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FRS radios

  • Using FRS Radios for Kart Racing - Video Interview

    Two way radios are used extensively in professional sporting events such as motor racing, so it comes as no surprise that they would be used for kart racing as well. What may be a surprise is the type of radio used in this sport.

    In this video clip from episode 179 of The Two Way Radio Show Podcast, Rick interviews Chris North from NotReadyRacing.com, a kart racing team located in Rhode Island that utilizes two way radios in their events. Learn about how radios influence this exciting hobby for all ages!

    Radios mentioned:

    Listen to the full Two Way Radio Show podcast and Subscribe to the show!

    Want more videos about 2-way radios? Browse our video blog and subscribe to our YouTube channel!

  • The difference between FRS and GMRS radios

    Difference Between Wouxun FRS and GMRS RadiosA frequent question asked by our customers who use the personal radio services is also a deceptively simple one. What's the difference between an FRS radio and a GMRS radio?

    It's a logical question, since FRS and GMRS radios have many similarities. So many, In fact, that at one time FRS and GMRS transceivers were commonly sold in the US marketplace as combo radios. This changed in the summer of 2017, when the FCC reformed the Part 95 Rules to further define the two services and end the manufacture, sale and use of these combo units. Ironically, this move created a bit of confusion for some users, both old and new, thus prompting the titular question.

    Although they are two separate radio services, the FRS and GMRS co-exist within 462-467MHz frequency range of the UHF band. Both services share the same 22 simplex channels and frequencies. These channel and frequency assignments are standard across the industry. This means that channel 1 on a Midland FRS or GMRS radio is the same as channel 1 on a Motorola Talkabout, or a Cobra MicroTALK, or a DeWALT, Uniden, or Wouxun KG-805F and 805G. Channel 2 is the same, channel 3 is the same, and so on. For this reason, someone with an FRS radio can converse directly with someone who has a GMRS radio and vice-versa.

    There is one caveat. A license is required to operate a GMRS radio. It's not difficult to obtain, and the terms are rather generous, but it isn't free. In contrast, an FRS radio is licensed by rule, commonly referred to as license-free, which means that the simple act of buying an FRS radio gives you the license to legally use it.

    So, considering the licensing schemes, the interoperability between the FRS and GMRS services provides a unique advantage to both, as licensed and license-free operators can freely communicate with one another on the radios approved for their particular service. And best of all, it's legal!

    Which brings us to the obvious question. If FRS and GMRS share the same band, channel assignments and frequencies, and each can communicate between the other, aren't they basically the same? what's the difference between FRS and GMRS radios?

    There are 5 primary differences, and they are all important to consider, as any one of them can determine whether you need a GMRS license to operate your radio, or if it can be used as an FRS radio by anyone for personal or business activities, license-free.

    Radio Type
    FRS radios are limited to portable handheld models only. In addition, mobile and base station GMRS units are not allowed to transmit on channels 8-14 period, and can only receive on those channels. For this reason, some GMRS radio manufacturers omit those channels on their mobile/base units altogether.

    Wattage
    The maximum allowable wattage of an FRS radio on channels 1-7 and 15-22 is 2 watts, while the GMRS is allowed up to 5 watts on channels 1-7 and up to 50 watts on channels 15-22. Although the power difference is usually the first thing that comes to mind by the average radio operator, it's not necessarily as important as one may think in terms of performance and range, particularly on portable handheld units.

    Detachable Antenna
    FRS radios must have a permanently affixed antenna, which means you must not be able to remove it, at least not without permanently damaging or destroying any part of the radio. And yeah, we've seen this. Our advice: don't try to remove a permanently fixed antenna from an FRS radio. It violates the rules, it will void the warranty of your radio, and it doesn't look pretty.

    In contrast, GMRS radios are not only allowed to have removable antennas, but they can be attached to aerials mounted remotely on a vehicle, building or tower, as long as it is within a certain height limit.

    Now, a non-removable antenna does not necessarily mean the walkie-talkie is an FRS radio. On the contrary, there are many older GMRS handheld radios with permanently fixed antennas, particularly those in existence before the Part 95 Reform of 2017. However, if the antenna is removable, that alone does classify it as a GMRS radio by default, since such a feature is not allowed on the Family Radio Service.

    The non-removable antenna requirement of the FRS service is another reason why there are no FRS mobile or base station radios, as those types of devices typically require the use of a remote antenna that is connected using a feed line by default.

    Repeater Capability
    Although both services do share the same 22 channel and frequency assignments, the GMRS also has 8 additional repeater channels available to it, for a total of 30 channels. FRS does not have these repeater channels and is not allowed to transmit on repeater systems.

    FCC Certification
    In order to be considered an FRS or GMRS radio, it must be Part 95 type accepted by the FCC for that particular service. If it is type accepted for Part 95B, it is an FRS radio. If it is type accepted for Part 95E, it is a GMRS radio. The FCC makes the final determination on this, so if you have doubts about which service your model is made for, locate the FCC ID on the radio and look it up on the FCC website to be sure. Ultimately, the FCC makes the call.

    Of course, if your radio does not have an FCC ID, it may not be legal for use on either radio service. All radios capable of operating on any of the personal radio services in the United States must be FCC type accepted for use on that service, and must have a valid FCC ID assigned to that model. We're not the radio police, but is something to keep in mind.

    The items listed above describe the differences between an FRS and a GMRS radio. Any one or more of them can determine the service the radio falls under, and whether it requires a license or not.

  • Wouxun KG-805F Professional FRS Two Way Radios

    Audiogram excerpt from Episode 152 of The Two Way Radio Show Podcast - New Professional Grade FRS Two Way Radios

    Finally, there's a professional grade FRS radio! In this excerpt from Episode 152 of The Two Way Radio Show Podcast, Danny, Anthony and Rick introduce the Wouxun KG-805F and KG-805FS, two new models in the popular KG-805 series that are FCC type accepted specifically for FRS! They provide an overview of the features, discuss the difference between the two models and explain why they consider them leaps and bounds over any other FRS walkie talkie available to date.

    You can find a complete line of FCC approved FRS Two Way Radios available at Buy Two Way Radios.

  • TWRS-152 - New Professional Grade FRS Two Way Radios

    Two Way Radio Show
    We tell you about two FRS radios from Wouxun that could change the landscape for power users of FRS. Plus, we tell you about a range extender for Motorola DLR and DTR radios. We also take some of your comments and questions from our blog and our forum.

    Intro :00
    Billboard 1:11

    New Wouxun FRS Two Way Radios 1:31
    Last year, we announced a new line of business quality GMRS and MURS radios from Wouxun known as the 805 Series. Now, we have another exciting announcement. The company has just released two new radios in this series for the FRS! Learn more about the Wouxun KG-805F and KG-805FS.

    Range Extender for Motorola 900MHz Digital Radios 18:39
    We tell you about the DRX Digital Range Extender for Motorola DLR and DTR Series Radios.

    Kenwood and Motorola Rebates 26:52
    We tell you about some really big rebates on Motorola Onsite Business radios and Kenwood business radios.

    Questions and Answers 30:34
    Comments and questions from readers of our Two Way Radio Blog and members of the Two Way Radio Forum. Check out and join the new and improved forum! It's free!

    Wrap up and Close 37:44
    Send in your comments and questions for Danny, Anthony and Rick to show[at]buytwowayradios.com. Feedback on this and other topics will be read by the hosts and included in future episodes of the show. If we read your comment about this episode on a future episode, we may send you a free Two Way Radio Show t-shirt! Visit us at www.twowayradioshow.com!

    © 2020 Cricket Ventures, LLC. All rights reserved.

  • Introducing the Motorola Talkabout T800 FRS two way radio!

    Motorola Talkabout T800 FrontIf you watch our videos or listen to our podcast, you probably hear us comment from time to time on the lack of innovation when it comes to FRS or GMRS radios. If you rewind the clock 10 years, you would find the radios that were for sale then were really similar to the radios that are for sale now. With the introduction of the new Motorola Talkabout T800, there is finally some new and original functionality with FRS radios for us to talk about.

    The T800 is a very different FRS radio. Although it is similar in function to the Motorola TalkAbout T460, it adds bluetooth app support and a visually impressive design that is a completely new look for the Talkabout line. However, the most notable aesthetic feature is the display.

    The T800 display is uniquely different. Motorola calls it a hidden display, and with good reason. This is the same display concept used for the Motorola SL300 commercial radio, but with more graphics. Simply put, it's just plain cool. This new display is invisible when the T800 is off, undetectable behind the one piece T800 faceplate. Turn the radio on, and the blue LCD display appears, viewable through the now translucent faceplate!

    Sure, the T800 display looks great and is easy to read when the radio is on, but that's not the only new upgrade to the design of this radio. The front panel buttons are now raised icons, which should be easier to find and identify when the radio is out of site, such as when it’s clipped to your belt. Towards the bottom, the radio narrows and turns into a loop. This appears to be intended for a carabiner clip, and is quite different from the traditional loops found on other Motorola Talkabout series radios. While this larger loop can be useful for connecting a clip or lanyard, it also makes the radio a little harder to balance on a flat surface.

    Motorola Talkabout T800 RightThe rest of the buttons are lined on one side of the radio for easy, instant access. These controls include a button to active the built-in flashlight, high and low power push-to-talk (PTT) buttons, a bluetooth pairing button, and an emergency alert. On the other side of the radio is a micro USB charging port.

    The T800 connects to a smartphone via bluetooth and will integrate with Motorola's new TalkAbout app, which is available as a free download for iphone and android mobile devices. The app basically uses the radio as a modem, to enable and manage features such as message and location sharing. These features even work when you're off the grid, as long as the radios are connected and in range.

    Motorola Talkabout AppWhen you launch the app for the first time, you'll be asked to pair it with the radio. This is very simple and doesn't even require you to press the Bluetooth® button on the radio. Just make sure the only radio that is on is the one that you want to pair. The final step of the setup process is the creation of an account that is linked to your phone number. You can skip this, but it does make a few of the features on the app work better if you are linked.

    Most of the Motorola Talkabout App is centered around maps and location sharing. You can download maps offline and share your location, or view the location of your group members even if you don't have cell phone service. The app allows you to add members to your group using their username or phone number, if they created an account during setup. Once you have your group, an easy pairing option is available which sets all radios to match the channel and sub code of the leader radio.

    The radio settings option is a nice feature of the app. The screens are kind of limited on most FRS radios, so navigating the menu is usually a guessing game of which icon matches what setting. Having all options laid out in a way that is easy to navigate is fantastic. When you change a setting or activate a feature in the app, it immediately updates the radio!

    The T800 is definitely a step forward for FRS radios and its a positive direction for Motorola. There is nothing specific to the T800 model in the Motorola Talkabout App, so it would come as no surprise if app support is added to other Talkabout models in the future. The Motorola Talkabout T800 is now available for purchase from our web site at buytwowayradios.com.

    UPDATE: Watch our video and see the Motorola Talkabout T800 in action!

  • Save on select Midland X-TALKER radios for the holidays!

    Midland X-TALKER Sale!It's a known fact that two way radios make excellent gifts, and a Midland X-Talker is an excellent choice. Now there is an even better reason to gift them, an excellent price! For two weeks only, buy a pair of T51X3VP3 radios and save $5 on your purchase. Buy a pair of T61VP3 radios and save $10!

    • Midland T51X3VP3 Two Way Radio Triple Pack for $74.99 only $69.99!
      That's right, this pack includes not two, but three radios, at a price you would expect for a traditional 2-pack. This radio has all 22 FRS/GMRS channels, NOAA weather radio, weather alert, 38 privacy codes,and is license free, so essentially anyone can use them.
    • Midland X-TALKER T61VP3 Two Way Radios for $69.99 only $59.99!
      This radio features all 22 FRS/GMRS channels plus 14 extra channels, advanced weather technology with weather scan, weather alert and a 121 privacy codes.

    This offer expires midnight December 15, 2018. We have a limited supply of each model in our warehouse, so act now while we have yours in stock.

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