FRS – The Simplest Radio Network
Initially, I didn’t plan to write about FRS (Family Radio Service) radios. But, they are the simplest radio network solution available and so they are worth a brief discussion. FRS radios are two-way (walkie talkie) radios. You can buy them from lots of different companies. Amazon has hundreds of different radios available. Walmart sells them. Cabelas sells them. They are available seemingly everywhere at an astonishing range of prices.
The screenshot above shows a sampling of FRS radios available on Amazon.
FRS Overview
Below you can see a picture of a typical FRS radio.
The Family Radio Service (FRS) is simple two-way voice and data radio communications. The capabilities of FRS radios are controlled and fixed by design and by regulation. The “data” communications capabilities are limited to location and to text so you can decide if you think that is “data.”
FRS radios don’t require any licensing. Technically, they are “licensed by rule” but in practice that means you don’t need a license to use them.
If all you need is two-way voice communications then a set of FRS radios for your team, organization, or family is a practical answer. If you need more capabilities, then FRS radios are probably not the best answer.
I’ll cover what “additional capabilities” means in a future article.
FRS Radio Network
Here is a schematic of an FRS radio network. Each radio communicates directly with each of the other radios as long as the other radio is close enough to hear the signal (“in range”).
Family Radio Service – A Brief Explanation
Family Radio Service (FRS) is a two-way short distance radio service. It uses hand-held radios that are often referred to as walkie-talkies. FRS uses 22 “channels.” These channels are frequencies that the Federal Communications Commission has designated for use by FRS and by a similar radio service (GMRS or General Mobile Radio Service). FRS radios can only use these frequencies (channels). FRS radios provide a way to select the channel and normally do not display the frequency. See the endnotes for a link to the FRS frequencies[i].
All FRS radios, regardless of the manufacturer, use the same channels (frequencies) and FRS radios from different manufacturers can communicate with each other. Not all FRS radios sold can use all 22 channels. Some of the less expensive models only use a subset of the channels (e.g., channels 1 through 7). Check before you buy.
FRS radio networks are point to point radio networks. That means each radio communicates directly with other radios. There is no relaying of signals nor extension of range by any other means. See the diagram above.
By regulation and by design, FRS radios are not meant to be modified. The power output, antennas, frequencies, transmission capabilities, and all other aspects are specified and controlled. The benefit is that radios from different manufacturers will work together since they all conform to the same specifications.
FRS radios are FM (frequency modulation) radios. FRS radios operate in the UHF (ultra-high frequency band) between 462.5625 MHz and 462.7250 MHz. The channels are 12.5 KHz (kilo hertz) apart. FRS radios use narrow band frequency modulation with a maximum deviation of 2.5 KHz.
GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) radios also use these channels but GMRS radios have additional frequencies (channels) available to them. GMRS radios transmit a more powerful signal than FRS radios.
Most FRS radios are headset capable. In many cases, they only work with headsets from the same manufacturer. Check before you buy.
Some FRS radios have weather monitoring/scanning functions. NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) broadcasts on frequencies between 162.400 MHz and 162.550 MHz.
Operating a Radio Network With FRS Radios
Keep it simple when operating an FRS radio network. Privacy codes, call alerts, VOX, and beeps should generally be disabled. See the “configuring” section below. The reason is that beeps, chirps, and alerts can be distracting and they always seem to occur at a time when it is important to be quiet. More on disabling those in a minute.
Radio networks should have predefined protocols for operating. Protocols define things like call signs, message formats, pro (short for procedure) words, code words, and transmission protocol. Sometimes, you will hear the term SOI (Signal Operating Instructions) used. SOI’s can be simple or they can be quite detailed. Clarity and brevity are the goals of an SOI (predefined operations protocol).
In a future article, we’ll develop a basic format for SOI’s. There are many examples available on the web but most of those are oriented to tactical operations.
Configuring FRS Radio Functions
Most FRS radios have the following functions. Each FRS radio manufacturer will have a different method for changing the function. Use your owner’s manual to figure out how to configure your radio. Do the radio configuration ahead of time.
Keypad Lock
It is always a good idea to lock the keypad once you have completed setting your radio functions. Locking the keypad prevents inadvertently changing settings or unintentionally triggering events with the radio.
Silent Operation
For almost all radio networks, silent operation is preferred. Beeps and chirps always seem to occur when silence is really important. In general, you should set up your radios ahead of time and operate them silently when “in the net.” Silent means the radio doesn’t make noises and it only transmits when you want it to transmit.
Call Alert
Call alerts are useful in noisy environments. In any sort of quiet environment (say while you’re hunting), call alerts should be turned off. That includes vibration alerts as well as audible alerts. Vibration alerts can often be heard at a greater distance than you think. Making the radio vibrate emits an electronic signal. That electronic signal is more detectable than you might think.
VOX
VOX means voice operated. It should be disabled (turned off) for most networks. VOX means that the radio listens and when you speak, it transmits. For almost all “prepared civilian” radio networks, VOX should be disabled.
Privacy Codes
Privacy codes are not actually private. Privacy codes prevent you from hearing other radios but they do not prevent other radios from hearing you. Privacy codes should be disabled.
There are two types of privacy codes (CTSS and DCS) for FRS radios. CTSS means Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System. When you enable CTSS, the radio transmits a tone at the beginning of the transmission that is too low in frequency for the human ear to hear. FRS radios use these tones to do a sort of call screening. CTSS is analog. DCS (Digital Coded Squelch) is a digital method for accomplishing the same call screening.
The key point here is that a radio with CTSS and DCS disabled hears all transmissions. CTSS and DCS don’t give you any privacy from radios listening to the network. When you turn off CTSS and DCS, you hear all transmissions including those that include a “privacy” code.
If you use privacy codes, all the radios in your network should be set to the same privacy codes. Then you’ll only hear your network radios. Other radios outside your network with privacy codes disabled can hear your radios.
Power Selection
FRS radios may have a high power and a low power setting. Low power should be the default and you should use high power only when you need it for longer range communications. Batteries last longer on low power. You interfere less with other radio users on low power. And, if it’s important, you are stealthier on low power. FRS radios conform with FCC requirements for power output. Channels 8-15 are limited to ½ watt maximum of output power and the other channels have a maximum output power of 2 watts.
Roger Beep
If your radios have a “Roger Beep” function, disable it. Roger Beep sends a beep at the end of your transmission. Learn to use the pro word “Over” and turn off the “Roger Beep.” Pro words[ii] should be part of your predefined communications protocols.
Scan Mode
Scan mode can be useful if you have multiple groups operating on multiple channels. That is not often the case in “prepared civilian” radio networks. Your predefined protocol should include a primary, backup, and a contingency channel. Hopefully, your keypad lock button locks out the Scan mode.
Disclaimer
The FCC regulates radios in minute detail. You can readily buy radios that you are not legally allowed to use. It is on you to understand and comply with the regulations that apply to your usage of the radios.
It is a little bit of a tricky dribble to create and test radio networks that comply with the regulations and provide the capabilities you will need when the SHTF (SHTF is an acronym for when the fecal material hits the rotating air dispersion device). When the SHTF, then “emergency use” provisions apply. Below, I quote “emergency use” provisions.
Getting a GMRS license is a good start on complying with the regulations. GMRS is more usable for “prepared” scenarios than FRS but GMRS requires a GRMS license to legally use a GMRS radio. GMRS licenses cost $35.00 and are available online. A GMRS license is valid for ten years.
The sections below are from the applicable US government websites.
§ 97.403 Safety of life and protection of property[iii].
No provision of these rules prevents the use by an amateur station of any means of radiocommunication at its disposal to provide essential communication needs in connection with the immediate safety of human life and immediate protection of property when normal communication systems are not available.
GMRS FRS Dual-service radios
Some manufacturers received approval to market radios that were certified under both FRS and GMRS, which allowed users to use one device to operate on FRS channels, which does not require a license, and GMRS, which requires an FCC license. In 2017, the FCC changed its rules to stop equipment authorization of FRS dual-service radios and it changed the rules for both FRS and GMRS such that existing radios would be reclassified as either FRS or GMRS to remove the confusion of whether a license was needed for legal operation.
Specifically, if you have a radio that was sold as a dual-service FRS/GMRS radio[iv] and it is limited to the channels and power limits provided under the “Data” tab on this page, then that device can be operated as an FRS device without a licensing requirement. However, if the device exceeds the limits under the “Data” tab or includes any of the following channels (467.5500, 467.5750, 467.6000, 467.6250, 467.6500, 467.6750, 467.7000, and 467.7250 MHz), then it is a GMRS device and an individual FCC license is needed to operate the device other than on the channels and with the bandwidth and power limits shown under the “Data” tab.
[i] https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/family-radio-service-frs (The frequency chart is on the Data tab.)
[ii] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procedure_word
[iii] https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-97#97.403
[iv] https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/family-radio-service-frs