THOUGHTWAVES: Should GMRS frequencies be channelized?

Which makes more sense for channel names: "462.650 MHz," "650" or "Channel 19?"

The General Mobile Radio Service has really taken off in recent years. It may seem inane, but whether or not frequencies should be channelized is a topic for discussion at times.

Should GMRS radios show channel names or frequencies? This Midland MXT500 has multiple options. Learn more about it here or click on the photo above. | Photo courtesy of Midland Radio

When the Federal Communications Commission rewrote the rules for the Personal Radio Services back in 2017, it decided not to number GMRS frequencies. However, the new Part 95 rules, which includes CB, the Family Radio Service and the Multi-Use Radio Service, did number FRS channels. For instance, 462.5625 MHz is FRS Channel 1.