[SBB] Radios for Birding

Radios for Birding

The FRS (Family Radio Service) Radios that we all currently use on birding trips are no longer available.

The radios currently available are FRS/GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service), i.e., two radios in one.

The FRS/GMRS radios have 7 FRS channels that can be used without an FCC operator license, i.e., Channels 8-14. Channels 1-7 and 15-22 are GMRS channels, and need an FCC license.

GMRS radios are very similar to FRS radios, except that:
1) GMRS radio channel use requires you to purchase an FCC operator's license (about $80).
2) GMRS radio channels generally achieve a greater range than FRS channels.
3) While FRS radios may not legally be altered, GMRS radios may legally be outfitted or retrofitted with optional antennas, car antennas or home antennas to extend their range.

As long as you use a FRS/GMRS radio on Channels 8-14, you do not need an FCC license, and they will function like the old FRS radios that you are used to.

PRIVACY CODES. Some of the FRS/GMRS radios have two sets of privacy codes: 38 CTCSS (Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System), and 83 DCS (Digitally Coded Squelch). The DCS codes are usually just on the more expensive radios.

The old FRS radios that have privacy codes use the CTCSS codes, so it is still possible to communicate with some of the old FRS radios with the new FRS/GMRS radios, if you are on the same Channel (8-14) and CTCSS code (1-38).