About FRS
FRS is a personal radio service on UHF frequencies around 462 and 467 MHz. Radios are inexpensive, require no license, and are widely available. Power and antenna restrictions keep range modest and interference manageable.
Frequency462 / 467 MHz UHF
Channels22 (shared with GMRS)
Power2 W max (0.5 W on ch 8–14)
LicenseNone required
AntennaMust be fixed / non-removable
Typical Range0.5 – 2 miles
Important Rules
- No external antennas or amplifiers allowed
- No repeaters
- Channels 8–14 limited to 0.5 W
- Privacy codes (CTCSS/DCS) available but do not encrypt audio
Many modern radios are dual FRS/GMRS. Without a GMRS license you must stay within FRS power and antenna limits.
History
FRS was created by the FCC in 1996 as a simple, license-free personal radio service on UHF frequencies. It was designed specifically for families and short-range recreational use, filling the gap between toys and more complex radio services. Over the years the rules were refined (notably in 2017) to clarify the relationship with GMRS.
Present-Day Uses
- Family outings & hiking — easy communication on trails and at parks
- Events & festivals — staff and volunteer coordination
- Neighborhood & neighborhood watch
- Kids & casual use — inexpensive entry point into radio
Virtual Radio Tips
- Browse all 22 channels with the arrows
- Press CODE to cycle privacy tones
- Hold PTT to transmit — watch the red TX LED
- Everything runs offline in your browser