MURS Radio
Multi-Use Radio Service or MURS consists of five VHF frequencies that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has allocated for use in the United States and users can operate these frequencies without any licensing requirements. The service provides two-way communication which can support personal and business uses.
The FCC describes MURS as a short-range data and voice communication service intended for private use which extends across several miles. An external MURS antenna enables significant range extension to reach ten miles or beyond. Environmental factors and antenna elevation between the transmitting and receiving locations influence actual range performance. See our article here for more detail: For comprehensive MURS regulations information access the Multi-Use Radio Service page.
The range of devices that operate on MURS frequencies extends past traditional handheld two-way radios. Here's an overview:
- MURS Handheld Radios: These radios function like standard two-way radios but are specifically designed to utilize MURS frequencies.
- MURS Base Station Intercoms: Similar to handheld radios but in a stationary desktop or wall-mounted form, offering convenient hands-free communication.
- MURS Wireless Call Boxes: Encased in water-resistant housings, these boxes employ two-way radio technology for outdoor use, with vandal-proof options available.
- Wireless Public Address: Receive-only two-way radio systems enable long-distance announcements via base station intercoms or handheld radios.
- Wireless Switch Control: Ideal for remotely controlling lights, pumps, or sirens, these devices provide contact closure through wireless communication.
- Voice Notification Wireless Monitor: Transmitting recorded voice messages upon switch activation, these monitors communicate changes in status to handheld radios or base station intercoms.
- Wireless Customer Service Intercoms: Offering a wireless solution for customers to request assistance, these intercoms transmit user-recordable voice messages to radios, intercoms, or PA systems.
- Motion Sensor Devices: Detecting movement and sending alerts to MURS base stations or handheld radios, these devices enhance security and monitoring capabilities.
MURS Frequently Asked Questions
For MURS system, is there one master base station and then separate slave sub-stations?
A: No, all the stations are the same. All the units are exactly the same unit whether you buy a set of two, or you add on a single unit. You can mix these units anyway you like.
Q. Can I use MURS intercoms to call individual rooms?
A. MURS intercoms have five channels and you could set up rooms on their own channels. To call a room you would change your intercom to the channel of the room you want to call, and then change it back to your channel when done. As long as everyone remembers to change back to their channel, this could work. Ideally wireless works better to broadcast messages to everyone.
If you only need one master station that calls or receives calls from other rooms, and those rooms don't call each other, then you could use the MURS Commercial Wireless Intercom which has scanning capability so it can scan all channels. If a room calls it, it will lock on to that channel so communication can take place. The cheaper MURS Multi-Mile Intercoms can be used in the rooms since they don't need to scan channels.
Q. Can I wall-mount the MURS Multi-Mile Base Wireless Intercom?
A. No. It has no way to mount on a wall. It is has to sit on a desk or other flat surface. Only the MURS Commercial Wireless Intercom will wall mount with its optional wall mount bracket.
Q. Do the MURS base station intercoms have a monitor mode that allows me to listen in to an area around them like a baby monitor?
A. No. The Monitor button you see on the MURS Multi-Mile Base Wireless Intercom only lets you listen for any activity on the channel you are on. MURS intercoms have 38 "quiet codes" and one of these codes can be transmitted at the beginning of a call. If the receiving radios are set to same code, then they will turn on their speaker and play the message. If not they remain silent even though the channel is active. You can use the Monitor feature to listen before you broadcast a message so you can hear if the channel is being used by someone else.
Q. Should I buy a UHF or VHF radio or intercom?
A. That depends on your application and whether or not you want to get an FCC license. VHF has the non-licensed MURS frequencies whereas UHF requires getting a license. Overall UHF is better in buildings than VHF. VHF may get better range outdoors in open environments. For a more detailed description click here: UHF versus VHF
General Wireless Questions
Q: I want a voice only wireless intercom, but I don't know whether to choose the MURS system.
A: The MURS system has lots of wireless devices that work with it such as wireless outdoor intercom call boxes, but they are more industrial looking and are better for commercial applications. If you are concerned about range, then the MURS has the longest range of any wireless intercom system on the market. It is also on a wireless frequency that doesn't have much traffic. MURS also has a wide variety of devices that work with it.
Q: Do walls and other obstructions limit the ranges specified for the wireless intercoms?
A: Yes. The ranges specified are for the most part clear line of site ranges. So if you are in a Kansas wheat field with no obstructions between wireless intercom units, you should easily get the range listed. However, when you have walls in the way, range will go down. Brick walls reduce range more than drywall does. Metal-framed walls reduce range more than wood-framed walls. A wall filled with electrical wires every foot or so will reduce range more than one with only one or two wires in it. There is no magic way to determine whether a wireless intercom will work in your application so you just need to try it and return it if it doesn't.
Q. We have a workshop that is a metal building in our backyard, which wireless intercom will work in it?
A. The best choice for this application is the MURS base intercoms. The MURS intercoms have the power to punch through both the metal walls of the building plus brick walls of a house. The range will be significantly less than four miles, but for most applications they should still work. You can also put an external antenna on a MURS base intercom and route it outside the metal building to increase your range.
Q: Will your intercoms interfere with my wireless network for my computers?
A: Wireless home PC networks operate in the 2.4GHz range. Our voice only wireless intercoms operate in other frequencies so they won't interfere.
Q: I need an intercom in a commercial building. Should I go with wireless or wired?
A: A wired system would likely provide the most reliable service, but it depends on your building. In most cases a commercial wireless system will do fine. But the more concrete and electrical equipment you have, the higher the chance that the wireless system won't work for you. If you can afford the expense of running the wiring, then you know the system will work. We do have a 45-day return policy, so if you want to try wireless, you have nothing to risk except shipping costs. If you go wireless, use the license-free MURS Wireless System or pick a UHF system that needs an FCC license to operate.
MURS Intercoms For Use With Callboxes
Q.I want to use one of your MURS Callboxes. What device do I need on the other end to receive calls?
A. You can use any device that says MURS and it receives transmissions from other MURS devices (the Customer Service callboxes, Wireless PA system and Wireless Alert devices transmit only so they won't work). Most people use the MURS Multi-Mile Intercoms or the MURS Commercial base or handheld depending on their application.
Q.I want to use a MURS Callbox to open a gate or door. What devices do I need to do that ?
A. First you need a callbox that has a gate relay. That relay is connected via two wires to your gate or door. Plus you need either the MURS Commercial Handheld Two-Way Radio or the MURS Commercial Wireless Intercom. These devices have a button programmed on them to operate the gate relay in the callbox. We have the button pre-programmed so you don't have to do that The MURS Multi-Mile intercoms CANNOT be used to open a gate or unlock a door.
Q. How does the callbox hook up to my gate or door so it can unlock it?
A. There are two wires that run from the callbox to the gate or door. These wires are connected to a relay in the callbox that acts like a switch. That relay can be programmed to operate two different ways when someone presses the open button on an intercom or two-way radio. The default way is a momentary operation where the switch is closed for one second when the button is pressed and then it opens again. The second way is to have the switch toggle alternately between open and closed when the button is pressed.
Summary of MURS Radio Rules
- MURS devices can operate anywhere regulated by the FCC.
- Transmissions must use FCC-certified MURS radio models.
- No specific callsign or designation is required.
- Devices must be FCC-certified and labeled by the manufacturer.
- Channels are not exclusively assigned; users must cooperate to reduce interference.
- Transmit power is limited to 2 Watts; no power boosters allowed, but antenna gain is unlimited.
- Station identification transmission is not mandatory.
- Voice or data signals must use specific emission types.
- Certain frequencies have specific bandwidth limitations.
- Data communications require certified radios or compliant transmissions.
- Remote control and telemetering functions are allowed.
- Prohibited transmissions include images, videos, radio-facsimile, and music.
- Continuous carrier transmit mode is not permitted.
- Users must avoid causing harmful interference and monitor frequencies.
- Antenna height is capped at 20 feet above structures or 60 feet above ground, whichever is greater
- Stations cannot operate as repeaters, boosters, or connect to public networks.
Where Can MURS Radios be Used?
(a) Within or over any area of the world where radio services are regulated by the FCC.
Those areas are within the territorial limits of:
(1) The fifty United States.
(2) The District of Columbia.
Caribbean Insular areas
(3) Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(4) Navassa Island.
(5) United States Virgin Islands (50 islets and cays).
Pacific Insular areas
(6) American Samoa (seven islands).
(7) Baker Island.
(8) Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands.
(9) Guam Island.
(10) Howland Island.
(11) Jarvis Island.
(12) Johnston Island (Islets East, Johnston, North and Sand).
(13) Kingman Reef.
(14) Midway Island (Islets Eastern and Sand).
(15) Palmyra Island (more than 50 islets).
(16) Wake Island (Islets Peale, Wake and Wilkes).
Canada
(17) MURS is not approved for use in Canada, however Industry Canada doesn't seem to be enforcing these rules and plans are in place to have MURS approved by 2014 [Industry Canada decided not to approve use of MURS].
MURS Radios will not be shipped to any other areas of the world.
See more info here: MURS Radio
