As an unlicensed H.A.M. radio operator for over 40 years I approve this message. You have to listen to what I say because I started my comment with how many years i've been unlicensed.
To all my Hams. Please tell me you studied so freaking hard, took your drivers license test, driving test, twice, passed, got your license bought a cheap Pontiac fiero aaaaaaaand.... drove that thing the exact speed limit and abided absolutely all traffic signs and signals.... anyone?
I just bought a Ford F150 with all kinds of driver assist so I set the speed limit and it drives exactly the speed limit, keeps itself in the lane (hands free on the highway)... but it still expects me to tell it about signs and signals. My next buy will be a completely self driving Tesla and I will sit in the back seat (I expect them to improve the back seat comfort by then.)
Let me tell you sunny boy I walked up2 mountains to take my ham test and we had to use a hammer and chisel to write out the answers then I had to walk up 2 mountains to get back home in the snow while carrying my pet dinosaur then I had to wait for the pony Express to bring me my license 12 years later You whipper snappers don't know how good you have it now
Happy Ham here. I enjoy all radio services equally. Each have thier place. GMRS for around the farm and outdoors with the family. Murs for the jobsite, CB for the highways. Amateur HF for round the world contacts. VHF/UHF repeaters for emergency comms when no cell service in the wildlife areas while hunting.
I have my GMRS license and I have my Ham license. I also have a CB radio. Each service has its own place and application. I use what is appropriate for what I am doing.
I’ve become a radio hobbyist over the last couple of years, thanks in part to a colleague of mine at work (we’re computer parts salespersons), and this is a nice concise definition between the radio services. I’ve been using my own radio to listen and learn about this stuff (absolutely NO transmission, I remain silent), and it’s neat how these things work. I’m studying more about HAM radios and find this all to be really interesting and helpful. Thank you for this! Edit: Update, I’m an Amateur Extra, now!
I chose to not get a ham license because the sad ones at the front door that unfortunately represent their community.. I am a licensed GMRS user instead because of the community.. they are more like family and brothers than the hams I listened to.. and have been monitoring for years on both. Recently I have decided to study for my ham license.. your video just told me why I need my ham license also.. I have other hobbies that involve rf that brought me to radio in the first place. The end of this video was my light bulb moment, and your not a sad ham.. I enjoy your videos, thank you. 73s
@@HamRadioCrashCourse I think it would be nice to see more hams calling the bad apples out.. If your in some GMRS facebook groups like here in Wa, you would see how crazy it is from both sides.. where hams are belittling GMRS users.. because we couldnt get all of our family a ham license for our family trip or other family use, we must be too stupid to take the test and assume were not capable of knwowing otherwise.. and its places like that that I call the front door in which people represent the community for many new or inquiring people.. it would be great to hear more respectable and respectful people speak out about it. I havnt seen all your videos.. they end up in my searches but you seem like a real legit decent guy.. and I think others feel the same way and would probably take what you have to say to heart over most others that represent a community.
@@ericmoore86 My preference is to just ignore them. Starting a fight seldom yields the results you're looking for. If you find a jerk, ignore the jerk and stick with people that are not jerks.
The sad bitches. I mean sad hams are like the real girls named Karen. All ha get a bad name but most are cool as fuck I've had my license since June 2024 and I have not met any sad hams. But I don't care if you have a license or not so long as you have the common sense to be a decent human and not try to talk on the air band and emergency frequencies that's what worries me about the unlicensed people
Took my technicians test and waiting for my call sign. Haven't purchased a radio yet, still learning and shopping. This was great information for a beginner. You answered 10 questions I had. Thank you so much. I am a subscriber now.👍👍👍👍👍
CB radio was so fun in the 90's!!!! Started to get my ham license back then but life happened. Started studying for my Technician license a few days ago. I'd love to have the General license.
TV shop I worked for got into the Directv dish install business when they first came out. Nobody made a signal strength meter so we had to rely on the on screen meter... shouting out a window got old so we got licensed and got a pair of the red dot radios... since we traveled over a wide region(100 mile radius!) we ran into other users, some who thought they owned the frequency(gee that sounds familiar...) and would try jamming us. Wouldn't work since we were 100 feet apart at most and using 5 watt radios. More than once we had to explain that the color dot frequencies are open to ALL licensed businesses to use for handhelds...
Nice explanation Josh. One point I would like to mention is the FCC eliminated the 250 kilometer rule in 2017 (the same document that restructured GMRS/FRS, FCC 17-57 I believe) and skywave is now permitted on CB. I think of sideband CB as the gateway to a tech license and 10 meters (was for me), and GMRS the gateway to 2 meters and 70 CM.
Hi , from Malaysia here. Recently I took amature radio exam here and I passed. Even so, I couldnt explain the different between GMRS/FRS/CB and amature frequency. Thanks for your vids
Have used CB for years as I am a truck driver. Recently got ham tech, studying for general now, and also got gmrs license. I enjoy 2m/70cm for repeaters and a few other local frequencies. My wife and I use gmrs instead of cell phones a lot when we are apart around town. But I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy cb more. 11m ssb is just fun and people are generally easier to talk to and don't seem bothered by making a contact.
Josh, nice explanation of the various services. One of the reasons I’ve been fascinated with amateur radio all these years is the multiple modes available to us that aren’t available to other services. AM, FM, SSB, CW, APRS, Packet, plus the many and yet to be digital modes. I’ve spent many years in the hobby and still haven’t tried them all. We have satellites, EME, meteor scatter, all sorts of VHF, UHF, SHF specialties.There’s literally something for anyone willing to take the time to learn.
You seem very knowledgeable in this realm of radios:communication. I am not but it is something that has been weighing on me the last few years. Through in some significant health changes that has taken place for my wife and son and I am very eager to learn. I am unlicensed but would like to be certified to use HAM radios. In the meantime, being able to use GMRS for my family sounds like a good plan. Not afraid to spend some $$$ to make sure I have high quality handheld GMRS radios, could you recommend a make a model I purchase? I’d like something made of good material, offers the most power output and range. Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated!
@@Briathos1CBs also have hand held radios and can span at least a mile with the 4 or 5 watts allowed. The mobile and station radios can extend that range significantly, especially on sideband, which is also authorized. CBs stopped registering radios in the early 2000s. Most use a handle and some use first names: your choice. CBs are affordable and there is an emergency calling channel and that is channel 9. You can squelch the static out and only the loudest stations will break that squelch but a lot of people will listen for calls with the squelch open. I have held an Advanced Amateur license but have let it lapse and still have ham radios if I wish to renew. Although my old call letters have lapsed they are still registered to me. I built my own antennas for both ham and CB and have talked to Europe from the Midwest on ham and over 450 miles direct with only 4 watts out of the finals on CB (and it was legal). Both radios had personally designed antennas attached to them. You are not kept from using high gain antennas on CB so long as there is no amplifier between the radio and antenna. Power is only measured coming out of the finals of the radio on a CB and not out of the antenna.
This is a really important point. You can do so much more with Ham radio, because the other services don't allow all the different modes, capabilities, etc. I put up a 30 mile microwave link on 5.9 GHz (just above wifi frequencies) using an amateur frequency - and with higher power than wifi is allowed but amateur is allowed - as one small example of this. I also support a lot of people locally who are only using GMRS - that works for them. One size certainly does not fit all, and this video clearly notes many examples of that. Fantastic explanation!
I am a licensed Ham Radio Operator... When I travel.. I what I have in my vehicle is 2m radio tuned to 146.52 or 145.500 / CB tuned to channel 19.. I have been surprised how many truckers now have 2m rigs in their trucks.. My 2m rig is a 70-watt rig, so i can get out pretty far with it.. But as I was saying, there are times I start talking to a Trucker that is also a Ham radio operator and we switch to 2m ... Plus out here in WV, there is good repeaters within my area.. which is also a lot of fun.. I drove big truck for over 30 years and had a Ham radio in my tractor.. A benefit to having a Ham radio license and being a Trucker, is you can now have a scanner in your truck if you want, because of your Ham radio license.. Like in Indiana, where a scanner in your vehicle is not allowed.. But as a licensed Ham radio operator, the scanner restriction does not apply to you
@WR3ND Hams that buy their radios rather than build their own from parts are derided by some and called appliance operators. Personally, I build antennas but won't tackle radios.
I passed my Extra class 2 weeks ago. I started out as a no code tech, and passed my 5wpm a year later, and was going for general just as the code was dropped, still use CW sometimes( can only do 5wpm now). I do not work on radios any more,. but love to build antennas
Excellent video Josh! Cant explain it any better. I just learned that I don’t have to apply for another GMRS license for my wife in case she needs to use a radio to talk to me one day. Thanks!
With MURS, I've heard someone say they take a radio to their local walmart and listen for what channel they use. Then at random days/times when they are in the area they get on and say something like "Adam, someone took a dump in aisle 6" and will often get a response like "Again?!" Wow.
I just got my first GMRS radios and as of this writing I'm waiting on my license to be approved. I was playing around with the radios and wow I have to admit I'm impressed. I've been studying off and on for years to get my Ham (just haven't taken the test yet) and use radios in my work. So I consider myself at least having a basic understanding of how they work and the physics behind them. While I was playing with the radios I was picking up people 30 miles away and listening to their conversations. I don't know about transmit ability since I haven't received my license yet but I think a big advantage of GMRS is its an excellent and simple way for people to get into Ham.
Thanks for doing this. I’m a licensed ham, and I’m sure the training material went over this, but it was a cursory view at best. I’ve wondered about these licenses/radios but never really dug deep into it. You made a nice, short video that really laid it out.
I just love radio so yes I have a ham license, gmrs license and a CB radio. Thinking about getting a Murs! I agree with the comments that many are making they all have their place in different roles. I love hopping on the 2-meter and seeing if I can get a ham work in the VHF and UHF and or the gmrs repeaters. I've got my first high frequency coming so I'm excited to jump on at 10 and 20 m when I get that set up and I often just have a CB on in the background when I'm working because I just like to hear everybody talking to each other and pick up the skip
very good Josh. Thank you for supporting all of radio. video's like this help answer the question WHICH RADIO DO I GET ? knowing what is out their and the difference gives needed information to make a better discission on what to get. their is more out their as well. like the 49 MHz band. no new radios in years . Radio shack had 49 MHz walkie talkers .I have one. 73's
GMRS is very much like 2 meter or 70 cm in as much as the antennas are short, modulation is FM so it is quieter, and it is not as widely used as CB. GMRS has repeaters which, to me, was the amazing thing about 2 meters. Having a very small footprint in power and antenna and be able to talk 10 to 30 miles to someone else running the same small footprint of equipment. As a HAM if you have ever tried to get a family member to learn and take a test to get their HAM license, you have learned that getting them on GMRS is much more likely to happen. :D We, the show, tell our listeners to get GMRS for going off road in their Jeeps. It's just too simple, small, and inexpensive. Talking on the trail, is handy, fun, and could be lifesaving.
I totally agree. My off road club uses GMRS for trail runs. A few of us also have ham radio setups in our vehicles giving the whole group a broader reach if needed for safety purposes. Both serve an important purpose.
@@Jeeptalkshow the test isn't all that bad to study for, for either Technician or General. Be glad you don't have to learn Morse Code anymore. When I first got my license I passed sending and receiving 13 wpm of code and got my Advanced Class license (1 class higher than General but is no more). If you study for General, you can pass it. The radios are higher priced and I had 5 to 6 of them amounting to over $3500.
12:50 FCC Letter 202332010002 Dated May 30th 2023 (shown above), was NOT for Modified equipment, it was for breaking the Rules of "Having a one way communication, non verbal, music, or intelligible sounds, and "willing fully causing interference". Nothing in that letter was due to any modifications to any equipment. and anyone can find said letter by searching for it NAL/Acct. No listed in the shown letter above.
The FCC gives most frequencies to those who can make money with them, and swing power. Those of us in pro audio have been feeling the squeeze for wireless gear for years. We don't swing big power.
Grear video Josh! A relative of mine just passed their Tech exam a couple of days ago and had probably have questions about which radio service to use. I just sent them your video!
A friend wanted to try a little FRS radio from her property. She is on a hill 3.5 miles away. I used an external antenna. We were able to clearly talk on Channel 15, 2W, with the little crappy antenna.
What I want is an under $100 HAM 2-3 band HAM radio that is a) water/downpour resistant or waterproof b) can receive CB channels c) can receive GMRS channels d) receive FRS and allow locking down to use only Marine VHF channels for use on the water. Sinc CB is under 28 Mhz I would expect it to also receive the 10 meter band (connect to tent poles as the antena?). A scan function is necessary. An under $200 version should have a switch that changes it between each fully functional (Rx/Tx) mode. Of course, the $300 version should add all the digital communications support. Bonus points for Bluetooth connectivity to your ear buds or modern car stereo. Add a RAM mount screw hole for mounting on a motorcycle/boat rail. A display that changes color or font to show the currently active display row / frequency is also a big bonus for the elderly. As an explanation for why they cornucopia desire: The CB functionality would be ideal for someone who got a Technician license, is not sure they will actually get into the hobby but would love to hear truckers report road conditions so would actually have the radio on hand instead of at home in a drawer (me). Marine VHF channels are in the 156-161 Mhz range so should work with HAM sets. Locking the set to only use the Marine channels allows other crew to use the unit without violating FCC rules. Marine VHF does NOT require a license but is limited to use on the water (not allowed on land for chatting). Yes, I sail on occasion. I'm not sure I will ever go off road with a group to use GMRS (F150 Lightning, not lifted). BTW, 2023 F150 are aluminum - my old magnetic mount CB antena won't stick to the (glass) roof. I'm not ready for a permanent mount. Handheld CB is a definite Maybe.
Got my Novice in 1961, then Technician - then it expired. Decades later I got back in and attained my General which I still have but haven't been active. Need to learn what's changed in thirty years :) Still narrow band FM on uhf/vhf? Still am and ssb on low bands? What is digital mode?
CBRS is the HF band for Free radio. MURS is the Free 2 meter equivalent and FRS is the Free 70cm equivalent. You don't have to hold a license to have fun with radio.
CB'er since the early 70's. Green dot in the 80's and 90's. Ham since the 90's. Still use all 3 services. Still have an 11M antenna on the roof with the farm. Each for a different need.
If you have a radio like an Icom IC-7100 with a MARS CAP frequency modification, allowing the radio to use both CB, GM, and MU radio services, are you good to use those channels with that radio, even if it's at the right transmitting power?
Hey Josh I am looking for radios to use to talk to family members during an emergency or if something goes down. Looking for hand held but want long range as well. What do you recommend
Unlocked transmit on Kenwood my ham dual band radio. It works great on GMRS. I'm licenced for both. SWR is a tad higher since I'm using ham dual band ham antenna but not terrible.
Great job on this video. I especially like how you covered the facts without bias. I grow tired of amateur operators always putting down CB or GMRS so they can feel superior somehow. It's all radio, and some sad ham's liddish putdowns doesn't dictate what radio services I enjoy.
I’m not active user on all the services mentioned, but I have been in the past. They’re mainly all tools. Ham radio goes deeper into hobby and lifestyle, but you don’t have to shun the others to partake in one from my pov. 👍
I have to say that Josh is one of the few radio operator guys that you can actaully understand what the hell he is talking about so a big thanks for keeping it simple for us keep it simple stupid kind of people as it is much appreciated.
I remember years ago my cousin talked to Jamaica(not Queens) with his Ranger radio and a pair of marine antennas on his van. We were sitting in Harlem talking on skip from the cloud coverage that night.
Ok, a bit comfused. I bought a blister pack variety. I know the instructions said you could only use the gmrs channels if I paid $70. Frs worked for most of my needs. I did cheat occasionally (shhhh) but it was only 2 watts. I have just applied for my gmrs license. Have the rules changed?
When you were talking about business use on MURS and GMRS, I was thinking about the fact that businesses are no longer allowed to obtain a GMRS license. Does FRS legally allow business use? I ask here because finding anything on the FCC site seems to be a nightmare. The process of getting a GRMS license was way too complicated, and others have said the same.
CB is where it is at. Especially when all the people I want to talk to, is within 60 miles. I can barter-trade-sell and everyone I talk with are near, no repeaters needed, and honestly there is more experimenting on CB than Ham Bands.
Build your own antennas and easily talk 60 miles. On a house radio 5 to 10 mile was average. The one long wire antenna I had, I could talk 450 miles regularly with no amplifier attached and using only the 4 watts out of my radio. The only thing you need to know is the wavelength of the wire and my long wire was only averaging 10 feet above ground and a little under 100 feet long. I had 3 acres of ground to stretch out on, and I could hand turn it to the direction I needed to talk to.
@@bmfitz2647 Experimenting with/building different types of antennas, trying out digi-modes (JS8, ROS, SSTV), setting up gateways (FreeRadioNetwork), just to name a few examples. And all of that on CB 😉
I'm a little confused as just getting into HAM that back in the day (I'm old enough to remember having to have a license for CB) CB had some radios that were SSB (Single Side Band) and I understand that HAM also can run on SSB. I guess the CB SSBs are limited to channels and HAMs are not.
I have gmrs murs ham and cb in my home base station with good antennas on a 35ft tower. I live in northwest Missouri, a hilly area so i guess it really depends on where you live unless you get into the extremely low frequencies. I can only get down to 25mhz and up to 950mhz. My town is about 10 miles in diameter and i can talk from my house to my truck and to all of my friends with base and mobile CBs. I cannot do that with any other service. Even the ham guys that have a repeater in town have issues talking to each others mobiles using the repeater thats on our local news tower. I can hit a gmrs repeater that allows me to reach most of the kansas city area into part of Eastern KS. Now i do play around and listen to what i can on all of what i have but for my basic needs AM FM SSB CB at the legal 4 and 12 watts still beats them all. It hurts me to say that but it is what it is. Before anyone gets into any area of radio they need to know whats available that people use in their area and their terrain. Also what they want to spend. Just my $.02
@HamRadioCrashCourse I love the appliance reference. Classic. Any reason why you did not mention an 11 meter reference to CB frequencies and are they HF, UHF, VHF, SHF, etc? You covered UHF and VHF well with the other appliances. Keep the up the great teaching. 👍
Josh...good points. I too am a ham radio operator. We have twice weekly nets in our area, and there is the "fantasy" of providing services to the state and local govs...but I do it for myself, for my family, for disaster preparedness. There are very specific instances where ham radio is NOT desirable and most of those involve radio direction finding and jamming in an overtly hostile environment by hostile forces...so in Ukraine currently...here in the USA, not very likely. Carrington events are underrated in the instance of damage to power infrastructure, and over rated as far as ham radio goes. High Energy Electromagnetic Pulse from highaltitude nuclear explosions is a much greater threat to small electronics and modern ham radio equipment...again, war time scenario. Good overall prepping for the more likely natural disasters makes the most sense, with a robust ham radio as a backup adjunct to that prepping. So having independent solar power, batteries, and a backup generator with appropriate fuel stores for reasonable outages seems like the most viable path forward
Absolutely, no educational video should ever have background noise (music). I think the creators layer on music post production, then never actually listen to their entire video with that additional distraction.
So, if I have a Technician license, I would still need a GMRS license to operate GMRS radios? Seems like that would be covered by the Technician license.
What happens if you buy a GRMS radio and do not pay for the license. Is the license connected to an actual radio device, or to an individual person? How do they know if you have a GRMS license.
Question. With a tech license, gmrs license and a ham radio for example the btech uv-pro can I configure a channel page for gmrs on my btech and use it to connect with family that did not want to take the technician test?
One thing I am still unclear on - can a HAM operator operate in the CB and other bands? For example, talk to truck drivers on a car HAM set. If not, why not?
I have a question about licensing for GMRS that I can’t find an answer for. I work for a traffic control company and we have a flagging division. I’m assuming that the radios we have are FRS but they’re not very good for certain locations or distances so I was thinking about upgrading to GMRS. It says that it extends to family but what about licenses attached to a business which extend to all employees of the business? Do I need to purchase a license for every employee?
To my understanding it's not allowed that you conduct business under personal license GMRS. The best solution would be to either try MURS radios, upgrade your radios to two watt radios for FRS Like the Wuxon KG805F.
I dont have a license. Looking for a small radio like a cell phone abilities. gold spot price is going threw the roof. The dollar could just be not worth any thing. When that happens want a back up. wife and I to communicate. Cuz cell payments for service might go? So sending messages to the wife, would be a must. have any idea which would be best?
Then it's fun to build my own antennas and see how far I can get my radio to go. Just today I was able to use my 10-watt ht with my Homebrew 35 ft PVC Tower as I call it and I picked it up 13 mi away in the next town. Granted I live in a place that's perfect for this is just flat farmland so normally that would be way out of range on the other side of town I can only go about a mile and a half because of the obstructions but still I was pretty impressed I had a little GMRS antenna on top of my truck and my 10 w ht and at home I had a 5 watt that my wife was listening on hooked up to my my tower as I call it when I called in and told my wife where I was she was shocked and to be fair so was I I didn't think it would go that far I use PVC pipe and speaker wire😂
Glad you mentioned that FRS and GMRS share the same frequencies. I don't think many people realize that. Sometimes I wonder what the FCC was thinking though since the two services share the exact same frequencies with the exception of the repeater inputs for GMRS.
I always think of it as if you want to simply use a radio with no complications, great - buy a blister pack of FRS radios. If you want a little higher power or sophistication, pay the FCC $35 so they can at least know who you are. So it's like Radio Free and Radio Premium (in app purchase). Haha.
I think the band space is right for both booster pack cheap FRS radios and good 5 watt hts. It’s a good service to blend tbh on primary reasons why it exists.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse I remember when there were 14 channel FRS only radios and 22 channel FRS/GMRS combination radios that came with a form to get a GMRS license if you wanted to use channels 15 to 22 because they were GMRS channels. About the only good thing about the current rules for FRS and GMRS sharing the exact same simplex frequencies is that it is great for interoperability if someone has their GMRS license and needs to communicate with someone who only has newer blister pack FRS radios. Still it can cause confusion as to why some users can use the frequencies without a license while others need a license to use them simply because the "walkie-talkies" have a little more power. Plus adding to the confusion is that channels 15 to 22 are also repeater outputs for GMRS. Personally I think the FCC should have added additional frequencies for repeater use only because with the current repeater pairs uneducated users will be confused as to why they can hear someone on their walkie-talkie, but can't talk to them.
Prior to 2017 they didn't share frequencies. GMRS originally had 15 simplex channels and 8 repeater inputs while FRS was originally only 7 narrow band channels sandwiched between the GMRS repeater input channels. The FCC started approving "dual service" radios that included both FRS and GMRS frequencies(less the repeater inputs) some time in the late 90's or early 00's. It was legal to transmit on the low power FRS channels without a license but a GMRS license was required to use the "high power" channels. Almost nobody that bought the radios got the license and they used all the channels. In 2017, rather than enforce the license requirements and piss off millions of soccer moms that bough "walkie talkies" for their kids, the FCC officially said F&%# it and handed over access to ALL of the GMRS simplex channels to FRS users. Not a soul noticed the difference...
My community decided we wanted to have a community watch program. We asked what types of radios everyone already had, and the majority had either GMRS or FRS. Since that was what most of us already had, we use them interchangeably to stay in contact with each other. Even the FRS radios put out enough power to cover the whole neighborhood, so it’s a good solution that works for us
There are many GMRS 'ers that are perfectly satisfied with GMRS and are not wannabe hams. I've been a ham for many years and I much prefer GMRS now. Ham radio has lost much of its glitter.
You are correct on GMRS, at least for new users/licenses. The FCC personal radio services page describes GMRS as a "5-25 mile range Citizen Band service for family use in their neighborhood or during group outings". While their GMRS page states that "The GMRS is available to an individual (one man or one woman) for short-distance two-way communications to facilitate the activities of licensees and their immediate family members. ... The rules for GMRS limit eligibility for new GMRS system licenses to individuals in order to make the service available to personal users. (Some previously licensed non-individual systems are allowed to continue using GMRS)". That that last part is where some business use is still grandfathered in. 47 C.F.R. § 95.1703 defines a "grandfathered GMRS license" as a GMRS license held by a non-individual person (i.e., a partnership, corporation, association or governmental unit) as a result of renewals of a GMRS license issued prior to July 31, 1987. Therefore, it sounds like they would still be able to use GMRS for business.
But then again, 47 C.F.R. § 95.503 defines FRS as "A short-distance two-way voice communication service, with limited data applications, between low power hand-held radios, for facilitating individual, family, group, recreational and business activities". And the FRS and GMRS frequencies overlap, so... maybe there is some ongoing business use that's authorized?
@@ryanv7075 They way I'm reading it is that business can use CB, MURS and FRS. GMRS (except very limited and distant businesses that previously had the license from 1987 and before) is limited to personal use of the service exclusively. While it's true that the radio frequencies overlap the FRS and GMRS service, the radio themselves are different and the power levels are different. In use, business would be limited to 1/2 and 2 watt radios on the FRS/GMRS bands while those with a GMRS licenses (excludes business specifically) can use the higher powers and they will have access to the 8 repeater channels.
As an unlicensed H.A.M. radio operator for over 40 years I approve this message. You have to listen to what I say because I started my comment with how many years i've been unlicensed.
Josh's videos confuckulate me less than some of your boofwang videos.
Don’t you mean U.N.L.I.C.E.N.S.E.D H.A.M. ?
How long did it take to become unlicensed? Is there a steep unlearning curve?
@@SimonBlandford maybe you have to take a multiple choice test where all the answers are wrong
Lmfao Randy 😂 @TheNotaRubicon
To all my Hams. Please tell me you studied so freaking hard, took your drivers license test, driving test, twice, passed, got your license bought a cheap Pontiac fiero aaaaaaaand.... drove that thing the exact speed limit and abided absolutely all traffic signs and signals.... anyone?
This was funny
I just bought a Ford F150 with all kinds of driver assist so I set the speed limit and it drives exactly the speed limit, keeps itself in the lane (hands free on the highway)... but it still expects me to tell it about signs and signals. My next buy will be a completely self driving Tesla and I will sit in the back seat (I expect them to improve the back seat comfort by then.)
Honestly, this makes me feel way less guilty.
HA nope! Lol. Nobody can or will do that unless polarized by fear. Love the sarcasm!
Let me tell you sunny boy I walked up2 mountains to take my ham test and we had to use a hammer and chisel to write out the answers then I had to walk up 2 mountains to get back home in the snow while carrying my pet dinosaur then I had to wait for the pony Express to bring me my license 12 years later
You whipper snappers don't know how good you have it now
Happy Ham here. I enjoy all radio services equally. Each have thier place. GMRS for around the farm and outdoors with the family. Murs for the jobsite, CB for the highways. Amateur HF for round the world contacts. VHF/UHF repeaters for emergency comms when no cell service in the wildlife areas while hunting.
I have my GMRS license and I have my Ham license. I also have a CB radio. Each service has its own place and application. I use what is appropriate for what I am doing.
There you go!
Robertwood657 has the best answer....there you go...👍
Why wouldn’t you? Perfect answer.
10/4 good buddy
I’ve become a radio hobbyist over the last couple of years, thanks in part to a colleague of mine at work (we’re computer parts salespersons), and this is a nice concise definition between the radio services.
I’ve been using my own radio to listen and learn about this stuff (absolutely NO transmission, I remain silent), and it’s neat how these things work.
I’m studying more about HAM radios and find this all to be really interesting and helpful. Thank you for this!
Edit: Update, I’m an Amateur Extra, now!
I chose to not get a ham license because the sad ones at the front door that unfortunately represent their community.. I am a licensed GMRS user instead because of the community.. they are more like family and brothers than the hams I listened to.. and have been monitoring for years on both. Recently I have decided to study for my ham license.. your video just told me why I need my ham license also.. I have other hobbies that involve rf that brought me to radio in the first place. The end of this video was my light bulb moment, and your not a sad ham.. I enjoy your videos, thank you. 73s
Well thank you. Truly, most hams are not sad hams.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse I think it would be nice to see more hams calling the bad apples out.. If your in some GMRS facebook groups like here in Wa, you would see how crazy it is from both sides.. where hams are belittling GMRS users.. because we couldnt get all of our family a ham license for our family trip or other family use, we must be too stupid to take the test and assume were not capable of knwowing otherwise.. and its places like that that I call the front door in which people represent the community for many new or inquiring people.. it would be great to hear more respectable and respectful people speak out about it. I havnt seen all your videos.. they end up in my searches but you seem like a real legit decent guy.. and I think others feel the same way and would probably take what you have to say to heart over most others that represent a community.
@@ericmoore86 My preference is to just ignore them. Starting a fight seldom yields the results you're looking for.
If you find a jerk, ignore the jerk and stick with people that are not jerks.
The sad bitches. I mean sad hams are like the real girls named Karen. All ha get a bad name but most are cool as fuck I've had my license since June 2024 and I have not met any sad hams.
But I don't care if you have a license or not so long as you have the common sense to be a decent human and not try to talk on the air band and emergency frequencies that's what worries me about the unlicensed people
Took my technicians test and waiting for my call sign. Haven't purchased a radio yet, still learning and shopping. This was great information for a beginner. You answered 10 questions I had.
Thank you so much. I am a subscriber now.👍👍👍👍👍
CB radio was so fun in the 90's!!!! Started to get my ham license back then but life happened. Started studying for my Technician license a few days ago. I'd love to have the General license.
TV shop I worked for got into the Directv dish install business when they first came out. Nobody made a signal strength meter so we had to rely on the on screen meter... shouting out a window got old so we got licensed and got a pair of the red dot radios... since we traveled over a wide region(100 mile radius!) we ran into other users, some who thought they owned the frequency(gee that sounds familiar...) and would try jamming us. Wouldn't work since we were 100 feet apart at most and using 5 watt radios. More than once we had to explain that the color dot frequencies are open to ALL licensed businesses to use for handhelds...
That would piss me off so much
Nice explanation Josh. One point I would like to mention is the FCC eliminated the 250 kilometer rule in 2017 (the same document that restructured GMRS/FRS, FCC 17-57 I believe) and skywave is now permitted on CB. I think of sideband CB as the gateway to a tech license and 10 meters (was for me), and GMRS the gateway to 2 meters and 70 CM.
Hi , from Malaysia here. Recently I took amature radio exam here and I passed. Even so, I couldnt explain the different between GMRS/FRS/CB and amature frequency. Thanks for your vids
Are primarily American anyways not a big deal
Have used CB for years as I am a truck driver. Recently got ham tech, studying for general now, and also got gmrs license. I enjoy 2m/70cm for repeaters and a few other local frequencies. My wife and I use gmrs instead of cell phones a lot when we are apart around town. But I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy cb more. 11m ssb is just fun and people are generally easier to talk to and don't seem bothered by making a contact.
Josh, nice explanation of the various services. One of the reasons I’ve been fascinated with amateur radio all these years is the multiple modes available to us that aren’t available to other services. AM, FM, SSB, CW, APRS, Packet, plus the many and yet to be digital modes. I’ve spent many years in the hobby and still haven’t tried them all. We have satellites, EME, meteor scatter, all sorts of VHF, UHF, SHF specialties.There’s literally something for anyone willing to take the time to learn.
You seem very knowledgeable in this realm of radios:communication. I am not but it is something that has been weighing on me the last few years. Through in some significant health changes that has taken place for my wife and son and I am very eager to learn.
I am unlicensed but would like to be certified to use HAM radios. In the meantime, being able to use GMRS for my family sounds like a good plan.
Not afraid to spend some $$$ to make sure I have high quality handheld GMRS radios, could you recommend a make a model I purchase? I’d like something made of good material, offers the most power output and range.
Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated!
@@Briathos1CBs also have hand held radios and can span at least a mile with the 4 or 5 watts allowed. The mobile and station radios can extend that range significantly, especially on sideband, which is also authorized. CBs stopped registering radios in the early 2000s. Most use a handle and some use first names: your choice. CBs are affordable and there is an emergency calling channel and that is channel 9. You can squelch the static out and only the loudest stations will break that squelch but a lot of people will listen for calls with the squelch open. I have held an Advanced Amateur license but have let it lapse and still have ham radios if I wish to renew. Although my old call letters have lapsed they are still registered to me. I built my own antennas for both ham and CB and have talked to Europe from the Midwest on ham and over 450 miles direct with only 4 watts out of the finals on CB (and it was legal). Both radios had personally designed antennas attached to them. You are not kept from using high gain antennas on CB so long as there is no amplifier between the radio and antenna. Power is only measured coming out of the finals of the radio on a CB and not out of the antenna.
This is a really important point. You can do so much more with Ham radio, because the other services don't allow all the different modes, capabilities, etc. I put up a 30 mile microwave link on 5.9 GHz (just above wifi frequencies) using an amateur frequency - and with higher power than wifi is allowed but amateur is allowed - as one small example of this. I also support a lot of people locally who are only using GMRS - that works for them. One size certainly does not fit all, and this video clearly notes many examples of that. Fantastic explanation!
I am a licensed Ham Radio Operator... When I travel.. I what I have in my vehicle is 2m radio tuned to 146.52 or 145.500 / CB tuned to channel 19.. I have been surprised how many truckers now have 2m rigs in their trucks.. My 2m rig is a 70-watt rig, so i can get out pretty far with it.. But as I was saying, there are times I start talking to a Trucker that is also a Ham radio operator and we switch to 2m ... Plus out here in WV, there is good repeaters within my area.. which is also a lot of fun..
I drove big truck for over 30 years and had a Ham radio in my tractor.. A benefit to having a Ham radio license and being a Trucker, is you can now have a scanner in your truck if you want, because of your Ham radio license.. Like in Indiana, where a scanner in your vehicle is not allowed.. But as a licensed Ham radio operator, the scanner restriction does not apply to you
A thorough and well organized introduction to all these services. Great job!
I’m on a mission to learn about this. You have explained this quite well.
Thank you.
About the best explanation of the different 'services' AND frequency allocation/licensing I have ever encountered. AND... no snarkiness ! Well done.
I'm the worst kind of operator: No Code, Appliance Operator Extra. I can hear the blood pressure monitors going off at the Sad Ham shacks.😂
I'm a no code general! We may not build our own radios but we do constantly tinker with antennas.
Whoa, we got a badass over here.
@WR3ND Hams that buy their radios rather than build their own from parts are derided by some and called appliance operators. Personally, I build antennas but won't tackle radios.
I passed my Extra class 2 weeks ago. I started out as a no code tech, and passed my 5wpm a year later, and was going for general just as the code was dropped, still use CW sometimes( can only do 5wpm now). I do not work on radios any more,. but love to build antennas
Excellent video Josh! Cant explain it any better. I just learned that I don’t have to apply for another GMRS license for my wife in case she needs to use a radio to talk to me one day. Thanks!
I got my licensemore than 40 years ago. My FT 70D is MARS modified but I dont use more than legal transmit power. For more range use 17 meters.
With MURS, I've heard someone say they take a radio to their local walmart and listen for what channel they use. Then at random days/times when they are in the area they get on and say something like "Adam, someone took a dump in aisle 6" and will often get a response like "Again?!" Wow.
Haha. That is a perk for MURS I guess.
The "Again!?" Killed me 😂
I've done that too bit at expensive hotels lol
My ham radios are unlocked and talk on MURS/GMRS, always say hello when driving by a Walmart or Sam's club.
I just got my first GMRS radios and as of this writing I'm waiting on my license to be approved. I was playing around with the radios and wow I have to admit I'm impressed. I've been studying off and on for years to get my Ham (just haven't taken the test yet) and use radios in my work. So I consider myself at least having a basic understanding of how they work and the physics behind them. While I was playing with the radios I was picking up people 30 miles away and listening to their conversations. I don't know about transmit ability since I haven't received my license yet but I think a big advantage of GMRS is its an excellent and simple way for people to get into Ham.
Thanks for doing this. I’m a licensed ham, and I’m sure the training material went over this, but it was a cursory view at best. I’ve wondered about these licenses/radios but never really dug deep into it. You made a nice, short video that really laid it out.
Finally someone who isn’t necessarily all about vhf/uhf ham radio frequencies. I’ve preached hf for years.
I just love radio so yes I have a ham license, gmrs license and a CB radio. Thinking about getting a Murs! I agree with the comments that many are making they all have their place in different roles. I love hopping on the 2-meter and seeing if I can get a ham work in the VHF and UHF and or the gmrs repeaters. I've got my first high frequency coming so I'm excited to jump on at 10 and 20 m when I get that set up and I often just have a CB on in the background when I'm working because I just like to hear everybody talking to each other and pick up the skip
Dude this video was MEGA demystifying! thanks man
Glad it helped!
very good Josh. Thank you for supporting all of radio. video's like this help answer the question WHICH RADIO DO I GET ? knowing what is out their and the difference gives needed information to make a better discission on what to get. their is more out their as well. like the 49 MHz band. no new radios in years . Radio shack had 49 MHz walkie talkers .I have one. 73's
GMRS is very much like 2 meter or 70 cm in as much as the antennas are short, modulation is FM so it is quieter, and it is not as widely used as CB. GMRS has repeaters which, to me, was the amazing thing about 2 meters. Having a very small footprint in power and antenna and be able to talk 10 to 30 miles to someone else running the same small footprint of equipment. As a HAM if you have ever tried to get a family member to learn and take a test to get their HAM license, you have learned that getting them on GMRS is much more likely to happen. :D We, the show, tell our listeners to get GMRS for going off road in their Jeeps. It's just too simple, small, and inexpensive. Talking on the trail, is handy, fun, and could be lifesaving.
I totally agree. My off road club uses GMRS for trail runs. A few of us also have ham radio setups in our vehicles giving the whole group a broader reach if needed for safety purposes. Both serve an important purpose.
@@lateknightucdHAM radio is so much more than GMRS, but that pesky test...
@@Jeeptalkshow the test isn't all that bad to study for, for either Technician or General. Be glad you don't have to learn Morse Code anymore. When I first got my license I passed sending and receiving 13 wpm of code and got my Advanced Class license (1 class higher than General but is no more). If you study for General, you can pass it. The radios are higher priced and I had 5 to 6 of them amounting to over $3500.
Glad you are taking the time to define the acronyms, it is rather taxing to get into this hobby with the sure volume of them to juggle.
12:50 FCC Letter 202332010002 Dated May 30th 2023 (shown above), was NOT for Modified equipment, it was for breaking the Rules of "Having a one way communication, non verbal, music, or intelligible sounds, and "willing fully causing interference". Nothing in that letter was due to any modifications to any equipment. and anyone can find said letter by searching for it NAL/Acct. No listed in the shown letter above.
Great information, I do have a ham radio and a CB radio, but sold me on the GMRS best for my application. Thanks!!
Excellent simple breakdown explanation. This would of helped me a lot when I got into Ham Radio. Thank you.
It gave me a chuckle to see Randy's image on the thumbnail.
The FCC gives most frequencies to those who can make money with them, and swing power. Those of us in pro audio have been feeling the squeeze for wireless gear for years. We don't swing big power.
Grear video Josh! A relative of mine just passed their Tech exam a couple of days ago and had probably have questions about which radio service to use. I just sent them your video!
A friend wanted to try a little FRS radio from her property. She is on a hill 3.5 miles away. I used an external antenna. We were able to clearly talk on Channel 15, 2W, with the little crappy antenna.
What I want is an under $100 HAM 2-3 band HAM radio that is a) water/downpour resistant or waterproof b) can receive CB channels c) can receive GMRS channels d) receive FRS and allow locking down to use only Marine VHF channels for use on the water. Sinc CB is under 28 Mhz I would expect it to also receive the 10 meter band (connect to tent poles as the antena?). A scan function is necessary.
An under $200 version should have a switch that changes it between each fully functional (Rx/Tx) mode. Of course, the $300 version should add all the digital communications support.
Bonus points for Bluetooth connectivity to your ear buds or modern car stereo. Add a RAM mount screw hole for mounting on a motorcycle/boat rail. A display that changes color or font to show the currently active display row / frequency is also a big bonus for the elderly.
As an explanation for why they cornucopia desire: The CB functionality would be ideal for someone who got a Technician license, is not sure they will actually get into the hobby but would love to hear truckers report road conditions so would actually have the radio on hand instead of at home in a drawer (me). Marine VHF channels are in the 156-161 Mhz range so should work with HAM sets. Locking the set to only use the Marine channels allows other crew to use the unit without violating FCC rules. Marine VHF does NOT require a license but is limited to use on the water (not allowed on land for chatting). Yes, I sail on occasion. I'm not sure I will ever go off road with a group to use GMRS (F150 Lightning, not lifted).
BTW, 2023 F150 are aluminum - my old magnetic mount CB antena won't stick to the (glass) roof. I'm not ready for a permanent mount. Handheld CB is a definite Maybe.
Great discussion. And actually a great video to share to folks that I speak to regarding what they would like to do with radio if anything at all….
Got my Novice in 1961, then Technician - then it expired. Decades later I got back in and attained my General which I still have but haven't been active. Need to learn what's changed in thirty years :) Still narrow band FM on uhf/vhf? Still am and ssb on low bands? What is digital mode?
Great video! You could add to this list the FCC comments on "Marine VHF Radio" in the 150 MHz range
Used to have a CB with a linear amp. Wouldn't do that today. There's a reason for the service limitations. Am studying for my amateur license.
Great breakdown. Thanks for the upload.
CBRS is the HF band for Free radio. MURS is the Free 2 meter equivalent and FRS is the Free 70cm equivalent. You don't have to hold a license to have fun with radio.
CB'er since the early 70's. Green dot in the 80's and 90's. Ham since the 90's. Still use all 3 services. Still have an 11M antenna on the roof with the farm. Each for a different need.
I like this music. it feels calm enough to pay attention.
elevator/mall muzak, soothingly neutral , but cheesy.
If you have a radio like an Icom IC-7100 with a MARS CAP frequency modification, allowing the radio to use both CB, GM, and MU radio services, are you good to use those channels with that radio, even if it's at the right transmitting power?
Wow. Great information from a point I can actually understand. Freaking awesome. I'm studying for my license now.
Hey Josh I am looking for radios to use to talk to family members during an emergency or if something goes down. Looking for hand held but want long range as well. What do you recommend
Great overview, just added a CB to my HAM station. GRMS is next.
Unlocked transmit on Kenwood my ham dual band radio. It works great on GMRS. I'm licenced for both. SWR is a tad higher since I'm using ham dual band ham antenna but not terrible.
Great job on this video. I especially like how you covered the facts without bias. I grow tired of amateur operators always putting down CB or GMRS so they can feel superior somehow. It's all radio, and some sad ham's liddish putdowns doesn't dictate what radio services I enjoy.
I’m not active user on all the services mentioned, but I have been in the past. They’re mainly all tools. Ham radio goes deeper into hobby and lifestyle, but you don’t have to shun the others to partake in one from my pov. 👍
hey Josh, I’m new to all of this and I have a question if I get GMRS licensed, can I use GMRS frequencies on a ham radio?
The more videos I watch the more confused I get, but this video was pretty helpful
I have to say that Josh is one of the few radio operator guys that you can actaully understand what the hell he is talking about so a big thanks for keeping it simple for us keep it simple stupid kind of people as it is much appreciated.
I remember years ago my cousin talked to Jamaica(not Queens) with his Ranger radio and a pair of marine antennas on his van. We were sitting in Harlem talking on skip from the cloud coverage that night.
Very understandable compared to other videos on this topic.
Ok, a bit comfused. I bought a blister pack variety. I know the instructions said you could only use the gmrs channels if I paid $70. Frs worked for most of my needs. I did cheat occasionally (shhhh) but it was only 2 watts. I have just applied for my gmrs license. Have the rules changed?
I like the background music and the topic. Good overview.
I'm so old that I had a CB license and my radio only had 23 channels.
Sadly, I can still remember my CB license call sign 😄
@@carlleon1604 kafu 2984. Why that's something my brain chose to remember, I have no idea.
When you were talking about business use on MURS and GMRS, I was thinking about the fact that businesses are no longer allowed to obtain a GMRS license. Does FRS legally allow business use? I ask here because finding anything on the FCC site seems to be a nightmare. The process of getting a GRMS license was way too complicated, and others have said the same.
CB is where it is at. Especially when all the people I want to talk to, is within 60 miles. I can barter-trade-sell and everyone I talk with are near, no repeaters needed, and honestly there is more experimenting on CB than Ham Bands.
Experimenting? Please elaborate.
Build your own antennas and easily talk 60 miles. On a house radio 5 to 10 mile was average. The one long wire antenna I had, I could talk 450 miles regularly with no amplifier attached and using only the 4 watts out of my radio. The only thing you need to know is the wavelength of the wire and my long wire was only averaging 10 feet above ground and a little under 100 feet long. I had 3 acres of ground to stretch out on, and I could hand turn it to the direction I needed to talk to.
@@bmfitz2647 Experimenting with/building different types of antennas, trying out digi-modes (JS8, ROS, SSTV), setting up gateways (FreeRadioNetwork), just to name a few examples. And all of that on CB 😉
Great video and explanations @Ham Radio Crash Course
I'm a little confused as just getting into HAM that back in the day (I'm old enough to remember having to have a license for CB) CB had some radios that were SSB (Single Side Band) and I understand that HAM also can run on SSB. I guess the CB SSBs are limited to channels and HAMs are not.
I have gmrs murs ham and cb in my home base station with good antennas on a 35ft tower. I live in northwest Missouri, a hilly area so i guess it really depends on where you live unless you get into the extremely low frequencies. I can only get down to 25mhz and up to 950mhz. My town is about 10 miles in diameter and i can talk from my house to my truck and to all of my friends with base and mobile CBs. I cannot do that with any other service. Even the ham guys that have a repeater in town have issues talking to each others mobiles using the repeater thats on our local news tower. I can hit a gmrs repeater that allows me to reach most of the kansas city area into part of Eastern KS. Now i do play around and listen to what i can on all of what i have but for my basic needs AM FM SSB CB at the legal 4 and 12 watts still beats them all. It hurts me to say that but it is what it is. Before anyone gets into any area of radio they need to know whats available that people use in their area and their terrain. Also what they want to spend. Just my $.02
CB is definitely alive and well
@@N2YTA yes it is. And if you don't like the hash n trash on AM use SSB. The FM side is pretty good too.
@HamRadioCrashCourse I love the appliance reference. Classic. Any reason why you did not mention an 11 meter reference to CB frequencies and are they HF, UHF, VHF, SHF, etc? You covered UHF and VHF well with the other appliances. Keep the up the great teaching. 👍
3.0 Mhz-30 Mhz is considered "HF", Therefore CB is HF. and CB is in the 11 Meter band.
@@jamesslick4790 Careful. Not a Rubicon might start calling you names.
LOL I'm a subscriber to his channel. I am not "S o m e P e o p l e"... I love ALL manner of radio! LOL@@jhutch1470
Josh...good points. I too am a ham radio operator. We have twice weekly nets in our area, and there is the "fantasy" of providing services to the state and local govs...but I do it for myself, for my family, for disaster preparedness. There are very specific instances where ham radio is NOT desirable and most of those involve radio direction finding and jamming in an overtly hostile environment by hostile forces...so in Ukraine currently...here in the USA, not very likely.
Carrington events are underrated in the instance of damage to power infrastructure, and over rated as far as ham radio goes. High Energy Electromagnetic Pulse from highaltitude nuclear explosions is a much greater threat to small electronics and modern ham radio equipment...again, war time scenario.
Good overall prepping for the more likely natural disasters makes the most sense, with a robust ham radio as a backup adjunct to that prepping. So having independent solar power, batteries, and a backup generator with appropriate fuel stores for reasonable outages seems like the most viable path forward
Hi, I’m Josh
@@HamRadioCrashCourse Hi, Josh. Sorry about that! Have a great day!
Thanks for your insight my friend,…. I watch all your videos
So, which type would I get if I wanted a radio for emergency purposes, and keep contact with family if separated?
Great explanation.
Could you use say a baofeng programmed for the power and narrow band of FRS and GMS within the FCC rules?
Great video. The background music is hella annoying trying to learn something I’m unfamiliar with
Absolutely, no educational video should ever have background noise (music). I think the creators layer on music post production, then never actually listen to their entire video with that additional distraction.
Nice clear explanation, thanks!
So, if I have a Technician license, I would still need a GMRS license to operate GMRS radios? Seems like that would be covered by the Technician license.
I like DMR radio a lot personally, but it's harder to use that GMRS
What happens if you buy a GRMS radio and do not pay for the license. Is the license connected to an actual radio device, or to an individual person? How do they know if you have a GRMS license.
Question. With a tech license, gmrs license and a ham radio for example the btech uv-pro can I configure a channel page for gmrs on my btech and use it to connect with family that did not want to take the technician test?
Your family could use your GMRS license if they are immediate family only.
One thing I am still unclear on - can a HAM operator operate in the CB and other bands? For example, talk to truck drivers on a car HAM set. If not, why not?
Ham radios operate on different frequencies from the other services. So they don’t interact.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse Got it. I looked up the AARL US Amateur Radio Bands... Thanks.
I have a question about licensing for GMRS that I can’t find an answer for. I work for a traffic control company and we have a flagging division. I’m assuming that the radios we have are FRS but they’re not very good for certain locations or distances so I was thinking about upgrading to GMRS. It says that it extends to family but what about licenses attached to a business which extend to all employees of the business? Do I need to purchase a license for every employee?
To my understanding it's not allowed that you conduct business under personal license GMRS. The best solution would be to either try MURS radios, upgrade your radios to two watt radios for FRS Like the Wuxon KG805F.
I dont have a license. Looking for a small radio like a cell phone abilities. gold spot price is going threw the roof. The dollar could just be not worth any thing. When that happens want a back up. wife and I to communicate. Cuz cell payments for service might go? So sending messages to the wife, would be a must. have any idea which would be best?
Then it's fun to build my own antennas and see how far I can get my radio to go. Just today I was able to use my 10-watt ht with my Homebrew 35 ft PVC Tower as I call it and I picked it up 13 mi away in the next town. Granted I live in a place that's perfect for this is just flat farmland so normally that would be way out of range on the other side of town I can only go about a mile and a half because of the obstructions but still I was pretty impressed I had a little GMRS antenna on top of my truck and my 10 w ht and at home I had a 5 watt that my wife was listening on hooked up to my my tower as I call it when I called in and told my wife where I was she was shocked and to be fair so was I I didn't think it would go that far I use PVC pipe and speaker wire😂
Que Randy‘s response in three, two, one…
Don't be silly.
nice, detailed but accessible, thanks !
Glad you mentioned that FRS and GMRS share the same frequencies. I don't think many people realize that. Sometimes I wonder what the FCC was thinking though since the two services share the exact same frequencies with the exception of the repeater inputs for GMRS.
I always think of it as if you want to simply use a radio with no complications, great - buy a blister pack of FRS radios. If you want a little higher power or sophistication, pay the FCC $35 so they can at least know who you are. So it's like Radio Free and Radio Premium (in app purchase). Haha.
I think the band space is right for both booster pack cheap FRS radios and good 5 watt hts. It’s a good service to blend tbh on primary reasons why it exists.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse I remember when there were 14 channel FRS only radios and 22 channel FRS/GMRS combination radios that came with a form to get a GMRS license if you wanted to use channels 15 to 22 because they were GMRS channels. About the only good thing about the current rules for FRS and GMRS sharing the exact same simplex frequencies is that it is great for interoperability if someone has their GMRS license and needs to communicate with someone who only has newer blister pack FRS radios. Still it can cause confusion as to why some users can use the frequencies without a license while others need a license to use them simply because the "walkie-talkies" have a little more power. Plus adding to the confusion is that channels 15 to 22 are also repeater outputs for GMRS. Personally I think the FCC should have added additional frequencies for repeater use only because with the current repeater pairs uneducated users will be confused as to why they can hear someone on their walkie-talkie, but can't talk to them.
Prior to 2017 they didn't share frequencies. GMRS originally had 15 simplex channels and 8 repeater inputs while FRS was originally only 7 narrow band channels sandwiched between the GMRS repeater input channels. The FCC started approving "dual service" radios that included both FRS and GMRS frequencies(less the repeater inputs) some time in the late 90's or early 00's. It was legal to transmit on the low power FRS channels without a license but a GMRS license was required to use the "high power" channels. Almost nobody that bought the radios got the license and they used all the channels.
In 2017, rather than enforce the license requirements and piss off millions of soccer moms that bough "walkie talkies" for their kids, the FCC officially said F&%# it and handed over access to ALL of the GMRS simplex channels to FRS users. Not a soul noticed the difference...
My community decided we wanted to have a community watch program. We asked what types of radios everyone already had, and the majority had either GMRS or FRS. Since that was what most of us already had, we use them interchangeably to stay in contact with each other. Even the FRS radios put out enough power to cover the whole neighborhood, so it’s a good solution that works for us
So frs and gmrs have the same frequencies and can communicate together it’s just a matter of power output?
There are many GMRS 'ers that are perfectly satisfied with GMRS and are not wannabe hams. I've been a ham for many years and I much prefer GMRS now. Ham radio has lost much of its glitter.
Thanks for the video
I use the tools I have available and I want all the tools. Pretty simple isn't it?
Can i use and have amateur radio to just listen without any license?
As always, nice work!
Great discussion as Zebulon has stated below, Thanks and take care. 73 Vic de KE8JWE.
I wonder if MURS is the type for motorcycle helmet to motorcycle helmet communications?
Very good info and well explained Josh.
I am glad that atleast you are Randy's only real H.A.M. friend.😊👍
What a great video that has great info on these different services. New subscriber here and future HAM.
Welcome aboard!
Thank you Josh
Thanks Josh.....this is a great info!
5:32 trying to find a gmrs or frs unit that does texting but I'm having trouble sorting through everything, any recommendations?
What about ism band such as motorola dtr700
and itinerant business frequencies
Best concise explanation for why licensing even exists. Nice.
Thanks!
10:07 I believe that you meant to say FRS and MURS here. I think GMRS excludes business use.
You are correct on GMRS, at least for new users/licenses.
The FCC personal radio services page describes GMRS as a "5-25 mile range Citizen Band service for family use in their neighborhood or during group outings". While their GMRS page states that "The GMRS is available to an individual (one man or one woman) for short-distance two-way communications to facilitate the activities of licensees and their immediate family members. ... The rules for GMRS limit eligibility for new GMRS system licenses to individuals in order to make the service available to personal users. (Some previously licensed non-individual systems are allowed to continue using GMRS)". That that last part is where some business use is still grandfathered in.
47 C.F.R. § 95.1703 defines a "grandfathered GMRS license" as a GMRS license held by a non-individual person (i.e., a partnership, corporation, association or governmental unit) as a result of renewals of a GMRS license issued prior to July 31, 1987. Therefore, it sounds like they would still be able to use GMRS for business.
But then again, 47 C.F.R. § 95.503 defines FRS as "A short-distance two-way voice communication service, with limited data applications, between low power hand-held radios, for facilitating individual, family, group, recreational and business activities". And the FRS and GMRS frequencies overlap, so... maybe there is some ongoing business use that's authorized?
@@ryanv7075 They way I'm reading it is that business can use CB, MURS and FRS. GMRS (except very limited and distant businesses that previously had the license from 1987 and before) is limited to personal use of the service exclusively. While it's true that the radio frequencies overlap the FRS and GMRS service, the radio themselves are different and the power levels are different. In use, business would be limited to 1/2 and 2 watt radios on the FRS/GMRS bands while those with a GMRS licenses (excludes business specifically) can use the higher powers and they will have access to the 8 repeater channels.
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Hi Hi yet another great review. Thank you for doing these. 73’s.