Page 1 of 1

Radio Frequency qestions.

Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2003 11:49 pm
by ResQ911
I came into having having some LOW band HTs. Can anyone tell me if there are some Free Low band Frequencies for northern IL and Sothern Wis?

Thanks,

ResQ

No there were not any "FREE" channels

Posted: Fri Nov 19, 2004 9:35 am
by Raymond156
From asking around
no there are no "FREE"
channels

"free" channels...

Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2004 9:35 pm
by Tom in D.C.
Just to amplify a bit on the reply that was posted, the only band where you can legally transmit at a decent (1 or 2 watts) amount of power is on VHF around 151/154 mHz. There are five channels there that you can use, and these are known as MURS channels. If you just go ahead and transmit on a frequency for which you are unlicensed you run a serious risk of ending up in BIG trouble, starting with the grief you'll get from the agency whose radio channels you're interfering with.

There are also UHF channels in the 462 mHz area for which you can get a license quickly and easily and where you can run a decent amount of power. This area is known as GMRS and is a licensed, civilian, service.

There is one "lowband" area that might be of interest to you, IF you have an amateur radio license. There is a ham/amateur band at 50 to 54 mHz which is actively used for AM, FM, code, teletype, etc. etc., but you have to get a ham license to use it.

Tom in D.C.
W2NJS

MURS, FRS, GMRS ... ???

Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 1:55 am
by n9gik
I fell asleep during some exciting TV show and now I'm wide awake and can't sleep, so I'm browsing old posts on here. This thread mentioned MURS and GMRS, plus others talked about FMRS and possibly other alphabet labeled services. I know there are similarities and differences, such as some radios are capable of FMRS and GMRS both .. but one takes a license and one doesn't (that sounded like a recipe for disaster to me). Could someone give me a quick and simple overview?

Showing my age, I think GMRS is what we used to call Class A CB ? Back then we thought "450 Megacycles (I told you it was a long time ago)? Who would want a radio with THAT high a frequency?"

Re: Radio Frequency qestions.

Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 9:25 am
by k2hz
GMRS is the replacement for Class A CB.

GMRS has 8 exclusive channels every 25kHz from 462.575 to 462.750 plus repeater input channels 5 MHz higher. Simplex is also allowed on 7 channels shared with FRS from 462.5625 to 462.7125 limited to 5W for mobiles and low power base stations only. Power limit is 50W on the other channels. A license is required and licenses cover only the licensee and immediate family members. If you want to use GMRS while hunting with your friends, every non related person needs their own license.

FRS is low power (0.5W), unlicensed, narrow band. There are 14 channels, the 7 shared with GMRS and 467.5625 to 467.7125MHz.

There is no prohibition on communication between GMRS and FRS units. The problem is high powered GMRS radios being sold for FRS use.

There is a web site that covers these issues:

http://www.popularwireless.com/gmrsbppfaq.html

Re: No there were not any "FREE" channels

Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2009 3:30 am
by Slimbob
Raymond156 wrote:From asking around
no there are no "FREE"
channels
Shoot, I'm almost of the mind to buy a gas station so I have a good reason to apply for a license to some of the petroleum company channels down on VHF lowband.