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(Removed the frequency discrepancy section. FCC fixed their web site error.)
 
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The '''Family Radio Service''', or FRS, is an unlicensed, simplex only, personal radio service in the US covered by Part 95 of the FCC's regulations.  Hand-held FRS transceivers with a maximum output of 500 mW are typically used by families, children, and campers to communicate.  Shopping malls, theme parks, and special events are all great locations to monitor FRS communications.  Radios may not have external antennas or power amplifiers attached to them (See [http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/16nov20071500/edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2007/octqtr/pdf/47cfr95.194.pdf 47 CFR 95.194c]).
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== Introduction ==
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+
The '''Family Radio Service''', or FRS, is an unlicensed, simplex only, personal radio service in the US covered by Part 95 of the FCC's regulations.  Hand-held FRS transceivers are typically used by families, children, and campers to communicate.  Shopping malls, theme parks, and special events are all great locations to monitor FRS communications.  Radios may not have external antennas or power amplifiers attached to them. Power output is limited to 2 watts on the 462 MHz channels (1-7 and 15-22), and 1/2 watt on the 467 MHz channels (8-14). Bandwidth is limited to 12.5 kHz (2.5 kHz peak deviation) on all channels. [[GMRS]] users may also communicate with FRS users since all FRS frequencies are now shared with GMRS.
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[[GMRS]] users may also communicate with FRS users, and among each other, on the lower 7 channels in the 462 MHz range, with a maximum of 5 watts ERP on those channels.
 
  
 
== Frequencies ==
 
== Frequencies ==
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<freqsubcat>64395</freqsubcat>
 
<freqsubcat>64395</freqsubcat>
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*See also [[FRS/GMRS combined channel chart]]
 
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==Canada==
 
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American-standard FRS radios have been approved for use in [[Canada]] since April 2000. The revised technical standard RSS 210 has essentially the same technical requirements as in the United States. Since September 2004,low-power [[GMRS]] radios and dual-standard FRS/GMRS radios have also been approved for use in Canada, giving additional channels. In Canada, no license is required and no restrictions are imposed on the GMRS channels. http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf01320.html Industry Canada ''RSS-210 - Low-power Licence-exempt Radiocommunication Devices (All Frequency Bands)'' retrieved 2009 Oct 23</ref>
 
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==Mexico==
 
−
 
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Since [[tourism|tourists]] often bring their FRS radios with them, and since trade between the U.S., Canada, and [[Mexico]] is of great value to all three countries, the Mexican [[Secretary of Communication and Transportation]] has authorized use of the FRS frequencies and equipment similar to that in the US. However, dual-mode FRS/GMRS equipment is not approved in Mexico, so caution should be exercised in operating hybrid FRS/GMRS devices purchased elsewhere. http://web.archive.org/web/20091026203800/http://geocities.com/wd9ewk/xe-frs.html ''Mexico's Family Radio Service (FRS) equivalent'' retrieved 2009 Oct 23</ref>
 
  
 
== Recognized Channels ==
 
== Recognized Channels ==
 +
Some groups try to consistently use the same '''channel / tone''' combinations.
  
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Some groups try to consistently use the same channel/tone combinations. See below for tone equivalents.
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* '''01 / 00''' (462.5625 / CSQ) - [http://www.nationalsos.com/ National SOS Radio Network]
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+
* '''03 / 00''' (462.6125 / CSQ) - [https://amrron.com/communications-resources/ch3-project/ AmRRON CH3 Project]
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*01/CS - "Emergency"
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* '''07 / 15''' (462.7125 / 110.9) - MilCom/Airshow Hobbyists (backup)
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*11/22 - [[Wikipedia:Birdwatching|Birders]] (no roger beep, please)
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* '''11 / 22''' (467.6375 / 141.3) - [[Wikipedia:Birdwatching|Birders]] (no roger beep, please)
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*14/38 - MilCom/Airshow Hobbyists (7/15 - backup)
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* '''14 / 38''' (467.7125 / 250.3) - MilCom/Airshow Hobbyists
 +
* '''20 / 22''' (462.6750 / 141.3) - Travelers information/assistance
  
 
== CTCSS ==
 
== CTCSS ==
 +
Most FRS radios have [[CTCSS]] capability.  Some higher end units may also have [[DCS]]. The companies marketing the radios usually refer to these tones as "privacy codes" even though they provide no privacy.  Instead of asking FRS users to understand the actual tone values, integers are used instead.  Most, but not all, manufacturers use the same numbers as Motorola:
  
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Most FRS radios have [[CTCSS]] capability.  The companies marketing the radios usually refer to these tones as "privacy codes" even though they provide no privacy.  Instead of asking FRS users to understand the actual tone values, integers are used instead.  Most, but not all, manufacturers use the same numbers as Motorola:
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{|class="rrtable"
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!CTCSS tone (Hz)!! Commonly assigned "code"
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{| border="1" cellpadding="1"
 
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!Actual CTCSS tone !! Commonly assigned "code"
 
 
|-
 
|-
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|67.0||1
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|67.0||01
 
|-
 
|-
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|71.9||2
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|71.9||02
 
|-
 
|-
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|74.4||3
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|74.4||03
 
|-
 
|-
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|77.0||4
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|77.0||04
 
|-
 
|-
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|79.7||5
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|79.7||05
 
|-
 
|-
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|82.5||6
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|82.5||06
 
|-
 
|-
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|85.4||7
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|85.4||07
 
|-
 
|-
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|88.5||8
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|88.5||08
 
|-
 
|-
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|91.5||9
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|91.5||09
 
|-
 
|-
 
|94.8||10
 
|94.8||10
Line 110: Line 98:
 
|}
 
|}
  
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== See also ==
+
 
 +
==Canada==
 +
American-standard FRS radios have been approved for use in Canada since April 2000. The revised technical standard RSS 210 has essentially the same technical requirements as in the United States. Since September 2004,low-power [[GMRS]] radios and dual-standard FRS/GMRS radios have also been approved for use in Canada, giving additional channels. In Canada, no license is required and no restrictions are imposed on the GMRS channels.
 +
*[http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf01320.html#aE Industry Canada: FRS & GMRS specifications in Canada RSS-210 Annex E]
 +
* [http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf08144.html SP 462/467 MHz - Spectrum Utilization Policy to Permit Licence-Exempt Devices in the Land Mobile Frequency Sub-bands 462/467 MHz].
 +
 
 +
==Mexico==
 +
Since [[tourism|tourists]] often bring their FRS radios with them, and since trade between the U.S., Canada, and [[Mexico]] is of great value to all three countries, the Mexican [[Secretary of Communication and Transportation]] has authorized use of the FRS frequencies and equipment similar to that in the US. However, dual-mode FRS/GMRS equipment is not approved in Mexico, so caution should be exercised in operating hybrid FRS/GMRS devices purchased elsewhere. http://web.archive.org/web/20091026203800/http://geocities.com/wd9ewk/xe-frs.html ''Mexico's Family Radio Service (FRS) equivalent'' retrieved 2009 Oct 23
 +
 
 +
 
 +
== Related Wiki Articles ==
 
* [[FRS/GMRS combined channel chart]]
 
* [[FRS/GMRS combined channel chart]]
 +
* [[General Mobile Radio Service]]
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* [[Multi-Use Radio Service]]
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 +
 +
== Related Links ==
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* FCC
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** [https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/family-radio-service-frs Family Radio Service]
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** [http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2017/db0519/FCC-17-57A1.pdf FCC-17-57A1.pdf] - FCC Report and Order, May 18, 2017.
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** [https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/08/29/2017-17395/personal-radio-service-reform Personal Radio Service Reform] - Federal Register, August 28, 2017.
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** [https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title47/47cfr95_main_02.tpl 47 CFR Part 95] - Current FCC Part 95 rules, Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (index).
 +
** [https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?&mc=true&node=pt47.5.95&rgn=div5 47 CFR Part 95] - Current FCC Part 95 rules, Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (all on one page).
 +
* Other
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** [http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf01320.html#aE Industry Canada: FRS & GMRS specifications in Canada]
 +
** [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_radio_service Personal radio service]
 +
 +
 +
 +
  
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*FCC
 
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** [http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=service_home&id=family FRS Page]
 
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** [http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=service_bandplan&id=family Band Plan]
 
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** [http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=8f037134591c3e480474e98e65251837&rgn=div8&view=text&node=47:5.0.1.1.5.5.147.8&idno=47 FRS frequencies from 47 CFR 95.627]
 
  
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*[http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/insmt-gst.nsf/en/sf08478e.html#annex6 Industry Canada: FRS & GMRS specifications in Canada]
 
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*[http://mursradio.googlepages.com GMRS/FRS vs. MURS Comparison and Range Chart]
 
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*[http://www.f-r-s.org/ F-R-S Communications Center]
 
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*[http://www.nationalsos.com/ National SOS Radio Network]
 
  
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{{Refreshpage
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{{Refreshpage}}
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|Pageurl=http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Family_Radio_Service}}
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Return to DB page: {{DB|a|7732|Family Radio Service (FRS)}}<br/>
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Return to Wiki page: [[Common Frequencies]]<br/>
  
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[[Category:RR Glossary]]
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[[Category:Receivers Glossary]]
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[[Category:Scanners Glossary]]
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[[Category:Signal Analysis and Decoding Glossary]]
 
[[Category:Personal Radio Services]]
 
[[Category:Personal Radio Services]]
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[[Category: RR Glossary]]
 
 
[[Category:US and Canadian Common Frequencies]]
 
[[Category:US and Canadian Common Frequencies]]
 +
[[Category:US Common Frequencies]]
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[[Category:Canada Common Frequencies]]

Latest revision as of 16:15, 25 October 2022

Introduction

The Family Radio Service, or FRS, is an unlicensed, simplex only, personal radio service in the US covered by Part 95 of the FCC's regulations. Hand-held FRS transceivers are typically used by families, children, and campers to communicate. Shopping malls, theme parks, and special events are all great locations to monitor FRS communications. Radios may not have external antennas or power amplifiers attached to them. Power output is limited to 2 watts on the 462 MHz channels (1-7 and 15-22), and 1/2 watt on the 467 MHz channels (8-14). Bandwidth is limited to 12.5 kHz (2.5 kHz peak deviation) on all channels. GMRS users may also communicate with FRS users since all FRS frequencies are now shared with GMRS.

Frequencies

Frequency  Type  Alpha Tag  Description  Mode  Tag 
462.56250  M  FRS 01 Channel 1  FMN  Other 
462.58750  M  FRS 02 Channel 2  FMN  Other 
462.61250  M  FRS 03 Channel 3  FMN  Other 
462.63750  M  FRS 04 Channel 4  FMN  Other 
462.66250  M  FRS 05 Channel 5  FMN  Other 
462.68750  M  FRS 06 Channel 6  FMN  Other 
462.71250  M  FRS 07 Channel 7  FMN  Other 
467.56250  M  FRS 08 Channel 8  FMN  Other 
467.58750  M  FRS 09 Channel 9  FMN  Other 
467.61250  M  FRS 10 Channel 10  FMN  Other 
467.63750  M  FRS 11 Channel 11  FMN  Other 
467.66250  M  FRS 12 Channel 12  FMN  Other 
467.68750  M  FRS 13 Channel 13  FMN  Other 
467.71250  M  FRS 14 Channel 14  FMN  Other 
462.55000  M  FRS 15 Channel 15  FMN  Other 
462.57500  M  FRS 16 Channel 16  FMN  Other 
462.60000  M  FRS 17 Channel 17  FMN  Other 
462.62500  M  FRS 18 Channel 18  FMN  Other 
462.65000  M  FRS 19 Channel 19  FMN  Other 
462.67500  M  FRS 20 Channel 20  FMN  Other 
462.70000  M  FRS 21 Channel 21  FMN  Other 
462.72500  M  FRS 22 Channel 22  FMN  Other 


Recognized Channels

Some groups try to consistently use the same channel / tone combinations.

  • 01 / 00 (462.5625 / CSQ) - National SOS Radio Network
  • 03 / 00 (462.6125 / CSQ) - AmRRON CH3 Project
  • 07 / 15 (462.7125 / 110.9) - MilCom/Airshow Hobbyists (backup)
  • 11 / 22 (467.6375 / 141.3) - Birders (no roger beep, please)
  • 14 / 38 (467.7125 / 250.3) - MilCom/Airshow Hobbyists
  • 20 / 22 (462.6750 / 141.3) - Travelers information/assistance

CTCSS

Most FRS radios have CTCSS capability. Some higher end units may also have DCS. The companies marketing the radios usually refer to these tones as "privacy codes" even though they provide no privacy. Instead of asking FRS users to understand the actual tone values, integers are used instead. Most, but not all, manufacturers use the same numbers as Motorola:

CTCSS tone (Hz) Commonly assigned "code"
67.0 01
71.9 02
74.4 03
77.0 04
79.7 05
82.5 06
85.4 07
88.5 08
91.5 09
94.8 10
97.4 11
100.0 12
103.5 13
107.2 14
110.9 15
114.8 16
118.8 17
123.0 18
127.3 19
131.8 20
136.5 21
141.3 22
146.2 23
151.4 24
156.7 25
162.2 26
167.9 27
173.8 28
179.9 29
186.2 30
192.8 31
203.5 32
210.7 33
218.1 34
225.7 35
233.6 36
241.8 37
250.3 38


Canada

American-standard FRS radios have been approved for use in Canada since April 2000. The revised technical standard RSS 210 has essentially the same technical requirements as in the United States. Since September 2004,low-power GMRS radios and dual-standard FRS/GMRS radios have also been approved for use in Canada, giving additional channels. In Canada, no license is required and no restrictions are imposed on the GMRS channels.

Mexico

Since tourists often bring their FRS radios with them, and since trade between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico is of great value to all three countries, the Mexican Secretary of Communication and Transportation has authorized use of the FRS frequencies and equipment similar to that in the US. However, dual-mode FRS/GMRS equipment is not approved in Mexico, so caution should be exercised in operating hybrid FRS/GMRS devices purchased elsewhere. http://web.archive.org/web/20091026203800/http://geocities.com/wd9ewk/xe-frs.html Mexico's Family Radio Service (FRS) equivalent retrieved 2009 Oct 23


Related Wiki Articles


Related Links




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