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Xmas New Years SALE Month – Save 10% On All Two-Way Radio Gear!

BetterSafeRadio Xmas New Years Sale Month 2018

‘Tis the Season… Our Best & Longest Sale Of The Year!

The crazy is getting real… so there’s never been a better time to get prepared for whatever 2018 has in store!

Get the perfect gift of gear for your family, friends, associates or yourself – Peace of mind is the BEST gift!

Save 10% On All Two-Way Radios & Accessories!*

Xmas New Years SALE Month 2018

BetterSafeRadio Xmas New Years Sale Month 2018

We have commercial-grade stock or pre-programmed two-way radios with the frequencies you need for SHTF prepping, emergencies, survival, neighborhood safety, business, Public Safety, and recreational activities like camping, hunting and hiking. Our rugged personal, commercial and ham handheld radios and accessories will provide years of at-the-ready service, whenever you need them. Includes our ReadySafeGo service!

*December 9th 2017 – January 8th 2018 Only – One Coupon Per Order – Minimum order amount of $100 – One free USB Light per customer (entire promotion) on orders over $300, while supplies last.

Checkout with Coupon Code: XNY18

Happy Holidays & New Year from BetterSafeRadio.com!

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FCC Adopts Long Awaited Changes to PRS Bands – GMRS, FRS, CB & MURS

FCC Part 95 Rule Changes for 2017

FCC Part 95 Rule Changes for 2017On May 18th 2017, the FCC adopted parts of a long-standing Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) that affects several of the PRS (Personal Radio Service) bands, which include GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service), FRS (Family Radio Service), and CB (Citizens Band), now called the CBRS (CB Radio Service). MURS (Multi-Use Radio Service) remains largely unchanged. Read the full FCC Report & Order.

Implementation of the rules took effect 30 days after the new order was published on 08/29/17 (effective on 09/28/17), but some of the equipment changes required by the new rules won’t take place for 90 days to 24 months.

We’ll dive deeper into the changes and also what exciting new gear and programming configurations we’ll be offering to take advantage of the new GMRS capabilities in future posts, but in the meantime, here are some bullet points of the rule changes that might affect BetterSafeRadio customers and FRS/GMRS users in general:

  • Hybrid FRS/GMRS “Bubble Pack” or “Blister Pack” radios, sometimes referred to as FRS/GMRS combination radios, will no longer be certified in the future by the FCC. Radios will now only be certified as either FRS, or GMRS (or MURS), etc.
  • FRS radios can now operate on the previously GMRS-only 462 MHz (GMRS ch. 15-22) Channels. Yes, these are the GMRS repeater output frequencies, which could cause even more repeater interference by FRS users (especially considering the next item below), but they will not be allowed to transmit on the repeater input channels, so no repeater use for FRS.
  • FRS radios will now be authorized to use up to 2 Watts ERP (Effective Radiated Power) on FRS 462 MHz frequencies (FRS ch. 1-7), and on the new shared FRS/GMRS 462 MHz frequencies (GMRS ch. 15-22). This means a kid with an FRS radio running 2W next door to you, might be able to mask your repeater reception if they are close to your antenna (although they’ve been doing this with the hybrid FRS/GMRS radios for years).
  • Existing FRS/GMRS hybrid radios that use 2W or less, will now be retro-reclassified as FRS radios, using the new expanded FRS capabilities.
  • Existing FRS/GMRS hybrid radios that put out MORE than 2W, will now be retro-reclassified as GMRS radios, will still require a GMRS license, and will allow the new expanded FRS/GMRS interstitial channels (previously FRS-only ch. 8-14 – see below).
  • GMRS will now become Part 95E (instead of Part 95A), FRS (Part 95B) and MURS (Part 95J) remaining the same.
  • GMRS licenses (and new renewals) will now be good for 10 years ($70 license fee), and still cover your entire immediate family.
  • GMRS radios will remain largely the same, except that they will gain use of the previously FRS-only 467 MHz (ch. 8-14) frequencies, with the same technical limits that previously applied to FRS radios (.5W with a fixed antenna). This adds 7 new shared “interstitial” GMRS channels, giving existing hybrid FRS/GMRS radio users more legal options to find a clear simplex channel (but still shared with all the .5W FRS radios out in the world now).
  • Part 90 certified radios are still not officially legal to transmit with on GMRS, even though the FCC acknowledged that many people use them for such.
  • GMRS will now also allow digital GPS and Short Text Messaging between specific radios, limited to a maximum of 1 second per every 30 seconds, and only on radios that have integrated antennas, and not on repeaters, which will hopefully limit interference to serious GMRS users, but allow these digital services for short-range simplex communications. This does NOT mean you can use DMR or P25 (or any other digital voice encoding) on FRS or GMRS.
  • CB radios (Part 95D) will no longer be required to have their serial number etched onto the outside of their cases.
  • CB operation will no longer be restricted from long-distance “SKIP” communications, although the power limits will remain at 4W on AM and 12W PEP on SSB.

Here’s a handy little chart of the new GMRS/FRS band frequencies, channelized here based on the official FRS channels, and with SHTF Prepper channel use recommendations:

FRS/GMRS Combined Band Plan
[table type=”standard_bordered”]
[trow]
[thcol]Ch[/thcol]
[thcol]Old[/thcol]
[thcol]New[/thcol]
[thcol]Rx
Freq[/thcol]
[thcol]Tx
Freq[/thcol]
[thcol]Mode
FRS, GMRS[/thcol]
[thcol]Power
FRS, GMRS[/thcol]
[/trow]
[trow]
[tcol]01 CALL[/tcol]
[tcol]FRS/GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]FRS/GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]462.5625[/tcol]
[tcol]462.5625[/tcol]
[tcol]NFM[/tcol]
[tcol]2W, 5W[/tcol]
[/trow]
[trow]
[tcol]02[/tcol]
[tcol]FRS/GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]FRS/GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]462.5875[/tcol]
[tcol]462.5875[/tcol]
[tcol]NFM[/tcol]
[tcol]2W, 5W[/tcol]
[/trow]
[trow]
[tcol]03 EM[/tcol]
[tcol]FRS/GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]FRS/GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]462.6125[/tcol]
[tcol]462.6125[/tcol]
[tcol]NFM[/tcol]
[tcol]2W, 5W[/tcol]
[/trow]
[trow]
[tcol]04[/tcol]
[tcol]FRS/GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]FRS/GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]462.6375[/tcol]
[tcol]462.6375[/tcol]
[tcol]NFM[/tcol]
[tcol]2W, 5W[/tcol]
[/trow]
[trow]
[tcol]05[/tcol]
[tcol]FRS/GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]FRS/GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]462.6625[/tcol]
[tcol]462.6625[/tcol]
[tcol]NFM[/tcol]
[tcol]2W, 5W[/tcol]
[/trow]
[trow]
[tcol]06[/tcol]
[tcol]FRS/GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]FRS/GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]462.6875[/tcol]
[tcol]462.6875[/tcol]
[tcol]NFM[/tcol]
[tcol]2W, 5W[/tcol]
[/trow]
[trow]
[tcol]07[/tcol]
[tcol]FRS/GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]FRS/GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]462.7125[/tcol]
[tcol]462.7125[/tcol]
[tcol]NFM[/tcol]
[tcol]2W, 5W[/tcol]
[/trow]
[trow]
[tcol]08[/tcol]
[tcol]FRS[/tcol]
[tcol]FRS/GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]467.5625[/tcol]
[tcol]467.5625[/tcol]
[tcol]NFM[/tcol]
[tcol].5W[/tcol]
[/trow]
[trow]
[tcol]09[/tcol]
[tcol]FRS[/tcol]
[tcol]FRS/GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]467.5875[/tcol]
[tcol]467.5875[/tcol]
[tcol]NFM[/tcol]
[tcol].5W[/tcol]
[/trow]
[trow]
[tcol]10[/tcol]
[tcol]FRS[/tcol]
[tcol]FRS/GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]467.6125[/tcol]
[tcol]467.6125[/tcol]
[tcol]NFM[/tcol]
[tcol].5W[/tcol]
[/trow]
[trow]
[tcol]11[/tcol]
[tcol]FRS[/tcol]
[tcol]FRS/GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]467.6375[/tcol]
[tcol]467.6375[/tcol]
[tcol]NFM[/tcol]
[tcol].5W[/tcol]
[/trow]
[trow]
[tcol]12[/tcol]
[tcol]FRS[/tcol]
[tcol]FRS/GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]467.6625[/tcol]
[tcol]467.6625[/tcol]
[tcol]NFM[/tcol]
[tcol].5W[/tcol]
[/trow]
[trow]
[tcol]13[/tcol]
[tcol]FRS[/tcol]
[tcol]FRS/GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]467.6875[/tcol]
[tcol]467.6875[/tcol]
[tcol]NFM[/tcol]
[tcol].5W[/tcol]
[/trow]
[trow]
[tcol]14[/tcol]
[tcol]FRS[/tcol]
[tcol]FRS/GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]467.7125[/tcol]
[tcol]467.7125[/tcol]
[tcol]NFM[/tcol]
[tcol].5W[/tcol]
[/trow]
[trow]
[tcol]15[/tcol]
[tcol]GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]FRS/GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]462.5500[/tcol]
[tcol]462.5500
467.5500[/tcol]
[tcol]NFM, FM[/tcol]
[tcol]2W, 50W[/tcol]
[/trow]
[trow]
[tcol]16[/tcol]
[tcol]GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]FRS/GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]462.5750[/tcol]
[tcol]462.5750
467.5750[/tcol]
[tcol]NFM, FM[/tcol]
[tcol]2W, 50W[/tcol]
[/trow]
[trow]
[tcol]17 EM[/tcol]
[tcol]GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]FRS/GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]462.6000[/tcol]
[tcol]462.6000
467.6000[/tcol]
[tcol]NFM, FM[/tcol]
[tcol]2W, 50W[/tcol]
[/trow]
[trow]
[tcol]18[/tcol]
[tcol]GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]FRS/GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]462.6250[/tcol]
[tcol]462.6250
467.6250[/tcol]
[tcol]NFM, FM[/tcol]
[tcol]2W, 50W[/tcol]
[/trow]
[trow]
[tcol]19[/tcol]
[tcol]GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]FRS/GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]462.6500[/tcol]
[tcol]462.6500
467.6500[/tcol]
[tcol]NFM, FM[/tcol]
[tcol]2W, 50W[/tcol]
[/trow]
[trow]
[tcol]20 EM/TR[/tcol]
[tcol]GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]FRS/GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]462.6750[/tcol]
[tcol]462.6750
467.6750[/tcol]
[tcol]NFM, FM[/tcol]
[tcol]2W, 50W[/tcol]
[/trow]
[trow]
[tcol]21[/tcol]
[tcol]GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]FRS/GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]462.7000[/tcol]
[tcol]462.7000
467.7000[/tcol]
[tcol]NFM, FM[/tcol]
[tcol]2W, 50W[/tcol]
[/trow]
[trow]
[tcol]22[/tcol]
[tcol]GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]FRS/GMRS[/tcol]
[tcol]462.7250[/tcol]
[tcol]462.7250
467.7250[/tcol]
[tcol]NFM, FM[/tcol]
[tcol]2W, 50W[/tcol]
[/trow]
[/table]
(FRS use is not allowed on the 467MHz GMRS Repeater inputs on chs. 15-22 – GMRS allows “wide” FM for simplex or repeater us on chs. 15-22 – NFM = 12.5kHz, FM = 25kHz – CALL = Calling Channel – EM = Emergency/Prepper freq. – TR = Travel Safety & Assistance)

 

While these changes will simplify the rules and expand shared “interstitial” channels in both the FRS and MURS bands, it may also open up GMRS to more interference from newer, 2W FRS radios. We think this change makes MURS even more attractive for personal, business or emergency/prepper SHTF uses, because it’s VHF and still underutilized as compared to FRS/GMRS. The affordable entry-level Retevis RT27V-MURS and RT27-FRS radios are perfect examples.

Now that GMRS will have 22 channels available, 30 if you consider the repeater configurations, older radios like the TERA TR-505 and other limited 16-channel radio users will need to make some decisions as to which channels they want programmed. Those using larger radios (for emergency use only) such as the Wouxun KG-UV7D or Wouxun KG-UV9P, will be able to program and access all of the FRS, GMRS & MURS frequencies (although Part 90 or 15B/97 radios are not type-accepted for transmitting on the FRS/GMRS/MURS bands). BSR will have new legal GMRS and MURS radios soon that will cover all avail channels under the new PRS rules.

What do you think of these changes and how they might affect the bands? Let us know with a comment below… and Be Safe!

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Affordable Commercial Business Two-Way Radios

TERA TR-500 Commercial Ham Two-Way Radio - Assembled Stock

For any public service organization, business, school and industry with an FCC license and outdated, failing or tired two-way business radios, we’ve got the perfect solution for you!

TERA TR-500 Commercial Ham Two-Way Handheld Radio - Assembled SpecsIntroducing the TERA TR-500 Part 90 Commercial Two-Way Land Mobile Radio.

With a build quality and performance that gives Motorola a run for their money at a fraction of the cost, the dual-band, 5 Watt TR-500 is a perfect replacement for your aging analog radio system. Programmable for any VHF or UHF business frequency and with its standard 1600 mAh Li-ion battery pack offering up to 20 hours of use between charges (using battery saver mode), this compact, reliable handheld radio will keep you in contact with your team.

The TERA is also very easy to use, so employee/user training takes about 1 minute, yet it offers several configurable side-button features such as battery level announce, hi/low power toggle, channel locking, scanning, and open-squelch monitor.

TERA 500-Series Handheld Two-Way Radio AccessoriesThe TR-500 is available with numerous accessories, including a 2.75″ flexible stubby antenna for ultimate portability, a 5″ alternate stock antenna, the included 7″ stock antenna, and a 15″ high-gain whip antenna for long distance communications, 2 options for speaker mics (compact or heavy-duty), a 12V battery eliminator for auto use, covert/privacy ear pieces, a magnetic-mount auto antenna, and high-uality nylon radio cases with swivel belt clips, among others. The radio comes with a smart desk charger, but we also offer a 6-bay multi-radio charger for larger installations (by special order only).

This solid yet compact radio is a perfect replacement for expensive Motorola radios, or any other analog VHF/UHF radio and we provide complete custom programming services so you can start using your radio on day one, right out of the box, with our ReadySafeGo™ service, where we charge, program and test every radio before it ships. It’s also compatible with most existing Motorola 2-PIN audio accessories, so you don’t have to re-buy all of your accessories if you already own them!

Great for Public Service, Private Investigators, Auxiliary/Volunteer Fire, EMS and S&R Personnel, Schools & Universities, Construction Crews and many other industries, the durable, FCC Certified TR-500 is rated IP54 dust & water (splash) resistent and has a high-quality, loud audio speaker output, so you’ll never miss a call. This radio can also be used for Part 97 amateur radio communications (by licensed Hams).

The TERA TR-500 is designed, supported and serviced in the USA (Southern California) and comes with a generous, industry leading 2 year limited warranty, protecting your investment.

Contact us today for more details or any questions and we’re happy to help you configure a custom or bulk, discounted package custom tailored for your organization’s two-way communication needs.

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XMAS New Years SALE – Save 10% on Everything!

BetterSafeRadio XMAS New Years SALE 2017 Promo

It’s that time of year to give to others (or yourself)! 

Save 10% on all Two-Way Radio Gear*

XMAS New Years SALE 2017 – December 20th to January 5th Only!

BetterSafeRadio XMAS New Years SALE 2017 Promo

Buy solid, commercial-grade two-way radios pre-programmed with all the frequencies you need for safety, emergencies or a SHTF event, and select from a host of must-have accessories for all of your operating modes, for years of ReadySafeGo™ service, whenever you need it.

*Good December 20th – January 5th 2017 on all radios, accessories, and custom radio programming services – One Coupon Per Order.

Checkout with Coupon Code: XNY2017

Missed the sale? Save 5% on everything with coupon code: BSR

Happy Holidays from BetterSafeRadio.com!

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Cyber Monday Sale – Save 10% on TERA TR-590

BetterSafeRadio Cyber Monday Sale 2016 Promo

Here’s what emergency preppers and scanning enthusiasts have been waiting for!

Save 10% on the TERA TR-590 Emergency Radio*

Cyber Monday Sale 2016 – November 28-30 Only!

BetterSafeRadio Cyber Monday Sale 2016 Promo

Pre-programmed with the frequencies you need for safety, emergencies or a SHTF event, these commercial-grade, rugged handheld two-way radios will provide years of ReadySafeGo™ service, whenever you need it.

*Good November 28-30th 2016 on any TERA TR-590 radio – One Coupon Per Order.

Checkout with Coupon Code: CM2016

Want a deal on the TERA TR-505, TR-500 or some accessories? Save 5% on everything with coupon code: BSR

Happy Holidays from BetterSafeRadio.com!