MURS (Multi Use Radio Service)

MURS, or the Multi-Use Radio Service, is a public radio service created by the FCC in the Fall of 2000 that can be accessed by any individual for personal or business-related purpose. MURS was created for the general public to use without acquiring a license to broadcast, but requires that users remain within the frequencies allotted to MURS. Officially, MURS is defined by the FCC as a “a private, two-way, short-distance voice or data communications service for personal or business activities of the general public.”

 

Rules of MURS

Although anyone can use MURS without a license, any individual broadcasting on MURS frequencies must obey the following rules.

1. Transmitter power output may not exceed 2 watts.
2. The highest point of any MURS-related transmitter or antenna may not exceed 60 feet (18.3 meters) above the ground or 20 feet (6.10 meters) above the highest point of the structure it is mounted on.
3. Individuals may not transmit on MURS frequencies while aboard an aircraft in flight.
4. Individuals broadcasting on MURS frequencies while in Puerto Rico, Desecheo, Mona, Vieques, and Culebra must be careful to not interfere with the Arecibo Observatory.
5. Individuals may broadcast in any area that is governed by the FCC, including The fifty United States, The District of Columbia, Caribbean Insular areas, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Navassa Island, United States Virgin Islands (50 islets and cays), Pacific Insular areas, American Samoa (seven islands), Baker Island, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Guam Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Island (Islets East, Johnston, North and Sand), Kingman Reef, Midway Island (Islets Eastern and Sand), Palmyra Island (more than 50 islets), Wake Island, or aboard any vessel of the United States, with the permission of the captain, while the vessel is traveling either domestically or in international waters.

 

Applications

MURS can be used by any individual for any application, whether for personal use or business-related purposes. Because MURS is restricted to a 2 watt transmission and is only accessible on the 151.820 MHz, 151.880 MHz, 151.940 MHz, 154.570 MHz, 154.600 MHz frequencies, it is very rare for any two individuals in the same area to be broadcasting on MURS at the same time. Because of this, MURS provides amateur radio enthusiasts and radio hobbyists with a means to broadcast any information freely over the radio.