FAQ
Q. Are Motorola TalkAbout Radios compatible with other manufacturers' FRS radios?
A. By definition, FRS radios all operate on the same 14 frequencies designated by the FCC - most include the same standard 38 coded squelch privacy tones - so YES! Motorola TalkAbout radios are compatible with other FRS radios.
Q. Are Motorola TalkAbout radios compatible with Motorola Business Series radios?
A. No. The Motorola business series radios operate on business frequencies designated by the FCC - these frequencies are completely different from the FRS frequencies.
Q. What frequencies do the Motorola TalkAbout radios operate on?
A. TalkAbout radios utilize the 14 FRS frequencies designated by the FCC:
Channel Frequency (MHz)
| 1 | 462.5625 |
| 2 | 462.5875 |
| 3 | 462.6125 |
| 4 | 462.5375 |
| 5 | 462.6625 |
| 6 | 462.6875 |
| 7 | 462.7125 |
| 8 | 467.5625 |
| 9 | 467.5875 |
| 10 | 467.6125 |
| 11 | 467.6375 |
| 12 | 467.6625 |
| 13 | 467.6875 |
| 14 | 467.7125 |
Q. Do I need to get a license to operate Motorola TalkAbout radios?
A. All FRS radios can be operated license free. However the GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) freqs do require a per-user license (opposed to a site-license for business radios). It is on the licensed GMRS freqs that TalkAbout radios can transmit above 500 mW.
Q. Do I have to pay for air time?
A. No. FRS radios operate like "walkie talkies" - they talk to each other and do not require a base station or repeater service like cellular phones or dispatch radios.
Q. Why can't I get a more powerful FRS radio?
A. The FCC has established rules that specify a 500 mW (1/2 Watt) maximum transmit power on FRS frequencies to minimize interference with other radios operating around the FRS frequencies. Police, fire departments and businesses rely on clear, interference free communications.
