GMRS Radios – What You Really Need to Know About Them

GMRS stands for General Mobile Radio Service and is primarily known to use Frequency modulation, which is the same frequency commercial Family friendly Radio Stations use.
GMRS Radios used to be called “Citizens Radio” when they were first introduced way back in the 1960s.

GMRS Radios – Main Usage and Benefits

Unlike walkie talkie radios, GMRS radios are not ideal for kids to use.
You even need to have a license and must be 18 years or older in order to use the frequencies offered by GMRS Radios!

Now, that’s something you don’t hear about often!

Apart from the licensing and age restrictions, the good news is that you do not need a contract to make full use of the technologies on gmrs radios. However, there is a fee that you pay to get or renew your gmrs radio license, but it’s one time fee, and there are no recurring monthly bills to use the service.

Some of the advantages of GMRS radios over walkie talkies include far better reception range without the unwanted static, allowing signals to travel over longer distances.

This can be particularly useful for those that enjoy outdoors activities, such as deer hunting or hiking.
These days, most two way GMRS Radios come standard with GPS, making carrying multiple devices, such as cell phones, a gps and time, obsolete!

In terms of range, as long as there is a nearby radio, signals can be transmitted there. The exact distance coverage depends on the location, but GMRS radios in general should be able to reach other radios within a 2 mile radius.

GMRS radios are popular amongst families, especially in isolated areas, such as farming communities, as the license can cover other family members as well.
This allows these family members to easily keep in touch in case of an emergency without some of the inconveniences that cell phones bring, such as no signal or if there is a technical problem with the network.

Business users can make use of GMRS Radios too due to their low cost of acquisition and ease of use.

Getting access to GMRS Radios

Companies that manufacture these devices include Motorola and Kenwood.
As with walkie talkies, your shopping requirements should include the specifications and range coverage of the gmrs radio you might be interested in.

Some of the top rated GMRS Radios have ranges as high as 20 miles, but are still far cheaper than most brands of mobile phones.
With that being said, GMRS Radios actually look a lot like walkie talkie radios where the screen is small and the antenna is external.

You may come across some devices with more features like emergency alerts, but these models benefit outdoor enthusiasts more. Since the price is generally low, it is best to get the highest-end devices so you and the other person using the device won’t have major communication problems.

Looking for good quality GMRS Radios? Check out our preferred suppliers below.