Family Radio Service (FRS)

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0><script> (function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){ (i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o), m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m) })(window,document,'script','//www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga'); ga('create', 'UA-47423994-1', 'fortunecity.ws'); ga('send', 'pageview'); </script> <center> <br> <div> <script language="javascript" type="text/javascript" src="http://ad.broadcaststation.net/ads/show_ad.php?width=728&height=90"></script> </div> </center> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#CCFF99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="04078671esnimw.gif"> <div> <B>The Personal Communications Library</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#333399" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>     |     </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#333399" FACE="Times New Roman" ><A HREF="home.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Personal Communications Library"><U><B>HOME</B></U></A></FONT></div> <div> <B>Family Radio Service (FRS)</B>   |   <A HREF="pmr_446.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Private Mobile Radio (PMR 446)"><U>Private Mobile Radio (PMR 446)</U></A>   |   <A HREF="murs.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="MultiUse Radio Service (MURS)"><U>Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS)</U></A>   |   <A HREF="pr_ww.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Personal Radio World Wide"><U>Personal Radio - World Wide</U></A>   |   <A HREF="wireless_privacy.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Wireless Telephone Privacy"><U>Wireless Telephone Privacy</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#336699" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="041c83b3.gif"> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#CCFF99" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I><B>Family Radio Service (FRS)</B></I></div> <bR> <div> 1. <A HREF="#1__what_is_the_family_radio_service__" TITLE="Family Radio Service (FRS)"><U>What is the Family Radio Service?</U></A> </div> <div> 2. <A HREF="#2__who_can_use_frs_radios__can_they_be" TITLE="Family Radio Service (FRS)"><U>Who can use FRS radios? Can they be used anywhere?</U></A><A HREF="#2__who_can_use_frs_radios__can_they_be" TITLE="Family Radio Service (FRS)"><U> </U></A></div> <div> 3. <A HREF="#4__what_are_privacy_codes__" TITLE="Family Radio Service (FRS)"><U>What are "privacy-codes"? </U></A></div> <div> 4. <A HREF="#3__are_different_brands_of_frs_radios" TITLE="Family Radio Service (FRS)"><U>Are different brands of FRS radios compatible with each other?</U></A> </div> <div> 5. <A HREF="#5__what_range_can_i_expect__" TITLE="Family Radio Service (FRS)"><U>What range can I expect?</U></A> </div> <div> 6. <A HREF="#6__are_my_conversations_private__" TITLE="Family Radio Service (FRS)"><U>Are my conversations private?</U></A> </div> <div> 7. <A HREF="#7__what_frequencies_are_used__" TITLE="Family Radio Service (FRS)"><U>What frequencies are used? Are some better for use than others?</U></A> </div> <div> 8. <A HREF="#8__what_are_the_common_ctcss_tone" TITLE="Family Radio Service (FRS)"><U>What are the common CTCSS tone frequencies?</U></A> </div> <div> 9. <A HREF="#9__general_buying_advice__" TITLE="Family Radio Service (FRS)"><U>General buying advice.</U></A> </div> <div> 10. <A HREF="#10__things_to_keep_in_mind__" TITLE="Family Radio Service (FRS)"><U>Things to keep in mind.</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="1__what_is_the_family_radio_service__"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>1. <B>What is the Family Radio Service?</B> </div> <div>    The Family Radio Service is a 14-channel simplex mode "citizen's band" established by the FCC in the United States. It is designed for short-range communication between individuals, family members, friends, and associates. Power output is a maximum allowable 500mW, which is generally good enough for high quality, short distance, communication. Use of repeaters and external antennas are not permitted. Making telephone calls via an FRS radio ("telephone-auto-patch") also is not permitted </div> <div>    The majority of models available are 14-channel handheld "walkie-talkies". However there are also a few "base-station" models available, as well as some single- and dual-channel handhelds.</div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="2__who_can_use_frs_radios__can_they_be"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>2. <B>Who can use FRS radios? Can they be used anywhere?</B><B> </B></div> <div>    Any citizen in Canada or the United States (and areas of the world regulated by the U.S. FCC) can use an FRS radio. There is no license requirement in either country. </div> <div>    Usage is permitted in any area within Canada and the United States unless specifically prohibited by law or safety regulations.  They can also be used on a boat or plane, as long as you have permission of the captain.</div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="4__what_are_privacy_codes__"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>3. <B>What are "privacy-codes"?</B> </div> <div>    The "privacy-code" (aka: "sub-channels", "CTCSS", "digital sub-codes", "talk-groups", "pl") itself is a low frequency tone, or a digital code, sent along with your voice transmission. Using "privacy-codes" does not make your conversation private; in fact "privacy-codes" have little to do with privacy in the traditional sense. "Privacy-codes" act as a selective filter, allowing you and your associates to have a conversation without being interrupted by either other FRS users or radio interference caused by other radio services. </div> <div> <U>How to use "privacy-codes"</U>: </div> <div>    Set your radio, and the radios of those in your group, to (1) the same channel/frequency and (2) the same "privacy-code" tone.  When you push the talk button, pause just a moment <I>before</I> speaking (other radios in your group will take about 1/3 of a second to detect the privacy-code being sent by your radio).  When setup properly, you should only hear the members of your own group.  If you have trouble, read about compatibility issues below.</div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="3__are_different_brands_of_frs_radios"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>4. <B>Are different brands of FRS radios compatible with each other?</B> </div> <div>    Yes, for the most part. Compatibility problems may arise when you are using "privacy-codes".  The most widely used "privacy-code" system is Coded-Tone-Controlled-Squelch-System or CTCSS. The next most widely used system is Digital-Coded-Squelch or DCS, which is an improved and digital form of CTCSS. All 14-channel FRS radios will be able to communicate with all other 14-channel FRS radios tuned to the same channel AND the same CTCSS or DCS code. However, not all radios make use of the same "privacy-codes", nor do they use the codes in the same order. You may have to do a little experimenting. <A HREF="ctcss.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CTCSS Compatibility"><U>[See the compatibility page first.]</U></A> </div> <div>    If you find that your radio is incompatible with a friends radio, you can simply turn the "privacy-code" feature off (aka: 00 or --). Doing so will allow all FRS 14 channel radios to be interoperable with each other.</div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="5__what_range_can_i_expect__"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>5. <B>What range can I expect?</B> </div> <div>    In a flat open area you can expect up to 2 miles (3.2 km).  Over water you may get as much as double that.  However, in general use you can expect a range of about 3/4 of a mile (1.2 km).</div> <div>    To obtain the best range possible, hold your FRS radio upright with the antenna in a vertical position; the antenna should not be in contact with your hand or fingers.  Do not hold your radio upside down with the antenna against your forearm; this may seriously reduce range.</div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="6__are_my_conversations_private__"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>6. <B>Are my conversations private?</B> </div> <div>    Conversations held on an FRS radio are <B><U>not</U></B> private.  FRS radios are not designed for privacy, with the exception of models such as the Kenwood UBZ-LH14, which have a voice-scramble setting.  However even models such as this provide little privacy, as the type of voice-scrambling used is extremely simple to decode. The voice-scramble setting can be used to double the effective number of available "privacy-codes" (sort of).</div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="7__what_frequencies_are_used__"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>7. <B>What frequencies are used?</B> </div> <div>    The chart below shows the standard FRS band plan of frequencies in MHz (channel #'s are in parenthesis). Channels 1 - 7 are shared with the General Mobile Radio Service or GMRS (in the U.S.); they can be very busy, especially in urban areas.</div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="258" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#BF0000" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 ><NOBR><div> (1) 462.5625</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="127"><div> (8) 467.5625</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 ><NOBR><div> (2) 462.5875</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="127"><div> (9) 467.5875</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 ><NOBR><div> (3) 462.6125</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (10) 467.6125</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 ><NOBR><div> (4) 462.6375</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (11) 467.6375</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 ><NOBR><div> (5) 462.6625</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (12) 467.6625</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 ><NOBR><div> (6) 462.6875</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (13) 467.6875</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 ><NOBR><div> (7) 462.7125</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (14) 467.7125</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="8__what_are_the_common_ctcss_tone"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>8. <B>What are the common CTCSS tone frequencies?</B> </div> <div>    The chart below shows the commonly used CTCSS tone frequencies in Hz (alpha-ID's are in parenthesis). There are 38 standard tones and 4 nonstandard tones (in red).</div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="597" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#BF0000" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="94"><div> (XZ) 67.0</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> (YA) 85.4</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (1B) 107.2</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> (4Z)136.5</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (6A) 173.8</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (M3) 218.1</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="94"><div> (WZ) 69.3</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> (YB) 88.5</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> (2Z) 110.9</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> (4A)141.3</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (6B) 179.9</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (M4) 225.7</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="94"><div> (XA) 71.9</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> (ZZ) 91.5</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (2A) 114.8</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (4B) 146.2</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (7Z) 186.2</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (9Z) 229.1</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="94"><div> (WA) 74.4</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> (ZA) 94.8</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (2B) 118.8</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (5Z) 151.4</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (7A) 192.8</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (M5) 233.6</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="94"><div> (XB) 77.0</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> (ZB) 97.4</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (3Z) 123.0</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (5A) 156.7</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (M1) 203.5</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (M6) 241.8</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="94"><div> (WB) 79.7</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (1Z) 100.0</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (3A) 127.3</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> (5B)162.2</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (8Z) 206.5</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (M7) 250.3</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="94"><div> (YZ) 82.5</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (1A) 103.5</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (3B) 131.8</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (6Z) 167.9</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (M2) 210.7</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (0Z) 254.1</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="9__general_buying_advice__"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>9. <B>General buying advice.</B> </div> <div>    Stay with established brands such as Cobra, Kenwood, Motorola, and Maxon. Avoid inexpensive electronics brands such as GPX or Emerson. </div> <div>    Be more concerned with quality, rather than with power output. A good quality radio with a 350mW output will very likely outperform a poor quality radio with a 500mW output. </div> <div>    Do not buy a single or dual channel FRS radio, unless you live in a very rural area.  It is quite possible to experience significant interference from other radio users on a particular channel or two in any given area. This could possibly render a dual or single channel model useless. </div> <div>    Do select an FRS radio with "privacy-codes".  For maximum compatibility with other radios, choose CTCSS equipped models (any model claiming 38 privacy-codes is almost certainly CTCSS equipped).  Without "privacy-codes" you may find that your radio is constantly picking up stray transmissions or interference, especially if you live in an urban area.</div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="10__things_to_keep_in_mind__"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>10. <B>Things to keep in mind.</B> </div> <div>     Always remember that what you say on an FRS radio is <B><U>not</U></B> private.  In other words, don't discuss personal information unless you want it to become public knowledge.  Discuss this concept with your children before letting them use an FRS radio.</div> <div>    If you intend to buy an FRS radio for a child to be used as a toy, consider instead a "<A HREF="pr_ww_us_49mhz.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Personal Radio World Wide"><U>personal communicator</U></A>" walkie-talkie set.  These have less range than FRS radios, but they are simpler to operate, less expensive, and will not cause interference to serious FRS and GMRS users.</div> <div>    If you want an FRS radio for use while as biking, jogging, mountain climbing, etc., you may want to also consider a <U>hands-free</U> model "<A HREF="pr_ww_us_49mhz.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Personal Radio World Wide"><U>personal communicator</U></A>".  Good quality units are available for around $60 - $80 a pair from Radio Shack and Maxon.</div> <div>    </div> <div>    </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>