Here is a list of the new MURS radio frequencies as well as a brief description of what this radio service is for and how you may find it useful. Also discussed in this article are  base station antennas for MURS radios and how they can give you more  range.

There are several kinds of two-way radios that you can use without a license for personal communications and for business. Here are some of the advantages of MURS walkie talkies Vs. FRS radios, GMRS, CB radios and eXRS radios.  There really is no “best walkie talkie” for personal use because each kind has its own advantages and disadvantages. MURS walkie talkies, which use the Multi Use Radio Service, are possibly the least known of the five mentioned above.  Unlike GMRS and FRS ones, MURS walkie talkies can be used for both personal and business. GMRS radios require a license, MURS does not require one.

Power Output Of MURS Radios Vs. FRS Walkie Talkies

The FCC allows MURS walkie talkies to transmit with up to two watts, compared to one half watt for FRS. In addition, and this is a big plus for business users, a MURS radio can be hooked up to an external antenna for much longer range.  Up to twenty miles of range are possible using two MURS radios with base station antennas. You can place a base station antenna up to sixty feet high, or twenty feet above a structure. FRS radios are not authorized to use external antennas of any kind. While the power output of MURS radios is not as much as GMRS, using GMRS requires a license and can be complicated to use legally for business use.  Unlike CB radio, MURS radio frequencies are not subject to “skip”, or interference from far away. For this reason they offer more reliable local communications. Unlike CB radio you can use privacy codes to block unwanted transmissions from other parties. There are not as many MURS channels as CB radio (5 vs. 40) or as many as FRS, which has 14 channels and GMRS that has 7 channels, but MURS wallkie talkies are much less common, meaning less interference.   eXRS radios are really much like digital 900 Mhz cordless phone intercom systems, offering similar range but total privacy. eXRS radios have their place in short range personal communication, but cannot compete with the range of MURS radios.

MURS Radio Frequencies and Range Of MURS Walkie Talkies

Below is a table showing the five MURS radio frequencies authorized by the FCC.

These frequencies are in the VHF end of the radio spectrum which is widely used for local communications.

Think of MURS as a kind of “VHF CB radio” that is still used much less than other radio services at this point. Because MURS radios are not sold in “bubble packs” at Wal Mart, you’ll have much more privacy. These radios are available with numerous options, such as driveway alert systems, external antennas, and even dog tracking units.  This makes MURS walkie talkies an excellent choice for those who don’t want to hear children talking to each other when trying to use them for grown up use.

How To Add A Base Station External Antennas To MURS Radios

It is legal to add a base station or mobile antenna to a MURS radio as long as it is not directional. To attach an external antenna to a MURS walkie talkie usually involves getting the proper connector, which may be a pigtail with a BNC connector at one end and a SO-239 or PL-259 at the other end.  You can find MURS radio antennas for sale on eBay and Amazon.com, as well as MURS walkie talkies, driveway alert systems, etc..

To summarize, MURS radios are a much more powerful and versatile option than any of the others mentioned above if you don’t want to go to the trouble of FCC licensing for your business or for personal use.

Below is an example of a Discone external base station antenna for a MURS radio.  When adding a base station antenna to a MURS walkie talkie you should check what is known as the “SWR” or match between the radio and antenna to maximize performance and also to prevent damage to the radio. SWR meters are available from ham radio shops and online.  You can find MURS radios for sale on Amazon.com here: Current MURS Radios For Sale

The Discone antenna is a popular choice for VHF radio. It makes an ideal MURS base station antenna. Click on image for current ones listed for sale.