Why Buy a GMRS Radio Rather Than an FRS Radio?
So if a GMRS radio requires a license, why would anybody buy one instead of a license-free FRS radio? There is one big reason: better range. But if you’re new to GMRS, I’d offer an important caution about what “better range” can actually mean. Some low-end GMRS radios will deliver range performance that is only slightly better than the range performance you can get from a good FRS radio. So in many cases, the upfront license cost of GMRS units may not be worth the extra outlay of cash. BUT…if you’re willing to spend a little more to replace a GMRS radio’s original antenna with a quality after-market antenna, you should, in fact, significantly increase the range performance of even a low-end GMRS unit. (Do be aware, however, that not all GMRS radios have a detachable antenna. The Memorex MK1995 does.) One way you can assess whether a GMRS radio (with its original antenna) will have any significant range advantage over an FRS radio is to check the GMRS unit
