What is a MURS Radio?

The Multi-Use Radio Service or Murs is a license-free two-way radio service that is authorized by the FCC and which is available to both business and non-business users. It’s very handy for keeping in touch between vehicles traveling off-road when out of cell phone range, which is why some in the overlanding community use it.

We’ve used these very reliable VHF radios for years before finally transitioning to GMRS, which can have longer range, but does require an FCC license.

MURS is still a very attractive alternative to GMRS, mainly since it’s license free, and because VHF radio waves can sometimes travel farther in open country than UHF.

The only bummer about the MURS radio service is that power is capped by the FCC at 2 watts, the same as FRS radios. But, here’s the good part…

Unlike FRS radios, the FCC allows MURS radios to use external antennas, with no cap of ERP, or effective radiated power.*

Mobile Use: Adding a 5/8 Wave External Antenna to a MURS Walkie Talkie

One of the best ways to boost MURS radio range when using them in a vehicle is to add an external antenna, preferably on top the cab. By adding a 5/8 wave 3 dB gain antenna, such as the Tram 1154, you can effectively double your radio’s 2 watts of output to 4 watts, which is what CB radios are allowed to transmit. By beaming your signal out toward the horizon, your MURS walkie-talkie may be able to reach out up to 15 miles or more.

Most handheld MURS radios feature a detachable antenna using either a male or female SMA connector. The kit below includes both kinds, and the UHF connector used by most 5/8 wave VHF antennas, like the Tram 1154.

Home Use: Adding a Base Station Antenna to a MURS Radio

It is legal to use a base station antenna up to 60′ in height with your MURS radio. The Tram 1490 base station antenna features 6.7 dB of gain and can increase the effective radiated power of your 2 watt MURS radio to almost 8 watts. With one of these at 60′, range of more than 30 miles (base station to base station) is very possible.

A Word of Caution When Using External Antennas With MURS Radios

Most VHF antennas found on Amazon and eBay are tuned for two-meter ham frequencies, (144-148 Mhz). For these antennas to work well with your MURS radio (and not harm it), they typically must be tuned. More often than not, you may have to remove some length from the stainless steel antenna in order for it to work properly. See our article How to Tune a Two-Way Radio For Low SWR for more on how to do this.

MURS Frequency List

Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links.

For the full set of rules governing MURS, see the FCC Website

The post How to Increase MURS Radio Range first appeared on Woof The Beaten Path.