Why no FRS/MURS combo radios?

[WRTC928]

2 hours ago, WRYS709 said:

Thank you for your recap; I was getting confused. 

I am not holding my breath that one will be released and I am standing by that statement. 

I'm not either. This is just hypothetical. It would be convenient, though.

[WRYS709]

If FCC rules don't make you itch, this is the one you want:

Baofeng UV-12, the 2 watt Ham Radio version of their FRS radio and its "open"

I forget how much AliExpress charged me, about $20:

 

[WRTC928]

24 minutes ago, WRYS709 said:

If FCC rules don't make you itch, this is the one you want:

Baofeng UV-12, the 2 watt Ham Radio version of their FRS radio and its "open"

I forget how much AliExpress charged me, about $20:

There are plenty of ham radios that will operate just fine on FRS/GMRS and MURS frequencies. Most Baofeng ham radios are capable of it. My question was about why FCC won't allow FRS or MURS type-accepted radios to transmit on any other service. From a technical standpoint, a 2 watt VHF/UHF radio with a fixed antenna capable of acceptable performance wouldn't be hard to make. 

I do have MURS programmed into most of my radios because if I'm in actual danger, I'm not going to care about the rules, but I've never used it. 

[WRYS709]

1 minute ago, WRTC928 said:

There are plenty of ham radios that will operate just fine on FRS/GMRS and MURS frequencies. 

But many of them exceed 2 watts. 

This one is tough to distinguish from a certified FRS or MURS radio from a distance 

Unless,of course, if you attach it to one of those VHF/UHF crossband repeaters!!

[WRTC928]

Just now, WRYS709 said:

But many of them exceed 2 watts. 

This one is tough to distinguish from a certified FRS or MURS radio from a distance 

Unless,of course, if you attach it to one of those VHF/UHF crossband repeaters!!

Most of the 5 watt radios do 1-2 watts on the low setting. I wouldn't be too concerned about using one of my HTs on MURS if I had a reason. Mobile/base is another story. but as I said, I'll use them if I have to.

[WRTC928]

1 hour ago, WRYS709 said:

If FCC rules don't make you itch, this is the one you want:

Baofeng UV-12, the 2 watt Ham Radio version of their FRS radio and its "open"

I forget how much AliExpress charged me, about $20:

 

I like the fact that it's really simple. For an FRS or MURS radio, that's a good thing.

[WRQI583]

On 8/9/2025 at 9:43 PM, WRUU653 said:

The problem I see with this is suddenly you will have people not in knowledge of the rules for marine use then using it on land and inappropriately. Not a good use as it could cause issues for safety on the water. Marine VHF is a non licensed service to make it easy for everyone on the water to have it and thus make it safer out there. 

I am not naming the entity, but I know of one that uses marine radios in their plow trucks. I don't know the reasoning behind it, if they even have a clue? if anyone else has a clue? if they all do or some do and they don't care? But it happens more than you think.

[GreggInFL]

4 hours ago, WRQI583 said:

I am not naming the entity, but I know of one that uses marine radios in their plow trucks. I don't know the reasoning behind it, if they even have a clue? if anyone else has a clue? if they all do or some do and they don't care? But it happens more than you think.

Indeed it does. I've used Marine VHF for decades and know that recreational fishermen are also often hunters, and use the radio on land for that purpose. Not hard to imagine a hunter doing some plow work. They have no clue; to them it's just "the radio."

[WRTC928]

19 hours ago, WRQI583 said:

I am not naming the entity, but I know of one that uses marine radios in their plow trucks. I don't know the reasoning behind it, if they even have a clue? if anyone else has a clue? if they all do or some do and they don't care? But it happens more than you think.

The water is a huge part of the culture in Alaska, whether the ocean, lakes, or rivers. Marine radio gets a lot of use there, and not necessarily just on the water. Everyone on the coast has a marine radio so they can communicate with the fishing fleet and listen for emergencies. Unsurprisingly, they also use them to communicate within the community ashore. Since marine radios are so readily available, they also get used a lot inland. When you're 100+ miles from the next community, I guess you don't get too concerned about interfering with other people. 

FRS has become pretty common within communities in recent years because the equipment is so easy to get, but once you leave the immediate area of the village, it isn't much use. I don't know if most Alaskans even know about MURS. Those of us on radio forums know about MURS, of course, but I've never met anyone in person who did. I suspect one of the reasons they continue to use marine radio in the interior is that the VHF signal is better at penetrating through trees and other foliage than something like GMRS. 

[WRYS709]

On 12/1/2025 at 6:12 PM, WRTC928 said:

Most of the 5 watt radios do 1-2 watts on the low setting. I wouldn't be too concerned about using one of my HTs on MURS if I had a reason. Mobile/base is another story. but as I said, I'll use them if I have to.

In my way of thinking even if I am using a radio that is not certified for FRS or MURS, I want to follow the rules that apply to these services and the most important rule is 2 watts.

I would not want to be using a radio capable of higher than 2 watts, even if it can be set for a "low" setting of 2 watts.  I want to use a radio that is limited to 2 watts.

This is especially true of handing out multiple radios to family and friends for a days use; as I don't want any of them to change the power setting above 2 watts.

That is why I purchased the Baofeng UV-12 (OK: I purchased it because it's "cute!")

[WRYS709]

On 11/28/2025 at 5:42 AM, WSAQ296 said:

Shouldn't that be H.A.M. and eggs? 

 

[GreggInFL]

1 minute ago, WRYS709 said:

 

That was fast.

[WRYS709]

3 minutes ago, GreggInFL said:

That was fast.

it left out the egg:

 

[GreggInFL]

^Even faster. LOL.

[WRTC928]

1 hour ago, WRYS709 said:

In my way of thinking even if I am using a radio that is not certified for FRS or MURS, I want to follow the rules that apply to these services and the most important rule is 2 watts.

I would not want to be using a radio capable of higher than 2 watts, even if it can be set for a "low" setting of 2 watts.  I want to use a radio that is limited to 2 watts.

This is especially true of handing out multiple radios to family and friends for a days use; as I don't want any of them to change the power setting above 2 watts.

That is why I purchased the Baofeng UV-12 (OK: I purchased it because it's "cute!")

I don't disagree in principle. I've stated many times that I feel it's important to adhere to the power and bandwidth regulations under normal circumstances. However, while I understand and respect your decision, I'm perfectly comfortable using a radio that's capable of more than 2 watts, as long as I have it set to a power level that doesn't exceed 2 watts. Even so, if I have an emergency (by FCC definition), I have no problem with exceeding the allowable 2 watts. The "handout" radios I have for family and friends are Baofeng 888s and Arcshell AR-5s, both of which are limited to 2 watts. 

And, yeah, the UV-12 is cute and simple. 

[WRTC928]

Upon a closer reading of the regulations, it appears that GMRS/MURS combo radios may already be permissible. § 95.1761 GMRS transmitter certification. (c) No GMRS transmitter will be certified for use in the GMRS if it is equipped with a frequency capability not listed in § 95.1763, unless such transmitter is also certified for use in another radio service for which the frequency is authorized and for which certification is also required. (Emphasis added)

That seems to me to say that a radio can be certified for both GMRS and MURS and operated on both services. Would there be a viable market for such a radio? I have no idea. Since Baofeng GMRS radios are just neutered ham radios, from a technical standpoint, it's just a matter of obtaining MURS certification and modifying the firmware. 

[WRYS709]

Wake me when one is released…

[wrci350]

19 hours ago, WRTC928 said:

That seems to me to say that a radio can be certified for both GMRS and MURS and operated on both services. Would there be a viable market for such a radio? I have no idea. Since Baofeng GMRS radios are just neutered ham radios, from a technical standpoint, it's just a matter of obtaining MURS certification and modifying the firmware. 

Yes, but the MURS regulations forbid it.

(c) A grant of equipment certification will not be issued for MURS transmitters capable of operating under both this subpart (MURS) and under any other subparts of this chapter (except part 15).

[WRTC928]

1 hour ago, wrci350 said:

Yes, but the MURS regulations forbid it.

(c) A grant of equipment certification will not be issued for MURS transmitters capable of operating under both this subpart (MURS) and under any other subparts of this chapter (except part 15).

Ah, okay. I forgot to check the MURS regs. I guess I assumed they would be similar to the GMRS regs. Anyway, I do have to wonder how well a GMRS/MURS radio would sell. Not very well I suspect. I'm pretty sure almost anyone who wants both services in one radio just buys an unlocked ham radio. 

[WRYS709]

So let me see: you want the general public to have a radio that they are allowed to use unlicensed (MURS) with capability for GMRS, a service that requires licensing; and you don’t see the problem?

[WRTC928]

42 minutes ago, WRYS709 said:

So let me see: you want the general public to have a radio that they are allowed to use unlicensed (MURS) with capability for GMRS, a service that requires licensing; and you don’t see the problem?

I don't necessarily "want" anything. I'm just throwing ideas around. As I noted above, such a radio already exists for anyone who doesn't care about certification. I started with the idea of an FRS/MURS radio and kind of wandered off on tangents. 

[WRYS709]

On 8/9/2025 at 11:49 AM, WRTC928 said:

It seems to me such a radio would sell well.

You want it; you really, really want it!

[TrikeRadio]

3 hours ago, WRYS709 said:

So let me see: you want the general public to have a radio that they are allowed to use unlicensed (MURS) with capability for GMRS, a service that requires licensing; and you don’t see the problem?

The biggest question is ... why is GMRS "licensed"? I mean it is a "fishing license" you just pay it, not test, and there you go. But unlike a fishing license there is no limit to break. What is the point of the FCC charging for GMRS "licenses" (I have one and had no qualms about paying it... but still wonder why). 

[AdmiralCochrane]

1 hour ago, TrikeRadio said:

The biggest question is ... why is GMRS "licensed"? I mean it is a "fishing license" you just pay it, not test, and there you go. But unlike a fishing license there is no limit to break. What is the point of the FCC charging for GMRS "licenses" (I have one and had no qualms about paying it... but still wonder why). 

An attempt, perhaps in vain, to prevent GMRS from becoming 11m wild west part 2.  The physics of 65cm is the only real factor.

[WRYS709]

3 hours ago, TrikeRadio said:

The biggest question is ... why is GMRS "licensed"? I mean it is a "fishing license" you just pay it, not test, and there you go. But unlike a fishing license there is no limit to break. What is the point of the FCC charging for GMRS "licenses" (I have one and had no qualms about paying it... but still wonder why). 

The bigger question for me is why the FCC dropped your $70 fee to $35 so they could raise the Ham Radio fee from $0 to $35!!!