Montgomery Al GMRS Information
What is GMRS?
The General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) is an FCC-licensed radio service that uses UHF channels around 462/467 MHz. The most common use of GMRS is for short-distance, two-way voice communications using hand-held radios, mobile radios, and repeater systems. This GMRS service is primarily intended for emergency communications and secondarily to facilitate the activities of licensees and their immediate family members.
A valid FCC-issued license and call sign are required to use the GMRS service.
GMRS radios are also used for training and during exercises of Civil Emergency Response Teams (CERT), travelers in the local area, and for family use. During an emergency or disaster, you may hear messages related to weather observations, road blockages, bridge conditions, storm spotter reports, damage assessment teams, river and creek observations, shelters, staging centers, and distribution points for food, ice, and water. Emergency messages and operations have priority over all other users. Normal day-to-day use includes coordination of family events such as sporting events, arranging “on the fly” meeting places, camping and hiking activities or even adding items to a grocery run.
GMRS frequencies are interspersed with the Family Radio Service (FRS). FRS is a low-power system that operates from radio to radio on low power and has about a 1/4-to-1/2-mile range, depending on terrain and antenna. FRS radios are typically “Bubble Pack” radios and are sold at places such as Walmart and Target. FRS radios are inexpensive, and the coverage area is very limited.
GMRS radios can run up to 50W and will cover an area up to about 25 miles reliably (depending on terrain and antenna) when using a radio repeater located at a higher elevation. You must use a “Repeater Capable” radio with the proper programming to access the repeaters.
LATEST UPDATES
The .550 repeater is in the process of being moved to a new site that will provide better
coverage for Wetumpka and North Montgomery. Estimated completion is the fall of 2026.
About Us
Who are we?
We are a group of mostly Amateur Radio operators in the Montgomery, AL area. This project is sponsored by the Montgomery Amateur Radio Club and
funded through private donations.
What do we want to provide?
We want to provide a backup radio system for emergencies, training, and
everyday use that the average person can use. We provide the radio system infrastructure and the individual users would be responsible for their own
license and portable/mobile radios.
When are we doing this?
This is a longterm project that started in 2022 and may take up
to 2028 to finish.
Where are we doing this?
This system is primarily intended for the Montgomery AL area, specifically
along I-65 and I-85. The service area also includes the majority of the City of
Montgomery, portions of Montgomery County and portions of
Prattville/Autauga County.
Why are we doing this? We have several goals:
1. To provide an alternate communications system for use during emergencies and disasters that can be easily accessed and operated
by licensed volunteers.
2. To provide support for CERT Team Operations/Training/Exercises and
Community Watch Associations that will be operated by licensed volunteers.
3. To provide this service for travelers on the Interstates that will be operated
by licensed individuals.
4. To promote everyday use of this system for families and personal use
that will be operated by licensed individuals.
Frequently asked questions About GMRS
Do I need a license?
Yes. A GMRS license can be obtained through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which is good for 10 years at a cost of $35. There is no test, and the license can be renewed every 10 years. You will need to obtain a Federal Registration Number (FRN), at no charge, before submitting the license application. This license covers immediate members of your family and selected other relatives.
A very helpful website for general information is:
https://rockytalkie.com/blogs/rocky-talkie-blog/how-to-get-a-gmrs-license
A very helpful video for a license application is
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVD7MotGAv8
The FRN registration website is
https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do
The FCC application website is
https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/universal-licensing-system
Is this Amateur Radio?
No, Amateur Radio is a completely separate service with different license requirements, rules, and regulations.
What are the basic rules?
You must identify with your call sign at least every 15 minutes and at the completion of the conversation.
Emergency messages have priority over all other messages.
No profanity, no illegal activities, no false or deceptive messages, no political use, no commercial advertisements, no music, and no direct
communication with an Amateur Radio station. Keep it family-oriented.
This is not a complete listing, and a complete rules listing is at https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-95
Scroll down to Subpart E- General Mobile Radio Service.
What is a “Repeater”?
A repeater is a machine that receives a signal originating from the user’s portable or mobile radio. That signal is amplified and resent at a much higher power, from a site with higher elevation and better antenna, that covers a much larger area. The repeater signal is received by the user’s radio using a different frequency than the radio transmits. Please note that the user radio needs to be “Repeater Capable” with the correct programming to use this system.
What kind of coverage range can I expect?
The typical radio-to-radio coverage is about 1/4 to 1/2 mile when using the simplex (radio to radio) mode. Coverage area may be more or less, depending on factors such as your elevation and surrounding terrain.
Repeater coverage is about 25 or more miles based on the location of the repeater. Successful operation of this system requires that the user’s radio must be able to access the repeater. Access can be enhanced by moving to a higher elevation or antenna improvements. You can view a map showing coverage areas+ at http://mygmrs.com
Are sites interconnected for even larger area coverage?
No, each site is independent and covers a specific area. There are many locations that may be able to access more than one repeater.
How much does this cost?
GMRS portable radios range in price from about $45 and up and mobile radios range in price from about $125 and up. Most people purchase a portable radio first. Please be aware that all the GMRS portables are not the same. The typical “Bubble Pack” portable radios (sold at Walmart/Sam’s, Target, etc.) only communicate from radio to radio and as such have a very limited range of approximately 1/4 to 1/2 mile. Our system is a radio repeater system with extended coverage and requires a repeater capable radio to operate correctly. Carefully check the package to ensure the radio will operate on a repeater system.
There are no initial or monthly charge to use this GMRS radio system.
Why can’t I just use my Smart Phone?
Cellular telephone systems are typically overloaded during emergencies and disasters and you may not be able to access that system. GMRS is not internet based or wireline dependent and completely independent of cellular telephone service. There are no recurring or other charges to use this GMRS radio system.
Where can I find more information?
A good site for general information is
There are also many You Tube videos available. These include what to look for during a radio purchase, how to program specific radios, operational procedure, equipment reviews and other topics.
You can also contact us using the “Contact Us” section below.