Basic SHTF Radio: A cop's brief guide for understanding simple solutions for SHTF radio communication.
Do you want a two-way radio to communicate during emergencies, disasters, or the end of the world? Is the information online or on YouTube just too confusing to get a good understanding of what your options are? If so, this book is for you!
Don't let the test of ham radio put you off. Obtaining a ham license is not difficult and does not require specialized knowledge of electronics or physics. If ham radio doesn't suit you, there are several non-licensed or minimal requirement options, like FRS (Family Radio Service), GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service), or CB (Citizen's Band) radio. Communication around your property, neighborhood, or town is possible using nearly plug and play radios that anyone who could program a VCR can setup.
In this book, we discuss the options that the average person has to communicate, what they are, and their strengths and weaknesses. Terms are defined and explained. Techniques to use radios during times of upheaval or SHTF are included. Even forms of electronic warfare and how they may be used against you or countered are examined.
This is NOT a "how to get your ham license" guide or a technical explanation of radios and radio waves. Note: this book contains excerpts from the Suburban series of books with new additions.
Don't let the test of ham radio put you off. Obtaining a ham license is not difficult and does not require specialized knowledge of electronics or physics. If ham radio doesn't suit you, there are several non-licensed or minimal requirement options, like FRS (Family Radio Service), GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service), or CB (Citizen's Band) radio. Communication around your property, neighborhood, or town is possible using nearly plug and play radios that anyone who could program a VCR can setup.
In this book, we discuss the options that the average person has to communicate, what they are, and their strengths and weaknesses. Terms are defined and explained. Techniques to use radios during times of upheaval or SHTF are included. Even forms of electronic warfare and how they may be used against you or countered are examined.
This is NOT a "how to get your ham license" guide or a technical explanation of radios and radio waves. Note: this book contains excerpts from the Suburban series of books with new additions.
Excerpt-Introduction
Have you thought about how you will communicate if the cell network goes down? The modern telecommunications system can be taken down through cyberwarfare, hackers, or a natural disaster. Cell towers only have a limited amount of fuel in their generators to keep running after a power outage. The regular telephone system is resilient but is now more than ever dependent on the Internet to facilitate calls. Robust forms of communications are necessary for your family, information gathering, and tactical self-defense use.
Cell phone and radio jammers have already been used in South African farm attacks. Use of these requires sophistication and coordination. Multi-spectrum jammers are very difficult to obtain in the US but could be seen if the federal government collapses, allowing imports from China. Cartels and organized crime already use these. Radio jamming could be used as well but having a variety of radios to use across different bands can give someone a vital lifeline to call for help.
Let’s face it, two-way radio is an intimidating subject and many of the videos, websites, and guides out there are more enthusiastic than they are helpful. The truth is that short-range radio really isn’t that complicated. Using a radio is as simple as keying the mic and speaking. Anyone who can program a VCR, hook up a TV, and use Microsoft Excel can hack anything up to a ham technician’s license generally by just winging it.
Radios are good when you need immediate communication at the push of a button. You aren’t texting in a gunfight and dialing a call is too long. Also everyone on your team can hear a radio transmission vs. seeing a text or picking up a call. Radios will be the primary form of communication in a major grid-down type disaster. The downside to radio is that in the forms that you will likely have access to, there is zero privacy, all frequencies are shared, and are of short range.
This book will serve as a very basic and brief introduction to what two-way radio has to offer preppers, the average citizen who is interested in alternative communications should the telecom grid go down, and neighborhood defenders. My advice here is intended to answer many of the questions of those who have no experience with two-way radio. Hopefully after reading this you will come away with a better understanding of what the realistic capabilities are for an average person who just needs a secondary means of communication.
This is not a guide on how to use a particular piece of equipment, a primer for getting a ham radio license, or a detailed explanation of physics. Hopefully after reading this you will come away with a better understanding of what the realistic capabilities are for an average person who just needs a secondary means of communication.
All of the radio types and bands we will cover are in a 2-30 mile range. Depending on terrain that may be shorter or greater with the right equipment or conditions. In a relatively flat, open suburban or rural area, 5-10 miles for a vehicle mounted radio or 1-5 miles for a handheld, portable radio is realistic.
Much of this work has been grossly simplified for the average person who just needs a radio to work and isn’t interested in the details that hams care about. Remember, this is a brief introductory to terms, ideas, and options.
Cell phones, apps, and the Internet
Absent SHTF, the Internet and the various websites, programs, and apps it provides for us is a fantastic tool. You should already be taking advantage of things like NextDoor to network, gather intelligence, and communicate with your neighbors. As things deteriorate, information sharing, and coordination will become vital. However, such established “Big Tech” platforms will likely eventually crackdown on citizens using their platform for self-defense coordination.
In these times of discord and suspicion, secure communications on your cell phone are important. You don’t want Google, Facebook, or the government spying on you. Of course, the NSA can probably read or hear everything, but why make it easy? Get critical communication off the open networks.
The alternative, while still using the Internet and modern communications, is to move to private communication apps, like Telegram or Signal. Download a secure group messaging app like these. They are best for non-emergency communications and the privacy makes it that much harder for your communications to be intercepted. A tech-savvy individual could also create a website with a forum for locals. Worst case, create an email list. Everyone can email each other like the old newsgroups.
Terms defined
Bandwidth: How much of the radio spectrum is taken up by a given frequency. You can think of this as an electric cable; if you need to put more energy down a powerline, the cable will be broader. This is represented by how many Hertz separates the frequencies. For a good example, think of how FM radio stations are all odd numbers after the decimal (this is .2 MHz spacing). Frequencies in use that are too close together will experience bleed over and transmissions will be garbled. Think of AM radio at night in winter where a louder radio station covers another.
CB: Citizen’s Band radio.
FRS: Family Radio Service.
GMRS: General Mobile Radio Service.
Grid down: A disaster or situation where nationally or across your region the utility and communications systems collapse totally, along with the supply chain. There is no electricity, city water, Internet, phones, nor distribution of groceries, fuel, or other essentials. You must be self-sufficient to survive.
Ham radio: Amateur Radio Service. The traditional licensed two-way radio system for non-business use. A “ham” is a nickname for a licensee of the hobby.
HT: Handheld Transceiver or portable radio. Also known incorrectly as a “handie-talkie.” If you say “walkie-talkie” everyone will know what you are talking about as they are all the same things.
MHz/kHz: Megahertz and kilohertz. Measures of frequency. Frequencies programmed into a are often called “channels” as well. Think of a frequency on a dial as an address. Note that frequency ranges allocated for certain traffic are known as “bands” and are named after their wavelength, such as the 2 meter (2m) VHF band.
MURS: Multi-Use Radio Service.
Propagation: the travel of radio waves and often in context meaning how well they do so with varying frequencies, transmitter power (wattage), and terrain or atmospheric considerations.
Simplex: Radios communicate directly between each other with one radio at a time using the frequency or else they will cancel each other out.
SHTF: Any emergency event that deviates from our normal condition of civil order beyond a limited disaster and implies a partial or total collapse of law and order.
Watt: A measure of how much energy the radio puts out; this could be understood as “power.” More watts typically give greater range but all the power in the world can’t overcome basic physics and geography that blocks signal propagation.
WROL: Without the Rule of Law. This is a situation where police and courts are non-existent; a total collapse of law and order. Criminals will not be arrested and prosecuted. It is the law of the jungle; kill or be killed; only the fittest survive. This situation is essentially lawless and resembles war more than a disaster.
Unlicensed and minimally licensed radio
Radio frequencies within a certain range are set aside for different purposes and groups; these are called bands. While they have definite frequencies allocated, it’s easier to refer to the different bands by their purpose, such as CB radio, or by the wavelength such as 70 centimeter, which is a ham UHF band (licensed). In the unlicensed and minimally licensed radio category, you have GMRS, FRS, MURS, and CB radio. It’s important to note that while GMRS, FRS, and MURS frequencies can be transmitted on by a Baofeng ham radio, it’s technically illegal to do so, although no one will mind when the world ends.
Unlicensed options
Our discussion will be limited to bands that do not require an amateur operator’s license. Yes, I know GMRS technically requires a license, but the process is so minimal it is practically unlicensed. Range of these radios will be from the neighborhood to around ten miles; up to about 30 under all the right conditions. Very long range communication is not within the realm of the casual radio user.
If you plan on using anything other than simple, pre-programmed radios in the neighborhood, do some serious research. You don’t need to necessarily get a license for all of these options but do learn how the various bands work in the application you want to use. Learn what equipment works best and how to install and program it. Use your Google Fu!
Note: Dual-band radios that operate on both UHF and VHF (usually 70cm/GMRS/FRS and 2m) are available for the use of hams. These radios, which include the ever popular Baofeng series, can transmit on GMRS, but not legally. Dual-band radios are best for monitoring only, WROL use, or for licensed hams.
GMRS: General Mobile Radio Service. Used for family communications, they are popular with off-roaders, and often used without a license (illegally) by anyone needing a short-range radio. The license is $35, requires no test, and the application is online that is approved in 1-2 days. The license is good for 10 years and practically any close relative can use your license. GMRS is perfect for families or spouses that have no interest in a ham license. I have not heard of the FCC prosecuting unlicensed GMRS users or people for failing to properly use a call sign.
There are 22 frequencies with seven of them being allocated for repeater use (essentially a second channel with a suffix of R). These frequencies are shared with FRS and both services can communicate with each other legally.
You can install repeaters and use radios up to 50 watts (depending on the frequency). This is a poor-man’s UHF ham analogue, but lots of people are using few channels, so you have fewer options than ham radio. Portable radios are usually 5 watts, which will give you 1-3 miles in town without connecting to a rooftop antenna. 50 watt radios and a rooftop antenna could cover up to 15 miles depending on the terrain.
Open, or public GMRS repeaters are operated by clubs and enthusiasts in many places. Repeater frequencies are noted as essentially a second channel with a suffix of R, i.e. 22R. However GMRS repeaters are less common than those on the licensed amateur bands.
For usage if the cell network is down, my suggestion is to put a mobile GMRS 50 watt mobile radio in each vehicle, plus a 50 watt radio stationary version at home. You can purchase multiples of the same radio and simply connect the home unit to a dedicated power supply or even disconnect the car radio when at home and use it as a base station.
If each car in the family has a radio with a suitable antenna mounted on the roof of the car, talking to a 50 watt station at home with a rooftop antenna (they sell 6ft tall poles that are unobtrusive) would be a breeze across a relatively flat suburban city. Each family member could also have a portable radio (walkie-talkie) with them.
My recommendation is GMRS walkie-talkies for each adult in your family. You may want spares for friends/relatives who drop in or to give to a trusted neighbor. For a convoy, handheld radios with replacement antennas should be sufficient, though any portable unit in a car should be connected to a magnetic mount antenna on the roof using a cable.
My family and my group use Woxun KG-805G portable radios. Using the downloadable software a custom band plan, within the GMRS frequency range, can be programmed. We’ve all replaced the short “rubber ducky” antenna with either 19” Nagoya whips or flexible folding antennas, which is the most important part of getting better range and reception.
Repeaters are available in many communities. These are privately owned and operated for the benefit of the public or they may be private (like a private club). MyGMRS.com has a directory of nationwide repeaters. Note that many repeater operators require only GMRS specific radios, and not Baofengs, to use their repeaters, as this is an FCC requirement.
Operators who have the equipment to analyze your transmission can see that you are broadcasting improperly. Baofeng radios typically have two settings for bandwidth; 25 kHz or 12.5 kHz. GMRS is 20 kHz on all but the FRS shared channels so what the operator sees is a too-wide transmission bleeding onto other frequencies or an unnecessarily narrow signal. He should only be seeing 20 kHz wide signals. Again FCC enforcement is rare and typically the worst thing that happens is an angry old man who owns the repeater yells at the Baofeng user to get off their repeater.
FRS: Family Radio Service. Basically your license-free cheap blister pack radio. These share UHF frequencies with GMRS but are more limited in wattage. FRS and GMRS users can talk to each other legally. Only good for talking within a few blocks, like one end of the street to the other mostly. Though the frequencies and possibly the radio would have greater capabilities, you can’t replace the crappy antenna.
Remember that so-called “privacy” modes are anything but. What they do is essentially transmit a code so that only you and the other radios in that same mode can hear each other. Everyone else listening to that frequency without their own privacy mode activated can still hear you. This is sort of like yelling across a room at a party in French on the assumption no one else speaks French. In fact, on any radio frequency, whatever you say in any mode can be intercepted.
FRS v. GMRS
An unexpected advantage of FRS radios is their ubiquity. You and your neighbors probably have some of these radios at home already. They are commonly available in all sorts of stores. This means that unprepared people might suddenly discover they have a communications capability they didn’t know about. Their low price point enables you to buy a blister pack cheaply and put it away for contingencies, such as passing them out to a neighborhood watch.
MURS: Multi-Use Radio Service. Think of it as the VHF version of CB radio; no license is required. These are for personal and business use; for example Walmart uses proprietary Motorola units in its stores. Power is limited to 2 watts and legally speaking only specific MURS radios must be used on these frequencies; programming the freqs into your Baofeng is technically illegal. Range in most urban conditions is probably 1 mile at best, but as always, with more wattage, height, and a better antenna, greater range can be expected if you’re willing to disregard the FCC equipment regulations.
Note that legally speaking, to use each different service, radios specific to that service must be used. Just because your Baofeng or a similar radio can tune in those frequencies does not mean it is legal to use those channels with a Baofeng. GMRS and FRS share frequencies but have different power levels (representing what the specific equipment for each service is capable of). Enforcement is highly unlikely, however.
Cell phone and radio jammers have already been used in South African farm attacks. Use of these requires sophistication and coordination. Multi-spectrum jammers are very difficult to obtain in the US but could be seen if the federal government collapses, allowing imports from China. Cartels and organized crime already use these. Radio jamming could be used as well but having a variety of radios to use across different bands can give someone a vital lifeline to call for help.
Let’s face it, two-way radio is an intimidating subject and many of the videos, websites, and guides out there are more enthusiastic than they are helpful. The truth is that short-range radio really isn’t that complicated. Using a radio is as simple as keying the mic and speaking. Anyone who can program a VCR, hook up a TV, and use Microsoft Excel can hack anything up to a ham technician’s license generally by just winging it.
Radios are good when you need immediate communication at the push of a button. You aren’t texting in a gunfight and dialing a call is too long. Also everyone on your team can hear a radio transmission vs. seeing a text or picking up a call. Radios will be the primary form of communication in a major grid-down type disaster. The downside to radio is that in the forms that you will likely have access to, there is zero privacy, all frequencies are shared, and are of short range.
This book will serve as a very basic and brief introduction to what two-way radio has to offer preppers, the average citizen who is interested in alternative communications should the telecom grid go down, and neighborhood defenders. My advice here is intended to answer many of the questions of those who have no experience with two-way radio. Hopefully after reading this you will come away with a better understanding of what the realistic capabilities are for an average person who just needs a secondary means of communication.
This is not a guide on how to use a particular piece of equipment, a primer for getting a ham radio license, or a detailed explanation of physics. Hopefully after reading this you will come away with a better understanding of what the realistic capabilities are for an average person who just needs a secondary means of communication.
All of the radio types and bands we will cover are in a 2-30 mile range. Depending on terrain that may be shorter or greater with the right equipment or conditions. In a relatively flat, open suburban or rural area, 5-10 miles for a vehicle mounted radio or 1-5 miles for a handheld, portable radio is realistic.
Much of this work has been grossly simplified for the average person who just needs a radio to work and isn’t interested in the details that hams care about. Remember, this is a brief introductory to terms, ideas, and options.
Cell phones, apps, and the Internet
Absent SHTF, the Internet and the various websites, programs, and apps it provides for us is a fantastic tool. You should already be taking advantage of things like NextDoor to network, gather intelligence, and communicate with your neighbors. As things deteriorate, information sharing, and coordination will become vital. However, such established “Big Tech” platforms will likely eventually crackdown on citizens using their platform for self-defense coordination.
In these times of discord and suspicion, secure communications on your cell phone are important. You don’t want Google, Facebook, or the government spying on you. Of course, the NSA can probably read or hear everything, but why make it easy? Get critical communication off the open networks.
The alternative, while still using the Internet and modern communications, is to move to private communication apps, like Telegram or Signal. Download a secure group messaging app like these. They are best for non-emergency communications and the privacy makes it that much harder for your communications to be intercepted. A tech-savvy individual could also create a website with a forum for locals. Worst case, create an email list. Everyone can email each other like the old newsgroups.
Terms defined
Bandwidth: How much of the radio spectrum is taken up by a given frequency. You can think of this as an electric cable; if you need to put more energy down a powerline, the cable will be broader. This is represented by how many Hertz separates the frequencies. For a good example, think of how FM radio stations are all odd numbers after the decimal (this is .2 MHz spacing). Frequencies in use that are too close together will experience bleed over and transmissions will be garbled. Think of AM radio at night in winter where a louder radio station covers another.
CB: Citizen’s Band radio.
FRS: Family Radio Service.
GMRS: General Mobile Radio Service.
Grid down: A disaster or situation where nationally or across your region the utility and communications systems collapse totally, along with the supply chain. There is no electricity, city water, Internet, phones, nor distribution of groceries, fuel, or other essentials. You must be self-sufficient to survive.
Ham radio: Amateur Radio Service. The traditional licensed two-way radio system for non-business use. A “ham” is a nickname for a licensee of the hobby.
HT: Handheld Transceiver or portable radio. Also known incorrectly as a “handie-talkie.” If you say “walkie-talkie” everyone will know what you are talking about as they are all the same things.
MHz/kHz: Megahertz and kilohertz. Measures of frequency. Frequencies programmed into a are often called “channels” as well. Think of a frequency on a dial as an address. Note that frequency ranges allocated for certain traffic are known as “bands” and are named after their wavelength, such as the 2 meter (2m) VHF band.
MURS: Multi-Use Radio Service.
Propagation: the travel of radio waves and often in context meaning how well they do so with varying frequencies, transmitter power (wattage), and terrain or atmospheric considerations.
Simplex: Radios communicate directly between each other with one radio at a time using the frequency or else they will cancel each other out.
SHTF: Any emergency event that deviates from our normal condition of civil order beyond a limited disaster and implies a partial or total collapse of law and order.
Watt: A measure of how much energy the radio puts out; this could be understood as “power.” More watts typically give greater range but all the power in the world can’t overcome basic physics and geography that blocks signal propagation.
WROL: Without the Rule of Law. This is a situation where police and courts are non-existent; a total collapse of law and order. Criminals will not be arrested and prosecuted. It is the law of the jungle; kill or be killed; only the fittest survive. This situation is essentially lawless and resembles war more than a disaster.
Unlicensed and minimally licensed radio
Radio frequencies within a certain range are set aside for different purposes and groups; these are called bands. While they have definite frequencies allocated, it’s easier to refer to the different bands by their purpose, such as CB radio, or by the wavelength such as 70 centimeter, which is a ham UHF band (licensed). In the unlicensed and minimally licensed radio category, you have GMRS, FRS, MURS, and CB radio. It’s important to note that while GMRS, FRS, and MURS frequencies can be transmitted on by a Baofeng ham radio, it’s technically illegal to do so, although no one will mind when the world ends.
Unlicensed options
Our discussion will be limited to bands that do not require an amateur operator’s license. Yes, I know GMRS technically requires a license, but the process is so minimal it is practically unlicensed. Range of these radios will be from the neighborhood to around ten miles; up to about 30 under all the right conditions. Very long range communication is not within the realm of the casual radio user.
If you plan on using anything other than simple, pre-programmed radios in the neighborhood, do some serious research. You don’t need to necessarily get a license for all of these options but do learn how the various bands work in the application you want to use. Learn what equipment works best and how to install and program it. Use your Google Fu!
Note: Dual-band radios that operate on both UHF and VHF (usually 70cm/GMRS/FRS and 2m) are available for the use of hams. These radios, which include the ever popular Baofeng series, can transmit on GMRS, but not legally. Dual-band radios are best for monitoring only, WROL use, or for licensed hams.
GMRS: General Mobile Radio Service. Used for family communications, they are popular with off-roaders, and often used without a license (illegally) by anyone needing a short-range radio. The license is $35, requires no test, and the application is online that is approved in 1-2 days. The license is good for 10 years and practically any close relative can use your license. GMRS is perfect for families or spouses that have no interest in a ham license. I have not heard of the FCC prosecuting unlicensed GMRS users or people for failing to properly use a call sign.
There are 22 frequencies with seven of them being allocated for repeater use (essentially a second channel with a suffix of R). These frequencies are shared with FRS and both services can communicate with each other legally.
You can install repeaters and use radios up to 50 watts (depending on the frequency). This is a poor-man’s UHF ham analogue, but lots of people are using few channels, so you have fewer options than ham radio. Portable radios are usually 5 watts, which will give you 1-3 miles in town without connecting to a rooftop antenna. 50 watt radios and a rooftop antenna could cover up to 15 miles depending on the terrain.
Open, or public GMRS repeaters are operated by clubs and enthusiasts in many places. Repeater frequencies are noted as essentially a second channel with a suffix of R, i.e. 22R. However GMRS repeaters are less common than those on the licensed amateur bands.
For usage if the cell network is down, my suggestion is to put a mobile GMRS 50 watt mobile radio in each vehicle, plus a 50 watt radio stationary version at home. You can purchase multiples of the same radio and simply connect the home unit to a dedicated power supply or even disconnect the car radio when at home and use it as a base station.
If each car in the family has a radio with a suitable antenna mounted on the roof of the car, talking to a 50 watt station at home with a rooftop antenna (they sell 6ft tall poles that are unobtrusive) would be a breeze across a relatively flat suburban city. Each family member could also have a portable radio (walkie-talkie) with them.
My recommendation is GMRS walkie-talkies for each adult in your family. You may want spares for friends/relatives who drop in or to give to a trusted neighbor. For a convoy, handheld radios with replacement antennas should be sufficient, though any portable unit in a car should be connected to a magnetic mount antenna on the roof using a cable.
My family and my group use Woxun KG-805G portable radios. Using the downloadable software a custom band plan, within the GMRS frequency range, can be programmed. We’ve all replaced the short “rubber ducky” antenna with either 19” Nagoya whips or flexible folding antennas, which is the most important part of getting better range and reception.
Repeaters are available in many communities. These are privately owned and operated for the benefit of the public or they may be private (like a private club). MyGMRS.com has a directory of nationwide repeaters. Note that many repeater operators require only GMRS specific radios, and not Baofengs, to use their repeaters, as this is an FCC requirement.
Operators who have the equipment to analyze your transmission can see that you are broadcasting improperly. Baofeng radios typically have two settings for bandwidth; 25 kHz or 12.5 kHz. GMRS is 20 kHz on all but the FRS shared channels so what the operator sees is a too-wide transmission bleeding onto other frequencies or an unnecessarily narrow signal. He should only be seeing 20 kHz wide signals. Again FCC enforcement is rare and typically the worst thing that happens is an angry old man who owns the repeater yells at the Baofeng user to get off their repeater.
FRS: Family Radio Service. Basically your license-free cheap blister pack radio. These share UHF frequencies with GMRS but are more limited in wattage. FRS and GMRS users can talk to each other legally. Only good for talking within a few blocks, like one end of the street to the other mostly. Though the frequencies and possibly the radio would have greater capabilities, you can’t replace the crappy antenna.
Remember that so-called “privacy” modes are anything but. What they do is essentially transmit a code so that only you and the other radios in that same mode can hear each other. Everyone else listening to that frequency without their own privacy mode activated can still hear you. This is sort of like yelling across a room at a party in French on the assumption no one else speaks French. In fact, on any radio frequency, whatever you say in any mode can be intercepted.
FRS v. GMRS
- GMRS radios can be customized with antennas.
- GMRS radios can be programmed by the user.
- FRS radios cannot use repeaters.
- FRS radios are lower-power.
- FRS radios are typically sold in bubble packs in stores.
An unexpected advantage of FRS radios is their ubiquity. You and your neighbors probably have some of these radios at home already. They are commonly available in all sorts of stores. This means that unprepared people might suddenly discover they have a communications capability they didn’t know about. Their low price point enables you to buy a blister pack cheaply and put it away for contingencies, such as passing them out to a neighborhood watch.
MURS: Multi-Use Radio Service. Think of it as the VHF version of CB radio; no license is required. These are for personal and business use; for example Walmart uses proprietary Motorola units in its stores. Power is limited to 2 watts and legally speaking only specific MURS radios must be used on these frequencies; programming the freqs into your Baofeng is technically illegal. Range in most urban conditions is probably 1 mile at best, but as always, with more wattage, height, and a better antenna, greater range can be expected if you’re willing to disregard the FCC equipment regulations.
Note that legally speaking, to use each different service, radios specific to that service must be used. Just because your Baofeng or a similar radio can tune in those frequencies does not mean it is legal to use those channels with a Baofeng. GMRS and FRS share frequencies but have different power levels (representing what the specific equipment for each service is capable of). Enforcement is highly unlikely, however.