Emergency radios

[Mac66]

Some basic info about GMRS and FRS.
As you probably know GMRS shares freqs/22 channels with FRS.

For GMRS Channels 1-7 are limited to 5 watts.
For FRS channel 1-7 are limited to 2 watts

For channels 8-14 both GMRS and FRS are limited to 1/2 watt. From what I understand most GMRS and FRS radios automatically switch to 1/2 watt when on these channels. There are some mobile GMRS radios that don't use channels 8-14 because of the low power.

GMRS handhelds are usually 4-5 watts. GMRS mobile/base radios are typically 15 up to 50 watts which is the max allowable. Channels 15-22 are limited to 50 watts max and also share those same channels/frequencies with repeaters. Channels 15-22 can be either simplex (radio to radio) or through repeaters using GMRS. Most GMRS users program the repeater tones/offsets as separate channels.

FRS radios can use channel 15-22 on 2 watts but can not use repeaters.

[tom mac]

For the price, they are good little radios for family members. ( esp since a lic covers family 10yr/$35 )