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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 8/3/21 at 10:04 pm to captron
They are free to use with an FRS radio. They require a GMRS license when operating at the higher GMRS power levels on the shared channels.
You fill out a form online, send them your money and they will grant you a GMRS license. It will cover you and pretty much your entire family for 10 years. You can go here to get your FRN, fill out the forms, and pay your money FCC ULS
By FCC rules, you are forbidden from using any radio other than one which has been certified under Part 95. No "HAM" radio is, or probably ever will be, Part 95 certified.
That being said, many Amateurs have the GMRS FRS frequencies programmed into their radios for "emergency" use, and there are some who use them regularly. The general consensus is that while it is illegal, unless you are causing some kind of major interference, the FCC does not have the manpower or time to bother with tracking down everyone using a few more watts (or a lot depending on your radio.)
It is still illegal, and should not be done.
It is kind of funny that they allow us to build our own radios, modify other radios, etc. as long as we stay within the bounds they set in Part 97, but we can not be trusted to keep within the parameters of FRS/GMRS without getting a GMRS license and a Part 95 certified radio.
You fill out a form online, send them your money and they will grant you a GMRS license. It will cover you and pretty much your entire family for 10 years. You can go here to get your FRN, fill out the forms, and pay your money FCC ULS
By FCC rules, you are forbidden from using any radio other than one which has been certified under Part 95. No "HAM" radio is, or probably ever will be, Part 95 certified.
That being said, many Amateurs have the GMRS FRS frequencies programmed into their radios for "emergency" use, and there are some who use them regularly. The general consensus is that while it is illegal, unless you are causing some kind of major interference, the FCC does not have the manpower or time to bother with tracking down everyone using a few more watts (or a lot depending on your radio.)
It is still illegal, and should not be done.
It is kind of funny that they allow us to build our own radios, modify other radios, etc. as long as we stay within the bounds they set in Part 97, but we can not be trusted to keep within the parameters of FRS/GMRS without getting a GMRS license and a Part 95 certified radio.
This post was edited on 8/3/21 at 10:12 pm
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.
Posted on 8/5/21 at 7:26 am to icutmyownlawn
What you got there are basically low end 2m (VHF) and 70cm (UHF) dual band radios suitable for Amateur use. Can they be programmed for FRS/GMRS yes.. easily... not likely, most of those Chinese radios require a special programming cable and software.
Additionally unlike the Amateur bands, for FRS/GMRS frequencies the radios must by "type accepted" aka FCC Certified for use (Chinesium filled radios are typically not type accepted).
For something to toss in and communicate between kayaks something like these water-resistant type dedicated radios might be a better fit. Amazon LINK as example
Hope this helps, getting in Dutch with the FCC is not a place most want to be, especially for dumb stuff.
Additionally unlike the Amateur bands, for FRS/GMRS frequencies the radios must by "type accepted" aka FCC Certified for use (Chinesium filled radios are typically not type accepted).
For something to toss in and communicate between kayaks something like these water-resistant type dedicated radios might be a better fit. Amazon LINK as example
Hope this helps, getting in Dutch with the FCC is not a place most want to be, especially for dumb stuff.
Posted on 8/5/21 at 9:47 pm to dakarx
quote:
What you got there are basically low end 2m (VHF) and 70cm (UHF) dual band radios suitable for Amateur use. Can they be programmed for FRS/GMRS yes.. easily... not likely, most of those Chinese radios require a special programming cable and software.
Additionally unlike the Amateur bands, for FRS/GMRS frequencies the radios must by "type accepted" aka FCC Certified for use (Chinesium filled radios are typically not type accepted).
For something to toss in and communicate between kayaks something like these water-resistant type dedicated radios might be a better fit. Amazon LINK as example
Hope this helps, getting in Dutch with the FCC is not a place most want to be, especially for dumb stuff.
Cool. Thanks for that information. I really didn't know what I was buying. When I needed them, they were the quickest to get delivered to my door.
The other day after I started reading and getting into it, I was like holy s***. Why the f*** did I buy these things.
Thanks for the link too. It never crossed my mind about the waterproofing. When I bought them, they were going to be used for land surveying.
Thanks.
Posted on 8/6/21 at 6:03 pm to icutmyownlawn
If you aren't able to return the original purchase, new Ham's tend to snatch those up in a hurry, as it gets them on the air quickly for repeaters and stuff. Older guys tend to keep them around as rewards for younger guys for passing exams and such.
You should be able to recover your costs with next to no effort.
You should be able to recover your costs with next to no effort.
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