Walkie Talkie Frequencies: What Frequncies do Walkie Talkies Use

From my initial days in using walkie talkies, I know that delving with walkie-talkie frequencies can be a complex endeavor, especially for newcomers to radio communication. I recall the confusion I faced in understanding which frequencies to utilize and determining the most effective ones. This is a common challenge most newbies encounter when first interacting with two-way radios.

Walkie-talkies, along with all other two-way radios, function on specific frequencies allocated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). In this comprehensive guide, we aim to explain the frequencies on which walkie-talkies operate. This guide will help you in selecting the most suitable channel for your communication needs. A key aspect to consider is the frequency range: higher frequencies, like 450 MHz within the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) band, are typically more effective for penetrating buildings. In contrast, lower frequencies, such as 150 MHz in the Very High Frequency (VHF) band, are advantageous for longer-distance communication.

This article will explore these nuances in greater depth, providing you with the knowledge to make informed choices in your walkie-talkie usage.

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What Frequency Does Walkie Talkies Use?

Most walkie-talkies today use 22 channels within the 462.5625 to 462.7250 MHz range, known as the Family Radio Service (FRS). Another common band is the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS), spanning the same frequency range.

Let’s dive into the different radio spectrums for walkie talkies and their practical uses.

UHF : Ideal for Indoor Use

Ultra High Frequency (UHF) covers 300 MHz to 3000 MHz, with the UK specific range being 400-470 MHz. UHF’s short waves are great for indoor use, as they easily weave through barriers like walls.

VHF: Best for Open Spaces

Very High Frequency (VHF) operates at 136-174 MHz. Its longer waves travel further at lower power, making it perfect for open, less obstructed outdoor areas. Compared to UHF, VHF radio antennas are longer, so that they transmit over a longer distance. It’s a go-to for agriculture, transport, and construction.

Frequencies of License-free (PMR446) radios

Two-way radios and their frequencies, such as VHF or UHF, are governed and licensed by communication agencies. These include Federal Communications Commission in the US and Ofcom in the UK. Although some radio frequencies require a license, there are other license-free frequencies, such as PMR446 in the UK. Personal Mobile Radio or Public Address Radio (PMR) is a quasi-standard for private communications. These include lower-powered walkie-talkies having a maximum transmission power of 0.5 Watts and therefore serve short-range communication purposes. If you’re in open areas, you can expect a range of up to a few kilometers. But, in areas with obstructions, you can expect to reach up to a few hundred meters. The closest equivalent to PMR446 is the FRS band In the USA and Canada.

There were eight channels for license-free use in the UK until January 2018. Later, the spectrum was expanded to increase capacity across Europe. The channel raster of PMR446 is 12.5 kHz with 16 channels. Here’s a list of the frequencies:

Channel Frequency

Channel 1: 446.00625
Channel 2: 446.01875
Channel 3: 446.03125
Channel 4: 446.04375
Channel 5: 446.05625
Channel 6: 446.06875
Channel 7: 446.08125
Channel 8: 446.09375
Channel 9: 446.10625
Channel 10: 446.11875
Channel 11: 446.13125
Channel 12: 446.14375
Channel 13: 446.15625
Channel 14: 446.16875
Channel 15: 446.18125
Channel 16: 446.19375

FRS

FRS uses 22 channels in the UHF band, ranging from 462.5625 MHz to 462.7250 MHz. The maximum power output on the FRS is 2 watts (channels 1-7 and 15-22) or 0.5 watts (channels 8-14). Since it has low power requirements, you do not need an FCC permit to operate FRS walkie-talkies. It’s an ideal choice for family and group activities.

Here’s a list of all the FRS channels and their corresponding frequencies:

Channel Frequency Power Restriction

Channel 1: 462.5625 MHz Up to 2 Watts
Channel 2: 462.5875 MHz Up to 2 Watts
Channel 3: 462.6125 MHz Up to 2 Watts
Channel 4: 462.6375 MHz Up to 2 Watts
Channel 5: 462.6625 MHz Up to 2 Watts
Channel 6: 462.6875 MHz Up to 2 Watts
Channel 7: 462.7125 MHz Up to 2 Watts
Channel 8: 467.5625 MHz Up to 0.5 Watt
Channel 9: 467.5875 MHz Up to 0.5 Watt
Channel 10: 467.6125 MHz Up to 0.5 Watt
Channel 11: 467.6375 MHz Up to 0.5 Watt
Channel 12: 467.6625 MHz Up to 0.5 Watt
Channel 13: 467.6875 MHz Up to 0.5 Watt
Channel 14: 467.7125 MHz Up to 0.5 Watt
Channel 15: 462.5500 MHz Up to 2 Watts
Channel 16: 462.5750 MHz Up to 2 Watts
Channel 17: 462.6000 MHz Up to 2 Watts
Channel 18: 462.6250 MHz Up to 2 Watts
Channel 19: 462.6500 MHz Up to 2 Watts
Channel 20: 462.6750 MHz Up to 2 Watts
Channel 21: 462.7000 MHz Up to 2 Watts
Channel 22: 462.7250 MHz Up to 2 Watts

GMRS

General Mobile Radio Service operates in the frequency range 462 MHz to 467 MHz. It uses 30 channels operating at a power output of up to 50 Watts. Therefore, you need an FCC permit to run on the GMRS frequencies.

Channels Frequency Power Restriction Bandwidth

Channel 1: 462.5625 MHz Up to 5 Watts 20 kHz
Channel 2: 462.5875 MHz Up to 5 Watts 20 kHz
Channel 3: 462.6125 MHz Up to 5 Watts 20 kHz
Channel 4: 462.6375 MHz Up to 5 Watts 20 kHz
Channel 5: 462.6625 MHz Up to 5 Watts 20 kHz
Channel 6: 462.6875 MHz Up to 5 Watts 20 kHz
Channel 7: 462.7125 MHz Up to 5 Watts 20 kHz
Channel 8: 467.5625 MHz Up to 0.5 Watt 12.5 kHz
Channel 9: 467.5875 MHz Up to 0.5 Watt 12.5 kHz
Channel 10: 467.6125 MHz Up to 0.5 Watt 12.5 kHz
Channel 11: 467.6375 MHz Up to 0.5 Watt 12.5 kHz
Channel 12: 467.6625 MHz Up to 0.5 Watt 12.5 kHz
Channel 13: 467.6875 MHz Up to 0.5 Watt 12.5 kHz
Channel 14: 467.7125 MHz Up to 0.5 Watt 12.5 kHz
Channel 15: 462.5500 MHz Up to 50 Watts 20 kHz
Channel 16: 462.5750 MHz Up to 50 Watts 20 kHz
Channel 17: 462.6000 MHz Up to 50 Watts 20 kHz
Channel 18: 462.6250 MHz Up to 50 Watts 20 kHz
Channel 19:462.6500 MHz Up to 50 Watts 20 kHz
Channel 20: 462.6750 MHz Up to 50 Watts 20 kHz
Channel 21 :462.7000 MHz Up to 50 Watts 20 kHz
Channel 22: 462.7250 MHz Up to 50 Watts 20 kHz
Channel 23: 467.5500 MHz Up to 50 Watts 20 kHz
Channel 24: 467.5750 MHz Up to 50 Watts 20 kHz
Channel 25: 467.6000 MHz Up to 50 Watts 20 kHz
Channel 26: 467.6250 MHz Up to 50 Watts 20 kHz
Channel 27: 467.6500 MHz Up to 50 Watts 20 kHz
Channel 28: 467.6750 MHz Up to 50 Watts 20 kHz
Channel 29: 467.7000 MHz Up to 50 Watts 20 kHz
Channel 30: 467.7250 MHz Up to 50 Watts 20 kHz

Other frequencies

MURS

Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS) uses five frequencies between 151.820 and 154.600 MHz. It’s pretty similar to Citizens Band (CB). The FCC has set aside these frequencies for short-range, two-way, private communications. Since MURS lies in the VHF range, it’s not suitable for indoor communications. Keep in mind; it’s not permitted to use repeaters or transmit above 2 Watts on MURS.

PoC

Push-to-talk over cellular (PoC) is an LTE technology that combines radio and smartphone functionality in a single, smart device. It’s a popular choice of communication among property management, construction, transportation, and security industries.

CBRS

Citizens Broadband Radio Service operates on the 3.5 GHz radio band, between 3550 and 3700 MHz. The US Navy previously used this radio spectrum. Currently, the CBRS is open to shared wireless access for industrial and commercial business users.

Conclusion

This article has attempted to answer an important question: what frequency do most walkie-talkies use. In a nutshell, whether it’s indoor, outdoor, professional, or personal use, there’s a walkie-talkie frequency tailored for your needs. Knowing your environment and requirements is key to picking the right one. If you’re looking for license-free operation, I recommend PMR446 in the EU and UK and FRS in the US and Canada. If getting a license is not a problem, then GMRS an excellent choice, too.