- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Two way radio help. License free?
Posted on 8/3/21 at 4:02 pm
Posted on 8/3/21 at 4:02 pm
I have two handheld programmable radios for communication. When purchased, I never knew that I needed a HAM license to use them until yesterday. After some Googling, I found this chart and a bunch of mixed information.
Can anyone confirm if those 22 channels/frequencies are free to use without a HAM license? If they are not free to use, how can I get the frequencies that Walmart walkie-talkies would use?
Thank you.
Can anyone confirm if those 22 channels/frequencies are free to use without a HAM license? If they are not free to use, how can I get the frequencies that Walmart walkie-talkies would use?
Thank you.
3
Posted on 8/3/21 at 6:03 pm to icutmyownlawn
Been a while but what I remember:
Are the radios FRS(family radio service) or GMRS (general mobile radio service) ? The FMS power output is lower and no license is needed. If it's GMRS a license is needed but no test is involved, just send them money.
The difference is the transmit power of the two services.
FCC link
Posted on 8/4/21 at 7:01 am to icutmyownlawn
quote:
I never knew that I needed a HAM license to use them
Just to be a bit more accurate;
GMRS and Amateur (HAM) licenses are totally different things. Holding an Amateur license does not grant you GMRS privileges. The 70cm band for US Amateur radio spans 420.000–450.000 MHz, FRS/GMRS is outside of that range.
Posted on 8/4/21 at 8:02 pm to icutmyownlawn
This is a little more than I was expecting. Kind of confusing. I should have just bought regular walkie-talkies. 
The radios I have are both Baofeng UV-5R's. 4 watts. Frequency range of 136-174 MHz and 400-480MHz. Supposedly they can be programmed to use FRS.
I don't mind paying. I would prefer not to of course. Don't really see the need for a HAM license either. I just want to use them for kayak to kayak communication without Government intrusion.
I appreciate the help, advice from all of you. Thanks.
The radios I have are both Baofeng UV-5R's. 4 watts. Frequency range of 136-174 MHz and 400-480MHz. Supposedly they can be programmed to use FRS.
I don't mind paying. I would prefer not to of course. Don't really see the need for a HAM license either. I just want to use them for kayak to kayak communication without Government intrusion.
I appreciate the help, advice from all of you. Thanks.
Page 1 of 1
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News