Why Do I Need a GMRS License & How Do I Get It?

TCBronco

TCBronco

SUPPORTER
#41
#41
Here's what you get preprogrammed with a rugged radio, atleast the handheld. Channels 1-18 seem to be PLMRS channels, 19-34 are the GMRS channels, and 35-41 are weather channels. This is from their website. Capture.PNG
 
VOLT

VOLT

#42
#42
Yeah its different on the Mobile Units and of course they have removed the list. My RM-60 requires a cable and software to be able to change the presets so hopefully we can make it work with the presets. I'm sure it will be fine. The Rm-60 doesn't even show you the corresponding frequency for the preset that you are on.
 
97TJGUZZY

97TJGUZZY

SUPPORTER
#43
#43
So it sounds like GMRS wins again? And if we choose GMRS, then it doesnt matter what radio we have everyone on as long as they have their GMRS license.

Nick, will you be using GMRS or VHF this year?
 
VOLT

VOLT

#44
#44
97TJGUZZY said:
So it sounds like GMRS wins again? And if we choose GMRS, then it doesnt matter what radio we have everyone on as long as they have their GMRS license.

Nick, will you be using GMRS or VHF this year?
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I believe the GMRS channels are within UHF frequency. I could be wrong but my dual band U/VHF had like 13 GMRS channels. Mines VHF only. The rest of my group has dual band though so you could reach us if needed
 
97TJGUZZY

97TJGUZZY

SUPPORTER
#49
#49
What about the Baofeng UV-5R amateur radio and their ilk? As they say, “It’s complicated.” The UV-5R is not FCC accepted (“type certified”) for transmission on either FRS or GMRS channels. (The reasons for this are not known, but the FCC is usually most concerned with spurious or non-conforming emissions on the prohibited bands.) While it is possible to program the UV-5R to transmit on FRS/GMRS frequencies, it is illegal to transmit on those channels except during an emergency. That little caveat is why many NET AROs have a UV-5R in the radio stash. NET AROs can use the UV-5R as their ham handheld and monitor FRS/GMRS channels at the same time. They typically have a regular dual-service FRS/GMRS handheld for transmitting on the channels. If push came to shove in an emergency, they could use the UV-5R for FRS/GMRS as well as ham. The UV-5R has other nifty emergency radio features, such as their ability to transmit (legally) on BEECN frequencies with the approval of PBEM, the ability to receive Emergency Alert System (EAS) notification from commercial FM stations, NOAA weather station reception, and even the ability to serve as a cross-band repeater. These radios also have some disadvantages, such as more idiosyncratic programming requirements and sensitivity to radio signals outside the amateur radio reception bands. We come back to those issues elsewhere.
 
TCBronco

TCBronco

SUPPORTER
#54
#54
Would the baofeng be legal to use on gmrs frequencies if you had your ham license? Or is it still not allowed because it is not a true gmrs radio?
 
Twilliamson

Twilliamson

SUPPORTER
#56
#56
TCBronco said:
Would the baofeng be legal to use on gmrs frequencies if you had your ham license? Or is it still not allowed because it is not a true gmrs radio?
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Legally, no.

At this point as confusing as this topic is... My recommendation is for everyone to use their best interpretation and purchase what they want, from a legal perspective its not in anyones best interest to recommend a radio unless they fully understand what they are talking about. (i will not be supporting any beofungs) I say we use GMRS (UHF) , and we will define a list of PL tones that we will use on each channel. But... i want everyone to keep in mind... a "5" (probably closer to 3) watt handheld inside a vehicle isnt going to be "that great". I would still recommend everyone look into higher powered installed radios for their rigs, with antennas mounted to the body.

IMO, nobody is gonna come after you for using a non type accepted radio, nobody is gonna come after you for operating high power on GMRS and nobody is gonna come after you for using the preset rugged radio channels UNLESS ... you start causing harmful interference with other users, who are licensed. The thing I worry about most with this conversation is that someone accidentally uses a frequency that is used by a local LEO or PD or Rescue, when they hear you asking how many beers are left in the cooler, etc, they are gonna get a little upset.
 
B

billoftt

#59
#59
Twilliamson said:
Legally, no.

At this point as confusing as this topic is... My recommendation is for everyone to use their best interpretation and purchase what they want, from a legal perspective its not in anyones best interest to recommend a radio unless they fully understand what they are talking about. (i will not be supporting any beofungs) I say we use GMRS (UHF) , and we will define a list of PL tones that we will use on each channel. But... i want everyone to keep in mind... a "5" (probably closer to 3) watt handheld inside a vehicle isnt going to be "that great". I would still recommend everyone look into higher powered installed radios for their rigs, with antennas mounted to the body.

IMO, nobody is gonna come after you for using a non type accepted radio, nobody is gonna come after you for operating high power on GMRS and nobody is gonna come after you for using the preset rugged radio channels UNLESS ... you start causing harmful interference with other users, who are licensed. The thing I worry about most with this conversation is that someone accidentally uses a frequency that is used by a local LEO or PD or Rescue, when they hear you asking how many beers are left in the cooler, etc, they are gonna get a little upset.
Click to expand...
This is a good recommendation.
 
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