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GMRS repeater channels

  • 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.

  • How to Program a Repeater Channel into your KG-905G

    Wouxun KG-905G Programming SoftwareThe Wouxun KG-905G has a lot of features, but it is not a complicated radio to operate. As a Part 95 type accepted GMRS radio, all 22 GMRS simplex channels and 8 GMRS repeater channels are already pre-programmed into the KG-905. But, what if you want to add custom repeater channels into the radio? No problem, since it supports up to 256 custom channels. In fact, the KG-905G is quite simple to program using the KG-905G programming software, and it is required to program the additional custom channels. Here's how to program a repeater channel into your KG-905G.

    For starters, you will need a programming cable, a computer running Microsoft Windows, and the KG-905G programming software. At present the only programming software for the 905G is provided by Wouxun, however it is readily available from us at Buy Two Way Radios. The KG-905G is not yet supported by CHIRP.

    Read the instructions in the article How to install the Programming Cable and Software for the KG-905G.

    Once the programming software is installed and running and the KG-905G is connected, you will need all the information about the repeater(s) you will be adding. The best resource for this is the national repeater directory database at mygmrs.com. Locate the repeater(s) that you want to add and note the frequencies, tones, and any other necessary particulars and you are ready to program a repeater channel into your radio.

    Note: you will need to create an account on mygmrs.com to access the repeater directory if you don't already have one. You may also need permission from the repeater owner, so be sure that is granted before programming it into your radio.

    How to Program a Repeater Channel into your KG-905G
    Choose an empty row within a group in the Channel Information table and enter the following:

    • Rx-Fre - The receive frequency from the repeater
    • Tx Fre - The transmit frequency to the repeater
    • QT/DQT Dec - The receive CTCSS tone or DCS code
    • QT/DQT Enc - The transmit CTCSS tone or DCS code
    • Power - The Power Level for the channel (HIGH/LOW)
    • W/N - The bandwidth for the channel (Wide or Narrowband)
    • Busy Lock - Enable or disable Busy Channel Lockout (ON/OFF)
    • Scan Add - Whether not to add the channel to the Channel Scan (Del/Add)
    • SP Mute - Choose (QT/QT*DT/QT+DT)
    • CallID - Select a Caller ID (1-20)
    • Name - Create a name for the channel (up to 6 characters)

    To add more channels, repeat the steps above. Once the channels are created, save your settings to the radio and you're ready to go. If these instructions are followed correctly, you should be able to program all 256 custom memory channels in your Wouxun KG-905G.

  • Radio 101 - How to Set Repeater Channels on the Midland MXT115​

    The Midland MXT115 is a GMRS micromobile two way radio that is also repeater capable. All you need to do is activate them. This is actually quite simple and can be done very quickly, once you know how to do it. how do you activate and configure them?

    In this episode of Radio 101, Rick shows you how to easily setup the 8 GMRS repeater channels on the Midland MXT115. He also shows you how to configure a CTCSS tone or DCS code on a repeater channel.

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