What changed
How ham radio compares to CB, FRS, GMRS and MURS — edited Aug 29, 2026 by Unknown editor
This is the first recorded version, so every line is shown as added. Note: Imported from content/wiki
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People often arrive at amateur radio after outgrowing another two-way service. Here is what
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separates them.
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## The other services
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| Service | License | Power | Typical range | Can you modify or build gear? |
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| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
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| CB (11 m) | None | 4 W AM / 12 W SSB | A few miles, occasionally worldwide on skip | No — type-accepted radios only |
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| FRS | None | 2 W | Under a mile in most terrain | No — fixed antennas, sealed radios |
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| MURS | None | 2 W | 1–3 miles | No, but external antennas allowed |
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| GMRS | Yes — $35, no exam, covers a family | 50 W | 5–25 miles with a repeater | No — type-accepted radios only |
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| Amateur | Yes — exam required | Up to 1,500 W | Local to worldwide | Yes |
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## What the license actually buys you
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- **Spectrum.** Amateurs have allocations from 135 kHz to well above 275 GHz. The other services
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have a handful of channels each.
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- **Freedom to build.** You may design, build and modify your own equipment and antennas. Every
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other service above requires an unmodified, type-accepted radio.
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- **Modes.** Voice, Morse, data, images, television, satellite, moonbounce. FRS and GMRS are FM
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voice; CB adds AM and SSB.
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- **Range.** HF propagation is worldwide. Repeaters, satellites and internet-linked systems extend
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VHF/UHF far beyond line of sight.
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- **Emergency status.** Amateur radio is a recognised emergency communication service with formal
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relationships to [ARES, RACES and served agencies](/wiki/emergency).
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## When the other services are the right answer
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GMRS is genuinely good for family and convoy use: no exam, one license covers your household, and
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the repeaters are simple. FRS is fine for a ski trip. Neither is a substitute for amateur radio if
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you want to experiment, reach beyond your county, or operate in an emergency network — and you
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cannot legally use amateur gear on those services, or transmit on amateur frequencies without an
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amateur license.
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If you already have a GMRS radio, the technician exam is a weekend of study away. See
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[studying](/wiki/licensing/studying).