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Family Radio Service (FRS) is a short-distance two-way radio service for low-power handheld radios. It is generally licensed by rule, so individuals usually do not need an FCC license to use an FRS radio. FRS is distinct from GMRS, which requires an individual license to operate on GMRS frequencies.
What FRS means
The FCC regulation defines Family Radio Service 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” (47 CFR §95.503).
FRS is the service; an FRS radio, also called an FRS unit, is the transceiver used to communicate through it. The rules make short-distance two-way voice the primary use. They also permit certain location or brief-text digital data applications and limited one-way transmissions, including emergency messages, traveler assistance, voice pages, and brief equipment tests (47 CFR §95.531).
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FRS operation is generally licensed by rule, meaning an individual FCC license is not required in most cases. The FCC treats GMRS separately: an individual license is required to operate on GMRS frequencies (FCC: General Mobile Radio Service).
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FRS and GMRS share channel allotments, and FRS rules allow communication with GMRS stations. That overlap does not make the services interchangeable: a shared channel does not remove GMRS’s licensing requirement or make every GMRS operation license-free.
FRS channels and power limits
FRS has 22 channels, each with 12.5 kHz bandwidth. All 22 are also allotted to GMRS on a shared basis. The current channel and power rules appear in 47 CFR Part 95, Subpart B.
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| FRS channels | Maximum effective radiated power (ERP) |
|---|---|
| 1–7 and 15–22 | 2.0 W |
| 8–14 | 0.5 W |
These figures are regulatory maximums, not range estimates. The rules do not guarantee that two radios will communicate over a particular distance; terrain, buildings, interference, antenna conditions, and radio design can all affect the connection.
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What to know about FRS radios
FRS transmitters must meet FCC certification and technical requirements. The rules require an integral, non-removable antenna and restrict the radio from transmitting outside the FRS channel allotment. They also prohibit sale of handheld combination radios that can operate under FRS and another licensed or licensed-by-rule service, subject to the Part 15 exception in the regulation (47 CFR Part 95, Subpart B).
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When choosing a radio, look for a device identified as FCC-certified for FRS use. Do not modify it or substitute an external antenna; the FRS equipment rules specify the antenna and permitted transmitting channels.
Battery replacement
You may replace an FRS radio’s batteries with the type specified by its manufacturer. Because battery requirements vary by model, check the manual or product labeling rather than assuming that a particular size or chemistry is suitable. The regulation directs other internal maintenance and repairs to 47 CFR §95.519.
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