As someone else already pointed out, those radios in the stores are likely 22-channel hybrid radios that operate both on the Family Radio Service and the General Mobile Radio Service. As GMRS radios, you do require a license from the FCC to operate them. That's $80 for a 5-year license that covers you and your family. If you want an inexpensive radio for just occasional use and want non-family members to use these radios (legally) with you, it may not make sense financially or hassle-wise to go this route.

For short range communication with people in your group, like around the campsite or car caravanning, as an alternative, I would suggest that you look for a 14-channel FRS-only radio. No license is required to use a FRS radio so there's no additional cost beyond batteries, and you can lend one to anyone without worrying if they have a license, too. Short range, they perform just as well as the hybrid radios, and even though hybrids use higher power, the actual range is not necessarily much farther than FRS in many circumstances. I stick to using FRS-only radios because they are license-free and meet my communication needs, particularly in making things easy for the other person to use a radio legally. If your spouse or friend that you want to talk with isn't willing to pay for a GMRS license, study for a HAM ticket, or doesn't want to bother with using call signs and using simple radio protocol, then GMRS or Amateur (HAM) radio isn't really an option and FRS fits the bill.

Unfortunately, FRS radios are all but extinct in retail stores because they are all discontinued (except for the high-end Icom IC-4088A's, I believe), but you can still find stores on the Internet and eBay that still have used or brand new units. Especially on eBay, the prices are inexpensive. You can search the eBay two-way radio listings here. When looking, remember that any ad that says "FRS/GMRS", 22-channel, or claims a range greater than 2 miles is not a FRS-only radio.

Cobra brand FRS radios are by far the most common ones on the Internet and eBay these days. Not sure why there's such a huge inventory of them still, and I don't have any personal experience with them. Personally, I dislike the way their FRS Microtalk's look anyway. Motorola's are usually a good bet, and unlike most Cobra radios, most Motorola's use 3AA rather than 3AAA for longer battery life and good for those of us who try to standardize our gear on one size of battery, like AA's. For solid, basic Motorola radios that can still be found easily, I would recommend the FR60 or the T5200, but any of their Talkabout series are fine, like the T250, but are harder to find brand new. I recently saw an eBay listing for a pair of FR60's for like $5. Kenwood's generally get very good reviews. Their UBZ-AL14 and AM14 are also good, basic radios but harder to find cheap than Cobra's or Motorola's. Hope that helps.

Don't get the old ones that only had 14 channels - make sure you get one of the newer ones that have sub-channels. Otherwise you will constantly get interrupted if your around a lot of other people.

I'm too cheap to get my own cell phone. (though I've got one for the wife) so we have used the T5200 Motorola for 3 or 4 years now. Not just camping/hiking as we use them in Wal-Mart & at amusement parks, etc. If whatever you get is really cheap & you're planning on using it a lot like we do then I would recommend getting 3, 4 or more of them. Reason is once the kids bounce them off the parking lot a couple times they will eventually stop working. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Yes, I don't recommend the Motorola FR50 or T5100 precisely because they don't have "sub-channels". Ugh, I hate how manufacturers want people to believe that their radios have hundreds of sub-channels. So misleading...

But that's a feature that many people really miss if they don't have it, so thanks for pointing that out.

There aren't any "sub-channels" in FRS/GMRS radios. There are frequencies and there are "interferance eliminator" codes.

The frequencies are as follows:

These seven frequencies (MHz) (channels) are shared between FRS & GMRS. An FRS-approved radio can only broadcast at max 0.5 Watt. Most hybrid radios broadcast on these frequencies at a higher power, which is why use of hybrid radios require a GMRS license:
1 462.5625
2 462.5875
3 462.6125
4 462.6375
5 462.6625
6 462.6875
7 462.7125

The next seven frequencies (channels) are for FRS use only. FRS radios can only broadcast at 0.5 Watts max. GMRS radios may not broadcast on these frequencies. Hybrid radios tend to broadcast on these frequencies at only 0.5 Watt.
8 467.5625
9 467.5875
10 467.6125
11 467.6350
12 467.6625
13 467.6875
14 467.7125

The following seven frequencies (channels) are for GMRS use only. FRS-approved radios will not broadcast on these frequencies. Hybrid radios can broadcast on these frequencies, which is also why a GMRS license is required.
15 462.5500
16 462.5750
17 462.6000
18 462.6250
19 462.6500
20 462.6750
21 462.7000
22 462.7250

Some feel that a hybrid FRS/GMRS radio CAN be used without a GMRS license if ONLY channels 8-14 are used for broadcasting. Last I had heard the FCC hasn't given a clear interpretation on this usage.

FRS radios tend to have 14 frequencies (channels) and nonremovable antennas.

GMRS radios tend to have 14 frequencies (channels). The first seven are the same as those on FRS radios. "Real" GMRS radios tend to have removable antennas.

Hybrid GMRS/FRS radios tend to have 21 frequencies (channels). Channels 1-7 and 15-21 tend to broadcast at higher power (1-2 Watts), while channels 14-20 tend to broadcast at 0.5 Watts or less. To my knowledge, all hybrid radios have non-removable antennas.

The interference eliminator codes work differently. A radio will only respond (play) if the broadcast also includes a particular eliminator code frequency. The idea is that if you are using frequency 1 (462.5625 MHz) with code 5. Your radio will only "play" broadcasts that are on frequency 1 with code 5. Other folks can use frequency 1 too, and if using a different code then you won't have to hear them talking. The problem is that you are both using frequency 1, so if you both try to broadcast at the same time then you will be interfering with each other (crosstalk). Some radios show a symbol on the display when the selected frequency is in use, even if on a different code, but few users look at the display before broadcasting. Less fancy radios require the user to press a monitor button to listen the the "raw" frequency and determine if anyone else is broadcasting attempting to broadcast. Most users don't do that either.

Many users recommend simply not using the codes at all (sometimes this can be done by setting the radio to code 0). This means you'll hear every broadcast on the frequency you're uisng, but the benefit is that there is little chance of broadcasting over another user (crosstalk).

Another thing to keep in mind when selecting a radio is that reception distance tends to be a factor of antenna height much more than of broadcast power (Wattage). GMRS users who want longer distance but cannot access a repeater will tend to raise a remote antenna high up in a tree or on top of a building and then connect to that antenna. Picture throwing a rope over a nearby tree and pulling an antenna high up a tree to act as a "base station". FRS and Hybrid users don't have that option, since their antennas are not removable.

It's crazy how wishy-washy the FCC regs are about these hybrid radios. The regs about GMRS radios are maddeningly unhelpful when it comes to hybrids, but I also look at it from the other side of the hybrid coin--the FRS side. The regs say that a radio type accepted exclusively for FRS does not require a license. Obviously, hybrids that can transmit on FRS and GMRS channels are not exclusively type accepted for FRS, therefore some other rule must apply to the operation of these hybrids, right? Well, the only "other" applicable rules are for GMRS. And the FCC regs do say that a radio operated under GMRS rules require a license. That's my logic anyways.

But then you run headlong into the contradictory situation that GMRS radios are not allowed to transmit on FRS-only channels. OK, you say, it's also a FRS radio. But it's not exclusively type accepted for FRS, so it can't be operated license-free. So what does that mean? Do you need some non-existent FRS license to use channels 8-14 on a hybrid? Oy, it makes your head spin.

For those who say you don't need a license if the person only uses non-GMRS channels, it's totally unrealistic to think that your average consumer is going to buy a 22-channel radio that claims an 18-mile range and then voluntarily limit themselves to just 7 low-power channels, knowing that 99% of them don't want to voluntarily purchase an $80 license. Besides, the same 99% of them won't even look at the manual to know which of the 22 channels are the FRS-only ones! It's like selling an assault rifle capable of full auto to any Joe Blow off the street and telling him that no licensing and background check is required by the government if he refrains from flipping up that little lever on the side that makes it fire full auto.

As far as the manufacturers go, at least Motorola's website clearly states that their hybrid radios are GMRS radios and require a license. I looked at Cobra's website and in the extensive descriptions of each radio, they bury one little line about how FCC licensing info can be found in the manual. So I downloaded one of the manuals and Cobra's stand is that no license is required if you only use FRS channel 8-14. YMMV

Excellent points!!!

Here is a good article that addresses the FCC-created hybrid mess - at least that's the view of us GMRS licensees.

http://www.popularwireless.com/gmrsbppfaq.html

Ken K.

FWIW, after doing some research about GRMS radios, I decided the Icom IC-F21GM Radio with the optional P-208 AA battery pack was the best compromise. Better than average quality, but not super expensive. Just go ahead and get your GRMS license. It's only $80 (IIRC) and covers your family. It is not locked to any specific radio.

-john

I have a Garmin Rino GPS/Radio that has both FRS and GMRS channels. I may be criticized for saying this but I am not going to buy an $80 license on the off-chance that I may have to use GMRS sometime in the future. If I do use it it will be an emergency, and in that case the Black Helicopters of the FCC are more than welcome to come and snatch me up. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I suppose if you aren't going actually use the radio your approach makes sense. But otherwise, why buy a 4/5W radio that you can only use .5W?

-john

I'm sorry but I'm not sure what your question is. Legality aside, as far as I know nothing is preventing me from using any of the channels. I bought my unit primarily for the GPS but also occasionally use the FRS to keep in touch with my hunting buddies. The GMRS capability is there in the unlikely event that I need more range. I'm thinking you would be reasonably safe from prosecution using GMRS without a license in an emergency--at least I would hope so. But if not it is still a fair trade.