISSION (CONTINUED)
PART 95--PERSONAL RADIO SERVICES--Table of Contents
Subpart A--General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)
Sec. 95.1 The General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS).
Source: 48 FR 35237, Aug. 3, 1983, unless otherwise noted.
(a) The GMRS is a land mobile radio service available to persons for
short-distance two-way communications to facilitate the activities of
licensees and their immediate family members. Each licensee manages a
system consisting of one or more stations.
(b) The 218-219 MHz Service is a two-way radio service authorized
for system licensees to provide communication service to subscribers in
a specific service area. The rules for this service are contained in
subpart F of this part.
[48 FR 35237, Aug. 3, 1983, as amended at 50 FR 7345, Feb. 22, 1985; 53
FR 47714, Nov. 25, 1988; 57 FR 8275, Mar. 9, 1992; 62 FR 23163, Apr. 29,
1997; 64 FR 59659, Nov. 3, 1999]
The GMRS Licensing
[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 47, Volume 5, Parts 80 to End]
[Revised as of October 1, 2000]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 47CFR95.3]
[Page 519]
TITLE 47--TELECOMMUNICATION
COMMISSION (CONTINUED)
PART 95--PERSONAL RADIO SERVICES--Table of Contents
Subpart A--General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)
Sec. 95.3 License required.
Before any station transmits on any channel authorized in the GMRS
from any point (a geographical location) within or over the territorial
limits of any area where radio services are regulated by the FCC, the
responsible party must obtain a license (a written authorization from
the FCC for a GMRS system).
[53 FR 47714, Nov. 25, 1988]
GMRS Antennas
[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 47, Volume 5, Parts 80 to End]
[Revised as of October 1, 2000]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 47CFR95.51]
[Page 521]
TITLE 47--TELECOMMUNICATION
COMMISSION (CONTINUED)
PART 95--PERSONAL RADIO SERVICES--Table of Contents
Subpart A--General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)
Sec. 95.51 Antenna height.
(a) Certain antenna structures used in a GMRS system and that are
more than 60.96 m (200 ft) in height, or are located near or at a
public-use airport must be notified to the FAA and registered with the
Commission as required by part 17 of this chapter.
(b) The antenna for a small base station or for a small control
station must not be more than 6.1 meters (20 feet) above the ground or
above the building or tree on which it is mounted.
[63 FR 68975, Dec. 14, 1998]
GMRS Power Output
[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 47, Volume 5, Parts 80 to End]
[Revised as of October 1, 2000]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 47CFR95.208]
[Page 529]
TITLE 47--TELECOMMUNICATION
COMMISSION (CONTINUED)
PART 95--PERSONAL RADIO SERVICES--Table of Contents
Subpart C--Radio Control (R/C) Radio Service
Sec. 95.208 (R/C Rule 8) How high may I put my antenna?
(a) Antenna means the radiating system (for transmitting, receiving
or both) and the structure holding it up (tower, pole or mast). It also
means everything else attached to the radiating system and the
structure.
(b) If your antenna is mounted on a hand-held portable unit, none of
the following limitations apply.
(c) If your antenna is installed at a fixed location, it (whether
receiving, transmitting or both) must comply with either one of the
following:
(1) The highest point must not be more than 6.10 meters (20 feet)
higher than the highest point of the building or tree on which it is
mounted; or
(2) The highest point must not be more than 18.3 meters (60 feet)
above the ground.
(d) If your R/C station is located near an airport, and if you
antenna structure is more than 6.1 meters (20 feet) high, your may have
to obey additional restrictions. The highest point of your antenna must
not exceed one meter above the airport elevation for every hundred
meters of distance from the nearest point of the nearest airport runway.
Differences in ground elevation between your antenna and the airport
runway may complicate this formula. If your R/C station is near an
airport, you may contact the nearest FCC field office for a worksheet to
help you figure the maximum allowable height of your antenna. Consult
part 17 of the FCC's Rules for more information.
Warning: Installation and removal of R/C station antennas near
power lines is dangerous. For your safety, follow the installation
directions included with your antenna.
[48 FR 24890, June 3, 1983, as amended at 48 FR 41416, Sept. 15, 1983]
GMRS Emergency Communications
[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 47, Volume 5, Parts 80 to End]
[Revised as of October 1, 2000]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 47CFR95.143]
[Page 523]
TITLE 47--TELECOMMUNICATION
COMMISSION (CONTINUED)
PART 95--PERSONAL RADIO SERVICES--Table of Contents
Subpart A--General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)
Sec. 95.143 Managing a GMRS system in an emergency.
(a) The stations in a GMRS system must cease transmitting when the
station operator of any station on the same channel is communicating an
emergency message (concerning the immediate protection of property or
the safety of someone's life).
(b) If necessary to communicate an emergency message from a station
in a GMRS system, the licensee may permit:
(1) Anyone to be the station operator (see Sec. 95.179); and
(2) The station operator to communicate the emergency message to any
radio station.
The FRS
Definition
[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 47, Volume 5, Parts 80 to End]
[Revised as of October 1, 2000]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 47CFR95.191]
[Page 525]
TITLE 47--TELECOMMUNICATION
COMMISSION (CONTINUED)
PART 95--PERSONAL RADIO SERVICES--Table of Contents
Subpart B--Family Radio Service (FRS)
Sec. 95.191 (FRS Rule 1) Eligibility and responsibility.
Source: 61 FR 28768, June 6, 1996, unless otherwise noted.
General Provisions
(a) Unless you are a representative of a foreign government, you are
authorized by this rule to operate an FCC certified FRS unit in
accordance with the rules in this subpart. No license will be issued.
(b) You are responsible for all communications that you make with
the FRS unit. You must share each channel with other users. No channel
is available for the private or exclusive use of any user.
FRS Hardware Description
[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 47, Volume 5, Parts 80 to End]
[Revised as of October 1, 2000]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 47CFR95.194]
[Page 526]
TITLE 47--TELECOMMUNICATION
COMMISSION (CONTINUED)
PART 95--PERSONAL RADIO SERVICES--Table of Contents
Subpart B--Family Radio Service (FRS)
Sec. 95.194 (FRS Rule 4) FRS units.
(a) You may only use an FCC certified FRS unit. (You can identify an
FCC certified FRS unit by the label placed on it by the manufacturer.)
(b) You must not make, or have made, any internal modification to an
FRS unit. Any internal modification cancels the FCC certification and
voids your authority to operate the unit in the FRS.
(c) You may not attach any antenna, power amplifier, or other
apparatus to an FRS unit that has not been FCC certified as part of that
FRS unit. There are no exceptions to this rule and attaching any such
apparatus to a FRS unit cancels the FCC certification and voids
everyone's authority to operate the unit in the FRS.
|