If you have ever wondered what “channel 7” or “channel 15” actually means on a walkie-talkie, this chart answers it. The tables below list every FRS channel with its frequency and power limit, show how GMRS uses the same frequencies, and explain what the privacy codes on your radio do and do not do. The data comes from the FCC’s FRS and GMRS pages and 47 CFR Part 95.
FRS channels, frequencies and power
There are 22 FRS channels. Each is 12.5 kHz wide, and all of them are shared with GMRS. Power is given as effective radiated power (ERP).
| FRS channel | Frequency (MHz) | Max power (ERP) | GMRS channel group |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 462.5625 | 2 W | 462 MHz interstitial |
| 2 | 462.5875 | 2 W | 462 MHz interstitial |
| 3 | 462.6125 | 2 W | 462 MHz interstitial |
| 4 | 462.6375 | 2 W | 462 MHz interstitial |
| 5 | 462.6625 | 2 W | 462 MHz interstitial |
| 6 | 462.6875 | 2 W | 462 MHz interstitial |
| 7 | 462.7125 | 2 W | 462 MHz interstitial |
| 8 | 467.5625 | 0.5 W | 467 MHz interstitial |
| 9 | 467.5875 | 0.5 W | 467 MHz interstitial |
| 10 | 467.6125 | 0.5 W | 467 MHz interstitial |
| 11 | 467.6375 | 0.5 W | 467 MHz interstitial |
| 12 | 467.6625 | 0.5 W | 467 MHz interstitial |
| 13 | 467.6875 | 0.5 W | 467 MHz interstitial |
| 14 | 467.7125 | 0.5 W | 467 MHz interstitial |
| 15 | 462.5500 | 2 W | 462 MHz main |
| 16 | 462.5750 | 2 W | 462 MHz main |
| 17 | 462.6000 | 2 W | 462 MHz main |
| 18 | 462.6250 | 2 W | 462 MHz main |
| 19 | 462.6500 | 2 W | 462 MHz main |
| 20 | 462.6750 | 2 W | 462 MHz main |
| 21 | 462.7000 | 2 W | 462 MHz main |
| 22 | 462.7250 | 2 W | 462 MHz main |
Source: FCC Family Radio Service page. The FCC adds that the usual range on channels 8–14 is under half a mile, while channels 1–7 and 15–22 can reach farther depending on conditions.
How GMRS uses these frequencies
GMRS has 30 channels, made up of 16 main channels and 14 interstitial channels. The FRS channels above are 22 of the 30. The other eight are the 467 MHz main channels, which are not part of FRS.
| GMRS group | Frequencies (MHz) | Who may transmit | Power limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 462 MHz main (8 channels) | 462.5500 to 462.7250, in 25 kHz steps (the same as FRS 15–22) | Mobile, handheld, repeater, base and fixed stations | Mobile, repeater and base: 50 W; fixed: 15 W |
| 462 MHz interstitial (7 channels) | 462.5625 to 462.7125 (the same as FRS 1–7) | Mobile, handheld and base stations | 5 W ERP |
| 467 MHz main (8 channels) | 467.5500 to 467.7250, in 25 kHz steps | Mobile, handheld and control stations only when communicating through a repeater (or brief test transmissions); fixed stations | Mobile, repeater and base: 50 W; fixed: 15 W |
| 467 MHz interstitial (7 channels) | 467.5625 to 467.7125 (the same as FRS 8–14) | Handheld units only | 0.5 W ERP |
Sources: 47 CFR §95.1763 (channels) and §95.1767 (power limits), and the FCC GMRS page. The main-channel text lists limits by station type and does not give a separate handheld figure, so check your radio’s manual and FCC grant for its own limit.
What the chart means in practice
- FRS channels 1–7 and 15–22 are the best choice for range among FRS channels, with up to 2 W.
- FRS channels 8–14 are low power and shorter range. They suit people close together, such as children in a park.
- GMRS licensees using channels 15–22 can use higher-power mobile or base equipment on the same frequencies FRS users share, so you may hear them.
- Repeater channels: the 467 MHz main channels are for repeater use. Repeater setups usually pair a 462 MHz output with a 467 MHz input at the matching frequency; ask the repeater owner for exact settings.
- Radios with more than 22 channels number the extra GMRS channels in their own way. Use the frequency, not the number, when comparing different brands.
Privacy codes: what they do
Most consumer radios offer “privacy codes,” which are really CTCSS tones and sometimes DCS codes. A CTCSS tone is a low-frequency tone added to your voice. A radio set to the same tone opens its speaker only when it hears that tone. Other users on the same channel are not removed from the airwaves; your radio just stays quiet for their calls.
That makes privacy codes useful for cutting down on other people’s chatter. They are not private in the sense of secure:
- Any radio with codes turned off, or set to another code, can still hear you if it is on your channel.
- Codes do not stop two groups from interfering with each other when they talk at the same time on one channel.
- Code numbers differ between brands. “Code 12” on one radio may not match “code 12” on another. If you mix brands, match the code’s tone frequency in Hz rather than the number.
- A typical consumer radio offers a choice of 38 CTCSS tones, though counts vary by model.
Set every radio in your group to the same channel and the same code, and use a spare channel and code as a backup. If you cannot hear a friend, turn the code off on your radio (or use the monitor button) to check whether the channel is busy.
Quick rules to remember
- No FRS channel belongs to any one user. Listen before you talk.
- FRS radios must be FCC-certified, must not be modified, and cannot be connected to the telephone system.
- GMRS needs an individual FCC license. See Using a Two-Way Radio for the First Time for how to test your radios before a trip.
- Range varies a great deal with terrain, so read how far two-way radios actually reach before you plan around a number.
Top image: Mot t5400 (annotated Motorola Talkabout T5400 FRS radio) by Haikupoet, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
