Different channels make the difference!

So when you get a GMRS radio you will notice it has 30 channels (or up to 22 with FRS radios). Now you may think that all these channels offer the same type of service and the only difference is that someone talking on one channel cannot be heard on another. But that isn't entirely true. Learn more about the pros and cons of each group of channels:

 

Channels 1 through 7

 

These channels are limited to 5 watts (or 2 watts on FRS radios). Most handheld transceivers can only output a maximum of 5 watts, so these channels are great for general handheld usage for situations where others aren't close but aren't very far away either.

 

Channels 8 through 14

 

These channels are limited to a half a watt of output power on both GMRS and FRS radios. This of course limits the distance you can be from the other person you want to talk to. But that can be a good thing if the person you want to talk to isn't that far away. Not only will people far away not be able to hear you, it's unlikely that you'll be able to hear them as everyone is limited to the same half-a-watt.

 

Channels 15 through 22

 

You can output up to 50 watts of transmitting power on these channels with a capable GMRS radio (only 2 watts on FRS). These are the channels you'll probably use to get your signal out far (up to dozens of miles) if you have more than 5W of power. They are also the channels others would use to get their signal out far.

 

One note on the power output of the previous mention channels. Your antenna also affects how well you transmit your signal. Not only that, a better antenna also affects how well you receive other people's signals. With the right antenna, a half-a-watt signal can outperform a 50 watt signal on a mediocre antenna.

 

Channels 23 through 20

 

23 through 30 are actually the same frequencies as 15 through 22. If you can hear someone on 15, you'll be able to hear them on 23. That's why these are often marked as 15R to 22R or similar, which makes more sense since now you'll be able to hear the same person on 15R as on 15.

 

But why repeat the channels? These are repeater channels (no pun intended). A repeater is a radio that does just that, repeats a signal. Your radio has to be adjusted to be able to send a signal to the repeater. Normally choosing the "R" channel that it's on is enough to be able to talk to the repeater and transmit your signal from it. FRS radios don't have these channels that are set up for repeater use and therefore won't be able to transmit, although all FRS and GMRS radios can receive signals from repeaters without any problem or need to fiddle with settings.

 

You may also need to set up a privacy tone in order to use the repeater on your GMRS radio. Check with the repeater's owner to ask for permission for using the repeater and to find out if there's a required privacy tone that you would need to use for transmitting to the repeater.

 

Anyhow I hope that helps! If you have any reason or need to question or comment, please feel free to question or comment.