GMRS frequencies: channel chart, repeater pairs and power limits

GMRS frequencies: the full chart

GMRS has 30 frequencies in two groups near 462 MHz and 467 MHz. The FCC rule names 16 main channels and 14 interstitial channels, the ones that sit halfway between the main channels.1 Channels 1-22 are the FRS channels, shared with GMRS, so the numbers and frequencies are the same on both kinds of radio.4

The chart shows every GMRS frequency with its channel number, power limit and channel width. The rows 15R-22R are the repeater input channels. A hand-held sends on them only through a repeater.1

The power column shows the highest limit for any GMRS radio on that channel, car radios and base stations included. The next section has the limit for each kind of radio.

Type a frequency or a channel to see which service it belongs to and which radios use it. "GMRS 20" is one of the examples.

GMRS channels by group: power and bandwidth

Each group of channels has its own power limit, its own channel width and its own list of radios that may transmit on it.123

ERP counts the power as it leaves the antenna, and output power is measured at the radio. On channels 15-22 and the repeater channels, hand-helds use the power their maker builds in. Rocky Talkie's Expedition Radio sends 5 W on channels 1-7, 15-22 and its repeater channels.13

Width means how much of the band one signal may fill. Many GMRS radios offer a narrow setting (12.5 kHz) and a wide one on channels 1-7 and 15-22. Rocky Talkie says most hand-helds come set to narrow.13 Midland says wide is the setting most repeaters use, and narrow works best with FRS-only radios.14 Match the setting on both radios for the clearest sound.

Channel numbers on GMRS radios

The FCC rule for GMRS lists frequencies without channel numbers.1 The numbers 1-22 come from the FRS channel table, and GMRS makers use them too.4 The charts in the Midland GXT67 PRO and Rocky Talkie Expedition Radio manuals give the same frequency for every channel from 1 to 22.1413 The labels 15R-22R, or REP 15 and RPTR 15 on some radios, are the makers' names for the repeater channels.

Channels above 22 on a GMRS radio are presets. On the Midland GXT67 PRO, channels 23-50 are channels 1-22 with a fixed privacy code: channel 40, for example, is 462.6750 MHz, GMRS channel 20, with DCS code 28.14 Two radios on the same frequency talk as long as the code matches too. The code matcher lines up codes across brands.

A GMRS radio can transmit only on the GMRS frequencies. The FCC certifies a GMRS transmitter only with the frequencies in its channel rule, and its frequency settings sit inside the radio.11

GMRS repeater frequencies: input and output pairs

A repeater is a radio on a hill or a tower. It listens on one frequency and sends what it hears on another, at up to 50 W, so a 5 W hand-held in a valley can reach a friend on the far side of the hill.213

Every GMRS repeater pair has a 462 MHz main channel as its output and the 467 MHz main channel exactly 5 MHz above it as its input. Your radio sends on the input and listens on the output. Rocky Talkie's manual lists the pairs.13

Two radios on 20R hear each other only through a repeater: each one sends on 467.6750 MHz and listens on 462.6750 MHz.13 A hand-held may send on the 467 MHz input channels only through a repeater or for a brief test.110

Most repeaters open only for a radio that sends the right tone. Some use split tones, one code for sending and another for listening. The Midland GXT67 PRO and the Rocky Talkie Expedition Radio both let you set a separate send and receive code for each repeater channel.91314 The repeater's owner may open it to anyone or limit it to chosen users.5

Data such as a GPS location may go out on channels 1-22 but not on the 467 MHz repeater inputs.312

How to set up GMRS repeater channels on a radio

On many radios the repeater channels stay hidden until you switch them on. Here is how two common radios do it:

• Rocky Talkie Expedition Radio. With the radio off, hold Volume Minus and the power button while you switch it on. The eight repeater channels appear after channel 22 with a REP icon. Hold Volume Minus for two seconds on a repeater channel to set the receive code, then the send code.13
• Midland GXT67 PRO. Pick REPEATER in the top menu, choose Enabled, then set the receive and send codes for each channel from RPTR 15 to RPTR 22.14

Find the repeater's channel and tones from its owner or a repeater listing, set them on your radio, and say your call sign after you talk.713

GMRS emergency channel: channel 20 and the FCC rule

Under the FCC rule, every GMRS channel may carry emergency calls and help for travelers, and emergency calls have priority on every channel at all times.8 In an emergency, a license holder may let anyone use their GMRS radio.5

Some radios put channel 20 on an emergency button. Audiovox's GMRS1600-2PK manual describes an EMG key that jumps to channel 20, 462.6750 MHz, the "Emergency and Assistance Channel", and adds that local authorities do not monitor it.16

GMRS radios in our database

Three radios in our database are GMRS radios. All three cover GMRS channels 1-22 and need a GMRS license.

The table below adds the makers' range and battery claims, water rating and price.

More on each brand in Midland walkie-talkies compared, and longer-range picks in longest-range walkie-talkies.

GMRS license for these frequencies

Sending on any GMRS frequency needs an FCC GMRS license. It goes to one person aged 18 or older and lasts ten years.5 The fee is $35 for a new license and $35 for a renewal.6 There is no exam.13

The license covers the holder's immediate family: spouse, children, grandchildren, stepchildren, parents, grandparents, stepparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and in-laws.5 Say your call sign at the end of a conversation and at least every 15 minutes during a long one.7

FRS radios use channels 1-22 with no license. They cannot send on the repeater inputs, so they cannot use a GMRS repeater.18 More on the two services in FRS and GMRS walkie-talkies, and on other countries in do you need a license for a walkie-talkie.

Questions

Sources

1. 47 CFR 95.1763, GMRS channels · eCFR
2. 47 CFR 95.1767, GMRS transmitting power limits · eCFR
3. 47 CFR 95.1773, GMRS authorized bandwidths · eCFR
4. 47 CFR 95.563, FRS channels · eCFR
5. 47 CFR 95.1705, GMRS individual licenses · eCFR
6. 47 CFR 1.1102, FCC fees · eCFR
7. 47 CFR 95.1751, GMRS station identification · eCFR
8. 47 CFR 95.1731, permissible GMRS uses · eCFR
9. 47 CFR 95.1777, GMRS tone transmissions · eCFR
10. 47 CFR 95.319, test transmissions · eCFR