MURS is vhf and GMRS is uhf. Both have advantages and disadvantages. A friend helped me do a range test a few years ago. I set up a 5/8 wave antenna for each at a park that was 12 miles away from my friend. We were able to talk on vhf (murs) but when we tried using uhf (gmrs) we didn't get any indication that the other had even attempted to transmit.

We have used your favorite radio on MURS and GMRS in some situations. We did find that MURS gave us better extreme range at the same wattage. We opt for MURS in busy situations that need long range strictly because nobody else uses it, lol

Randy, I absolutely love your videos. Your sense of humor is very much like mine. I'm a ham KC3KXK and a huge Jeep fan. I've owned 7 jeeps in my time and I built a 1980 CJ5 that would do wheelies. I was also a desert rat. I lived in Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Palm Desert, and Desert Hot Springs. I also visited the Salton Sea many times on my way to the Anza Borrego bad lands or Glamis . It was sad visiting the Sea knowing it was dying. Thanks for shedding some light on MURS and the amazing work on the Salton Sea. I moved home to Pennsylvania to raise a family. Now I'm a little melancholy about those awesome days in the desert. Again, Thank You. Scott p.s. I fondle my UV5R as well.

I got MURS for my kids and family for the better outdoor performance, uncrowded bands, better quality (than FRS) radios and unlicensed use. They love em and they just work. A no-display MURS radio with a single rotary channel selector (with only 5 options) is much simpler to operate for the non-radio user than many of the GMRS or even FRS options with more channels, displays, more buttons and "privacy" codes. I love em for the zero-support factor.

The "Sad Hams" don't appreciate Randy's satirical and dry humor. He's a riot to listen to. And he IS informative. He's brought his style of humor to KZfaq and it's a welcome change.

Dude...your sense of humor is hysterical. PLUS I learn a few things from your content.

“ I don’t have a teleprompter “. That made me laugh out loud 😂. Thanks Randy.

A kid I went to high school with came down with Murs when we were kids. He was never the same......

Please do NOT change your style of making these videos..... I hope after I share this it will gain you more views as you deserve more attension bud.

FUN FACT: Wal-Mart will get mad at you for using MURS frequencies even though the frequencies don't belong to them!

Just a note: A major issue with MURS is Costco, Sams, Walmart and other retailers use MURS and one is literally on every corner. Also schools often use MURS radios as they are sold as higher-quality, cheaper license-free worksite radios at Sams/Costco for commercial industrial service. Businesses are getting what's available at cost. Most radio dealers want to sell a company a plan with maintenance, engineering, frequency coordination, consulting, and other services nowadays rather than just a few radios programmed to a frequency or two. A lot of businesses and contractors are purchasing them to avoid these fees and costs and don't really care about occasional interference. FRS was the same back when the "bubblepack" came out before cell phones. FRS use seems to have dropped dramatically since. This is good for GMRS users interference-wise, but walmart may stop selling the bubblepacks due to demand! The aspect most GMRS users didn't like before was bubblepack-interference, but now that usage dropped, seems to be a big selling point allowing everyone to communicate with each other, licensed or not! We are using FRS/GMRS in our rural coastline communities with a channel for each comunity. Users can use a community repeater if licensed or talk simplex on the channel if not. Basically each community has a "party-line" FRS/GMRS channel! This is great for emergencies and brings back the "neighborly" friendliness and outreach of everyone in these small communities, especially since cell-service is spotty and non-existant off the coastline. Btw... Love your vids! Shared them with friends! Keep up the good work!

I tested MURS finally, due to a friend's business having several handsets we could borrow. Although the theory says that MURS should punch farther, get more Fars, than GMRS or FRS, sadly, it does not in the urban environment of Dallas. It's not even close. FRS in the exact same tests was getting .75-1.5 miles through trees, hills, and (many) buildings, whereas MURS was getting maybe .5 miles at the most. (And GMRS outperformed both by ridiculous factors.) Also, in an urban environment, we were picking up a LOT of distortion and noise and other spurious RF bullshit, and we're sure it's because many wireless devices that are not radios - security cameras, gate openers, etc - use MURS frequencies. I would note that when we DID get signal, the signal clarity was amazing. Sounded like the person was standing three feet away. But specifically in the urban environment of Dallas, MURS ain't a great idea. We may go test it in the woods some weekend, but it was total failboat in the metro area.

The art work is getting even better! Cue the Retracto Alpaca!

I been using MURS for over 3 years. I love it. I've never heard anyone speaking other than the 7 radio's I own. Perfect for farm use.

At ground level on my families hunting property, particularly in the summer or on the acres we grow Christmas trees, my Retevis RT47V's(MURS) perform just as well as my RT76's(GMRS) despite putting out 2w less. They absolutely blow away any FRS radios in those conditions. They aren't quite as good as my Kenwood TK-370's or TK-372's(also GMRS), but that's a testament to the more selective receive side of the Kenwoods over anything else. The big advantage of MURS over GMRS, for me and why I own several, is that I can hand them to anyone and get reasonable performance outdoors. I have a GMRS license that covers my family, and even my own repeater, but sometimes it just isn't the solution.

Didn't MURS come with Frankensense ?

MURS also has one other difference that can be seen as an advantage: It has two channels (4 and 5) that can be used in wideband. Channels 1-3 are all narrowband-only, though. That's theoretically and *technically* an advantage, right? FRS might have 22 (crowded in some areas) channels... but they're *all* limited to narrowband. That is, unless you pay for (or already possess) a GMRS license and use a legal GMRS-certified radio (that's not made by Midland). Five free-to-use, clean (ie. not much use) frequencies/channels with the optional wideband on two of them... that really doesn't sound bad at all to me!

I recently found your channel and just got my gmrs license! I have a [forbidden radio] on the way super excited to get into the hobby

It may not make it 'better' but another nice feature of MURS is you can use voice scrambling. That is no longer allowed on GMRS unless you use an old radio that had it(assuming that feature has been grandfathered in). The motorola MURS radios support 3 different voice scramblers. I have a set of these and they are quite nice aside from the lack of a removable antenna.

I worked with a volunteer emergency group a while back. Generally they would have used Ham radios, but had quite a few folks working who did not have licenses. They have quite a few U...s, but needed to use a non-licensed band, so they programmed the U...s to use MURS. Tsk, tsk. The FCC did not send in their SWAT teams. I have programmed my U... to use GMRS/FRS, MURS, Marine Band, etc. frequencies for emergency communications. Never know what will be used during a catastrophe. Oh, BTW, MURS and FRS are both max transmit of 2 watts.

MURS Radios are used heavily in Maine with log trucks, because they have a short range and the only 5 channels. They use them to call out the mile markers so they don't get surprised by a loaded log truck coming around the corner. Once the truckers get on a normal road they switch to C/B or don't use a radio. Our local Walmart uses MURS handhelds to communicate in the store. People that hunt or fish or just like to ride in the woods buy Baofeng's and listen on them. The log truck drivers 20 years ago used to use Marine VHF radios (yes it was illegal). They were interfering with ships on the St. Lawrance SeeWay. Both the Canadian and US goverments got involved. I think the FCC told them that MURS would work for what they needed. Thats the only uses I know of.

Ham, FRS, GMRS, MURS and CB all have their own applications. One is no better than the other depending on your needs. I’m a ham. Plan on getting a GMRS license as well. The more communication options you have the better off you’ll be.

You really should just take the technician class exam. It’s so easy and we need dudes like you.

I'm am ammeter radio enthusiast and I enjoyed the video. Both do have a purpose. I got a cheap box full of Icom VHF ht's and they're great around the farm on murs. No traffic but my own. GMRS transmits roughly the same car to car. If I built a go box i'd have both in it just to "have it all." People also forget the importance of antenna and height.

I'm an old Happy Ham, I enjoy your no BS approach to everyday issues in the radio realm. As an OHH I have a lot of experience with all the Sad Hams and self appointed Radio Police. Not only are they full of Sh!t in most cases they cause distension and provoke people to act like fools. Keep putting the truth out there and I'll watching and sharing!

When using in the UHF bands, it is really ment for cities with large buildings. UHF can go around corners and is useful / helpful when in buildings

Would like to see a MURS vs GMRS Handheld test.

So we meet again. Lol. Bro I watched the whole salton sea documentary…..respect sir.

Hams have awards for Worked All States or Worked All Continents. MURS should have an award for Worked All Walmarts. I'm pretty sure every one of them uses MURS.

As a happy ham i really appreciate your GMRS vids! Now MURS too?! Glad to see it! One point here i would add... VHF frequencies (like ham 2 meter and MURS) are more effectince across terrain than UHF (ham 70cm and GMRS). VHF will hug terrain and flow better through hills and valleys than UHF which likes line of sight. BUT i think you nailed it when you discuss "performance". MURS cannot out-perform GMRS when it is limited to FCC wattage. GMRS wins hands down. Baofengs in hilly woods, both programmed for GMRS and MURS at 2w the MURS wins, but bump-up the wattage to the "legal" limits and GMRS prevails - power baby! Thanks for the channel, keep up the good work!

The camera man (himself) even cut him off 🤣👍 EPIC!!!

LOVE your vids and humor. I'm more of a "hit the button when I want to transmit" sort of ham. I like to listen to others talk about all things radio, regardless of type. I'm new and enjoy the simplicity of my own equipment, but I marvel at the ingenuity of those that deep-dive into the radio sea - so to speak. Probably with any hobby there are warring factions and the instigators will always be trying to prove something or "win" some argument - all while talking down to others. Nobody wins with assery like that.

Your videos are awesome and very informative. And your spot on about MURS vs GMRS! I could barely get a mile with MURS on wide band and it was usually less than a half mile if line of sight was broke at all. GMRS on the other hand, went about 3 miles in a city area and that was on handhelds were one was in a house and one was in a car. I told the kids they can use the radios with MURS turned on whenever they want to play with the radios.

Don’t forget you can use DMR or other digital modes on MURS by the very nature of the service. Not true encryption, but it prevents the casual listening via analog.

with MURS and FRS being both being non licensed allocations they would be most comparable to each other, my experience is the VHF goes through forest and brush better than UHF that said the new FM CB may be even better 27Mhz 4w. 2023

FYI, Gmrs and Murs bands are related harmonics of each other, just like 2m and 70cm. A dual band antenna can be connected to two radios through a U/V diplexer for dual band transmit and receive, assuming you want to stay in compliance with FCC regs on permissible radio types. Might come in handy in certain situations or for certain people and that diplexer allows for simultaneous usage too. Also, 2 watts pushing a 4 or more element VHF yagi can go a LONG way and isnt as attentuated by vegetation as much as UHF. Height is might on these bands so the higher, the better.

The thumbs down are from the red headed step children.

MURS is used here in Maine by the loggers in the North Maine Woods to coordinate use of the logging roads. Some listeners that are up here in the woods may want MURS in order to listen for and avoid the heavy logging trucks.

I was driving to Tennessee and using an frs radio to talk to the car following me. Ended up getting someone’s baby monitor and they were pissed.had to endure about a mile of a Karen threatening to get the feds, find me, and lock me up for spying on their baby. I told her just get a better baby monitor that can’t be hacked into with Walmart walkie talkies. Was glad when her screams turned into static. What would you call her? Not a sad ham but sad for sure.

a man in the pub (limey speak for bar) said (read as "so must be true") that shorter wavelength has better propagation, so despite other shortfalls of MURS, might it be better if only in that regard? Re UVRs, despite happy hams info which although definitive & recieved in good faith, I wonder how many prosecutions there are for UV5s owners broadcasting on Murs... of for that matter GMRS, or CB (New Zealand CB uses 476-7 as well as 27mhz from what I can figure out )

Update: Starting in 2017, the FCC allows SMS, Location, and some other digital services over GMRS. I'll be filing for a GMRS license shortly

Personally my friends and I prefer MURS simply because the frequency bends better over mountains. Screw the two watt limit ! We use 75 watt radio's to get the job done.

Thank you for your poignant review of MURS. We like it because as you mentioned it works better in the woods. A NA-771 on my 'totally legal' radio does everything we need on our 30 acre property; with no other traffic. Thanks again.

I have some MURS radios and they're great and there is never anyone else interfering on the channels and no license fee, so I do prefer MURS.

You could probably easily pass the Ham test. The only thing you failed to mention is that a couple of the frequencies are narrow band and the others are wide (if programming). VHF (MURS) does work better open range especially with a high antenna connected to a good counterpoise.

I blast MURS with 50 watts with my yaesu mobil radio FTM-7250d. I regularly talk to my buddy 14 miles away, works great. 2 watts pfff...

I've been watching for quite some time first time comment I have a pair of murs radio and I have a gmrs radio even though m u r s is limited to two Watts I like it because not too many people use the murs frequencies except Walmart but on the other hand the m u r s radios are not widely publicized as the FRS radios and gmrs I think there is way more traffic on FRS I use my gmrs to talk on repeaters with my friends so it depends what I'm going to use the radios for keep on making videos you're down to earth and you tell the truth much appreciated

I LOVE you style of humor and the way you teach, very entertaining and straight forward

I have MURS on my 8 watt boefengs - doesn’t seem to be anyone one it… Like clear air…

Just throwing this out there because I almost never hear anyone mention it when discussing MURS and why I'm personally interested in it... is you can can operate it unattended in various modes. As a maker/hacker kinda guy, I'm thinking this might make a cool platform for remote control or telemetry. Seems like the only commercial applications I've seen are for long range security system annunciators. In my neighborhood if I scan the MURS band I hear a robo-voice saying things like "South Door Breech", "Vehicle Proximity Alert", etc. - As for what's better... obviously you know the best is what works for your particular application.. very subjective.

I use MURS because there is very little traffic, I also use the UV-5R. I get good range in the woods. Love all your vid, you are awesome, I have learned a great deal from you, Thanks!

How a HAPPY HAM can effectively extend the range of unlicensed MURS or FRS HT radios: • I program my Anytone AT-799UV (a/k/a Radioddity DB-20G) (or my Yaesu FT-857d) to transmit on 147.52 MHz and receive on 151.82 MHz using the programming software (or keypad, in the case of the Yaesu). • I either: program the MURS HT to transmit on 151.82 MHz and receive on 147.52 MHz using the programming software; or if it has a primary and secondary channels, I can use the keypad to set the primary channel to 151.82 MHz and the secondary channel to 147.52 MHz. • The same principle can be used with FRS and the 440 MHz ham band. The higher power of the Anytone (or Yaesu) and connection to a better/higher antenna effectively extends the range of the unlicensed handhelds. Licensed GMRS users can apply the same principles as well, especially on the FRS channels that overlap with the GMRS frequencies!

MURS uses longer wavelength. Longer wavelength = longer antenna. Longer antenna = better swordfights. You're welcome.

Only perk to Murs is the driveway/property proximity alarms that are available for it. I only use Murs for said magnetic and motion sensors.

FRS is cheap and basically a throwaway radio (didn’t sat the frequencies, the radio). I bought 2 frs radios for a trip I’m taking then I may not going to use them. I’m a ham operator but my stepson isn’t (yet) so that’s why the frs. Thanks for the explanation really informative.

hey I love your videos and this was another helpful one. you mentioned you had ordered some Retevis MURS radios and I will have to look to see if you reviewed them... anyway I could have saved you the time- they are really terrible and a poor introduction to MURS. I know this because I had purchased a couple used Motorola commercial radios (RM2050) and really liked them and then added a couple of the Retevis ones from Amazon. no comparison. I think it is the receiver sensitivity of the Motorola is just exponentially better. tl;dr don't judge MURS by those things lol

Don't change a thing! I thoroughly enjoy your videos and personality.

I have MURS radios. (Why? Because I'm a radio geek) I agree, GMRS is the logical choice overall. But... it is a lot quieter.

@00:28 "right before he'd say "here, let me fix you up a drink" 🤣🤣 😱😱😱

Back in the 90's you'd hear a lot of fast food drive throughs using two of the current MURs frequencies, 154.57 (blue dot) and 154.6 (green dot) and you'd hear a lot more on those two. Not so much today. Mainly small schools using them. Maybe a big box or two. Which is pretty much what that radio service is designed for. It's not intended for you to make contacts with strangers. Neither is GMRS for that matter but people do it anyway.

You left off one of the Hams. In addition to Happy Ham and Sad Ham, there is Angry Ham. Fortunately, Angry Ham is also a small percentage.

I have a MURS radio, but I don't get good range. I use this when driving or when hiking. And when Im with my buddy, he can be just behind me in the vehicle and its very staticky... Also when hiking, we don't have to be that far apart to loose communication

CB (11m): We have 10m at home! MURS: We have 2m at home! FRS: We have 70cm at home! Basically

MURS vs FRS vs GMRS case example in which we do better with MURS: At a multi-acre outdoor animal rescue facility located in an agricultural area with trees, bushes, concrete kennels, and indoor clinic and office area, MURS is the better radio for us. A repeater for either band is not neccessary. 1) FRS: FRS channels are crowded with the surrounding farmers and others. And they switch channels constantly, causing us to switch channels. This wastes time and invariably, a volunteer or two ends up not changing to our current channel. FRS has more channels, but in actual use, it ends up with fewer actual usable channels. / MURS: We can use the same channel all the time without dodging other users. (Also gives us ability to use two channels reliably in peace-- one for volunteers and another for admin). No channel dodging. 2) GMRS: Requires a license that is apparently for "individuals and their families only." (May or may not disqualify a non-profit organization, but it's not worth the trouble. Actual enforcement is unlikely, but also not worth the trouble). GMRS/FRS channels are busy anyway. MURS: No license, intendented for business. No admin hassle. 3. FRS/GMRS UHF seems to have more 'dead spot' areas. MURS VHF: Seems to have fewer 'dead spots.' MURS in a case like ours works out better.

Lol. They just let ol' Albert out of prison to make more drinks. In spite of that bad news, love your vids, and agree with you completely on the MURS/GMRS question.

I'm a big fan. My question is comparing the transmit distance of the Murs and Gmrs at or close to the same power level. Frs .5 watts to me doesn't compare to Murs 2w. Yes I am a Happy Ham N7OLD. Thanks.

Awwww, happy ham is so cute and cuddly. 😊

I use both MURS and GRMS MURS We use when we have our hunting or fishing camps set up GRMS When we are out traveling on the road or out off road 4X4 To communicate with the other vehicles or back to base camp

I have FRS, GMRS and MURS on my UV5R’s. It’s good to have channels that aren’t frequently used as a backup or for family only. In an “emergency situation of course” 🙄 😜

Thank you for this video. I did not know anything about MURS before and now I appreciate it as an alternative to FRS for short range communication. Also, I love the video style!

So which is better. Marine radios which I is understand are VHF or Aviation radios which are also VHF or GRMS? I just paid for my GRMS license. I look forward to talking on your repeater via the app on the Internet. Just waiting to get call sign.. Regards from the heartland. South Central Indiana USA. Tim.

GMRS allows up to 50 watts transmission power. MURS, 2 watts. FRS, 0.5 watts. Winner: GMRS.

Humor with straight talk!! Priceless!!! Ordering one of your shirts! (my opinion shirt) Subscribed as well!

Vhf electricities do more fars on line of sight we used murs more out west in the highlands. Uhf gets good fars through trees and buildings.

Agreed. Only reason we prefer MURS is that it’s quieter for us. While caravaning to camp and while in camp, we don’t hear kids talking about Barbie’s or off-roaders chit chatting. Ultimately means we don’t have anyone asking “did you say something?” Kinda goes out the window when friends come along and don’t have access to MURS frequencies. I suppose privacy codes will help, but that’s another can of worms.

I think it's a fair point to also mention that MURS allows encryption. I am not a MURS user, for all of the above reasons mentioned in this video, but I think for testing encryption, it could be useful. Then again I am just getting into the world of radio communications. Only acquiring my GMRS license a month ago, and currently looking into HAM (simply because GMRS is dead in my area). I think all spectrums have their use. As for MURS, unless I am testing encryption, then I see no point.

Thanks for making efficient use of my time by posting this about murs.

Just bought the KG-uv9d plus, I am really excited to get this radio but also would like to know more about the the radio. Please help. Thanks.... love your channel!!!

Someone told me that MURS is very high frequency, so it travels farther in open space.

Lower frequency usually traveler further.

You videos always give me a good chuckle...

NAR, best YT radio channel EVER. Sense of humor is spot on, love it. And BTW, am a LHO, just not a sad one. That was hysterical.

I gave this a like just for the sarcasm. Excellent!!!

Around the farm, MURS works super. There are 5 main channels but each can have 30 some sub-channels to get away from other chatter. The sub-channels are only on the base station far as I know. We use several base stations, one in-house and one in each barn. If I want a mobile I use my phone.

I’m glad you didn’t say “Mewers” or “Myours”.

I love using my uv-5r on murs.

Dose the Tidraido H-8 Gen2 Compatible and download murs. Thanks again just like usual you're badass

Question with preface. I am new to the UV-5R. I bought it to use with my local volunteer fire department. (just joined and I don't get the good radios yet, lol.) But I have my radio programed with several channels and when I tell it to Scan It will stop on my Dispatch station when they are sending out tones and messages but it will only stay on that station for 5 seconds before it goes back to scan. How do I get it to stay on that station for longer than 5 seconds or till traffic is over?

I love the retracto poster!!

My Murs can’t talk to my 2 Meater . My FRS can talk to my Muda and Farta on da GMRS thing ? Is that on the test for GmRs ?

MURS is rife with remote data bursts, alert zones, intercoms, legacy license users and Wallmart . That said the range is excellent .

I was at Wal-Mart today, and saw they were using baofeng radios programmed to murs

The only reason I use MURS is to mess with my local Walmart, I makes calls over the radio running management around the store chasing ghosts. I've been told to Foff by a Manger one time when they figured out what was happening 🤣🤣🤣

MURS is 2 Watt wonder ! It is so good that every desert rat uses it during the great SandMan race. The Greater Downtown Association of UR, Israel sponsors this race every year for the past Two Centuries. That means MURS in UR is the answer for the purr !

UV5R with MURS is a lot of fun

i love my baofeng too...

Thumbs up for the thumbnail, I love it.

I use murs for driveway monitors and so far so good.

MURS can be used for voice and data and is unique in that way. The GoTenna devices use the MURS frequencies because they need to send text messages.

You have a awesome mic for your videos 👍