Everything You Want to Know about MURS Radio

 

What is MURS radio?

MURS stands for Multi User Radio Service. It uses a license-free group of 5 channels in the 151–154 MHz spectrum range, which were previously in the industrial/business radio service and were known as the "color dot" frequencies in Part 90 of the FCC rules. Different from similar service GMRS, MURS is a low-power, short-range, license-exempt personal radio service.
 

Frequencies

CHANNEL FREQUENCY BANDWIDTH POWER MODE DESCRIPTION
MURS 1 CALL 151.820 MHz 11.25kHz 2W FMN Common Use
MURS 2 SAFETY 151.880 MHz 11.25kHz 2W FMN Common Use
MURS 3 EM 151.940 MHz 11.25kHz 2W FMN Common Use
MURS 4 BLUE • 154.570 MHz 20kHz 2W FM Common Use/Blue Dot
MURS 5 GREEN • 154.600 MHz 20kHz 2W FM Common Use/Blue Dot

 

Channels 1–3 must be used with “narrowband” FM – (2.5 kHz deviation; 11.25 kHz bandwidth). Channels 4 and 5 may use either “wideband” FM – (5 kHz deviation; 20 kHz bandwidth) or “narrowband” FM. Source: FCC

MURS channels 4-5 are shared with some business band radios who are grandfathered in on these frequencies. Commercial radio manufacturers use a “color dot system” to identify different radio channels, hence the “Blue Dot” and “Green Dot” channels. CTCSS and DCS “privacy tones or codes” (which don’t actually provide privacy) are allowed on MURS.
 

What are the differences between MURS and GMRS radios?

1. MURS radios are totally license-free to operate, while GMRS radios require an FCC license.
2. MURS radios are less crowded.
3. MURS radios are with fixed 2 Watts output. GMRS radios are capable of up to 50 Watts power output, which means a longer range communication possibility.
4. MURS radios aren't able to hit repeaters for extending range, while some GMRS radios do.
5. MURS radios don't work with FRS radios, while GMRS radios do.
6. MURS radios are with fewer channels.
 

What are the differences between MURS and FRS radios?

1. MURS radios are less crowded.
2. MURS radios are allowed to use removable antennas, while FRS radios aren't.
3. MURS radios transmit on the VHF band, which provides better coverage in rural and outdoor areas. FRS works better in urban environments.
4. MURS radios don't work with GMRS radios, while FRS radios do.
5. MURS radios are with fewer channels. Handheld FRS units may have up to 22 channels.
 

When you decide to get your MURS radios. We recommend the Radioddity MU-5 to you, which has lots of advanced features at a great price.
1. Sync Display & Dual Watch
2. UHF &VHF band, NOAA Scanner & Monitor
3. USB-C Charging
4. 250 Channels
5. VOX (hands free talking)
6. 9 Levels Squelch
7. Flashlight
8. SOS Alarm


3 comments

Ken

I take it that you can use channel 4 and 5. Those are shared frequencies. In other words be polite and don’t take the channel over, let others use it as well. Channel 1 is there to put out a call for someone and when communications has been made, both parties would move to channel 4 or 5.

Shawn

How can I find people or a group that also uses murs radio

Shawn

I just got my murs radio and trying to understand the channels and which one that I could communicate with everyone on. I understand that channel one is for call channel 2 is safety channel 3 is for emergencies and four and five I guess it’s for business use so I’m trying to do like a radio check to see how well it is and when I press on the key I antenna comes on on the screen but no bars like how strong the signal is

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