/r/mursradio

Photograph via snooOG

This is a place to talk about use of the FCC Part 97J Mult-Use Radio Service (MURS)

In the United States, the Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS) is an unlicensed two-way radio service similar to Citizens Band (CB). Established by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission in the fall of 2000, MURS created a radio service allowing for unlicensed (Part 95) operation, with a power limit of 2 watts. The FCC formally defines MURS as "a private, two-way, short-distance voice or data communications service for personal or business activities of the general public." MURS stations may not be connected to the public telephone network, may not be used for store and forward operations, and radio repeaters are not permitted.

MURS Channels

151.820 Mhz

151.880 Mhz

151.940 Mhz

154.570 Mhz

154.600 Mhz

/r/mursradio

620 Subscribers

4

MURS antenna booster

Hey guys I'm very new to radio of any kind. My boss recently gave my team and I a set of 6 Retevis RB17V radios. They work pretty good, but I'm looking for a way to improve the range of them. We exclusively use them in our cars so a vehicle mounted antenna is definitely an option. I have done some Googleing and have seen a lot of different options with different frequencies and things. I believe most of them are geared more towards HAM radio though, or CB. I figured talking to some experienced people who have possibly already dealt with this problem would probably be a smart play. So any information would be appreciated. Thanks!

7 Comments
2024/10/17
13:18 UTC

2

VHF marine antenna

There seems to be a pretty small selection of MURS specific gear out there, since both marine radio and MURS are VHF, could I just set my sights on a well rated marine VHF antenna instead of all these glorified dual band antennas? From my little knowledge of radios something tuned to only one band would perform better...?

Trying to get signal in and out of a metal building and not spend hundreds on an antenna 🥲

TLDR: hooking a murs certified radio to a VHF marine antenna, will it work well?

14 Comments
2024/09/17
12:51 UTC

2

Radio over IP via MURS

Based on the very sparse amount of information outside of going lawyer mode, it appears this is allowed...?

I am thinking of piping MURS into mumble to allow for long range MURS communication.

Would this count as a repeater though? It's not being repeated via MURS, just IP.

4 Comments
2024/09/13
13:18 UTC

6

Help buying my first MURS radio!

Hi!

I'm interested in slowly getting into HAM. I only own a Baofeng right now, and since I'm not licensed I can only listen.

That being said, right now I'm looking for a solution that doesn't require anybody involved to get a license (even if it's only GMRS). Hence why I'm here!

Here are the names I've seen (in no specific order):

There are honorable mentions (RB17B, RT21V, Wouxun KG-805M MURS, ...) but it's even harder to find relevant information on these.

My first question is: is there any reason I would want to buy the Icom and spend ×4 on it?

When it comes to the MU-5 vs. RT47V, it sounds like to me the main differences are:

  • RT47V is waterproof
  • RT47V is "fool proof" when it comes to using it (given the lack of controls)
  • MU-5 receives other signals on top of MURS
  • MU-5 is "programmable" on the field
  • MU-5 doesn't require a cable to do basic programing

They otherwise look very similar. Anything I missed?

Thanks in advance for your help!

13 Comments
2024/08/31
20:44 UTC

2

Wide band range building to building

I wanted to give a data point that wide band on channel 4/5 as permitted does not have close to the same range as narrow band on ch1-3.

This is probably obvious facts for the hams, but I cannot find a good guide that says whether wide or narrow performance is better in VHF, so this is my findings going across a fairly large property with one building being one with metal siding, essentially being a Faraday cage.

4 Comments
2024/08/30
23:51 UTC

6

MURS Reigns Supreme

Sure, you can do a lot with both ham radio and GMRS, and I've been licensed and used both for decades. But with MURS I don't have to use a Callsign that will tell listeners instantly who and where I am. So that's what my family uses most of the time. GMRS would be much better is it also had VHF Frequencies but I'll stick with MURS for family communication and adventuring.

1 Comment
2024/08/22
16:45 UTC

5

Wide Band vs narrow

Is there a good guide which discusses when to use the green / blue channels vs the narrow band channels?

Very new to MURS, trying to properly implement it as safety/security radios at my church campus consisting of three buildings fairly well spaced apart.

As I understand it the closer we get to UHF the better range indoor will be? MURS data really seems to not be as proficient as GMRS, etc. Ugh how nice it would be if business GMRS licenses still existed, having 30 volunteers each get an individual license would be a mess to properly adhere to FCC laws...

3 Comments
2024/08/06
14:00 UTC

2

Amazon fire stick giving off interference at 151.820mhz?

I enjoy listening to my radio in scan mode, and often have it running in the background. Everytime I interact with my fire stick the aforementioned frequency (which is normally used by the local Sam's club) lights up with static until I disconnect the fire stick from the network or return it to standby mode. Anybody have any ideas what specifically is causing this?

2 Comments
2024/07/31
18:30 UTC

1

Motorla Rmm2050

Would anyone like to purchase 2 Motorola Rmm2050 radios? They are brand new and it comes with the radios, batteries, chargers, holster. Nothing is wrong with them. They are very durable radios. $300. Shipping available. Here is the Facebook post https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/471504495358555/?mibextid=6ojiHh.

0 Comments
2024/06/15
02:56 UTC

2

Road trip caravan car club radio

I’m looking for a good handheld for use in car club caravans. Any suggestions?

Thanks

2 Comments
2024/05/29
18:41 UTC

3

Basic questions

We live on a farm in Northwest Florida, nothing huge, 10 acres. Our daughter and family live down the road about 2 miles, I would like to get some radios that could be used during hurricane outage.

Questions:

  1. is MURS the way to go?
  2. What is effective radio range?
  3. Which handheld radio is recommended?
  4. Which vehicle radio is recommended?
3 Comments
2024/05/24
13:20 UTC

5

Can Frequencies From Other Radio Services Be In A MURS Radio?

I have read that the FCC prohibits GMRS radios from having frequencies from other radio services in it.

Can a MURS radio legally have frequencies from other radio services in it?

4 Comments
2024/05/11
00:50 UTC

0

Looking for 2.5mm earbuds

Short version: Does anyone know of good, 2.5mm, earbuds that can be used listen-only with a Retivis RT27V radio?

Long version: I'm part of a volunteer church security team, and we're planning to start using Retevis RT27V MURS radios so that the guy watching the security cameras can easily direct responders (while dialing 9-1-1 and still watching the cameras) instead of having the guy watching the cameras have be the first responder (which would potentially delay the call to 9-1-1).

Being all volunteers, I need to make things easy or guys won't bother. I picked up a 10-pack of Retevis earpieces, but those are just too complicated with guys needing to clip them on in multiple places. I need something where the responders can just grab a radio, throw the radio on their belt or in a pocket, put in an earbud in, and sit down to enjoy church service with their families. If it's complicated, they won't do it.

I'm having trouble finding 2.5mm earbuds. The team is initially going to try with 2.5mm to 3.5mm adapters but it seems like those are just an extra connection that could come loose.

It's probably better if they aren't the clear "secret agent looking" earbuds just so it looks like we're listening to music during the service instead of looking like we're a security team.

3 Comments
2024/05/06
12:21 UTC

1

Legal for organizational use?

Can MURS radios be used by an organization?

I'm trying to come up with radio options for use by a small church, mostly for the Incident Response Team.

3 Comments
2024/03/30
19:20 UTC

2

Motorla RMM2050

Would a Motorola RMM2050 be a good radio for riding quads if I got a murs outdoor antenna and maybe an external antenna for the radio? How much range do you think I could get? It’s mostly an open field.

2 Comments
2024/03/17
02:13 UTC

3

Radioddity MU-5 VS BTECH MURS-V2

I am looking for a MURS radio, and came across these two. Any reason for the BTECH V2 to be double the price or is the radioddity just fine? I can't get a solid answer since it seems like MURS is not too popular.

2 Comments
2024/03/04
04:16 UTC

2

Icom IC-V10MR vs IC-V3MR

Anyone with experience know a difference between the V10MR and V3MR? As far as I can see they are essentially the same radio, with the V3MR being newer, slightly smaller, and having a bigger battery.

4 Comments
2024/02/11
07:44 UTC

1

North Santa Rosa county Florida

Is there anyone that uses these radios in the area?

1 Comment
2024/01/26
15:17 UTC

3

Odd noise on murs channel 2

12 Comments
2024/01/05
20:24 UTC

5

WARNING: Retevis RB27V illegal for MURS usage - false advertising

Retevis advertises and sells the RB27V for MURS usage on Amazon. At $60 for for this seems to be an awesome deal. It even has the FCC symbol and shows 2ASNSRB27V as the FCC ID. So everything looks great.

Unfortunately no. The FCC database does not have the FCC ID in their database. I checked with Retevis and they acknowledged that this radio isn't allowed on MURS.

https://preview.redd.it/wwo4x1vot8mb1.png?width=1268&format=png&auto=webp&s=7784727d16d1e06c2206dfbfc837ff1dc22c256b

5 Comments
2023/09/04
13:46 UTC

2

Top-Tier MURS Handhelds: Icom V10MR vs. Motorola RMM2050 vs. (?)

Hello!

  1. What is the best not-made-in-China handheld MURS transceiver?

  2. I have my list narrowed down to the Icom V10MR vs. Motorola RMM2050, but if there is something with better receive sensitivity specs/more durable...I want to know about it!

  3. I would also like to know whether the Icom or the Motorola has the more durable antenna mount?

a) The Motorola has an SMA male

b) The Icom has a J-type

➡ Is one of these more durable...than the other...?

  1. There *do* seem to be aftermarket antennas available for the SMA style:

Link One
Link Two

Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

8 Comments
2023/05/27
13:11 UTC

6

Is there a PL code on any of the MURS channels used for an emergency?

4 Comments
2023/01/03
19:07 UTC

8

Contact a MURS from a Ham Radio.

I have an Amateur Extra License. Is there any LEGAL way to contact MURS frequencies from my Ham Radio?

21 Comments
2022/07/05
18:13 UTC

6

Quick review: Retevis RT47V

6 Comments
2022/06/13
18:42 UTC

9

Best retevis murs, and best antenna for murs?

Is there any practical difference between any of these? Use case is backcountry hiking. I plan on getting a 1/4 or 1/2 wavelength folding antenna for these.

Rb27v - display and NOAA

Rt21v - wide/narrow band selector and hi low power select

Rt47v - waterproof

Rb38v - display and NOAA

I’m leaning waterproof but the others are SMA female and it’s SMA male which seems to have way less options for antennas.

Also as a newbie would the retevis 15.3” MURS antenna be specially tuned to MURS or would any antenna work just as well? I was thinking getting a folding 18” or 31” antenna for Better comms in heavy hills and woods.

4 Comments
2022/05/14
15:30 UTC

2

I regularly hike/Overland in heavily wooded Appalachian mountains. Some research indicates that MURS "bends" better in woods and mountains. Would this be better than GMRS in your experience?

5 Comments
2022/04/26
23:08 UTC

0

https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/GEm8dHcSXVDve6w96

0 Comments
2022/04/26
00:10 UTC

4

Anyone want to chat on Murs radio just tell me what frequency you would like to chat on and I will meet you there

Thanks

4 Comments
2022/04/24
18:20 UTC

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