Getting Started With GMRS
New to GMRS? Start here
GMRS can provide reliable short-range and regional two-way communication for families, travelers, outdoor recreation, community groups and emergency preparedness. You don’t need to be a radio expert to get started.
Follow these five steps to get on the air.
1 — What Is GMRS?
GMRS, or General Mobile Radio Service, is a licensed two-way radio service in the United States operating primarily in the UHF portion of the radio spectrum.
Unlike amateur radio, getting a GMRS license does not require taking an exam. GMRS also supports repeaters, which can significantly extend communications beyond normal radio-to-radio range.
Good for: family communications • road trips • camping • off-road use • neighborhoods • community communications • preparedness
2 — Get Your GMRS License
No test is required.
A GMRS license costs $35 and is valid for 10 years. One license generally covers the license holder and eligible immediate family members. A valid GMRS license is required when transmitting with a GMRS radio, whether communicating directly by simplex or through a repeater. No license is required merely to listen. Actual range varies greatly depending on terrain, antenna height, radio power and surrounding obstructions.
A GMRS license is required to transmit on GMRS frequencies. One license generally covers the license holder and eligible immediate family members. No exam is required. You apply directly through the FCC, and the license is valid for 10 years.
Before You Start
The FCC licensing system can be confusing the first time you use it. You may need to create an FCC account and obtain an FCC Registration Number (FRN) before completing your GMRS application. This is free and takes just a minute.
Be sure the information on your application is accurate. Once the FCC grants the license, you’ll receive a callsign such as WXX123. That’s the callsign you’ll use to identify your GMRS transmissions.
3 — Choose Your First Radio
Handheld
Portable and inexpensive. Great first radio and useful around town, events and outdoors.
Mobile
Installed in a vehicle and normally paired with an external antenna. More power and a better antenna can dramatically improve practical communications.
Base Station
Designed around a home or fixed location, usually with an outdoor antenna for improved range.
Want to use repeaters? Make sure the GMRS radio you purchase is repeater capable.
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4 — Learn About Repeaters
A repeater receives your radio’s transmission and retransmits it from another location, often from a tower or elevated site. That can greatly extend useful communications compared with handheld-to-handheld operation. Fayetteville 700 is a primary Northwest Arkansas repeater and is commonly used and monitored throughout the area.
5 — Program Your Radio
Depending on your radio, you’ll need the correct frequency, repeater offset, transmit/receive tone, and channel settings. Ozark GMRS has put these resources together to make programming easier.
Programming with CHIRP
CHIRP is free radio-programming software that supports many popular radios. If your radio is CHIRP-compatible, it can make creating, editing and loading channels considerably easier.
Need help programming your radio?
Ozark GMRS member Dave, WRAR667, can help with custom codeplugs for your radio and location. Use our Contact Us form and select Programming / Codeplug Help to have your request routed to the right person.