Radio can be divided into two main categories:

  1. Radio designed for you to listen to
  2. Radio designed for you to listen to and talk on

Radio designed for you to listen to include the AM and FM bands, shortwave radio, and an enormous number of specialized radio bands that you can hear by purchasing a radio scanner.

These specialized radio bands include police and emergency frequencies and a host of other interesting things to listen to.

A radio designed only to be listened to in known as a receiver.

Radios designed to be listened to and spoken on are known as transceivers.

Transceivers are divided by the FCC into several frequency ranges, each of which is designated for a specific purpose.

CB (Citizens Band) radio is designed for many people to talk to each other simulataneously. CB gained enormous popularity in the 1970’s, but has since waned considerably.

FRS (Family Radio Service) and MURS (Multi Use Radio Service) are both unlicensed frequency bands which are designed for small groups of people to communicate with each other.

GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) is a licensed band. GMRS users can communicate with FRS users on some channels.

Other licensed frequencies include the HAM (Amateur) bands and Business band.