MURS: The Multi-use Radio Service!
Getting a MURS License: Simpler Than You’d Think! In fact…
Here’s the good news up front: you don’t need a license to use the MURS band.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) treats it as a “licensed by rule” service, which means the rules themselves give you permission to operate. There’s no application, no exam, no fee, and no waiting period. If you’re a U.S. resident (or otherwise eligible under FCC rules) and you follow the regulations, you’re good to go.
What MURS Is
MURS is a set of five VHF frequencies near 151 and 154 MHz.
The five MURS frequencies are:
| Channel | Frequency (MHz) | Bandwidth |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 151.820 | 11.25 kHz (narrow) |
| 2 | 151.880 | 11.25 kHz (narrow) |
| 3 | 151.940 | 11.25 kHz (narrow) |
| 4 | 154.570 | 20 kHz (wider) |
| 5 | 154.600 | 20 kHz (wider) |
MURS is popular with small businesses, farms, ranches, construction crews, churches, and families who want short-range communication without cell service. Radios are surprisingly affordable, and the VHF signal travels well through trees and terrain compared to higher-frequency options.
What You Need to Get Started
The main thing is the two-way radio you purchase is “FCC certified” (often called “type accepted”) for MURS use. Look for a certification label or a listing in the manufacturer’s specifications. This matters because the FCC requires MURS equipment to meet specific technical standards.
Note for ham radio operators: using an amateur radio or a modified commercial radio that isn’t certified for MURS can put you out of compliance. Remember that when you think about ‘opening up’ your Baofeng radio!
Key equipment rules include:
- Power limit: 2 watts maximum output.
- Antennas: Handheld radios usually have fixed antennas, while base or mobile setups can use external ones. The antenna height is limited to 60 feet above ground or 20 feet above the tallest structure it’s mounted on, whichever is greater.
- Bandwidth: Bandwidth limits apply to keep the channels from overlapping.
Rules to Follow
Even without a license, you still have federal responsibilities, and can get nailed by the FCC if you don’t adhere to those responsibilities:
- Stay on the five MURS channels. Don’t transmit on nearby frequencies, or any frequencies for which you do NOT have a proper license to use.
- Don’t connect your MURS radio to the public switched telephone network. MURS can’t be used for interconnected telephone calls, sometimes called a phone patch.
- Don’t use repeaters or unattended stations. With a few limited exceptions, MURS is meant for direct radio-to-radio communication.
- Keep it clean. No obscene or profane language, and no false distress signals.
- Don’t use your MURS radios for any illegal purposes. That includes anything that violates federal, state, or local law.
- Avoid interfering with others transmissions. Listen before you talk, since the channels are shared.
Identification and Privacy
MURS doesn’t require station identification, unlike amateur radio. However, remember that the channels are shared and anyone can listen in. Don’t assume your conversations are private.
Where to Check for Updates
Rules can change, so it’s smart to confirm details on the FCC’s website. Search for 47 CFR Part 95, Subpart J, which covers MURS. You can also check the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau pages for the latest guidance.
The Bottom Line
To “secure” MURS radio privileges, simply buy an FCC-certified radio, stay within the power and channel rules, and use your radio responsibly. That’s it. If you later want more range, more power, or repeater access, you might explore the FCC’s General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) band (which requires a FCC license and a fee, but no test) or an amateur radio (which requires an exam and a fee, but allows you to communicate from locally to around-the-world).