GMRS Radio
After a disaster our landlines and cell phones may not be working. The Seattle Emergency Communications Hubs use radios to communicate with each other and with Seattle emergency services. You can also use them as a method for communicating with family members and receiving emergency information. The General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) is a licensed radio service for short-distance, two-way voice communications using hand-held radios, mobile radios and repeater systems.
Getting a Radio
The radio used by the hubs is the BTECH GMRS V2. You can find it on Amazon.
An FCC license is required. A 10-year license for your family (multiple devices) is available online for $35.
The Seattle Office of Emergency Management and the Seattle Emergency Communications Hubs use specific frequencies. This helpful guide will get you started with the operation of your radio. The radio is easier to use when it has the desired channels programmed. You can reach out to us for assistance or use this frequency list.
Using Your Radio
GMRS radios use repeaters to communicate longer distances. Seattle has five GMRS repeaters available for our use.
The hubs perform radio check-ins on Monday evenings at 8:00 to practice radio usage and confirm which repeaters work best from specific locations. Check our upcoming events for the check-in schedule.
Powering Your Radio
During an extended power outage, you will need extra batteries or charging accessories. Check out these options for providing power.