Basic Rules of Radio Communication

General

• The international radio language is English, except in cases where you are licensed to speak in some other language.

• GMRS callsigns must be announced every 15mins during conversation per FCC regulation.

• Although permissible, refrain from saying "10-4" or using other 10-codes. Plain language is preferred. 

• Do not acknowledge unlicensed users unless they state that they have an emergency. All licensed users identify with a call sign issued by the FCC. If unsure about the validity of a call sign, call sign verification can be performed by doing a FCC database query using the online tool, gmrs.app

Preparation

• Perform radio checks to ensure your radio is in good working condition.

  • Ensure the battery is charged and the power is on.

  • Keep the volume high enough to be able to hear calls.

  • Regularly make radio checks to ensure everything is working and you are still in range to receive signals.

• Memorize call signs and locations of persons and radio stations you communicate with regularly.

  • In radio communication, you are not called by your name. Everybody has their own unique call sign.

Action

• Think before speaking.

• Make your conversations as concise and clear as possible.

• Do not use abbreviations unless they are well understood by your group.

Complete GMRS rules and regulations can be found on the FCC website:  eCFR Part 95, Subpart E.

Permissible Uses (code 95.1731)

The operator of a GMRS station may use that station for two-way plain language voice communications with other GMRS stations and with FRS units concerning personal or business activities.

• Emergency communications. Any GMRS channel may be used for emergency communications or for traveler assistance. Operators of GMRS stations must, at all times and on all channels, give priority to emergency communications.

• One-way communications. The operator of a GMRS station may use that station to transmit one-way communications:

  • 1. To call for help or transmit other emergency communications;

    2. To provide warnings of hazardous road conditions to travelers; or,

    3. To make brief test transmissions.

• Travelers assistance. The operator of a GMRS station may transmit communications necessary to assist a traveler to reach a destination or to receive necessary services.

• Digital data. GMRS hand-held portable units may transmit digital data containing location information, or requesting location information from one or more other GMRS or FRS units, or containing a brief text message to another specific GMRS or FRS unit.

Prohibited Uses (code 95.1733)

GMRS stations must not communicate:

• Messages in connection with any activity which is against Federal, State, or local law;

• False or deceptive messages;

• Coded messages or messages with hidden meanings (“10 codes” are permissible);

• Music, whistling, sound effects or material to amuse or entertain;

• Advertisements or offers for the sale of goods or services;

• Advertisements for a political candidate or political campaign (messages about the campaign business may be communicated);

• International distress signals, such as the word “Mayday” (except when on a ship, aircraft or other vehicle in immediate danger to ask for help);

• Messages which are both conveyed by a wireline control link and transmitted by a GMRS station;

• Messages (except emergency messages) to any station in the Amateur Radio Service, to any unauthorized station, or to any foreign station;

• Continuous or uninterrupted transmissions, except for communications involving the immediate safety of life or property; and

• Messages for public address systems.

Antenna Height (95.1741)

GMRS station antennas must meet the requirements in § 95.317 regarding menaces to air navigation. See § 95.317 and consult part 17 of the FCC's Rules for more information.

• note: If an antenna is more than 200ft above ground level, a licensee may be required to notify the FAA and register the antenna structure with the FCC. "Further, stations located on or near a military or public-use airports with an antenna structure that is more than 6.10 meters (20 feet) high may have to obey additional restrictions. The highest point of the antenna must not exceed one meter above the airport elevation for every hundred meters of distance from the nearest point of the nearest airport runway. Differences in ground elevation between the antenna and the airport runway may complicate this formula. 

Minor Operators (code 95.1743)

Operators under the age of 18 will not be held personally responsible, pursuant to § 95.343, for improper operation of a GMRS repeater or base station. The holder of the individual license under which the minor operates is solely responsible for any improper operation that occurs while an individual under the age of 18 is operating the station.

Station Identification (code 95.1751)

Each GMRS station must be identified by transmission of its FCC-assigned call sign at the end of transmissions and at periodic intervals during transmissions except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section. A unit number may be included after the call sign in the identification.

• The GMRS station call sign must be transmitted:

  • 1. Following a single transmission or a series of transmissions; and,

    2. After 15 minutes and at least once every 15 minutes thereafter during a series of transmissions lasting more than 15 minutes.

• The call sign must be transmitted using voice in the English language or international Morse code telegraphy using an audible tone.

• Any GMRS repeater station is not required to transmit station identification if:

  • 1. It retransmits only communications from GMRS stations operating under authority of the individual license under which it operates; and,

    2. The GMRS stations whose communications are retransmitted are properly identified in accordance with this section.

GMRS Channels (code 95.1763)

• 462 MHz main channels. Only mobile, hand-held portable, repeater, base and fixed stations may transmit on these 8 channels. The channel center frequencies are: 462.5500, 462.5750, 462.6000, 462.6250, 462.6500, 462.6750, 462.7000, and 462.7250 MHz.

• 462 MHz interstitial channels. Only mobile, hand-held portable and base stations may transmit on these 7 channels. The channel center frequencies are: 462.5625, 462.5875, 462.6125, 462.6375, 462.6625, 462.6875, and 462.7125 MHz.

• 467 MHz main channels. Only mobile, hand-held portable, control and fixed stations may transmit on these 8 channels. Mobile, hand-held portable and control stations may transmit on these channels only when communicating through a repeater station or making brief test transmissions in accordance with § 95.319(c). The channel center frequencies are: 467.5500, 467.5750, 467.6000, 467.6250, 467.6500, 467.6750, 467.7000, and 467.7250 MHz.

• 467 MHz interstitial channels. Only hand-held portable units may transmit on these 7 channels. The channel center frequencies are: 467.5625, 467.5875, 467.6125, 467.6375, 467.6625, 467.6875, and 467.7125 MHz.

Transmitting Power Limits (code 95.1767)

This section contains transmitting power limits for GMRS stations. The maximum transmitting power depends on which channels are being used and the type of station.

• 462/467 MHz main channels. The limits in this paragraph apply to stations transmitting on any of the 462 MHz main channels or any of the 467 MHz main channels. Each GMRS transmitter type must be capable of operating within the allowable power range. GMRS licensees are responsible for ensuring that their GMRS stations operate in compliance with these limits.

  • 1. The transmitter output power of mobile, repeater and base stations must not exceed 50 Watts.

    2. The transmitter output power of fixed stations must not exceed 15 Watts.

• 462 MHz interstitial channels. The effective radiated power (ERP) of mobile, hand-held portable and base stations transmitting on the 462 MHz interstitial channels must not exceed 5 Watts.

• 467 MHz interstitial channels. The effective radiated power (ERP) of hand-held portable units transmitting on the 467 MHz interstitial channels must not exceed 0.5 Watt. Each GMRS transmitter type capable of transmitting on these channels must be designed such that the ERP does not exceed 0.5 Watt.

Tone Transmissions (code 95.1777)

In addition to audible and subaudible tones used for receiver squelch activation and selective calling, to establish or maintain communications with specific stations or to access repeater stations, GMRS transmitters may also transmit audio tones for station identification.