Part I: An overview of terrestrial citizens radio services

regulated by the Federal Communications Commission

Two-Way Radio Services

in the United States

Presented by Joseph Ames, W3JY

Training & Safety Officer

ARES/RACES of Delaware Co. Penna.

2 Nov 2013

Two-Way Radio Services in the United States

Two-Way Radio Services in the United States An overview of terrestrial citizens radio services regulated by the Federal Communications Commission

Amateur Radio, Citizens Band, Land Mobile, FRS, GMRS, MURS

Edited by Joseph Ames ASM, AEC, OES, ORS

ARRL Inc, EPA Section

© 2008, 2012, 2013 Joseph Ames

About the author:

Joe Ames owns and operates amateur radio station W3JY. First licensed in 1977 he is active with the Amateur Radio Emergency Service and

National Traffic System of the American Radio Relay League. His graduate studies were made at the Pennsylvania State University, the

University of Pennsylvania and Villanova University.

Table 1: Public Radio Services, Licensing & Regulatory Environment

2 Nov 2013

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Two-Way Radio Services in the United States

* “By Rule” means no operator or station license is required and none are granted. However, operators are required to comply w ith applicable FCC regulations.

1 Channels are restricted near US/Canadian border as certain frequencies are used in Canada by other radio services.

2 Deviation is restricted per channel used.

3 Channels are assigned by application to FCC-designated "Frequency Coordinators" and are allocated by intended purpose/demonstrated need.

4 Maximum power determined by regulation based on required service area and antenna height.

5 Station construction permits required.

Radio Service Amateur Radio

Service Personal Radio Service (GMRS)

Personal Radio Service (FRS)

Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS)

Public Radio Service (CB)

Private Land Mobile Radio

Alternate Names Ham Radio, Wireless

General Mobile Radio Service

Family Radio Service

"Color Dot" Citizens Band Business Band "Color Dot"

Intended Use Enthusiasts, Experimental

Business, Personal Personal Business, Personal, Industrial

Business, Personal Business, Industrial, Public Safety

FCC Regulations Part 97 Part 95 A Part 95 B Part 95 J Part 95 D Part 90 C

Operating Grant Licensed Licensed By Rule * By Rule * By Rule * Licensed

License Term 10 years 5 years -- -- -- 10 years

Filing Fee $25 $80 -- -- -- $210 + other fees

Authorized Operations

International National National National National Assigned Territory

Frequency Allocation

MF/HF/VHF/UHF/ SHF/EHF + 1.8 MHz – 250 GHz in defined bands (named by wavelength)

UHF 462—467 MHz

UHF 462—467 MHz

VHF 151—154 MHz

HF 26.9—27.4 MHz

HF/VHF/UHF 25-50MHz 72-76 MHz 150-174 MHz 421-512 MHz 800/900/1430MHz

Channel Assignments

Frequency Agile (no restrictions)

23 1

(7 shared with FRS) 14 5 40 Numerous 3

w/trunking

Interference Self-coordinated Shared Shared Shared Shared Shared (exc. PS)

Table 2: Public Radio Services: Regulated Capabilities

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4

Two-Way Radio Services in the United States

Radio Service Amateur Radio

Service Personal Radio Service (GMRS)

Personal Radio Service (FRS)

Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS)

Public Radio Service (CB)

Private Land Mobile Radio

Maximum Power

1,500W output 50W out mobile 15W out fixed sta. 5W out. small base 5/0.5W ERP W-T

0.5W ERP 2W output 4W output 12W PEP (SSB)

1,000W HF 300W HF/VHF-Low 500W VHF-High 4 500W UHF + 4

Typical Power 100W 0.5W 0.5W 2W 4W 5W-50W

Modes AM, FM, SSB, CW, Data, Video

FM FM AM, FM, Data AM, SSB AM, SSB, FM, Data

CTCSS/DCS X X X X -- X

Encryption -- -- -- -- -- X

Handheld X X X X X X

Mobile X X -- X X X

Base X X -- X X X 5

Repeaters X X -- -- -- X

Phone Patch X -- -- -- -- X

Antenna Restrictions

None. (FAA and municipal codes apply)

20' freestanding or 20' above building/tree

Integrated, non-modifiable

60' freestanding 20' above building

60' freestanding 20' above building

VARIOUS

Realistic Range Global Local (+) Line of Sight (+) Local (-) Local (-) Local (+)

Typical Cost of Equipment

VARIES <$100 entry-level >$10,000 premium

Commercial grade: $150 hand held $400 mobile

Consumer grade: >$10 walkie-talkie

Commercial grade: $100 to $500

Consumer grade: $60 - $200 mobile <$100 walkie-talkie

Commercial grade: VARIOUS

Practical Range Comparison Charts

5

Range research of common two-way radio performance under field conditions

• Data based on field experience

• All station modes are compared (B2B, B2M, B2P, M2M, P2P)

• Graphs are approximate, numerics are accurate.

• Copyright HF Pack/HF Link, Bonnie Crystal, KQ6XA

2 Nov 2013

Two-Way Radio Services in the United States

6

The above graph shows the distance range between two base stations using a basic antenna mounted on the roof of a

suburban house with a height of about 20ft above ground level. Communication distance can be greatly improved over

this by advanced gain antenna systems or a high pole or a tower. This estimate is based upon radio-to-radio direct

communications without the use of a repeater.

Copyright HF Pack/HF Link, Bonnie Crystal, KQ6XA

2 Nov 2013

Two-Way Radio Services in the United States

7

The above graph shows the distance range between a mobile vehicle with a basic vehicle antenna, communicating with

a base station using a basic antenna mounted on the roof of a suburban house. Communication distance can be greatly

improved over this by advanced gain antenna systems or a high pole or a tower at the base station. The distance can

be adversely affected by interference from the vehicle engine; further distance can be achieved by parking on a hilltop

or open area and shutting off the vehicle. This estimate is based upon radio-to-radio direct communications without the

use of a repeater.

Copyright HF Pack/HF Link, Bonnie Crystal, KQ6XA

2 Nov 2013

Two-Way Radio Services in the United States

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The above graph shows the distance range between two mobile vehicles with basic vehicle whip antennas.

Communication distance can be somewhat improved (25%to 50% further) over this on VHF and UHF by the use of a

gain antenna. The distance can be adversely affected by interference from the vehicle engine; further distance can be

achieved by parking on a hilltop or open area and shutting off the vehicle. This estimate is based upon radio-to-radio

direct communications without the use of a repeater.

Copyright HF Pack/HF Link, Bonnie Crystal, KQ6XA

2 Nov 2013

Two-Way Radio Services in the United States

9

The above graph shows the distance range between a pedestrian with a whip antenna and a mobile vehicle with a

basic vehicle whip antenna. HF backpack radios, HF packs, CB backpack radios, or manpack radios are compared with

Handy Talkies, Walkie Talkie, or HT radios. Communication distance can be somewhat improved (25%to 50% further)

over this on VHF and UHF by the use of a gain antenna on the vehicle. Distance on VHF will be somewhat less if a

smal rubber ducky antenna is used on the pedestrian radio instead of a full size antenna. The use of a counterpoise

radial wire on the pedestrian radio improves distance. This estimate is based upon radio-to-radio direct communications

without the use of a repeater.

Copyright HF Pack/HF Link, Bonnie Crystal, KQ6XA

2 Nov 2013

Two-Way Radio Services in the United States

10

The above graph shows the distance range between two pedestrian radios with whip antennas. Improved distance can

be achieved by standing in an open area or on a hilltop. HF backpack radios, HF packs, CB backpack radios, or

manpack radios are compared with Handy Talkies, Walkie Talkie, or HT radios. Distance on VHF will be somewhat less

if a small rubber ducky antenna is used instead of a full size antenna. The use of a counterpoise radial wire on the

pedestrian radio improves distance. This estimate is based upon radio-to-radio direct communications without the use

of a repeater.

Copyright HF Pack/HF Link, Bonnie Crystal, KQ6XA

2 Nov 2013

Two-Way Radio Services in the United States

FRS / GMRS Comparative Frequency Assignments, F.C.C. Part 95 “Citizens Radio Service”

Radio Channel

Frequency Repeater Output

Frequency Repeater Input

FRS Channel

FRS Output

GMRS Channel

Motorola Channel

GMRS Output

Notes

01 462.5625 -- 1 500 mW 9 1 5 W Unofficial national calling channel

02 462.5875 -- 2 500 mW 10 2 5 W

03 462.6125 -- 3 500 mW 11 3 5 W

04 462.6375 -- 4 500 mW 12 4 5 W

05 462.6625 -- 5 500 mW 13 5 5 W

06 462.6875 -- 6 500 mW 14 6 5 W

07 462.7125 -- 7 500 mW 15 7 5 W

08 467.5625 -- 8 500 mW -- -- --

09 467.5875 -- 9 500 mW -- -- --

10 467.6125 -- 10 500 mW -- -- --

11 467.6375 -- 11 500 mW -- -- --

12 467.6625 -- 12 500 mW -- -- --

13 467.6875 -- 13 500 mW -- -- --

14 467.7125 -- 14 500 mW -- -- --

15 462.5500 467.5500 -- -- 1 15 50 W

16 462.5750 467.5750 -- -- 2 16 50 W

17 462.6000 467.6000 -- -- 3 17 50 W

18 462.6250 467.6250 -- -- 4 18 50 W

19 462.6500 467.6500 -- -- 5 19 50 W Do not use near Canadian border

20 462.6750 467.6750 -- -- 6 20 50 W Unofficial emergency/traveler assistance channel (Use PL 141.3)

21 462.7000 467.7000 -- -- 7 21 50 W Do not use near Canadian border

22 462.7250 467.7250 -- -- 8 22 50 W

Note: Red text indicates F.C.C. licensed operation only.

Note on GMRS repeater assignments: Eight (8) additional frequencies are available to GMRS for use

only as repeater inputs. Commercial equipment and owner permission is required to access them.

Note on Motorola channel numbering: Be aware Motorola assigns GMRS channel numbers to coincide

with FRS assignments. This is at odds with the standard F.C.C. channel numbering scheme.

Note on Midland’s “Extra Channels”: These are standard FRS/GMRS channels with precoded PL tones