Most folks who aren`t in the Amateur Service, do not know that the el- cheapo VHF-UHF hand held ham sets can be carried by non- hams for monitoring purposes. In times of emergency, the FCC rules can be overridden and non- hams can transmit on these devices, thus, possibly saving lives and property. Going to Special Events and going to the GOTA tents can be good practice for non- hams. It also can be a great way to introduce folks into the hobby. I try to tell people about this, who ask me about my antenna farm on my pickup. I live in the Endless Mtns. in PA. There are some very remote, uninhabited areas here, between mountain ridges. Murs, FRS, etc., and even CB`s can also be useful. I once found my brother in a very remote, mobile situation simply, because he had a small CB radio in his van. 73, KC3BXZ Joe
@@JARyding Yes, technically, "the rules" cannot be legally "overridden " -- the rules INCLUDE a limited exemption for "mayday" situations where no other communication means will work.
Our relic hunting group has used murs for the past few years to coordinate large organized group hunts. Works much better in the wooded and hilly terrain where we hold these hunts vs frs and gmrs. Also most participants are using frs/gmrs so we dont have interference issues as, so far, Murs is a wonderful kept secret, and Im not telling too many folks about it!
@@xavierathorne There have been massive fines handed down for people who thought they had an emergency and jumped on public safety frequencies. The key here is that a lot of people have a different idea of "emergency" than the FCC does, and the FCC will win. But they are a lot more protective of those frequencies for good reason. A good rule of thumb for breaking into non-permitted bands in emergencies is "Am I screwed enough that I even care about receiving a FCC fine?" If you have enough broken bones that the answer is "no", then transmit away.
@@ExtremeSquared then that isn't an emergency. If somebody is too stupid to know what is or isn't an emergency, then they are an obvious exception. True emergencies-- nobody is being fined or jailed.
@@CenturyofTerror Yes, that is what I am saying. There are examples of this. The people in these cases thought they could use the defense that there was an emergency and they failed. I won't call them stupid -- they just made an expensive miscalculation.
Who influences the FCC to pass these dumb rules? Why can't we finally get normal, license free channels with 5 watt and repeater access so the public can use comms when needed? I was camping with 20 friends with no decent access to reliable communications. No cell reception, FRS walkie talkies were a joke, GMRS is similar but with a hassle of an FCC tax (aka license.) We had trouble coordinating with each-other because of very poor and weak radio signal and range. HAM is a licensed hobby that is drying up for a reason. People don't have time or desire to acquire licenses and PhDs on radio physics to have reliable communication in mountains or woods. Some countries make radio use easy for the public without restrictions that hamper its effective use.
I'm not sure if I'd call the FCC rules 'dumb' but MURS needs two things to really flourish as a license free radio service: allow 5 watts of power and Part 90 type accepted radios. Doing both will make it easier to find suitable equipment for this band. I also don't think repeaters should be allowed license free. If a repeater is going to occupy a frequency, there needs to be a level of accountability that a station license provides.
The GMRS license fee is not a tax. It is part of having you agree to know and follow the rules, once you are issued the license and callsign, so you can be monitored and identified when operating at 50 watts (or 5 wats on handheld) on someone else's repeaters. I got a ham license without any PhD, simply by studying free online materials at home for a few nights and taking the free tests for tech and general. If you want to communicate in the boonies, maybe use a satellite phone with a license similar to what your cellphone has.
UpnorthHere I have my GMRS license paid $70 this year. I was frustrated by lack of any concise, clear instructions or rules from FCC for GMRS. There are millions of links to obscure rules written by contract lawyers with Supreme Court linguistics. Everything I discovered about GMRS rules was from hobbyists on random internet forums. GMRS license is a tax since all you need is to pay the FCC without them providing any content to read about GMRS before they issue a license.
Been scanning the MURS channels recently trying to get a feel for who else is out there on those frequencies.. I’ve heard emergency traffic on a couple of them. I think my local EMS crew and Fire dept use them for simplex or Tach channels. I don’t want to interfere with them. But you’d think they would find a better designated freq for that kinda stuff?
Prior to the early 2000's, when the MURS band was created, the five channels used to be known as the business band 'color dot' channels. A license was required and there are still a few businesses that are grandfathered onto the service, most notably Walmart stores. It could be possible that your local fire and EMS are grandfathered, but I doubt it. They most likely latched onto the empty channels so as not to need a license. They really should move off them and onto a licensed public safety frequency.
I'm curious of the exclusion of the baofeng from murs if its set to 2 watts or less. Is it because of the capability of being used on licensed freqs and repeater use?
I'm just getting into all of this HAM radio stuff, and I am unlicensed right now. HAM OPERATORS - CALM DOWN RIGHT NOW!! SIMMER DOWN!! BE COOL, YOLANDA!!! Let me finish!! I don't even own a radio...YET! That said, I'll get the basic technicians license when I am able to, but I've been slightly confused. I can legally purchase and legally own a radio, I can legally take it in the backwoods with me, I can legally listen to everything...but I am not allowed to legally communicate with my friends or any other operators - until I am 'legally' bleeding to death? Then I can 'legally' use my radio?? I can use it only if I am dying? I can't use it for living purposes, only near death experiences?? How much effing sense does that make? AT ALL? THANKS FCC!! Thank you greedy, grubby legislators that can make millions and millions of dollars out of (literally), thin air!! Thank you for sharing this video, and I am so glad I found this information. I knew there had to be a 'safe zone' where an adult human being could communicate with other human beings within range without being sent to Shawshank for 20 years for saying 'hello' to someone...
Truth is FCC has better stuff to do than crack down on baofeng users. Ive had 2 and have local repeaters, FRS and MURS. FRS and MURS are dead in my area but I keep them in there anyway. Look at the guys running THOUSANDS of watts on channel 6 CB.... Legal output is 4... 99.99% of CB's arent legal lol. Been talking on them for years with amps. They just dont really care. No harm in using a baofeng on murs the way I see it. As long as you don't jam people or something, if I hear business convos they have priority and I'll change frequencies.
If you want to get and keep your license, you need to know and follow the rules. Otherwise, why bother to even get the license? Yes, there are limited exceptions for "actual emergencies ", but the rules allow us to cooperate in well- defined ways the rest of the time.
cb requires no license F R S is no license MURS is business band it's out G M R S is up and running and requires no test ham you have a test by the way I A M W R X N 824 f c c license
In the past year, there were some FCC rule changes and FRS can now transmit with 2 watts (but still using a fixed antenna) on the 462 MHz channels, however, they are still 1/2 watt on the 467 MHz interstitial channels and can not use repeater channels as in the past.
@@djsoundzentertainment42 Under the new regs, that would be a GMRS radio (not FRS ) and requires a GMRS license to operate, and other operating requirements under GMRS rules.
@@djsoundzentertainment42 That your GMRS radio has GMRS frequencies, not "FRS", although some GMRS frequencies match FRS frequencies, and are limited to 500 mW.
5:55 I have one of those telescoping paint roller poles. Just gave me an idea ;) :) And, in the previous slide, I remember those Motorola Maxtracs with the green dual LED Segmented channel display :)
When i had my technician license decades ago I put a home brew j-pole on the end of an extendable pool skimmer pole.I could put it. Up and take it down simple.
I am looking for about your product place lace me a message.When I post this, I am looking for more information on this I like to get more information or how would I get them codes and how would I can use them on a ham radio for emergency like if you are on a lake or something or anywhere else
KC9CPX ~ thank you for the security Channel LOL yeah Channel 4 is very popular. There are many volunteer fire departments across the Midwest that wear their radios into Walmart. If they don't use a tone then the Walmart people come blaring acrossed LOL. Burger King on Arby's uses the channel for drive-thru window. You'll hear a lot of nonsense in forums about Walmart kicking people out and threatening to call the police blah blah blah it's all a bunch of nonsense I wear my Murs handy talky in Walmart all the time they don't care
Motorola MURS radios have their channels labeled differently. Walmart has Motorola radios, so I think for them Channel 4 is Channel 2. That's how it is on my RMM2050.
KC9CPX I live across from a local walmart and hear alot they were fun to mess with now I just monitor murs channel 3 im part of a prepper group called amron we host local nets and its wayyyy better than ham no jamming either to worry about like it has in southeastern wisconsin im no longer a ham because of false crooked hams in my area made bogus statements to laura smith and she and I got into a heated discussion and she will not be renewing my license so I told her to shove it and to cancel my license and to take it off the database as I dont need or want any radio stalkers useing my license to jam or worse jam public safety like somebody from kenosha county did calling in a fireworks complaint over the sheriffs channel useing my callsign that I will not stand for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But feel free to send me an email at jonathancampos12@gmail.com
Being a first-time listener, you are a wonderful speaker and how eloquently put that you can use M.U.R.S. radio in conjunction with other services at an event. I have been trying to explain M.U.R.S. radio to truck shops for their vehicles as well as a base station. Since this band who uses part 95 rules for antennas that's a 60' tower or 20' off the roofline antenna! It's perfect for small companies. I know a group of men and teenagers in Shawnee Oklahoma that go to Murs when CB radio gets too crowded. I wanted to point out that you can use data on these frequencies and they do use them for opening Gates and turning sprinklers on and off the farms in Texas. There are websites the tell about data use on gmrs band. So I'm not sure where you found that you cannot use a computer. I know some people that are using computers for packet radio style communication to teach the kids interface and networking without having to have a ham license. If the kids are truly interested in ham then my friend gets them on the way to their ticket.
Some Walmart and Burger King still use MURS 154.570 MHz Blue Dot and 154.600 MHz Green Dot. While standing outside a Walmart waiting for friends buy some camping stuff I was talking to other friends who were getting gas a security guard asked what frequency I was talking on (I think it was 151.880 ch.2). I told him and he got all up in my face telling me I couldn't use it on Walmart property. He told me that Walmart had "licenses" for all MURS channels. I tried to show him on my pocket computer that he was wrong but he wouldn't listen, so I just turned and walked away. Our next stop was Burger King. My friends in the van heard the drive-up window person taking orders. Now I'm not someone who would encourage interfering with public safety, or other restricted frequencies, but geeze louise, I'm not above trolling a Burger King for a moment of fun. Everybody in the van started singing What's Up (Four Non Blondes) dropping the carrier after each verse. We didn't sing the entire song in the car, we got out and walked in the store singing. All I have to say is it was hysterical. No planes crashed, we didn't go to DEFCON 5 and we threw the kid with the headset a 20$ The entire staff behind the counter was in stitches along with all the customers. Six big bearded hairy guys with leathers, denim, grease on our hands and I sure we smelled kinda foul. True story!
Well I have had my radio on going through several Walmart's sticking right on the cart in front of me and the worst I got was an employee turn their head and looked at me. By the way nobody who is licensed has exclusive use of anyting. Because you are licensed ham operator do you have exclusive use of all the ham channels? He's just misinformed as well. Walmart can make a rule stating that they don't want you to use it inside their store and that would be fine if they put up a sign. But if you are out front on the sidewalk that is a common use area with all of the other stores in the shopping complex. Whatever fast food is out there or anchor grocery store. It's all common property in Walmart can't tell you not to use it in front of their store. But as long as you're not on there phone they won't hear you anyway because they have a repeater in that store in the middle that helps the walkie-talkies boost signal to each other inside the concrete. But of course best not to argue or the guard will harass you next time you want to buy a hammer. I wonder what he would tell the local volunteer fire department is also on Channel 4 frequency or an EMT service. They have a license as well. I don't think Walmart would have the ability to tell them to turn their radios off while inside the store LOL. All you can do with a $5 an hour employee is shake your head and walk away. By the way it just hit me, Walmart cannot possibly have a license for all five channels oh, they are licensed on the Business Band. Channel 1 2 and 3 are industrial channels I know for a fact the FCC does not issue crossband licenses LOL and as far as I know Walmart is a retail outlet not an industrial construction site or Metropolitan Water District or telephone company
Very informative, concise and helpful video Michael. I am new to amateur radio and this was exactly the MURS over view I was looking for. My boys and I are going to set up our radios on MURS for camping and hiking. Thanks for transmitting! 🙂
Ham people seem to be compulsive rule followers! As a professional driver I wish people cared hslf as much about driving as hams obsess about complying with pointless ridiculous rules!
Hello Michael, still using your great SlimJim antenna for my VHF base station. Works great. Thank you. With regard to MURS, a VHF service, can you make and use a roll-up J-pole antenna for the 151-154 mHz frequencies like you can for ham VHF? Also, would a regular J-pole or SlimJim work for MURS, provided it was cut to the right length for the frequencies involved? 73. PS Thanks for what you do for ham radio.
It's not just the cheap baofengs that can (illegally) use MURS. Radios that can accept a "MARS/CAP modification" can usually transmit on MURS frequencies. Hypothetically, I could have programmed my Yaesu mobile with low power narrow bandwidth MURS frequencies to facilitate communication with unlicensed people on their baofengs in the wilderness. Hypothetically.
There are amateur radio operators on MURS that study with the MURS operators regularly on channel 3. The amateur radio operators are often heard teaching the MURS operators how to make antennas. The antennas can be as basic as a simple ground plane all the way up to yagi antennas and dual band MURS and GMRS J-poles. They explain standing wave ratio and propagation to the MURS operators. Using what the MURS operators have learned, I will hear them making MURS contacts across several cities using yagi antennas. I once even heard an experimental 45 mile communication with two operators using yagis. It is doubtless many of these MURS operators will be licensed soon.
So can MURS be used in a ROIP setup? Similar to what some GMRS and HAM groups have done? I understand it can’t be used over a switched network.Just curious about internet.
Been using MURS for about 15 years. Started off using them at theme parks after finding out that those places are warzones on FRS. Only once did I run across another group using MURS and it was another ham using them for the family. Now we mainly use them while camping as a lot of campgrounds have poor cell coverage. It was hard finding radios back in the beginning but use Kenwood TK2100s and Topaz Murs-22. The MURS V1 looks nice. Is that the stock antenna?
I know what you mean about the FRS/GMRS warzone. We have a ski hill nearby and before the advent of everyone carrying smart phones, I would hear the GMRS channels loaded with skier traffic during the weekends. Yes, that is the stock antenna for the radio.
I had bought the TruTalk MURS-25 back when they came out and dished out $199 each to Henshaw Electronics. Back in those days the radio had a ch.6 which paired ch.4 and ch.5 for repeater use. Wish I still had those radios but had problems with them and sent them back to Henshaw and never got replacements or a refund.
You can use CTCSS and DCS tones on the MURS band. I'm not aware if digital modulation types are allowed on that band- I'd have to read the FCC part 95 rules to verify.
Use also depends on where you live. Here in the LA area, MURS is severely overused, even by data/non-voice transmissions that really soak up the frequencies. Hopefully in other areas of the country it is quieter.
I purchased a Retevis RT 27 several months ago off of e-Bay just to look it over. It set me back $22 New in the Box with shipping and tax. It is slightly larger than the little FRS units. The Retevis looks well made. My complaint is that the antenna is a fixed style so I can not upgrade. I am sure it is so they can make it in the UHF/ FRS radios and save a dime. The unit is stamped with the FCC accepted codes & numbers. I have not had time to play with it much but it seemed to operate 1/5 of a mile in a city environment on the #5 (wide) channel. I am going to hang onto it.
Well if you do end up selling that Kenwood TK 290 let me know because I would like some more Murs equipment that would also be perfect for railroad monitoring as well keep me in mind
@@randykitchleburger2780 I've always said that MURS isn't something that you listen to because there's just nobody on it. But MURS really is pretty useless in most areas because the FCC wants it to be useless. It really would be a nice alternative or backup to GMRS if the FCC would do what I've suggested. I've monitored the VHF Business Band frequencies extensively and I'm here to tell you, it's DEAD. There's no good reason why the FCC couldn't reallocate 17 additional frequencies to MURS creating a 22 channel version of the service. And increasing the legal power to 5 watts would help immensely. Of course all of this is just a pipe dream and will never happen. It's okay to dream though. 😴
Cool video I have my tech license but have never looked into the MURS frequencies. I just ordered the yaesu ft 65 r from hro and the Mars cap mod can be performed by punching in a code instead of opening the radio. Never hurts to be prepared for a shtf situation.
Great info. Not encouraging anyone to break the law, but if it were a big enough deal, there'd be more type accepted radios. I use MURS with my family more and more lately.
Have acquired my call sign and GMRS license, now seeking and debating to either purchase a FRS/GMRS radio or MURS? Seeking advice as participative in Jeep roundabouts jamborees, camping and mountain biking escaped. Seeking suggestions since again assurance getting a suitable means of communication for me, family and friends.
FRS is license free but GMRS lets you use higher power radios and repeaters. That may be advantageous if you are in areas that all limited coverage with low powered handheld radios. It's super easy to have a cache of FRS radios and hand them out to friends at a gathering. I've done that to get everyone communicating. If you are looking for communications during roundabouts and events- I'd probably survey to see what other people are using for their method of communication.
great info. have a question. how does one get a high power license for murs? they have these off road race radios. rugged radios and pci race radios. how do they get by or what license do they need? I want to follow the law but don't know what license I need. the ham license won't help me for those channels. they typically run 151-154. thanks for any help
It appears that there are a few itinerant business band frequencies that allow transceivers up to 35 watts: wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Common_Itinerant_and_Business. That might be what they are using. As for licensing to use to frequencies, I'm not sure of the process. I'd have to dig through the FCC website.
~ I did all the digging I could on this including finding the minutes taken at the FCC meetings and Congressional hearings. It seems that Motorola and some other company wanted to create this band because you had CB on 11 m, and Family Radio Service on UHF but there was no VHF license free. RadioShack sat there and oppose the whole thing and threw temper tantrums at every corner because they did not think of this idea. They refuse to make five channel radios even though they had a 2 Channel radio with 2 watts. They absolutely refused to make a mobile unit for this band. Everybody else just decided to use handy talkies for the construction industry. But the long and short of it is like CB having a 4 watt limit the Murs band has a 2 watt limit. The licenses that were handed to Walmart etcetera for business Bend are there to stay but there will be no new high-power licenses issued on these two frequencies. 4 Watts on 11 meters get you about the same as 2 watts on VHF distance wise. Just a nice 10 mile station and mobile units for personal home or business use. The other idea was to move some people over and decrease the congestion on CB or GMRS. Also the FCC says you can grandfather in an older radio not type accepted if it's before the 2000 date. The problem is the narrow and wide band is narrower then the ham counterparts look at the video again and you'll notice the 11 versus the 12:25 bandwidth. The rules make it virtually impossible to put any mobile unit into service. Other than the two channel 2 Watt Radio Shack Business Band there isn't a whole lot you can find that will conform. Hammers and other radio people are telling me they're just running the ham Channel width and it just sounds like a Bodacious slightly over modulated radio to anybody else but you're still on freq. But of course nobody will recommend that.
@@rifleshooterchannel208 "Freedom of speech "? So, you're saying The Communication Act of 1938 is "unconstitutional "? Good luck with THAT ridiculous "defense".
So murs is still used by emergency personnel? I'm sorry but I'm a bit confused! ......I have a few baofeng radios and I'm terrified to hit the ptt button I just bought a set of 888s and scared the FCC will come for me if I use them out of the box !!! Help??? Pls
Can somebody tell me why the m u r s radio channels are so quiet I just got myself a rt27v 5 channel walkie talkie and there's nobody on the crazy thing why is that
GOOD WISCONSIN - - - Any recommendations for "Type J" mobile radios for MURS? Is the TK-7180 from kenwood Type J and how do you find out? Thanks for the great video and any help.
MURS does have a 2 watt restriction and the Btech MURS radio does meet that power limit. Other Baofeng radios are not type accepted for MURS, so using them on the MURS channels would be in violation of FCC regulation.
Micheal your doing a Great Job I watch your you tube channel oven Can you Answer my Question Im still a Technician Ham License, Will a An-tron 99 Due 20 meters ? What Antennas can Due 10 meters and 20 meters that you know of, I look Forwards to Hearing from You! Happy Holidays, Victor WH6FLQ Aloha from Hawaii & 73!
The Antron-99 is a popular antenna for CB radio, and it will easily do the 10 meter band with a bit of adjustment. I did a bit of sleuthing online and it appears with a tuner you can also use it on 12 and 17 meters, and somewhat on 20 meters. Since the 20 meter band is a bit of a stretch for the antenna it will take a manual tuner and a bit of luck and skill to good results. Since you mentioned the Antron, I'm guessing you are looking for vertical antennas for 10 -20 meters. Hygain makes some good verticals that cover those bands: www.hy-gain.com/Categories.php?sub=1&ref=41. Otherwise I would recommend a multi-band wire antenna, although that again may necessitate using a tuner.
What has a better range? A MURS walkie-talkie set or a GMRS set that I would get the license from the FCC from? I don’t mind paying the 50 bucks in getting a license if that’s going to be the better technology.
That's a tough question as it's like comparing apples and oranges. MURS radios are VHF and are limited to 2 watts while GMRS radios are UHF and can use up to 40 watts with a mobile/base radio. If you are out in the woods or a rural setting, MURS handhelds might give you better range as compared to a GMRS handheld. But in an urban environment the GMRS band's UHF signal will have better building penetration and a higher resistance to interference.
KB9VBR Antennas Update, I decided to go with MURS after all because for just occasional family use I didn’t want to pay the government the fee for a GMRS license. I’m pretty happy with them.
@Stevie Blue There are people who care. Otherwise the regulations would have been changed in 2017, when they had the chance. Illegal is illegal for a reason.
@@htfkid2000 not 'type' accepted? So it's functions are designed to operate for just that purpose, like every other hand-held two-way radio, but you can't use it? That's like saying "You can have a steering wheel in your F-350, but if you have an F-150 you are not permitted to purchase that vehicle with a steering wheel from the manufacturer, or install and after-market steering wheel...and if we catch you driving it with a steering wheel you're gonna' be in BIG trouble!! F-350's? No problems!!" Or you can buy a boat but you can not use an outboard motor for it. It isn't even laughable. China refused to pay the FCC money the FCC expected from China to import Baofeng UV5R two-way radios, so the FCC simply would not approve Baofeng UV5R's. China did eventually agree to pay the FCC their graft, so some Baofeng's are legal and some are not. The legal Baofeng's have the 'compliant' FCC registration # on the back of the battery compartment. If it doesn't have that FCC registration # it is illegal. If it has that FCC approved registration # it is legal. If I am wrong, please correct me. I'm brand new at this, but this seems like every other license in existence in N. America; a money grab.
@@dwaynerobertson383 no. It’s more like buying a car that CAN go 100 mph, but knowing you cannot use a regular license to do so on public highways. The FCC is chartered to administer RF bandwidth under the US statutes. They pay for some of that with money from license or certification fees friom people taking advantage of the airwaves. What if your neighbors illegally set up a baby monitor that prevents you from using wifi or a cellphone? Should th e FCC just butt out and let you figure it out? Also, to GET type approval generally requires submittal of certified test results and legally binding statements of compliance. Anyone illegally manufacturing or marketing in violation of the FCC rules should expect to be fined if not imprisoned.
@@UpnorthHere thank you for that explanation man. Seriously. I appreciate that. Makes a lot of sense, the way you put it and why. Stay safe and play safe!!
@@dwaynerobertson383 Also worth noting that many Chinese companies now hire US or European test labs for certification. It has little or nothing to do with "China " paying graft, since each company still has to file the application, reports and certifications to get FCC type-approvals like anyone else.
"Short distance 2 way communications using small portable hand held radios that function similar to walkie talkies"? That is a description of a walkie talkie.
Can MURS, or the BTech radio to be more specific, reach 10-15 miles to a friend? It is a rural area (generally flat with a river in between. What kind of antenna or base would I need? Or what if we both had strong antennas or a base? Great video thanks for the help.
I think it will really tough to communicate 10-15 miles on the MURS band. MURS is designed for short range point-to-point communications. The radios in that service are limited to 2 watts transmit power. You can use external antennas, but I think you would need a tower and favorable terrain to still cover that distance. Maybe GMRS would be better suited for your needs.
Thanks for the video it cleared up a lot of my questions concerning MURS. I am still a bit confused why in the BTECH MURS-V1 booklet it shows 15 channels but everyone says MURS is 5 channels. I'm very new to "radio speak" so simple explanations will be better for me to understand. Thanks
That's a great question and I'm glad you brought the point up. There are only 5 MURS channels, but the BTech has 15 channels hard programmed into it. You can't change the frequencies of the channels, but you can change the CTCSS or DCS codes for each channel. Having three sets of channels allows you to have up to three different tone codes for each channel. I hope this answers your question.
Ha ha I think I need to do more studying. I'm in no way a radio guy. My experience extends to bubble package radios (cobra, midland, etc.) The issues I have is everyone was using the same style radios on campgrounds, parks, hiking trails, etc. So I was told about MURS since it doesn't require a license to operate. I'm not really sure what CTCSS and DCS is but Ill look online to study this. I also hear others speak about blocking tones, Walmart, home depot, etc. That's something else I need to study.
Yes, that is correct. 3 banks of five channels, or 15 channels total. You can change the CTCSS or DCS codes for each of the channels, but you can't add or remove channels.
As with similar "privacy codes", you're still sharing the same 5 MURS channels -- you're just ignoring (and possibly annoying ) anyone who has to listen to you because you just talk right over people you can't hear.
Was that a Kenwood TK-290 you picked up? I have the 290, would I be able to program MURS Freq’s into that radio and be ok to use as a Car to Car for off-road or hunting?
Yep, it's the TK-290. It is capable of transmitting on the MURS frequencies, so, yes you could use it for car to car operation. But officially it's not type accepted for FCC Part 95 operation.
Yes, there are now 16 channels that are shared by FRS and GMRS where FRS users can run up to 2 watts of power. The FCC made that rule modification in mid 2017.
Hi Michael. Thank you for the video. I understand it is an older one but you make some really good points on MURS. Do you have ideas on a MURS repeater? I know that BaoFeng makes some connectors for their rigs to set one up, but you make J-Poles for about everything, I thought I would ask you your thoughts. My thoughts are for people who want to learn about radios but don't want the license, this is a good way to get them started. Also, having people in a Tactical Operations Center (TOC) during emergency and/or disaster support, who do not have licenses, but need radios in the local operating areas when cell and power are out, MURS could be a good deal with a repeater. 73 Matthew.
Unfortunately the MURS band only has five channels and there is no provision for repeater operation. I do make a MURS specific J-Pole antenna and it is quite popular. Even if there is no repeater capability the band and the radios are quite useful as a teaching tool and for short range emergency communications.
If I wanted to have the Btech MURS V1 radio in a radio pouch on my side, and a coax cable from the radio for anywhere from 2’-3’ to an antenna mounted/ran in/on the back of a armored plate carrier/bulletproof vest with steel plates, what coax cable and antenna would you suggest? Is there a longer antenna than the 8” 701C as suggested that will improve range in a wooded scenario? Or will this even work with the steel plates being so close as to not cause interference? Thanks I’m advance for the help.
Armor plating won't affect the coaxial cable and as long as the antenna is above the plates- you shouldn't have an issue. As for the type of cable‚ I'd look for something light and flexible. Since you only need a couple of feet‚ losses wouldn't be an issue. As for the type of antenna in the woods‚ you are going to receive a certain amount of attenuation from the foliage and tree cover. A longer antenna may not necessarily be better as antenna height and terrain will be bigger factors in getting your signal out.
Thank you for the help with this. Understanding what you said, I still want to understand a little more about the Antenna. Is there a better all around antenna than the upgraded 8” 701C out there for the MURS V1 in you opinion? Im just looking for better overall transmit and receive strength in general wether on flat open ground or where ever.
@@irishanimal917 I know this is a little late to the game (conversation) but, the Nagoya NA-771 High Gain 15.6-Inch Whip VHF/UHF (144/430Mhz) Antenna SMA-Female Connector will work on the radio. I have 2 for use on my GT3TP's (basically an upgraded UV5R) and they make quite a difference on both transmit and receive.
KB9VBR Antennas ....how does murs compare to gmrs in overall usefulness? I realize gmrs is not for business, Im curious if gmrs will be better for longer range use over murs
No they are not. The FCC allows for MURS radios to use external antennas with a height of no more of 50 feet. Max transmit output power is 2 watts, but there is no limit on Effective Radiated Power from an antenna. The Family Radio Service (FRS) radios, which uses UHF frequencies interspersed among the GMRS band may not have removable antennas.
One more question, could you legally program these to listen to NOAA channels? I'm new to this things. Edit: The BTECH MURS-V1 is what I'm asking about.
I looked it up & saw BTech MURS-V1 for >$60. Instead of them having a law that would force people to pay for their radio in a real emergency am I able to grab my cheaper Baofeng to find help?
The J-Pole has about 4-5 Mhz of bandwidth, so it is a little bit of a stretch to cover both the MURS and 2 meter band. I have specially tuned the antenna for a few customers so you can get the lower channels of the MURS and upper end of the 2 meter band, but otherwise the antenna can't cover both bands in their entirety.
The type of coax depends on the length of your feed line run. Since the MURS transmitter is pretty low power‚ I recommend investing in a low loss coax like LMR-400 if your feedline is 50 feet of more. Otherwise if the cable is in the 25 foot vicinity‚ then CNT-240 is a really good choice: amzn.to/2OSFqTt
KB9VBR Antennas thanks I am just getting in to radio and setting up a MURS network for the neighborhood for emergency notification. Also getting a ham license!
![ลองสั่งของจากแอพ temu ถูกจริงหรอ?? [โกงไหมครับ ep.88 ] | DOM](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/RTcZSQTiDZw/mqdefault.jpg)
Very well explained video about MURS. Not everyone knows about this channel the way they know about FRS or GMRS.
Kind of like it being unknown.
I am just getting into Ham radio, and this channel has been very informative. I still have alot to learn, hopefully I can pass my test on Dec. 14th.
Well I passed, and I have my call sign.
@@OG_Zlog Congrats!
@@OG_Zlog Congrats
Most folks who aren`t in the Amateur Service, do not know that the el- cheapo VHF-UHF hand held ham sets can be carried by non- hams for monitoring purposes. In times of emergency, the FCC rules can be overridden and non- hams can transmit on these devices, thus, possibly saving lives and property. Going to Special Events and going to the GOTA tents can be good practice for non- hams. It also can be a great way to introduce folks into the hobby. I try to tell people about this, who ask me about my antenna farm on my pickup. I live in the Endless Mtns. in PA. There are some very remote, uninhabited areas here, between mountain ridges. Murs, FRS, etc., and even CB`s can also be useful. I once found my brother in a very remote, mobile situation simply, because he had a small CB radio in his van. 73, KC3BXZ Joe
That emergency needs to be life or death, not out of gas or even a car crash if there are no serious injuries
Exactly. But the 2 watt rule makes me cringe. It should be 30 - 200 watts but....
@@JARyding Yes, technically, "the rules" cannot be legally "overridden " -- the rules INCLUDE a limited exemption for "mayday" situations where no other communication means will work.
@@UpnorthHere If you want 30W to 200W, just go for the 144-148 range.
if you do not have a call sign no one will talk to you same on G M R S you need to give your
full calsign every 10 minets
Our relic hunting group has used murs for the past few years to coordinate large organized group hunts. Works much better in the wooded and hilly terrain where we hold these hunts vs frs and gmrs. Also most participants are using frs/gmrs so we dont have interference issues as, so far, Murs is a wonderful kept secret, and Im not telling too many folks about it!
I use MURS radio for traveling when I'm outdoors I love watching trains and there great for communicating one another.
No license needed in a life or death emergency on any frequency.
Not true. You can still be fined or arrested.
UpnorthHere ...
Oh really??? Show me ONE example of a fine imposed, or an arrest made for ANYONE, unlicensed or not, transmitting a distress call.
@@xavierathorne There have been massive fines handed down for people who thought they had an emergency and jumped on public safety frequencies. The key here is that a lot of people have a different idea of "emergency" than the FCC does, and the FCC will win. But they are a lot more protective of those frequencies for good reason.
A good rule of thumb for breaking into non-permitted bands in emergencies is "Am I screwed enough that I even care about receiving a FCC fine?" If you have enough broken bones that the answer is "no", then transmit away.
@@ExtremeSquared then that isn't an emergency. If somebody is too stupid to know what is or isn't an emergency, then they are an obvious exception. True emergencies-- nobody is being fined or jailed.
@@CenturyofTerror Yes, that is what I am saying. There are examples of this. The people in these cases thought they could use the defense that there was an emergency and they failed. I won't call them stupid -- they just made an expensive miscalculation.
that btech looks suspiciously similar to a baofeng uv-82
Yeah same radio but murs only. Alot more cost and alot less features.
FRS was updated to Max 2 watts power - up from 500mw (2017)
True , but only for the former GMRS channels. The original FRS channels are still 500 mW.
Who influences the FCC to pass these dumb rules? Why can't we finally get normal, license free channels with 5 watt and repeater access so the public can use comms when needed? I was camping with 20 friends with no decent access to reliable communications. No cell reception, FRS walkie talkies were a joke, GMRS is similar but with a hassle of an FCC tax (aka license.) We had trouble coordinating with each-other because of very poor and weak radio signal and range. HAM is a licensed hobby that is drying up for a reason. People don't have time or desire to acquire licenses and PhDs on radio physics to have reliable communication in mountains or woods. Some countries make radio use easy for the public without restrictions that hamper its effective use.
I'm not sure if I'd call the FCC rules 'dumb' but MURS needs two things to really flourish as a license free radio service: allow 5 watts of power and Part 90 type accepted radios. Doing both will make it easier to find suitable equipment for this band. I also don't think repeaters should be allowed license free. If a repeater is going to occupy a frequency, there needs to be a level of accountability that a station license provides.
The GMRS license fee is not a tax. It is part of having you agree to know and follow the rules, once you are issued the license and callsign, so you can be monitored and identified when operating at 50 watts (or 5 wats on handheld) on someone else's repeaters. I got a ham license without any PhD, simply by studying free online materials at home for a few nights and taking the free tests for tech and general. If you want to communicate in the boonies, maybe use a satellite phone with a license similar to what your cellphone has.
UpnorthHere I have my GMRS license paid $70 this year. I was frustrated by lack of any concise, clear instructions or rules from FCC for GMRS. There are millions of links to obscure rules written by contract lawyers with Supreme Court linguistics. Everything I discovered about GMRS rules was from hobbyists on random internet forums. GMRS license is a tax since all you need is to pay the FCC without them providing any content to read about GMRS before they issue a license.
Been scanning the MURS channels recently trying to get a feel for who else is out there on those frequencies.. I’ve heard emergency traffic on a couple of them. I think my local EMS crew and Fire dept use them for simplex or Tach channels. I don’t want to interfere with them. But you’d think they would find a better designated freq for that kinda stuff?
Prior to the early 2000's, when the MURS band was created, the five channels used to be known as the business band 'color dot' channels. A license was required and there are still a few businesses that are grandfathered onto the service, most notably Walmart stores. It could be possible that your local fire and EMS are grandfathered, but I doubt it. They most likely latched onto the empty channels so as not to need a license. They really should move off them and onto a licensed public safety frequency.
Lester???
MURS is license by rule
No disrespect, but MURS isn't a ham band.
No it's not, but it is complimentary to the amateur radio service and a lot of my viewers do have an interest in it.
I enjoy listening to this gentlemen he is very good and knowledge have.more of these keep up the good work
anyone can seem to have good knowledge, when looking down every 4 seconds to read off paper
I saw Retevis RT-40 DMR license free on Amazon. Is this a legal possibility for digital secure comms? Or is it just deceptive and illegal?
Just an all-around excellent video. I thank KB9VBR very much for sharing. Also, as a Waukesha County guy...On Wisconsin!
I'm curious of the exclusion of the baofeng from murs if its set to 2 watts or less. Is it because of the capability of being used on licensed freqs and repeater use?
From what I can tell, the baofeng can interfere with adjacent frequencies and that’s the biggest reason it’s not type accepted.
Is there a MURS Radio like a CB type that can be mounted in a vehicle that will communicate with hand held walkie talkie murs radios?
Sorry, but no.
I'm just getting into all of this HAM radio stuff, and I am unlicensed right now. HAM OPERATORS - CALM DOWN RIGHT NOW!! SIMMER DOWN!! BE COOL, YOLANDA!!! Let me finish!! I don't even own a radio...YET! That said, I'll get the basic technicians license when I am able to, but I've been slightly confused. I can legally purchase and legally own a radio, I can legally take it in the backwoods with me, I can legally listen to everything...but I am not allowed to legally communicate with my friends or any other operators - until I am 'legally' bleeding to death? Then I can 'legally' use my radio?? I can use it only if I am dying? I can't use it for living purposes, only near death experiences?? How much effing sense does that make? AT ALL? THANKS FCC!! Thank you greedy, grubby legislators that can make millions and millions of dollars out of (literally), thin air!! Thank you for sharing this video, and I am so glad I found this information. I knew there had to be a 'safe zone' where an adult human being could communicate with other human beings within range without being sent to Shawshank for 20 years for saying 'hello' to someone...
Truth is FCC has better stuff to do than crack down on baofeng users. Ive had 2 and have local repeaters, FRS and MURS. FRS and MURS are dead in my area but I keep them in there anyway. Look at the guys running THOUSANDS of watts on channel 6 CB.... Legal output is 4... 99.99% of CB's arent legal lol. Been talking on them for years with amps. They just dont really care. No harm in using a baofeng on murs the way I see it. As long as you don't jam people or something, if I hear business convos they have priority and I'll change frequencies.
If you want to get and keep your license, you need to know and follow the rules. Otherwise, why bother to even get the license? Yes, there are limited exceptions for "actual emergencies ", but the rules allow us to cooperate in well- defined ways the rest of the time.
cb requires no license F R S is no license MURS is business band it's out G M R S is up and running
and requires no test ham you have a test by the way I A M W R X N 824 f c c license
154.570 is what Walmart uses.
Not all Walmart’s because our local store uses both channel 2 & 3.
@@1OFGODSOWN ... The store near me uses both channels 4 and 5
(154.570 MHz and 154.600 MHz).
In the past year, there were some FCC rule changes and FRS can now transmit with 2 watts (but still using a fixed antenna) on the 462 MHz channels, however, they are still 1/2 watt on the 467 MHz interstitial channels and can not use repeater channels as in the past.
Yes, you are correct. I was speaking broadly about FRS and forgot that the FCC changed the rules to allow up to 2 watt operation on certain channels.
BTech GMRS V-1 has the FRS channels in them and the radio allows external antennas.
@@djsoundzentertainment42 Under the new regs, that would be a GMRS radio (not FRS ) and requires a GMRS license to operate, and other operating requirements under GMRS rules.
@@UpnorthHere Yes, so what are you trying to tell me?
@@djsoundzentertainment42 That your GMRS radio has GMRS frequencies, not "FRS", although some GMRS frequencies match FRS frequencies, and are limited to 500 mW.
5:55 I have one of those telescoping paint roller poles. Just gave me an idea ;) :) And, in the previous slide, I remember those Motorola Maxtracs with the green dual LED Segmented channel display :)
When i had my technician license decades ago I put a home brew j-pole on the end of an extendable pool skimmer pole.I could put it. Up and take it down simple.
Garmin GPS dog collars also use MURS, fun fact!
I am looking for about your product place lace me a message.When I post this, I am looking for more information on this I like to get more information or how would I get them codes and how would I can use them on a ham radio for emergency like if you are on a lake or something or anywhere else
I am back. I finally got a radio check from someone with very very weak signal lol
Walmart is one of the businesses, so are some fast food chains. I hear mostly Walmart security though at 154.600 MHz lol.
KC9CPX ~ thank you for the security Channel LOL yeah Channel 4 is very popular. There are many volunteer fire departments across the Midwest that wear their radios into Walmart. If they don't use a tone then the Walmart people come blaring acrossed LOL. Burger King on Arby's uses the channel for drive-thru window. You'll hear a lot of nonsense in forums about Walmart kicking people out and threatening to call the police blah blah blah it's all a bunch of nonsense I wear my Murs handy talky in Walmart all the time they don't care
Motorola MURS radios have their channels labeled differently. Walmart has Motorola radios, so I think for them Channel 4 is Channel 2. That's how it is on my RMM2050.
KC9CPX I live across from a local walmart and hear alot they were fun to mess with now I just monitor murs channel 3 im part of a prepper group called amron we host local nets and its wayyyy better than ham no jamming either to worry about like it has in southeastern wisconsin im no longer a ham because of false crooked hams in my area made bogus statements to laura smith and she and I got into a heated discussion and she will not be renewing my license so I told her to shove it and to cancel my license and to take it off the database as I dont need or want any radio stalkers useing my license to jam or worse jam public safety like somebody from kenosha county did calling in a fireworks complaint over the sheriffs channel useing my callsign that I will not stand for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But feel free to send me an email at jonathancampos12@gmail.com
Being a first-time listener, you are a wonderful speaker and how eloquently put that you can use M.U.R.S. radio in conjunction with other services at an event. I have been trying to explain M.U.R.S. radio to truck shops for their vehicles as well as a base station. Since this band who uses part 95 rules for antennas that's a 60' tower or 20' off the roofline antenna! It's perfect for small companies. I know a group of men and teenagers in Shawnee Oklahoma that go to Murs when CB radio gets too crowded. I wanted to point out that you can use data on these frequencies and they do use them for opening Gates and turning sprinklers on and off the farms in Texas. There are websites the tell about data use on gmrs band. So I'm not sure where you found that you cannot use a computer. I know some people that are using computers for packet radio style communication to teach the kids interface and networking without having to have a ham license. If the kids are truly interested in ham then my friend gets them on the way to their ticket.
Some Walmart and Burger King still use MURS 154.570 MHz Blue Dot
and 154.600 MHz Green Dot. While standing outside a Walmart waiting for friends buy some camping stuff I was talking to other friends who were getting gas a security guard asked what frequency I was talking on (I think it was 151.880 ch.2). I told him and he got all up in my face telling me I couldn't use it on Walmart property. He told me that Walmart had "licenses" for all MURS channels. I tried to show him on my pocket computer that he was wrong but he wouldn't listen, so I just turned and walked away.
Our next stop was Burger King. My friends in the van heard the drive-up window person taking orders. Now I'm not someone who would encourage interfering with public safety, or other restricted frequencies, but geeze louise, I'm not above trolling a Burger King for a moment of fun. Everybody in the van started singing What's Up (Four Non Blondes) dropping the carrier after each verse. We didn't sing the entire song in the car, we got out and walked in the store singing. All I have to say is it was hysterical. No planes crashed, we didn't go to DEFCON 5 and we threw the kid with the headset a 20$ The entire staff behind the counter was in stitches along with all the customers. Six big bearded hairy guys with leathers, denim, grease on our hands and I sure we smelled kinda foul.
True story!
Well I have had my radio on going through several Walmart's sticking right on the cart in front of me and the worst I got was an employee turn their head and looked at me. By the way nobody who is licensed has exclusive use of anyting. Because you are licensed ham operator do you have exclusive use of all the ham channels? He's just misinformed as well. Walmart can make a rule stating that they don't want you to use it inside their store and that would be fine if they put up a sign. But if you are out front on the sidewalk that is a common use area with all of the other stores in the shopping complex. Whatever fast food is out there or anchor grocery store. It's all common property in Walmart can't tell you not to use it in front of their store. But as long as you're not on there phone they won't hear you anyway because they have a repeater in that store in the middle that helps the walkie-talkies boost signal to each other inside the concrete. But of course best not to argue or the guard will harass you next time you want to buy a hammer. I wonder what he would tell the local volunteer fire department is also on Channel 4 frequency or an EMT service. They have a license as well. I don't think Walmart would have the ability to tell them to turn their radios off while inside the store LOL. All you can do with a $5 an hour employee is shake your head and walk away. By the way it just hit me, Walmart cannot possibly have a license for all five channels oh, they are licensed on the Business Band. Channel 1 2 and 3 are industrial channels I know for a fact the FCC does not issue crossband licenses LOL and as far as I know Walmart is a retail outlet not an industrial construction site or Metropolitan Water District or telephone company
Very informative, concise and helpful video Michael. I am new to amateur radio and this was exactly the MURS over view I was looking for. My boys and I are going to set up our radios on MURS for camping and hiking. Thanks for transmitting! 🙂
MURS is great for that purpose. VHF works well in wooded areas and you can set up an external antenna at your base camp to extend the range.
If you're new, you might want to spend somr time learning the rules.
Xv I igxii'gxg😊
Any chance of an depth review of Btech Murs V1 Radio?
Ham people seem to be compulsive rule followers! As a professional driver I wish people cared hslf as much about driving as hams obsess about complying with pointless ridiculous rules!
A rule isn't pointless or ridiculous just because you don't agree with it.
Hello Michael, still using your great SlimJim antenna for my VHF base station. Works great. Thank you. With regard to MURS, a VHF service, can you make and use a roll-up J-pole antenna for the 151-154 mHz frequencies like you can for ham VHF? Also, would a regular J-pole or SlimJim work for MURS, provided it was cut to the right length for the frequencies involved? 73. PS Thanks for what you do for ham radio.
It's not just the cheap baofengs that can (illegally) use MURS. Radios that can accept a "MARS/CAP modification" can usually transmit on MURS frequencies. Hypothetically, I could have programmed my Yaesu mobile with low power narrow bandwidth MURS frequencies to facilitate communication with unlicensed people on their baofengs in the wilderness. Hypothetically.
There are amateur radio operators on MURS that study with the MURS operators regularly on channel 3. The amateur radio operators are often heard teaching the MURS operators how to make antennas. The antennas can be as basic as a simple ground plane all the way up to yagi antennas and dual band MURS and GMRS J-poles. They explain standing wave ratio and propagation to the MURS operators. Using what the MURS operators have learned, I will hear them making MURS contacts across several cities using yagi antennas. I once even heard an experimental 45 mile communication with two operators using yagis. It is doubtless many of these MURS operators will be licensed soon.
So can MURS be used in a ROIP setup?
Similar to what some GMRS and HAM groups have done?
I understand it can’t be used over a switched network.Just curious about internet.
Thanks for sharing !! Great video !! Well explained, will indeed talk this up with my local club. 73, KD4FZY
Been using MURS for about 15 years. Started off using them at theme parks after finding out that those places are warzones on FRS. Only once did I run across another group using MURS and it was another ham using them for the family. Now we mainly use them while camping as a lot of campgrounds have poor cell coverage. It was hard finding radios back in the beginning but use Kenwood TK2100s and Topaz Murs-22. The MURS V1 looks nice. Is that the stock antenna?
I know what you mean about the FRS/GMRS warzone. We have a ski hill nearby and before the advent of everyone carrying smart phones, I would hear the GMRS channels loaded with skier traffic during the weekends.
Yes, that is the stock antenna for the radio.
I had bought the TruTalk MURS-25 back when they came out and dished out $199 each to Henshaw Electronics. Back in those days the radio had a ch.6 which paired ch.4 and ch.5 for repeater use. Wish I still had those radios but had problems with them and sent them back to Henshaw and never got replacements or a refund.
Years back I ran across 3 MURS-25s at a hamfest for $50 each. Like a dummy I passed on them.
Any legal issues with the use of AES or DMR Enhanced Privacy usage on simplex on the MURS?
Veri very good!!!! My friend, 73,s 👍
i was told that MURS can be used in FM and DIGITAL modes. Is this true ? Also can I use both CTCSS and DCS tones ?
You can use CTCSS and DCS tones on the MURS band. I'm not aware if digital modulation types are allowed on that band- I'd have to read the FCC part 95 rules to verify.
Looks like a uv 82
I remember Murs back in the day when it was all lics needed specrum...
My call sign is.ke8hfu
Does a Ham have to give his/her callsign on MURS?
No. MURS is a totally separate radio service. No callsign is necessary.
Good example cited here for use of murs. I thought this video would be whackertastic, but indeed you gave a good example.
Outstanding Explanation!!
Use also depends on where you live. Here in the LA area, MURS is severely overused, even by data/non-voice transmissions that really soak up the frequencies. Hopefully in other areas of the country it is quieter.
In Australia we have UHF CB Radio, which is 476-477MHz, and a 5 watt limit. Sounds very similar.
Thanks for the info. I know other countries have similar unlicensed radio services, but I didn't know the specifics.
@Stevie Blue that frequency may be assigned to hundreds of stations, not just NYPD.
On Wisconsin!
You got a haircut !!!
Thank you for the concise answers to the FAQs.
I purchased a Retevis RT 27 several months ago off
of e-Bay just to look it over. It set me back $22 New in
the Box with shipping and tax. It is slightly larger than
the little FRS units. The Retevis looks well made. My
complaint is that the antenna is a fixed style so I can not
upgrade. I am sure it is so they can make it in the UHF/
FRS radios and save a dime. The unit is stamped with the
FCC accepted codes & numbers. I have not had time to
play with it much but it seemed to operate 1/5 of a mile
in a city environment on the #5 (wide) channel. I am going
to hang onto it.
Love that desk
Well if you do end up selling that Kenwood TK 290 let me know because I would like some more Murs equipment that would also be perfect for railroad monitoring as well keep me in mind
They desperately need to update MURS to 22 channels just like FRS. They should also increase the power from 2 to 5 watts.
Just the power increase would be fine with me, I can't really find any MURS around my area
@@randykitchleburger2780
I've always said that MURS isn't something that you listen to because there's just nobody on it. But MURS really is pretty useless in most areas because the FCC wants it to be useless. It really would be a nice alternative or backup to GMRS if the FCC would do what I've suggested. I've monitored the VHF Business Band frequencies extensively and I'm here to tell you, it's DEAD. There's no good reason why the FCC couldn't reallocate 17 additional frequencies to MURS creating a 22 channel version of the service. And increasing the legal power to 5 watts would help immensely. Of course all of this is just a pipe dream and will never happen. It's okay to dream though. 😴
@@radiohobbyist13 Huh, had no idea of the free spectrum you where talking about
Cool video I have my tech license but have never looked into the MURS frequencies. I just ordered the yaesu ft 65 r from hro and the Mars cap mod can be performed by punching in a code instead of opening the radio. Never hurts to be prepared for a shtf situation.
Great info. Not encouraging anyone to break the law, but if it were a big enough deal, there'd be more type accepted radios. I use MURS with my family more and more lately.
Have acquired my call sign and GMRS license, now seeking and debating to either purchase a FRS/GMRS radio or MURS? Seeking advice as participative in Jeep roundabouts jamborees, camping and mountain biking escaped. Seeking suggestions since again assurance getting a suitable means of communication for me, family and friends.
FRS is license free but GMRS lets you use higher power radios and repeaters. That may be advantageous if you are in areas that all limited coverage with low powered handheld radios. It's super easy to have a cache of FRS radios and hand them out to friends at a gathering. I've done that to get everyone communicating. If you are looking for communications during roundabouts and events- I'd probably survey to see what other people are using for their method of communication.
Hi
Excellent video. I just purchased a kenwood D74 and am hoping to get my technical license soon. I work 6 days a week so I hope to do the test online
great info. have a question. how does one get a high power license for murs? they have these off road race radios. rugged radios and pci race radios. how do they get by or what license do they need? I want to follow the law but don't know what license I need. the ham license won't help me for those channels. they typically run 151-154. thanks for any help
It appears that there are a few itinerant business band frequencies that allow transceivers up to 35 watts: wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Common_Itinerant_and_Business. That might be what they are using. As for licensing to use to frequencies, I'm not sure of the process. I'd have to dig through the FCC website.
~ I did all the digging I could on this including finding the minutes taken at the FCC meetings and Congressional hearings. It seems that Motorola and some other company wanted to create this band because you had CB on 11 m, and Family Radio Service on UHF but there was no VHF license free. RadioShack sat there and oppose the whole thing and threw temper tantrums at every corner because they did not think of this idea. They refuse to make five channel radios even though they had a 2 Channel radio with 2 watts. They absolutely refused to make a mobile unit for this band. Everybody else just decided to use handy talkies for the construction industry. But the long and short of it is like CB having a 4 watt limit the Murs band has a 2 watt limit. The licenses that were handed to Walmart etcetera for business Bend are there to stay but there will be no new high-power licenses issued on these two frequencies. 4 Watts on 11 meters get you about the same as 2 watts on VHF distance wise. Just a nice 10 mile station and mobile units for personal home or business use. The other idea was to move some people over and decrease the congestion on CB or GMRS. Also the FCC says you can grandfather in an older radio not type accepted if it's before the 2000 date. The problem is the narrow and wide band is narrower then the ham counterparts look at the video again and you'll notice the 11 versus the 12:25 bandwidth. The rules make it virtually impossible to put any mobile unit into service. Other than the two channel 2 Watt Radio Shack Business Band there isn't a whole lot you can find that will conform. Hammers and other radio people are telling me they're just running the ham Channel width and it just sounds like a Bodacious slightly over modulated radio to anybody else but you're still on freq. But of course nobody will recommend that.
Raymond Cruz If you are a US citizen, your license is The Constitution.
First Amendment, freedom of speech.
@@rifleshooterchannel208 "Freedom of speech "? So, you're saying The Communication Act of 1938 is "unconstitutional "? Good luck with THAT ridiculous "defense".
UpnorthHere It’s absolutely Unconstitutional.
So murs is still used by emergency personnel? I'm sorry but I'm a bit confused! ......I have a few baofeng radios and I'm terrified to hit the ptt button I just bought a set of 888s and scared the FCC will come for me if I use them out of the box !!! Help??? Pls
Lol. Me too. Do me a favor, talk all you want then
Let me know what happens.
Can somebody tell me why the m u r s radio channels are so quiet I just got myself a rt27v 5 channel walkie talkie and there's nobody on the crazy thing why is that
Murs is relatively unknown
what good is the baofeng if you can't use it to transmit on ham, gmrs or murs ? its a good cheep scanner for $ 35.00
Nobody said you can't use a Baofeng within the rules, according to its particular FCC approvals!, if any.
Thank you.
Very informative. Great video!
GOOD WISCONSIN - - - Any recommendations for "Type J" mobile radios for MURS? Is the TK-7180 from kenwood Type J and how do you find out? Thanks for the great video and any help.
The Fcc has an online searchable database of all type-approvals at its OET page.
Try the dual band J Pole
Isn't MURS restricted to 2 watt output most of these little Baofeng handheld are 5-8 watts which would technically violate FCC laws.
MURS does have a 2 watt restriction and the Btech MURS radio does meet that power limit. Other Baofeng radios are not type accepted for MURS, so using them on the MURS channels would be in violation of FCC regulation.
Micheal your doing a Great Job I watch your you tube channel oven Can you Answer my Question Im still a Technician Ham License, Will a An-tron 99 Due 20 meters ?
What Antennas can Due 10 meters and 20 meters that you know of, I look Forwards to Hearing from You! Happy Holidays, Victor WH6FLQ Aloha from Hawaii & 73!
The Antron-99 is a popular antenna for CB radio, and it will easily do the 10 meter band with a bit of adjustment. I did a bit of sleuthing online and it appears with a tuner you can also use it on 12 and 17 meters, and somewhat on 20 meters. Since the 20 meter band is a bit of a stretch for the antenna it will take a manual tuner and a bit of luck and skill to good results.
Since you mentioned the Antron, I'm guessing you are looking for vertical antennas for 10 -20 meters. Hygain makes some good verticals that cover those bands: www.hy-gain.com/Categories.php?sub=1&ref=41. Otherwise I would recommend a multi-band wire antenna, although that again may necessitate using a tuner.
What has a better range? A MURS walkie-talkie set or a GMRS set that I would get the license from the FCC from? I don’t mind paying the 50 bucks in getting a license if that’s going to be the better technology.
That's a tough question as it's like comparing apples and oranges. MURS radios are VHF and are limited to 2 watts while GMRS radios are UHF and can use up to 40 watts with a mobile/base radio. If you are out in the woods or a rural setting, MURS handhelds might give you better range as compared to a GMRS handheld. But in an urban environment the GMRS band's UHF signal will have better building penetration and a higher resistance to interference.
@@KB9VBRAntennas Thanks! I think GMRS seems a lot more versatile overall so I'll pursue that route.
I think you're correct. GMRS offers more options like mobile radios and repeater operation. MURS is strictly low powered point to point communication.
KB9VBR Antennas Update, I decided to go with MURS after all because for just occasional family use I didn’t want to pay the government the fee for a GMRS license. I’m pretty happy with them.
47 cfr 95.1767 (a)(1): GMRS transmitting power limits. "The transmitter output power of mobile, repeater and base stations must not exceed 50 Watts."
I'm just getting into GMRS and I'm using beofeng UV-5R. any tips I should know?
@Stevie Blue There are people who care. Otherwise the regulations would have been changed in 2017, when they had the chance. Illegal is illegal for a reason.
Can’t u use the baofeng radio on low power mode so it only outputs 1 watt. Wont that be legal
It's not type accepted for that. It needs to be type accepted for a certain frequency range according to FCC. If it's not, then it's not legal.
@@htfkid2000 not 'type' accepted? So it's functions are designed to operate for just that purpose, like every other hand-held two-way radio, but you can't use it? That's like saying "You can have a steering wheel in your F-350, but if you have an F-150 you are not permitted to purchase that vehicle with a steering wheel from the manufacturer, or install and after-market steering wheel...and if we catch you driving it with a steering wheel you're gonna' be in BIG trouble!! F-350's? No problems!!" Or you can buy a boat but you can not use an outboard motor for it. It isn't even laughable. China refused to pay the FCC money the FCC expected from China to import Baofeng UV5R two-way radios, so the FCC simply would not approve Baofeng UV5R's. China did eventually agree to pay the FCC their graft, so some Baofeng's are legal and some are not. The legal Baofeng's have the 'compliant' FCC registration # on the back of the battery compartment. If it doesn't have that FCC registration # it is illegal. If it has that FCC approved registration # it is legal. If I am wrong, please correct me. I'm brand new at this, but this seems like every other license in existence in N. America; a money grab.
@@dwaynerobertson383 no. It’s more like buying a car that CAN go 100 mph, but knowing you cannot use a regular license to do so on public highways. The FCC is chartered to administer RF bandwidth under the US statutes. They pay for some of that with money from license or certification fees friom people taking advantage of the airwaves. What if your neighbors illegally set up a baby monitor that prevents you from using wifi or a cellphone? Should th e FCC just butt out and let you figure it out?
Also, to GET type approval generally requires submittal of certified test results and legally binding statements of compliance. Anyone illegally manufacturing or marketing in violation of the FCC rules should expect to be fined if not imprisoned.
@@UpnorthHere thank you for that explanation man. Seriously. I appreciate that. Makes a lot of sense, the way you put it and why. Stay safe and play safe!!
@@dwaynerobertson383 Also worth noting that many Chinese companies now hire US or European test labs for certification. It has little or nothing to do with "China " paying graft, since each company still has to file the application, reports and certifications to get FCC type-approvals like anyone else.
OMG 7 min on 5 vhf freq
Bless your heart. How many minutes should I have spent?
What antenna would you like to recommend for BTECH MURS radio?
Nagoya na - 701C
"Short distance 2 way communications using small portable hand held radios that function similar to walkie talkies"? That is a description of a walkie talkie.
You are correct. But the term 'walkie-talkie' also has a connotation of being a toy or cheap radio. And these are not toy radios.
Can MURS, or the BTech radio to be more specific, reach 10-15 miles to a friend? It is a rural area (generally flat with a river in between. What kind of antenna or base would I need? Or what if we both had strong antennas or a base? Great video thanks for the help.
I think it will really tough to communicate 10-15 miles on the MURS band. MURS is designed for short range point-to-point communications. The radios in that service are limited to 2 watts transmit power. You can use external antennas, but I think you would need a tower and favorable terrain to still cover that distance. Maybe GMRS would be better suited for your needs.
Thanks for the video it cleared up a lot of my questions concerning MURS. I am still a bit confused why in the BTECH MURS-V1 booklet it shows 15 channels but everyone says MURS is 5 channels.
I'm very new to "radio speak" so simple explanations will be better for me to understand. Thanks
That's a great question and I'm glad you brought the point up. There are only 5 MURS channels, but the BTech has 15 channels hard programmed into it. You can't change the frequencies of the channels, but you can change the CTCSS or DCS codes for each channel. Having three sets of channels allows you to have up to three different tone codes for each channel. I hope this answers your question.
Ha ha I think I need to do more studying. I'm in no way a radio guy. My experience extends to bubble package radios (cobra, midland, etc.) The issues I have is everyone was using the same style radios on campgrounds, parks, hiking trails, etc. So I was told about MURS since it doesn't require a license to operate. I'm not really sure what CTCSS and DCS is but Ill look online to study this. I also hear others speak about blocking tones, Walmart, home depot, etc. That's something else I need to study.
So to clarify I assume you are saying the BTtech has 3 banks of the 5 MURS channels hard coded correct.
Yes, that is correct. 3 banks of five channels, or 15 channels total. You can change the CTCSS or DCS codes for each of the channels, but you can't add or remove channels.
As with similar "privacy codes", you're still sharing the same 5 MURS channels -- you're just ignoring (and possibly annoying ) anyone who has to listen to you because you just talk right over people you can't hear.
Lol, it's no secret as this info has been out to the public for years....
Can't transmit on MURS w/ the Baofeng!? What a drag.
Yes, if you use the one with MURS approval.
Was that a Kenwood TK-290 you picked up? I have the 290, would I be able to program MURS Freq’s into that radio and be ok to use as a Car to Car for off-road or hunting?
Yep, it's the TK-290. It is capable of transmitting on the MURS frequencies, so, yes you could use it for car to car operation. But officially it's not type accepted for FCC Part 95 operation.
This is great information this gentleman.teaches on ke8hfu
arent some frs channels allowed to run 2 watts now??
www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/family-radio-service-frs
Yes, there are now 16 channels that are shared by FRS and GMRS where FRS users can run up to 2 watts of power. The FCC made that rule modification in mid 2017.
Hi Michael. Thank you for the video. I understand it is an older one but you make some really good points on MURS. Do you have ideas on a MURS repeater? I know that BaoFeng makes some connectors for their rigs to set one up, but you make J-Poles for about everything, I thought I would ask you your thoughts. My thoughts are for people who want to learn about radios but don't want the license, this is a good way to get them started. Also, having people in a Tactical Operations Center (TOC) during emergency and/or disaster support, who do not have licenses, but need radios in the local operating areas when cell and power are out, MURS could be a good deal with a repeater. 73 Matthew.
Unfortunately the MURS band only has five channels and there is no provision for repeater operation. I do make a MURS specific J-Pole antenna and it is quite popular. Even if there is no repeater capability the band and the radios are quite useful as a teaching tool and for short range emergency communications.
@@KB9VBRAntennas Thank you.
If I wanted to have the Btech MURS V1 radio in a radio pouch on my side, and a coax cable from the radio for anywhere from 2’-3’ to an antenna mounted/ran in/on the back of a armored plate carrier/bulletproof vest with steel plates, what coax cable and antenna would you suggest? Is there a longer antenna than the 8” 701C as suggested that will improve range in a wooded scenario? Or will this even work with the steel plates being so close as to not cause interference? Thanks I’m advance for the help.
Armor plating won't affect the coaxial cable and as long as the antenna is above the plates- you shouldn't have an issue. As for the type of cable‚ I'd look for something light and flexible. Since you only need a couple of feet‚ losses wouldn't be an issue. As for the type of antenna in the woods‚ you are going to receive a certain amount of attenuation from the foliage and tree cover. A longer antenna may not necessarily be better as antenna height and terrain will be bigger factors in getting your signal out.
Thank you for the help with this. Understanding what you said, I still want to understand a little more about the Antenna. Is there a better all around antenna than the upgraded 8” 701C out there for the MURS V1 in you opinion? Im just looking for better overall transmit and receive strength in general wether on flat open ground or where ever.
@@irishanimal917 I know this is a little late to the game (conversation) but, the
Nagoya NA-771 High Gain 15.6-Inch Whip VHF/UHF (144/430Mhz) Antenna SMA-Female Connector will work on the radio. I have 2 for use on my GT3TP's (basically an upgraded UV5R) and they make quite a difference on both transmit and receive.
would love it here but not sure if NTC approved
Still waiting for Canada to get on board with MURS.
So if I understood this correctly, I can add a couple MURS radios for our contracting business without a license?
Yes. The MURS channels may be used license free for business or personal communications.
KB9VBR Antennas ....how does murs compare to gmrs in overall usefulness? I realize gmrs is not for business, Im curious if gmrs will be better for longer range use over murs
Aren't MURS radios limited to antennas that can't be removed?
No they are not. The FCC allows for MURS radios to use external antennas with a height of no more of 50 feet. Max transmit output power is 2 watts, but there is no limit on Effective Radiated Power from an antenna. The Family Radio Service (FRS) radios, which uses UHF frequencies interspersed among the GMRS band may not have removable antennas.
Go Badgers!
What antenna would you recommend to replace the stock one?
Perhaps the Nagoya NA-701C: amzn.to/2Lp7CrN. It's an aftermarket rubber duck antenna tuned to the VHF/UHF commercial frequencies.
KB9VBR Antennas Thank you.
One more question, could you legally program these to listen to NOAA channels? I'm new to this things. Edit: The BTECH MURS-V1 is what I'm asking about.
Luke Shaver the radio receives the entire VHF 2 meter band. It can only transmit on MURS. NOAA is easily received.
I like Owen one for the people who are living in a RVs
thanks for the info.
Does he ever get outta the basement?
You certainly haven't watched any of my newer videos.
@@KB9VBRAntennas I have actually.
I looked it up & saw BTech MURS-V1 for >$60. Instead of them having a law that would force people to pay for their radio in a real emergency am I able to grab my cheaper Baofeng to find help?
You could, but in an emergency situation raising help on a MURS channel would be highly unlikely as MURS is a short range personal radio service.
My smartphone cost under a dollar and has much better likelihood of being useful in an emergency,!
@@UpnorthHere not if the digital network goes down murs is analog and will work when your cell goes down
Michael can you Murs antenna be used on Murs freq and at the 2 meter band.?
The J-Pole has about 4-5 Mhz of bandwidth, so it is a little bit of a stretch to cover both the MURS and 2 meter band. I have specially tuned the antenna for a few customers so you can get the lower channels of the MURS and upper end of the 2 meter band, but otherwise the antenna can't cover both bands in their entirety.
Dakota alert also makes a radio.
For a Dakota MURS base station, what coax type is best suited to an external antenna?
The type of coax depends on the length of your feed line run. Since the MURS transmitter is pretty low power‚ I recommend investing in a low loss coax like LMR-400 if your feedline is 50 feet of more. Otherwise if the cable is in the 25 foot vicinity‚ then CNT-240 is a really good choice: amzn.to/2OSFqTt
KB9VBR Antennas thanks I am just getting in to radio and setting up a MURS network for the neighborhood for emergency notification. Also getting a ham license!
Can the Motorola Radius 1225 be use on MURS?
Yes
Thanks Michael
WISCONSIN !!!
On Wisconsin!
como calibro el Murs V-1 para escuchar las frecuencias aerea.? Gracias.
Non es possible en USA.