When using your FRS two-way radio for emergency communications, follow the simple directions below. 


A quick primer on Privacy Tones or Codes

Privacy Tones or Codes can be difficult to understand. Each Channel of your two-way radio has a pre-set frequency that you can't change. If you were talking on that channel, let's say channel # 7, you would likely hear every other person on that channel. It would be impossible to speak with your party of choice as everyone would be stepping or speaking on top of everyone else.

So, what the FRS radio manufacturers decided, which is not regulated by the FCC, was to add little Tones or Codes that you can't hear, but the radio can. So when you and your friend have your radios set to the same code, you hear each other and no one else, even though you are still share the same channel with everyone else within range. 

The Privacy Tone's or Code's act as filters for what you only want to hear. The problem is, during and emergency, if everyone had pre set their own special Privacy Code or Tone, it would be almost impossible for people who don't know your Privacy Tone or Code to speak with you.

Get it now, Channel #1, with NO PRIVACY TONE OR CODE set so that anyone on that channel can hear and speak with you within range.


Quick Start Guide:

 
Turn your FRS radio on and  to channel # 1.

 
1.Make sure your privacy tone or code is off and set at "0". Your FRS radio display may show a large 1 for channel 1 and a small 0, indicating that you have selected no privacy tone or code.

2. Listen, make sure your volume control is set half way. You can lower it after you make contact with someone.

3. When the channel is free, broadcast your name, location, and any information you have. Press the push to talk button (PTT) before you start talking and release it after you are done, so that you don’t cut yourself off. Be sure to press it for one second prior to speaking so you don't cut off the beginning of your conversation.
 
4. Repeat your message. FRS and GMRS radios are relatively short range (between ¼ and 10 miles, depending on the kind of radio you have and your location), you should also pass on what you know and hear from other radios. If you need to evacuate or go outside, take your radio with you.


Troubleshooting:

 
If you don’t hear anyone?

* Somebody may hear you, even if you can’t hear anyone else, so continue to transmit your information. 

* Raise your radio over your head or get to a higher point. Increasing your radio’s height can dramatically improve your radio’s range. 

* Check that you are on channel 1, and that channel 1 on your radio is 462.5625 MHz, which is the case for nearly all FRS radios.

* Check that your radio is set to NO PRIVACY TONE or CODE "0".
 
* Check that your radio is charged or has working batteries.