Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS)

MURS is a separate radio service, not directly related to amateur (ham) radio.  It offers short-range FM voice communications over VHF frequencies in the 151 to 154 MHz range.  It reuses several former VHF business band "color dot" frequencies and allows use of portable, mobile, and fixed equipment with up to 2 watts of power.

While amateur radio forbids business use and requires a test to get a license, there is no test and no license for MURS, and both personal and business traffic are allowed.

Why Care About MURS?

MURS is a great choice for low-budget deployments at special events where radios need to be given to a large number of unlicensed users.  It's somewhat less popular than FRS and GMRS, so MURS users can avoid heavy traffic that might be present on those services during activities like marathons, parades, and bike rides.  MURS radios can be distributed to security staff, parking attendants, and other support personnel who don't have a ham radio or GMRS license.

Locally, a small cache of portable MURS radios is available for deployment at public service events.  Contact KG4PEQ for information.

GMRS is typically a better choice for family communications, since it offers greater output power and access to repeaters.

Additional MURS resources

Here are some additional resources to help you get started:

• FCC Mobility Division:  MURS Information

• r/mursradio

MURS radios must be FCC type-accepted for use in the service.  The use of unlocked ham radio transceivers, Part 90 radios, and other equipment not specifically type accepted for MURS use is "at your own risk."  Several different manufacturers currently offer equipment which is legal for use on MURS.