Ham radios can receive FRS transmissions but cannot (or rather should not) transmit on FRS frequencies. The reason for this has to do with regulations set in place by the Federal Communications Commission and the part requirements that limit channel usage by radio operators.
What Are Ham Radios Used For?
Ham radios are also known as amateur radios. When it comes to using ham radios they do not have as much of a structured use as other types of radios.
Many amateur radio users may choose to purchase or build their own radios and use them to communicate with individuals as close to them as in their hometown or as far away from them as to another country.
Regulations On Ham Radio Usage
To legally transmit on the many frequencies available for ham radio broadcast, you need to obtain an amateur operator license grant from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Once you pass the short test and obtain your FCC-approved license you are then given operating authority. However, you must follow a certain set of rules and regulations set forth by the FCC when it comes to your ham radio specifications and uses.
For ham radios, these requirements fall under 47 C.F.R, Part 97. The FCC requires that ham radios meet certain part requirements, which should be taken into consideration if you decide to build a ham radio yourself or are thinking of modifying it to operate on restricted channels.
Ham Radios Have Less Structured Use but Not Complete Free Roam
It is important for licensed ham radio users to realize that radio service frequencies are designated for specific uses. The fact that ham radio users need to acquire a license means they are expected to make knowledgeable decisions when it comes to which frequency they use. As such they will be held responsible for their decisions in doing so.
This means that although ham radios have a wide range of frequencies that operators can use for broadcasting, they should refrain from specific service frequencies to allow ease of use for other broadcasters.
As such, the FCC requires that ham radios meet certain part requirements and operating practices for their legal use.
Ham Radio Operating Practices
One of the good operating practices expected of ham radio users is that ham radios should not transmit or broadcast on FRS channels. There is an abundance of amateur service frequencies that ham radio users are expected to, and should, make the most effective use out of.
It is needless to say that with such a wide range of frequencies to utilize, there is no reason for channels with more specified uses to be used by ham radio operators.
What Are FRS Radios Use For?
FRS (Family Radio Service) radios are a private, two-way, short-distance communication device that is typically used between family members or for group activities. They do not broadcast as far as ham radios and are not as powerful. They are much more like walkie-talkies.
FRS radios are allocated the use of twenty-two channels for use. An FRS radio’s short-distance communication allows for more individuals to be able to use the same channels without their signals overlapping one another.
Regulations on FRS Radio Usage
Unlike ham radio users, operators of FRS radios do not need to be licensed. Only the radio itself must be licensed and must comply with part rules 47 C.F.R, 95. As such, FRS radios should not be built by oneself but are manufactured radios that are FCC certified.
One noticeable difference between radio part requirements is that where ham radios can be modified to increase power or range, FRS radios need to have fixed parts. The part rules dictate that the antenna must be non-removable. The antenna also cannot exceed a gain of a half-wave dipole antenna and should emit waves vertically along the electric field when being operated.
What is the Importance of Part Requirements?
Knowing how the parts of ham radio and FRS radio help it function can aid in preventing you from the pitfalls of entering FRS radio space with ham radios. This is because part requirements aid in setting the limitations for what channels and frequencies a specific type of radio can broadcast on.
Ham radios have part requirements that do not prohibit a user from modifying the radio itself. In fact, you may choose to do so to amplify its power and range. This is not necessarily a bad thing unless you plan to modify it to use it on service frequencies it is not certified for use on.
On the other end of things, FRS radios can only operate on specific channels. FRS radios are specifically designed so that they are preprogrammed or fixed to access only the specified space in which they can transmit legally.
As FRS radios are regulated to have non-removable antennas with limited power and channelization, modifications to them are illegal.
How Do Different Channels Help Users of Ham and FRS Radios?
With radio services designated for specific uses, ham radio users having a license means they are expected to make knowledgeable decisions when it comes to which frequency they use.
As mentioned, ham radios have a wide range of frequencies that operators can use for broadcasting, giving them no need to interfere with specified frequencies.
The reason for this is to help prevent interference of signals and communication. Ham radios use up to 5 watts of power compared to FRS radios, which have an output of up to 2 watts. The differing power output can cause the signals of FRS radios to be obliterated by the higher-powered ham signals, thus disrupting communication on designated channels.
Can Ham Radios Talk to FRS- A Final Verdict
A ham radio, especially a modified one, can technically pick up FRS communications and even transmit on FRS frequencies. However, just because a ham radio can receive the transmission of FRS radios, it is ill-advised and even illegal by the FCC for ham radios to transmit on FRS frequencies due to the reasons mentioned above.
