Mountain Run 5

[bhedberg]

There are two types of these radios that operate over some of the same channels with different rules.

FRS or Family radio service is limited to 0.5 watt power. This limits the range over which one can effectively communicate. The other type is General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) which is limited to 5.0 watts power, ten times greater than FRS.

The GMRS radios will have 2 power settings, 0.5 watt max, and 5.0 watt max. These radios must be on low power (operating FRS and not GMRS) for channels 8-14, as these channels are exclusive to FRS only. In order to legally operate GMRS at max 5.0 watts, must be on channels 1-7 or 15-22, must be licensed, and must use assigned call sign. Licensing cost $85 for 5 years.

Although it is illegal to exceed the 0.5 watt without being licensed, anecdotally, few that operate on the high power are licensed.