FCC Approves Remote Amateur Radio License Testing

Personal Radio Services for Disaster Communications

According to the ARRL Operating Manual, 10th Edition: “In a nuclear attack scenario, wireless communications resources would be limited, and the only systems that might be usable include limited satellite communications (SATCOM), limited TV/radio broadcasting, Family Radio Service (FRS), General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS), Citizens Band (CB), Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS), HF Automatic Link Establishment (HF-ALE), and Amateur Radio.” 

Even in a scenario far less destructive than a nuclear attack, cellular and PTSN telephone systems may fail, and Internet access may be limited. Radio however will keep you in contact with others as long as your radio equipment survives the disaster.

Amateur Radio Service (HAM) - The amateur radio and amateur-satellite services are for qualified persons of any age who are interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest. These services present an opportunity for self-training, intercommunication, and technical investigations. Twenty-nine small frequency bands throughout the spectrum are allocated to this service internationally. Some 1,300 digital, analog, pulse, and spread-spectrum emission types may be transmitted. All frequencies are shared. No frequency is assigned for the exclusive use of any amateur station. Station control operators cooperate in selecting transmitting channels to make the most effective use of the frequencies. They design, construct, modify, and repair their stations. The FCC equipment authorization program does not generally apply to amateur station transmitters.

Citizens Band Radio Service (CB)

• CB service allows two-way radio communications.
• CB service operates on 40 shared channels on a "take-turns" basis, meaning no CB channel is assigned to any specific individual or organization. Users must never talk with another station for more than 5 minutes continuously, and must wait at least one minute before starting another communication on the same channel.
• CB equipment used in the United States must be FCC-certified and labeled as such by the manufacturer.
• You may not raise the power output of your CB unit, attach any type of power amplifier or modify the unit internally. The maximum authorized power levels vary depending on whether the station is transmitting a single side band (up to twelve watts Peak Envelope Power or PEP) or an AM signal (up to four watts PEP). 

Family Radio Service (FRS)

• FRS allows two-way voice communications over short distances (generally less than one-half mile on the 0.5 watt channels and up to two miles on the 2 watt channels, depending on conditions).
• An FRS unit looks and works much like a walkie-talkie.
• There are older, dual-use, FRS-General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) units, but you may legally use only the FRS channels unless you have a GMRS license. The label on the unit or the operations manual should indicate the service the unit is certified for. FRS-only units transmit at lower power levels and have antennas that are integrated with the unit; GMRS units transmit at higher power levels and may have detachable antennas. Note that dual use FRS-GMRS radios may no longer be sold.
• You can operate your FRS unit anywhere in the U.S. and its possessions.

General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)

• GMRS is a land-mobile radio service available for short-distance, two-way communications.
• A GMRS system may legally be operated only with an FCC license. The individual licensee is responsible for the proper operation of the GMRS system. A licensee may permit his or her immediate family members to operate the GMRS system.
• A GMRS system is made up of station operators and a mobile station consisting of one or more mobile units. It may also include one or more land stations. Some land stations operate as repeaters, thereby extending the range of GMRS mobile units.
• New GMRS licenses are granted only to individuals, but GMRS licenses granted to non-individuals (such as businesses) before July 31, 1987, can be renewed if certain conditions are met. You can apply for a GMRS license online, or by filing FCC Form 605. The FCC sets license filing fees annually, and licenses are granted for 10 years.

Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS) 

• MURS is a private, two-way short-distance voice or data radio communications service.
• The service operates on five VHF channels. MURS users must cooperate in using the five channels to reduce interference to other users. No user has priority over any other user, but all users must yield to emergency communications. A MURS station may not operate as a repeater station, including store-and-forward packet radio operation, or a signal booster.
• Maximum allowable output power for a MURS unit is two watts. Transmission range between two hand-held units varies depending on the unit's antenna height, terrain and weather.

Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) Radios - The ISM radio bands are portions of the radio spectrum reserved internationally for industrial, scientific and medical purposes other than telecommunications. Despite the intent of the original allocations, in recent years the fastest-growing use of these bands has been for short-range, low power wireless communications systems, since these bands are often approved for such devices which can be used without a government license. Radios using the ISM bands include Motorola DTR Series.

Private Land Mobile Radio Service (PLMRS) - Private land mobile radio systems are used by companies, local governments, and other organizations to meet a wide range of communication requirements, including coordination of people and materials, important safety and security needs, and quick response in times of emergency. These systems, which often share frequencies with other private users, make possible many day-to-day activities that people across the United States have come to rely on, whether directly or indirectly. Public safety agencies, utilities, railroads, manufacturers, and a wide variety of other businesses - from delivery companies to landscapers to building maintenance firms - rely on their business radio systems every day. The services included in Private Land Mobile are Public Safety, Industrial/Business, Private Land Mobile Paging, and Radio location. Private Land Mobile Radio Service licensees in the 150-174 MHz and 421-512 MHz bands are subject to the Commission's January 1, 2013 deadline to migrate to narrow band (12.5 kHz or narrower) technology.

          * PLMRS is seen in Race and Off-Road Radio. A business or non-profit organization could apply for a PLMRS license that would cover all of their employees / members on an assigned frequency and within a specified geographic area.

Network Radios are a relatively new type of two-way PTT (Push To Talk) communications equipment that makes use of existing electronic components, RF modules, touch screens and sub assemblies manufactured for the mobile telephone industry. These parts are used to create many styles of handheld, portable and 'in car' devices that feature built in PTT buttons and/or external plug in microphones with a PTT switch. The "Zello PTT walkie talkie" app is one of the most popular simplex communications applications used on Network Radios, mobile telephones and some Android based in car entertainment and/or navigation devices. Network Radios operate over the Internet (and must have an Internet connection) rather than over the RF spectrum, although many users create a Zello / Radio Gateway.

Operating Modes

While we may tend to think of radio as a means for voice communication (and it is) there are other operating modes that let us send text, transfer files, photos, and other data. These other operating modes are primarily used by Ham Radio Operators. Software allowing digital operating modes includes:

FLDIGI

MULTIPSK

HAM RADIO DELUXE

These are just three examples of some of the most popular software packages, although there are many others that you may find useful.

What personal radio service is right for you? That depends on your communications needs. Ham Radio will, by far, give you the greatest communications capabilities; but if all you need to do is keep in touch around the farm, or chat with your family while hiking or camping then FRS radios may meet your needs.

I use Ham Radio extensively, but not exclusively. I have found that adding GMRS expanded my communications capabilities and allowed me to communicate with FRS radio users - something that I could not do on Ham Radio.  MURS radio ended up in my communications plan because it is used by the Dakota Driveway Alarms that we have on the property.  MURS is also used by the CERT Team that I support, so MURS became part of our field radio kit. Finally, I added CB radio to my comms-room because local logging trucks all seem to have CB radios installed and this lets me communicate with the drivers when they were in our area. I even use Zello to communicate around town, and across the country.

While I strongly encourage everyone interested in preparedness and self-reliance to earn their Ham Radio License, a communications station becomes more complete when it includes additional radio services such as CB, FRS, GMRS, and MURS.

If a FCC license is required for a particular radio service - Get Your License! While it is true that you can use any radio service without a license to send 'life safety' emergency messages when other means of communication are not available; you should practice with your radios BEFORE an emergency and for that you will need a license.

CQ CQ CQ Coming Up Next Saturday, April 18, 2020 --- WORLD AMATEUR RADIO DAY