If you are a fan of Tic Tok, you may have seen someone in your feed talking the advantages of handheld Walkie Talkies that you can talk to people all over the world. They push the Flash sale in their online store on several model radios, which are good prices, but I think they might be overselling just a bit.
Additionally, they use the recent communication outages in North Carolian’s hurricane as an example of why you should have the radios. On, this they are correct. But follow along for a few. If you are thinking about getting a radio,
Let’s begin with two entry level services.
Family Radio Service (FRS) No License Required
The Family Radio Service (FRS) is a private, two-way, short-distance voice and data communications service for facilitating family and group activities. The most common use for FRS channels is short-distance, two-way voice communications using small hand-held radios that are similar to walkie-talkies. (Source: FCC) Read More Here: https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/family-radio-service-frs This is like CB radio, Goood Buddy, but more (I guess)!
General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) License Raquired, No Test
The General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) is a licensed radio service that uses channels around 462 MHz and 467 MHz. The most common use of GMRS channels is for short-distance, two-way voice communications using hand-held radios, mobile radios and repeater systems. Repeater systems allow you to expand the area you can reach. (Source: FCC) Read More Here: https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/general-mobile-radio-service-gmrs Most of the radios you are seeing on TikToc are Tig or Baofeng Radios and require at least a GMRS license ($35 from the FCC) and a Ham License on others. I’ll discuss GMRS more with an overview of groups and area networks setup by those groups
Ham Radio – We’re going to save this for another post. More complicated, several levels of licenses and each is testable.
Camper Jerry and His Friends 