Family Radio Service (FRS) - Types of communications

You may use an Family Radio Service (FRS) unit to transmit a brief text message to another specific FRS unit and automatically respond with location. Digital transmissions can be one second per thirty-second period and automatically respond to more than one interrogation request received within a thirty-second period.

Source: FCC

Code of Federal Regulations

Title 47 - Telecommunication

Volume: 5
Date: 2007-10-01
Original Date: 2007-10-01
Title: Section 95.193 - (FRS Rule 3) Types of communications.
Context: Title 47 - Telecommunication. CHAPTER I - FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CONTINUED).
SUBCHAPTER D - SAFETY AND SPECIAL RADIO SERVICES.
PART 95 - PERSONAL RADIO SERVICES.
Subpart B - Family Radio Service (FRS). - General Provisions.

§ 95.193(FRS Rule 3)

Types of communications.
(a) You may use an FRS unit to conduct two-way voice communications with another person. You may use an FRS unit to transmit one-way voice or non-voice communications only to establish communications with another person, send an emergency message, provide traveler assistance, provide location information, transmit a brief text message, make a voice page, or to conduct a brief test.
(b) Non-voice communications. 
     (1) The FRS unit may transmit tones to make contact or to continue communications with a particular FRS unit. If the tone is audible (more than 300 Hertz), it must be transmitted continuously no longer than 15 seconds at one time. If the tone is subaudible (300 Hertz or less), it may be transmitted continuously only while you are talking.
    (2) The FRS unit may transmit digital data containing location information, or requesting location information from one or more other FRS units, or containing a brief text message to another specific FRS unit. Digital data transmissions must be initiated by a manual action or command of a user, except that an FRS unit receiving an interrogation request may automatically respond with its location. Digital data transmissions shall not exceed one second, and shall be limited to no more than one digital transmission within a thirty-second period, except that an FRS unit may automatically respond to more than one interrogation request received within a thirty-second period.
(c) You must not use an FRS unit in connection with any activity which is against federal, state or local law.
(d) You must, at all times and on all channels, give priority to emergency communication messages concerning the immediate safety of life or the immediate protection of property.
(e) No FRS unit may be interconnected to the public switched network.

[61 FR 28768, June 6, 1996, as amended at 68 FR 9901, Mar. 3, 2003]