GMRS Planner explains the General Mobile Radio Service: licensing, channels, radios, antennas, range and repeaters. It works from the FCC’s rules, the FCC’s own licensing pages and the manufacturers’ spec sheets, and links every figure to its source.
Rules first. You need an FCC license to transmit on GMRS (47 CFR 95.1705). The eCFR text of 47 CFR Part 95 Subpart E is the authority. This site is general information, not legal advice.
What we cover
- Licensing and rules: eligibility, the ULS application, channels, power limits, identification and prohibited uses. See Licensing & Rules.
- Radios: handhelds, mobiles and bases, compared from spec sheets. See Radios.
- Antennas and range: height, gain, ERP and realistic distances. See Antennas & Range.
- Repeaters: how they work and how to use them properly. See Repeaters.
- Tools: a license checklist, a range and antenna height estimator and a repeater offset and tone planner.
Who it’s for
Families, ranch and farm households, overlanders and anyone choosing between FRS and GMRS or setting up their first licensed radios.
How we research
- The rule text first. Channels, power, identification and permitted uses come straight from 47 CFR Part 95 Subpart E and the general Part 95 rules, cited by section number and checked against the current eCFR.
- FCC pages for process and fees. Licensing steps come from the FCC’s GMRS page and ULS/CORES help. Fees come from the FCC’s fee table.
- Manufacturer documents for radios. Power, channels, tones and accessories come from the maker’s spec sheet, product page and manual, linked and dated.
- Math you can check. Range estimates use the standard radio-horizon approximation, and every tool shows its formula.
- No first-hand claims. We don’t run radio tests or range trials and don’t claim personal use of the products we describe.
- Editorial review. Before publishing, each article goes through an automated editorial check for unsupported claims, math and rule wording. Every factual correction is confirmed against the primary source before it’s made.
- Kept current. Rules change and models get discontinued. Pages carry a “last checked” date.
How affiliate links work
Some links may become affiliate links. If you buy through one, the site may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Commissions never decide a recommendation. Details are on the affiliate disclosure page.
What this site isn’t
GMRS Planner isn’t a radio dealer, manufacturer, repeater operator or government agency, and it isn’t affiliated with the FCC or any brand it mentions. All trademarks belong to their owners.
Corrections
Found an outdated rule, a discontinued model or a mistake? Tell us through the contact page with the page URL and, ideally, the FCC section or the manufacturer’s document.