Prep Comms

MURS: The Underdog That Still Works


Listen Later

Most people don't even know what MURS is—and that's exactly why it works so well. In this first episode of the Prep Comms MURS Mini-Series, Caleb breaks down the quiet power of the Multi-Use Radio Service: a license-free, analog-only VHF service with just five channels and a lot of practical potential.

You'll learn about its roots in the old business band, what the "Color Dot" frequencies mean, why MURS is legal without a license, and how it fits into a low-key family comms plan.

Privacy, power limits, antenna rules, and gear you can actually use—it's all covered here.

Listen in, and discover why MURS might be the perfect base layer in your emergency communications setup.

In this episode:

  • The FCC origin of MURS and its roots in the Business Band (DOT and STAR channels)

  • What MURS can and can't do legally (no digital, no repeaters)

  • Antenna height limits and the truth about privacy tones

  • How MURS works around barns, homes, driveways, and family outings

  • Why VHF still outperforms UHF in open terrain

  • My own family's use of MURS as part of the Cascade Protocol

Mentioned in this episode:

  • Free MURS + Business Band Frequency Guide PDF: MURS Frequency PDF

  • Recommended MURS radios & antennas (Caleb's gear list): Caleb's Amazon Store: Search MURS

Want to go deeper? Watch the free on-demand webinar (Coming August 2025): How to Build a Family Communication Plan in Less Than 30 Minutes—Without Expensive Gear or Tech Confusion www.familyradiowebinar.com

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Prep CommsBy Caleb Nelson

  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5

5

14 ratings


More shows like Prep Comms

View all
The Joe Rogan Experience by Joe Rogan

The Joe Rogan Experience

228,713 Listeners

Common Sense with Dan Carlin by Dan Carlin

Common Sense with Dan Carlin

11,430 Listeners

The Two Way Radio Show by The Two Way Radio Show

The Two Way Radio Show

37 Listeners

Casual Preppers Podcast - Prepping, Survival, Entertainment. by Casual Preppers

Casual Preppers Podcast - Prepping, Survival, Entertainment.

1,027 Listeners

ARRL Audio News by ARRL  The National Association for Amateur Radio®

ARRL Audio News

125 Listeners

Ham Radio 2.0 by Jason Johnston - KC5HWB

Ham Radio 2.0

93 Listeners

The Daily by The New York Times

The Daily

111,929 Listeners

Ham Radio Workbench Podcast by Ham Radio Workbench

Ham Radio Workbench Podcast

205 Listeners

Scanner School - Everything you wanted to know about the Scanner Radio Hobby by Phil Lichtenberger

Scanner School - Everything you wanted to know about the Scanner Radio Hobby

136 Listeners

Today, Explained by Vox

Today, Explained

10,230 Listeners

The Shawn Ryan Show by Shawn Ryan

The Shawn Ryan Show

45,717 Listeners

On the Air by Becky Schoenfeld, W1BXY

On the Air

102 Listeners

Radio Contra by RadioContra

Radio Contra

66 Listeners

The Tucker Carlson Show by Tucker Carlson Network

The Tucker Carlson Show

16,860 Listeners

Cliff's Notes on Amateur Radio by Cliff Ravenscraft

Cliff's Notes on Amateur Radio

8 Listeners