Radio Services Explained: The Essential Guide for Preppers, Homesteaders, and Emergency Use

In an emergency, cell towers fail. The grid goes dark. And suddenly, two-way radio communication becomes your lifeline.

At Ready Radio, we believe everyone should understand the key radio services available in the U.S.—what they are, how they work, and when to use them. Whether you're prepping for grid-down scenarios, coordinating on your homestead, or just want a reliable backup, here’s what you need to know.

 Citizens Band Radio (CB)

CB Radio has been a staple of truckers and off-grid users for decades. It operates on 40 shared AM channels in the 27 MHz band, and does not require a license. CB is great for:

• Communicating with other drivers on the road

• Short-range contact between homesteads or rural neighbors

• Emergency use when other systems fail

Range: Typically 1–5 miles depending on terrain and antenna setup.

 Family Radio Service (FRS)

FRS radios are what most people think of when they hear “walkie-talkies.” FRS is perfect for:

• Family hikes

• Theme parks or camping trips

• Close-range team coordination

FRS operates on 22 UHF channels, with power limits of 0.5 to 2 watts. No license is needed, and radios are often inexpensive.

Range: Up to 2 miles in open areas.

 General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)

GMRS is the more powerful sibling of FRS. You’ll need a simple FCC license (no test required), but you’ll get up to 50 watts of power, use of repeaters, and far greater range.

GMRS is ideal for:

• Neighborhood emergency networks

• Off-grid property comms

• Bug-out convoy coordination

Range: Up to 5+ miles handheld-to-handheld; 20+ miles with repeaters.

Pro Tip: Many radios like the Baofeng UV-5R or BF-F8HP can listen to GMRS but transmitting requires GMRS certification or a compliant radio.

 Low-Power Radio Service (LPRS)

LPRS isn’t for general public use but is worth knowing about. It’s used in:

• Medical devices

• Assisted listening systems

• Law enforcement tracking tools

You’ll rarely use LPRS yourself, but it operates in the 216–217 MHz range for short-range, specialized applications.

 Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS)

MURS is one of the most overlooked and underrated services. It operates on five VHF channels and requires no license. That makes it popular for:

• Gate controls and business comms

• Custom home or ranch radio networks

• Long-range line-of-sight communication

MURS performs extremely well outdoors and has less congestion than FRS/GMRS.

Range: Up to 5 miles depending on terrain and antenna height.

 NOAA Weather Radio (NWR)

NOAA Weather Radio is a must-have for emergency readiness. It provides:

• 24/7 alerts on local weather events

• Storm warnings, evacuation updates, and more

• Broadcasts from over 1,000 transmitters across the U.S.

Any emergency radio worth its salt will include NWR reception. Combine it with your Ready Radio Emergency Comms Cards for instant access to key frequencies.

Which Radio Service Is Right for You?

Final Thoughts

Understanding your radio options is one of the smartest moves you can make when preparing for uncertain times. At Ready Radio, we equip you with easy-to-use gear, pre-programmed radios, and quick-reference cards to take the guesswork out of communication.

Stay connected. Stay informed. Stay ready.