GMRS Introduction and Rules
In 2017 the FCC made major revisions to the FRS and GMRS radio services, creating opportunities for the marketing of more capable FRS and GMRS radios. FRS remains license free but is now allowed HTs with 2 watts of output power, up from the previous 500 milliwatt (mW) limitation, but is still limited to fixed antennas that limit range to a probable maximum of about 2 miles under normal conditions. Most FRS radios are not capable of the maximum transmit power allowed, and thus will have even less range.
GMRS HTs are now offered in higher power versions of 5 watts, and the higher end GMRS HTs are also GMRS repeater capable. What makes a GMRS HT repeater capable is the ability to frequency shift on transmit to the repeater input frequency and operate with input tones (CTCSS).
An FCC no-test license is required to operate GMRS radios. When you get this license, you can operate the portable, mobile, fixed and repeater GMRS radios. One GMRS license covers the entire extended family, does not require a test, is easily applied for online and is typically granted within 48 hours. Currently a GMRS license costs $35 and lasts for 10 years. https://www.fcc.gov/general-mobile-radio-service-gmrs
To apply for a license you must first have an FCC FRN number which you can get here: https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/support/universal-licensing-system-uls-resources/getting-fcc-registration-number-frn
Once you have your FRN number, you can apply for your GMRS license here: https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsEntry/licManager/login.jsp
GMRS/FRS Frequencies
www.cert-la.com/downloads/radio/FRS-GMRS-Frequency-Chart.pdf
FRS/GMRS frequencies are in the UHF band. A characteristic of UHF signals is that they tend to reflect off of hard surfaces and are good for use inside buildings and unobstructed outside. They do not tend to bend with the terrain, and can be absorbed by soft surfaces such as trees, so they are not as useful as VHF for use outside longer range communication where line of sight is restricted.
Channel Use Implications
Channels 1-7 are best used for short to medium range (<7 miles), depending upon terrain. Channels 8-14 are best used for short range (.<2 miles) due to the output power limitation. Channels 15-22 are best used for longer range (> 5 miles) allowing usage of repeaters and higher power base and mobile stations.
FCC Rules
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/part-95
Key excerpts below
§95.1703 Definitions, GMRS.
General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS). A mobile two-way voice communication service, with limited data applications, for facilitating activities of individual licensees and their family members, including, but not limited to, voluntary provision of assistance to the public during emergencies and natural disasters.
Grandfathered GMRS license. A GMRS license held by a non-individual person (i.e., a partnership, corporation, association or governmental unit) as a result of renewals of a GMRS license issued prior to July 31, 1987.
§95.1705 Individual licenses required; eligibility; who may operate; cooperative use.
A valid individual license is required to operate a GMRS station. To obtain an individual license, an applicant must be eligible and follow the applicable rules and procedures set forth in this subpart and in part 1 of this chapter, and must pay the required application and regulatory fees as set forth in part 1, subpart G of this chapter.
(a) Eligibility. This paragraph contains eligibility requirements for individual licenses in the GMRS.
(1) Only an individual who is at least 18 years old and who meets the requirements of §95.305 is eligible to obtain a new individual GMRS license.
(2) Any person that holds a valid individual license is eligible to obtain a renewed license, or a modified license to reflect a change of name or address.
(b) Individual licensee responsibility. The holder of an individual license to operate GMRS stations is responsible at all times for the proper operation of the stations in compliance with all applicable rules in this part.
(c) Individuals who may operate a GMRS station. This paragraph establishes who may operate a GMRS station under the authority of an individual license.
(1) Any individual who holds an individual license may operate his or her GMRS stations.
(2) Any individual who holds an individual license may allow his or her immediate family members to operate his or her GMRS station or stations. Immediate family members are the licensee's spouse, children, grandchildren, stepchildren, parents, grandparents, stepparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and in-laws.
(3) Any individual who holds an individual license may allow anyone to operate his or her GMRS station if necessary to communicate an emergency message.
(4) Any non-individual person that holds a grandfathered GMRS license may allow individuals to operate its grandfathered GMRS station(s) only in accordance with the following paragraphs:
(i) A partnership may allow its partners and employees to operate its GMRS station(s).
(ii) A corporation may allow its officers, directors, members and employees to operate its GMRS station(s).
(iii) An association may allow its members and employees to operate its GMRS station(s).
(iv) A governmental unit may allow its employees to operate its GMRS station(s).
(d) Individual licensee duties. The holder of an individual license:
(1) Shall determine specifically which individuals, including family members, are allowed to operate (i.e., exercise operational control over) its GMRS station(s) (see paragraph (c) of this section);
(2) May allow any person to use (i.e., benefit from the operation of) its GMRS repeater, or alternatively, may limit the use of its GMRS repeater to specific persons;
(3) May disallow the use of its GMRS repeater by specific persons as may be necessary to carry out its responsibilities under this section.
(e) Individual license term. Each individual license in the GMRS will normally have a term of ten years from the date of grant or renewal, and may be renewed pursuant to the procedures in part 1 of this chapter. The FCC may grant a shorter license term at renewal as a sanction for violation of the FCC rules.
(f) Cooperative use of GMRS stations. GMRS licensees may share the use of their stations with other persons eligible in the GMRS, subject to the conditions and limitations in this paragraph.
(1) The GMRS station to be shared must be individually owned by the licensee, jointly owned by the participants and the licensee, leased individually by the licensee, or leased jointly by the participants and the licensee.
(2) The licensee must maintain access to and control over all stations authorized under its license.
(3) A station may be shared only:
(ii) On a non-profit basis, with contributions to capital and operating expenses including the cost of mobile stations and paging receivers prorated equitably among all participants; or
(iii) On a reciprocal basis, i.e., use of one licensee's stations for the use of another licensee's stations without charge for either capital or operating expenses.
(4) All sharing arrangements must be conducted in accordance with a written agreement to be kept as( part of the station records.
(g) Limitations on grandfathered GMRS licenses. GMRS licenses that were issued prior to July 31, 1987 authorized GMRS station operation at specified locations, on specified channels, and with specified antenna height and transmitter power. Grandfathered GMRS licenses authorize only continued operation of those specific stations by these licensees, at the specified locations, channels, antenna heights and transmitting power. The FCC does not accept applications to modify, assign, or transfer grandfathered GMRS licenses (other than administrative updates to change contact information).
§95.1731 Permissible GMRS uses.
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.
(a) 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.
(b) 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.
(c) 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.
(d) 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.
§95.1733 Prohibited GMRS uses.
(a) In addition to the prohibited uses outlined in §95.333 of this chapter, GMRS stations must not communicate:
(1) Messages in connection with any activity which is against Federal, State, or local law;
(2) False or deceptive messages;
(3) Coded messages or messages with hidden meanings (“10 codes” are permissible);
(4) Music, whistling, sound effects or material to amuse or entertain;
(5) Advertisements or offers for the sale of goods or services;
(6) Advertisements for a political candidate or political campaign (messages about the campaign business may be communicated);
(7) International distress signals, such as the word “Mayday” (except when on a ship, aircraft or other vehicle in immediate danger to ask for help);
(8) Messages which are both conveyed by a wireline control link and transmitted by a GMRS station;
(9) Messages (except emergency messages) to any station in the Amateur Radio Service, to any unauthorized station, or to any foreign station;
(10) Continuous or uninterrupted transmissions, except for communications involving the immediate safety of life or property; and
(11) Messages for public address systems.
(12) The provision of §95.333 apply, however, if the licensee is a corporation and the license so indicates, it may use its GMRS system to furnish non-profit radio communication service to its parent corporation, to another subsidiary of the same parent, or to its own subsidiary.
(b) GMRS stations must not be used for one-way communications other than those listed in §95.1731(b). Initial transmissions to establish two-way communications and data transmissions listed in §95.1731(d) are not considered to be one-way communications for the purposes of this section.