[BlueBird5]

Hello,

Can anyone please kindly help me to understand the FRS/GMRS FCC rules. I recently purchased a Motorola T5950 (TalkAbout) Radio. It stated that Channels 1-7 are shared FRS/GMRS, 8-14 FRS and 15-22 GMRS.
I read FCC rules that you need to get a license for the GMRS frequencies.

My question is, can I use the Channel 1-7 FRS/GMRS even without acquiring license? I dont' want to get into trouble by being unknowledgable in this area.

Thanks.

This post has been edited by BlueBird5: 20 April 2004 - 12:52 PM

[Cadence]

Hey BlueBird5,

You can transmit at the LOW power setting on any FRS frequency free of charge. In order to transmit High power on those (GMRS is the higher wattage transmit) frequencies, most would recommend that you get the GMRS license.

$75 for 5 years, usable for the whole family, no test.

PLEEEEZE read the previous GMRS messages in this forum. They will help you with most of your questions. Find the search button on the upper portion of the GPS and Ham Radio forum topic list and type in GMRS in the search field.

Happy hunting, pleasant reading.

73,
Todd - K7PKT

[BlueBird5]

Hi Cadence,

Thank you so much for the info.

Regards

[CenTexDodger]

I found this topic the other day and I have a question--I have a pair of FRS radios, and one FRS/GMRS radio that I got because it also has NOAA weather on it. There doesn't appear to be a way to turn the FRS/GMRS channels (1-7) down from 1 watt to 1/2 watt. Do I need to stay off those channels with my FRS/GMRS, or will I be alright since I am talking to FRS radios?

Thanks in advance for your help!

This post has been edited by CenTexDodger: 11 May 2004 - 07:15 AM

[harkins]

I called the FCC this morning on that very issue. After having to tell them who I was, I found out that it IS okay to use a dual-mode device as long as you stay on the FRS channels (8-14). I may still return my $13 Uniden 720s for some FRS-based ones to avoid this hassle (and the $75 problem). Unfortunately this means that the general geocacher channel (FRS/GMRS 2) is off-limits until I either plunk the cash down or change devices.

[SirPoonga]

What does family use mean?

[bigredmed]

SirPoonga, on May 12 2004, 08:12 PM, said:

What does family use mean?

It means anyone in the immediate family can use your GMRS license and use the radios.

Unlike a HAM radio license which restricts who can use the radio independently.

The difference is that GMRS radios, while more powerful than FRS, are less powerful than a HAM radio and thus less likely to cause RF interference or RF health problems, so you can let junior talk on the radio without making sure junior understands how to hold the radio away from his head.

[SirPoonga]

What's immediate family? If I got a license could my dad use the license? Even if he was in a different state?

[StormCrow42]

SirPoonga, on May 15 2004, 08:30 PM, said:

What's immediate family?  If I got a license could my dad use the license?  Even if he was in a different state?

95.179 Individuals who may be station operators.

(a) An individual GMRS system licensee may permit immediate family members
to be station operators in his or her GMRS system. Immediate family
members are the:

(1) Licensee;

(2) Licensee's spouse;

(3) Licensee's children, grandchildren, stepchildren;

(4) Licensee's parents, grandparents, stepparents;

(5) Licensee's brothers, sisters;

(6) Licensee's aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews; and

(7) Licensee's in-laws.

[sept1c_tank]

There is a good article on FRS radios that will appear in the June issue of Today's Cacher (will appear June 1). Check the link in my signature.

[KD5JXU]

FRS and GMRS are neat radios. although they have no major range about them.
First I am a Ham radio Operator. second I am not going to discourage the use of these radio. Several articles have been written where people have been save because of FRS.
If you are wanting to get more coverage Ham radio offers wide area coverage via repeater networks. GMRS has repeater capabilities too. There are not many of them out there though.
Here in North East OK we have a wide area link system that covers 400,000+ suare miles. New Mexico covers the entire state witht the MAGA LINK. Montana also has a similar set up
Most Storm chasers are hams which entitles you to hear what is going on before the TV replays it.
To recieve a licence (ticket) you must take a test and pay 15 bucks. FOR LIFE.
This will only allow the licence holder Amatuer radio privilages.
I hope that this will strike an interest in Ham Radio. We are currently under attack from the from agencies wanting to take away our radio spectrum.
Here is the big kicker about ham radio. CHEAPER. and you can communicate around the world, satalites, ISS and the space shuttle.
If you are interested go to. www.arrl.org or contact me at yonkersmtham<at>chouteautel.com.
Good luck and hope to hear you on the bands.

[GeckoGeek]

KD5JXU, on May 31 2004, 03:27 AM, said:

Most Storm chasers are hams which entitles you to hear what is going on before the TV replays it.

You need not hold a license to listen.

I agree with all of your other points.

This post has been edited by GeckoGeek: 31 May 2004 - 06:11 AM

[Couparangus]

Quote

95.179 Individuals who may be station operators.

(a) An individual GMRS system licensee may permit immediate family members
to be station operators in his or her GMRS system. Immediate family
members are the:

(1) Licensee;

(2) Licensee's spouse;

(3) Licensee's children, grandchildren, stepchildren;

(4) Licensee's parents, grandparents, stepparents;

(5) Licensee's brothers, sisters;

(6) Licensee's aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews; and

(7) Licensee's in-laws.

What about:

Great Grandchildren?
Ex or estranged spouse?
Cousins?
Common Law Spouse?
Second Cousin Twice Removed?
Love Children?
Next Door Neighbor?
Adopted Stepchildren in Third World Country?



I couldn't resist...

[Cholo]

Couparangus, on Jun 1 2004, 09:37 PM, said:

What about:

Great Grandchildren?




I couldn't resist...

All grandchildren are great....it's called revenge.

And neither could I.

[Alan2]

I read the article in Today's Cacher and i'm still confused. will I get more mileage with the GMRS all other things remaining equal? The article says I'd be lucky to get 200 meters if I'm talking from a trail head into the woods. What will GMRS get me with the same condition.

Any recommendation for decent AA battery combo types?

Anyone familiar with these Midlands? http://www.dak.com/r...story.cfm?Ggmrs

Tks
Alan

This post has been edited by Alan2: 02 June 2004 - 07:29 PM

[bigredmed]

Not familiar with the model. You will get more range with GMRS than FRS, but both are line of sight and are affected by woods and hills. I was part of a Ham net for a bike race where the officials were using FRS. They stopped and switched to us and cell phones (on a paved highway) because of the hills.

I was thinking about GMRS radios before I went HAM and given the new licensure of HAM's (no code, $12 for 10 years) and the better range (even line of sight, to say nothing of repeaters), this is where I went. Happy I did.

[GeckoGeek]

Alan2, on Jun 2 2004, 05:28 PM, said:

will I get more mileage with the GMRS all other things remaining equal?

Since GMRS typically uses double to triple (and possibly up to 10 times) the power levels of FRS, it will give you longer distance then FRS.

[Alan2]

Like Blue Bird I got the "Motorola T5950 AA Alkaline GMRS 2-Way Radios (Pair)" Electronics; $66.49 for a pair from Amazon including shipping. There's also a $15 mail in rebate so it comes to $51. It's 1 watt GMRS with lots of features. Catiually that seems cheap considring what you get. OIf course with cell phones so ubiquitous, I guess they have to get rid of stock.

Hey BlueBird. Have you tried yours in the woods? What kind of distance?

For the experts, is this a good unit? It looks like it is.

http://commerce.motorola.com/cgi-bin/ncomm...nbr=9&zipcode=#


Tks

Alan

[KD5JXU]

FRS is limited to a .375 milliwatt transmitter and a fixed no gain antenna. GMRS can have 45 full watts and up to a 5 db gain antenna. Repeater use on GMRS frequencies are allowed. Check your local area for GMRS repeates this will increase your range 400 fold.
Always remember UHF frequencies are considered line of site propagation. If you are in a valley with 200' plus hills surronding you more than likely you will not be able to talk to the other side of the hill. Your propagation with in the valley will increase. The radio signals will bounce of the sides of the hills. The higher your elevation the more the distane you will have. I have made a FRS contact with a kid 60 mile away. he and his father was in an airplane flying around.
Remeber that the GMRS operations must have a licenced operator. I have been recieving news from people getting caught using the frequencies without a licence.
Although all the reports are around major cities.
Good luck and check out nutsandvolts.com. there is an article in the may 2003 issue by Gordon ?? about frs/gmrs

[GeckoGeek]

KD5JXU, on Jun 11 2004, 03:15 AM, said:

FRS is limited to a .375 milliwatt transmitter and a fixed no gain antenna.

0.375 mW? That's really small! I think you ment to say 375mW. I though it was 500mW, or is that 500mW ERP?

Quote

Repeater use on GMRS frequencies are allowed.

If you can find a unit that will work the repeaters. Most of the plastic units sold to the public can't transmit on the repeater freqs.

Quote

I have been recieving news from people getting caught using the frequencies without a licence.

I'd be curious as to the details. I think the FCC has much bigger fish to fry, so unless these folks were major jerks or someone else is doing all the legwork, I wouldn't expect much to happen.

[KD5JXU]

good point on radios that have repeater capabilities. Commercial type radios that have an offset are being used. Wal-Mart and Radio shack do not stock these radio's.
I stand corrected it is 500 mw of power.
Much like Ham Radio, FRS/GMRS is practically self policeing. A recent bust was made in New York. Attempting to rob a bank, two ten year old playing with FRS was monitoring the activity. Police was called and the would be robbers where foiled at the attempt.
there is a section of the FCC that are to monitor the activities on this and MURS frequencies. You can check it out on the FCC.gov page under what's new.
Be safe this summer and enjoy the great outdoors. Become a mentor and teach a kid how to get lost.

[GeckoGeek]

KD5JXU, on Jun 30 2004, 09:31 PM, said:

there is a section of the FCC that are to monitor the activities on this and MURS frequencies. You can check it out on the FCC.gov page under what's new.

I tried looking for it but had no luck.

[baloo&bd]

bigredmed, on Jun 5 2004, 03:36 PM, said:

I was thinking about GMRS radios before I went HAM and given the new licensure of HAM's (no code, $12 for 10 years) and the better range (even line of sight, to say nothing of repeaters), this is where I went. Happy I did.

Minor correction, the fees are one time and good for life, the license needs to be renewed every 10 years with no fee to renew.

[baloo&bd]

Duplicated the above message for some reason.

This post has been edited by baloo&bd: 02 July 2004 - 02:00 PM

[JohnnyVegas]

bigredmed, on May 13 2004, 05:30 AM, said:

SirPoonga, on May 12 2004, 08:12 PM, said:

What does family use mean?

It means anyone in the immediate family can use your GMRS license and use the radios.

Unlike a HAM radio license which restricts who can use the radio independently.

The difference is that GMRS radios, while more powerful than FRS, are less powerful than a HAM radio and thus less likely to cause RF interference or RF health problems, so you can let junior talk on the radio without making sure junior understands how to hold the radio away from his head.

A hand held ham radio is not going to cause health problems. They just do not put out enough power, you can also turn the power down if you do not need a lot of power to carry on a communication. My HT is set at 250mw most of the time, but it will do 5 watts if needed.

As far as Rf interference, this is not going to be a probelm unless the device being interfeared with is defective or very old.

[Alan2]

Can contractor's use FRS/GMRS? I was in a building in NJ and different contractors were communicating with each other and the building manager. IS that allowed?

[Couparangus]

In Canada it is perfectly legal to use FRS for business. I'm guessing in the USA this is also the case. The reality is that because FRS is not a revenue generating band for the FCC (or Ind Can) its not likely that there will be any active enforcement.

As for health issues with using handheld radios. They cause you to grow a third arm and additional eye - both of which come in very handy when Geocaching.

C-A

This post has been edited by Couparangus: 07 July 2004 - 07:25 PM

[Gekobear]

Just for the record the price for the GMRS license is now $80...

[Doc-Dean]

From what I see on the FCC website it still says $75
Check here
The form says its effective as of 9/11/03.

Is there another place to look it up?

[Mopar]

Doc-Dean, on Dec 2 2004, 02:01 PM, said:

From what I see on the FCC website it still says $75
Check here
The form says its effective as of 9/11/03.

Is there another place to look it up?

Try this link