If you are in the market for a two-way radio system, you may be wondering which one you should go for between GMRS vs MURS radio.
Both types of radios have their benefits, so it depends on what you need the radio for GMRS radios have more channels and require a license to operate.
They also have a longer range than MURS radios. However, they are more expensive and can be more challenging to find.
MURS radios do not need a license to operate and are usually less expensive than GMRS radios. However, they have a shorter range and fewer channels.
What Is MURS Radio
MURS is an abbreviation for Multi-Use Radio Service. The MUTS is a two-way radio service that operates on 151 and 154 MHz frequencies.
Notably, there is no age restriction or a requirement for an individual license to operate the MURS devices. However, the device user must be a US citizen and not a foreign government representative.
Formally, the FCC defines MURS as a private two-way communication for voice and data over short distances for the general public. Notably, the service is ideal for personal and business activities.
All the same, the MURS stations should not be linked to the public telephone network. In addition, the system shouldn’t forward or store operations. Consequently, the radio service doesn’t use repeaters.
Again, you should note that it is illegal to use MURS while on board an aircraft.
How Far Will MURS Transmit?
The MURs have 5 VHF frequencies for handheld devices and a range of up to 2 miles when using their inbuilt antenna.
On the other hand, an external antenna would extend the range to over 10 miles. However, an external aerial shouldn’t exceed 60 feet from the ground.
All the same, most outdoor activity enthusiasts such as campers, boaters, or traveling communities use the MURS radio service.
What Is GMRS Radio
The abbreviation GMRS stands for General Mobile Radio Service. Just like the MURS, this radio service supports two audio communication over short distances.
Notably, GMRS utilizes UHF channels from 462MHz to 467MHz as licensed by FCC. For more details, look at the GMRS frequency list I had done in my other post.
One notable difference between GMRS vs MURS radio is that the former requires a license to operate while the latter doesn’t. A GMRS licensee must be over 18 years of age, and the registration only covers the immediate family members.
Recently, GMRS radio systems gained the ability to send short messages and data such as GPS location. For more information on this, you can look at the post What Is GMRS Radio, where I have covered everything about GMRS in detail.
Differences Between GMRS vs MURS Radio
The two systems are similar in that they support two-way audio communication, but what are the differences between GMRS Vs MURS? Some of the differences include:
1. Registration
One of the factor that put GMRS and MRS apart is the requirement for registration according to part 95 of 47 USC. Notably, to use GMRS, an individual or one immediate family member must get a GMRS license to operate the radio system.
The permit only covers the licensee and their immediate family members, and it’s renewable after 10 years.
On the other hand, one doesn’t need a license to use MURS radio.
2. Designated Frequencies
The other difference between GMRS vs MRS is the frequencies they use. The former uses channels between 462 and 467 MHz, while the latter operates on 151 and 154 MHz frequencies.
In addition, GMRS radio users can utilize repeater channels, but that area is out of bounds for MURS.
Notably, the MURS signals bend better over hills, but GMRS signals are superior at rebounding off surfaces and penetrating through walls.
3. Maximum Power
The greater the output wattage, the stronger and smoother the signal transmission is. According to FCC, MURS are limited to a max output of 2 watts.
On the other hand, the Federal Communications Commission has allowed 16 GMRS to operate up to 50 watts. The other GMRS channels have a max limit of 5 Watts.
Therefore, GMRS radios are stronger than MURS.
4. Cost
Finally, I can’t go without comparing the price difference between GMRS and MURs radios. As earlier noted, GMRS radios are slightly superior to MURS. In the same way, you can expect some differences in their cost.
GMRS handheld devices cost between $70 and $140, more feature-rich models can cost upwards of $500 or more.
The MURS devices cost range from $50 to $100, while more advanced models can cost more than $300.
When shopping for GMRS or MURS, you should also consider other features such as battery life, accessories, and warranty cover.
Hi, This Alex Yeager. I have been working with radio communication for last 5 years and very much experienced with different accessories of radio communication system.
Now I am writing and sharing my knowledge through this website based on my own experience. I specifically love to research in-depth on latest radio technology and guide to help beginners or non-professional to select the perfect radios, antennas, microphone as well as other related accessories according their needs.