What are FRS Radios?
FRS radios are those radios that are used as part of the family radio service. They have become increasingly popular among children as novelty toys and families as a practical way to keep in touch over short distances. The effective range of most FRS radios is one mile (1.6 km), though some are marketed to go four or five times that distance. There are a number of advantages to FRS radios. They are relatively simple to use, only requiring that both users be on the same channel, of which there are usually 14. The first seven channels are shared with the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS). The last seven channels are designated only for FRS radios. In addition to the frequencies that are only available to FRS radios, there are some other important distinctions as well. First, the FCC has designated that FRS radios can only have a maximum output of .5 watts. This is what limits their range so much. The other thing that separates them is the fact no license required for their use. This me
Cheap, UHF two way radios licensed by the FCC in the US only for “Family Radio Service”. They have 14 possible frequencies and various add on “privacy” or “sub” codes, which is a VERY MISLEADING term. The packing on many of the radios is even more misleading about “14 channels x 38 subcodes = 532 ways to find a clear channel”. There are 14 frequencies, period. The subcodes MAY prevent YOU from hearing OTHERS; they DO NOT prevent OTHERS from hearing YOU. For more on FRS in general, see: http://www.provide.net/~prsg/frs-faq.htm For more on this “subcode” privacy topic, see: http://members.tripod.com/~jwilkers/myth.htm For selecting an FRS radio (equipment comparisions), see: http://members.tripod.com/~jwilkers/compare.htm http://members.tripod.com/~jwilkers/ctcss.htm You can order them from the Web or find them at Radio Shack, Best Buy, Fry’s, even Target and Wal Mart.
