The General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) is a licensed radio service in the United States that allows for higher-powered communication over UHF frequencies. It is commonly used by families, outdoor groups, off-roaders, and businesses for reliable local communication.

• Regulated by: FCC Part 95 Subpart E
• License: Required (One license covers an entire family)
• Users: Licensed individuals and their immediate family members
• Frequency Range: 462 MHz and 467 MHz (UHF)

• Power: Up to 50 watts ERP (depending on channel)
• Repeater use allowed (on designated GMRS repeater input/output pairs)
• Detachable antennas permitted on mobile and base stations
• Compatible with FRS on shared channels (1-7 and 15-22)
• License term: 10 years
• Typical range: 1-5 miles handheld, 10+ miles with repeater or base setup

The Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS) is a license-free VHF radio service in the U.S., offering five channels for personal or business use with very few restrictions. MURS is ideal for property management, retail stores, farms, and personal communication.

• Regulated by: FCC Part 95 Subpart J
• License: No License Required
• Users: General public and businesses (open to all in the U.S.)
• Frequency Range: 151.820-154.600 MHz (VHF)

• Power: 2 watts max output
• Antennas: External antennas allowed (with height restrictions)
• No repeaters allowed MURS is simplex-only
• Modulation: Voice or data allowed (e.g., telemetry or alarms)
• Channels: 5 pre-set frequencies
• Typical range: 1-3 miles, more in open rural environments

The Amateur Radio Service—commonly called Ham Radio—is a licensed radio service for hobbyists, emergency responders, and technical enthusiasts. It allows operation across a wide range of frequencies and modes for communication, experimentation, and public service.

• Regulated by: FCC Part 97
• License: Required (Technician, General, or Extra class)
• Users: Licensed individuals (not for commercial use)
• Frequency Range: Multiple bands across HF, VHF, UHF (e.g., 144-148 MHz, 420-450 MHz, 222-225 MHz)

• Power: Up to 1500 watts (depending on license and band)
• Antennas: External antennas fully allowed (no height restrictions unless near airports)
• Repeaters: Fully allowed; many local and linked repeater systems
• Modulation: Voice (FM/SSB/AM), data (digital modes), video (ATV), Morse code (CW), and more
• Call sign required: Operators must identify with their FCC-issued call sign
• Typical range: Local to global, depending on frequency and propagation

The Business or Industrial/Business Pool of the Land Mobile Radio Service (LMR) is a licensed radio service used by organizations for internal communications. It's common in manufacturing, transportation, property management, security, and event coordination.

• Regulated by: FCC Part 90
• License: Required (Per organization or entity)
• Users: Commercial, industrial, and government organizations
• Frequency Range: 150-174 MHz (VHF) and 450-470 MHz (UHF)

• Power: Typically 4-50 watts depending on equipment and license
• Antennas: External and high-gain antennas allowed
• Repeaters: Allowed to extend coverage
• Modulation: Voice and data (digital or analog)
• Coordination required: Frequency coordination by certified coordinators
• Typical range: 2-20 miles depending on setup and environment

The Marine VHF Radio Service is a licensed radio service used for ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communication in U.S. and international waters. It is vital for navigation safety, hailing, distress alerts, weather information, and coordination with the Coast Guard, harbormasters, and marinas.

• Regulated by: FCC Part 80
• License: Required for international use; not required for U.S. recreational vessels operating domestically
• Users: Commercial and recreational boaters, Coast Guard, harbor authorities
• Frequency Range: 156.000-162.025 MHz (VHF)

• Power: 1 to 25 watts depending on channel and use
• Antennas: External marine-grade antennas required (often mast-mounted)
• Repeaters: Marine repeaters are uncommon but exist for port operations (duplex channels)
• Modulation: Analog voice and Digital Selective Calling (DSC) on Channel 70
• Channel usage: Channel 16 for distress and hailing; Channel 13 for bridge-to-bridge; Channel 22A for USCG contact
• Typical range: 5-25 nautical miles, depending on antenna height and conditions

The 350-400 MHz range is not officially designated as a general-use radio service in the U.S., but some commercial or government users may operate under special licensing or allocations. Some imported radios offer a 350TX mode to transmit in this range, though it is typically unauthorized for public use.

• Regulated by: FCC Part 90 / Federal allocations
• License: Required (with specific FCC authorization)
• Users: Federal agencies, some commercial systems
• Frequency Range: 350-400 MHz (UHF)

• Power: Varies by service; typically 5-25 watts
• Antennas: External antennas permitted
• Repeaters: May be allowed if authorized
• Modulation: Voice or data (analog or digital)
• Important: Not legal for general public or ham operators
• Typical range: 1-10 miles, depending on environment

The T-Band is a section of UHF radio spectrum from 470-512 MHz used primarily by public safety and emergency services in select urban areas. Radios with a 500TX feature can transmit in this range, but only authorized entities may legally operate there.

• Regulated by: FCC Part 90
• License: Required (Only for public safety or eligible business entities)
• Users: Police, fire, EMS, municipal and transit authorities
• Frequency Range: 470-512 MHz (UHF)

• Power: Typically 5-100 watts depending on use case
• Antennas: External antennas fully supported
• Repeaters: Widely used for city-wide coverage
• Channels: Derived from 6 MHz TV channel blocks (TV 14-20)
• Restricted: Use is limited to 11 major metro areas
• Typical range: 2-20+ miles with repeater infrastructure