The GMRS is a land mobile radio service available to persons for short-distance two-way communications to facilitate the activities of licensees and their immediate family members. Each licensee manages a system consisting of one or more stations.

In addition to the station's licensed channel, 462.6750 may be used for emergency and travelers aid by all stations. International channels (462.xxx5) may be used only in simplex mode with voice transmissions of no more than 5 watts. They are shared with the Family Radio Service.