CB Vs GMRS Question

[Ratbert]

Sorry for the stupid question. The current group I'm in uses FRS as pictured. What's is the compatibility, if any between FRS and GMRS. If I buy GMRS will I be able to hear and communicate with those using FRS? Or vice versa?

Furthermore, I ride with small groups and we are rarely out of sight with each other. Plus I have no plans to ride alone. Am I making a mistake buying FRS?

It's kind of foolish to buy an FRS radio. GMRS isn't much more expensive, but is significantly better.. And backward compatible if, for some bizarre reason, you end up in a group that is stuck using FRS.

Did they buy them 20-ish years ago and want to get their money's worth out of them? Seems nuts.

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[Nokones]

The FRS and GMRS share the same channels 1 through 7 and 15 through 22. FRS channels 8 through 14 can only be used on FRS certified radios and are regulated to only a half watt ERP. GMRS certified radios are not allowed to use channel 8 through 14 unless they certified to do so, per Part 95 subpart B.

You do not need a license for FRS radios. You do need a license for GMRS radios. FRS radios are only approved for 2 watts ERP on channels 1 through 7 and 15 through 22. GMRS radios are allowed 5 watts ERP on channels 1 through 7 and 50 watts out watts out of the radio on channels 15 through 22, and channels 23 through 30, if you are licensed.

GMRS rules do not have a maximum ERP out of the antenna, except for Fixed Stations, which is only 15 watts, I believe that would be 15 watts ERP.

 

[Killed by Death]

It's kind of foolish to buy an FRS radio. GMRS isn't much more expensive, but is significantly better.. And backward compatible if, for some bizarre reason, you end up in a group that is stuck using FRS.

Did they buy them 20-ish years ago and want to get their money's worth out of them? Seems nuts.

The radio I was giving was FRS and the group used channel 16. I don't know if others were using GMRS. I would guess the more experienced leaders were.

I liked the simple handheld FRS radio they gave me because the battery could be swapped out. Most GMRS radios I've looked at appeared to have fixed batteries.

Given my circumstances any recommendations for handheld GMRS radio with replaceable batteries?

 

[roaniecowpony]

The radio I was giving was FRS and the group used channel 16. I don't know if others were using GMRS. I would guess the more experienced leaders were.

I liked the simple handheld FRS radio they gave me because the battery could be swapped out. Most GMRS radios I've looked at appeared to have fixed batteries.

Given my circumstances any recommendations for handheld GMRS radio with replaceable batteries?

I like the idea of swapable batteries. But, in my uses, it doesn't seem to matter, since I have no spares and the low power draw of modern radios.

More important to me is a USB-C recharge socket. I have B-tech radios with swapable and USB-C socket equipped batteries. They work great in most situations, but they have some technical limitations which are a bit beyond me. Others might be able to better explain.

 

[Nokones]

The radio I was giving was FRS and the group used channel 16. I don't know if others were using GMRS. I would guess the more experienced leaders were.

I liked the simple handheld FRS radio they gave me because the battery could be swapped out. Most GMRS radios I've looked at appeared to have fixed batteries.

Given my circumstances any recommendations for handheld GMRS radio with replaceable batteries?

Take a look at the Midland GXT 67 Pro.

 

[Terrymo]

We have a midland mxt275 installed in the Jeep out of view unless the mic is plugged in. We also carry two Midland x-talker FRS handhelds with extra rechargeable batteries. A spotter with a handheld is nice sometimes and an handheld is also useful if someone shows up with no radio. We wheel with 3 different Jeep clubs in So Cal from time to time as well as our own small group. Nobody uses CB and only one occasion did we invite someone we met who was wheeling alone in a Tacoma at the trailhead to go with us that only had a FRS radio. He had problems with it for some reason and ended up borrowing a GMRS handheld.

 

[roaniecowpony]

It's always nice to have spare handheld loaners.

 

[Ratbert]

It's always nice to have spare handheld loaners.

Absolutely. The challenge is to remember to keep them sufficiently charged.

 

[Terrymo]

Absolutely. The challenge is to remember to keep them sufficiently charged.

i am selectively compulsive about some thIngs and have a “Jeep Checklist“ of everything I need to load up and all the rechargeable items I need to charge the day before. I also ran a charging cable off the front of the midland unit to the glovebox and have a splitter charging cable for both handhelds if it came to it. I also installed the two mounting brackets for the handhelds. But truthfully the glovebox is too full of crap that would have to emptied out. It seemed like a good idea at the time.

 

[Killed by Death]

Thanks for all the advice guys!!! But wholly crap, I applied for my GMRS license yesterday. What a nightmare! I don't know if it's just the process or if the system hasn't recovered from the Fed shut down. I started about 10am yesterday and couldn't complete the process and pay until 10pm.

 

[RubiSc0tt]

I'm in Socal and don't know any jeepers using CB anymore. GMRS is by far the most popular.

Don't forget to get a license.
Why Do I Need a GMRS Radio License & How Do I Get It? (midlandusa.com)
Applying for a New License in the Universal Licensing System (ULS) | Federal Communications Commission (fcc.gov)

This.
I'm on the east coast, so I'm not sure about your region, but my group made the switch to GMRS in 2020-2021(?). Judging from the chatter on other local groups, that's the standard around here now. I pulled my CB out of my Jeep and it's been sitting in my garage since. I have 2 handhelds, so I can carry one with me and leave one in the Jeep for my kids if I'm spotting someone, or lend it to someone who needs a radio. Better range and quality, and you can program it with all the frequencies you use plus a bunch of weather broadcast channels to monitor for alerts/ updates.

 

[Pismo61]

I use cb for the road and gmrs(baofeng) for groups.

 

[Pismo61]

This is my CB Radio Antenna setup for my Cobra LTD Classis AM/FM. I'm using a 5 Foot Firestik II Tuneable Tip with a Walcott Radio cable. My VSWRs is 1.15:1 on Ch. 1 and a tad shy of 1.3:1 on Ch. 40. Occasionally, I do hear some CB radio trail comm on Ch. 16.

Did you have to ground the cb antenna?

 

[Nokones]

Did you have to ground the cb antenna?

Yes, the spare tire bracket support has chassis ground continuity and that was checked with the radio coax not being connected to the radio.

 

[Nokones]

This antenna also has a chassis ground using a grounding strap.

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