Why Do I Need a GMRS License & How Do I Get It?
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My other comment is that if your not planning to put a 50 watt radio in your rig don't want your money on a gmrs liscense, not worth the paperwork and a 5 watt radio once the batteries arnt fresh will only do about 3 watts anyways, well below the fccs radar.
I'm researching the possibility of us getting a itenerate liscense as a "business". The pros... 10 years 270$ anybody can use it. The cons need a programmable part 90 radio.
As someone who has been around radio my entire life, I will tell you these cheap beofungus radios are just that cheap, the build quality, the audio quality and the tx quality varies greatly from unit to unit. I don't want anyone to think that they are purchasing a professional grade radio (think harbor freight winch vs Warn). In my opinion I would rather have the Midland radio over the beo. With that said there are plenty of options on the market that are sub $200 for a handheld and sub $300 for a mobile radio (new) and plenty of great commercial radios available on the used market. One think I was talking with brooks, earlier is that if you think you might be interested in getting your ham liscense one day (the doors it opens are endless) then look for part 90 radios.
I'm researching the possibility of us getting a itenerate liscense as a "business". The pros... 10 years 270$ anybody can use it. The cons need a programmable part 90 radio.
As someone who has been around radio my entire life, I will tell you these cheap beofungus radios are just that cheap, the build quality, the audio quality and the tx quality varies greatly from unit to unit. I don't want anyone to think that they are purchasing a professional grade radio (think harbor freight winch vs Warn). In my opinion I would rather have the Midland radio over the beo. With that said there are plenty of options on the market that are sub $200 for a handheld and sub $300 for a mobile radio (new) and plenty of great commercial radios available on the used market. One think I was talking with brooks, earlier is that if you think you might be interested in getting your ham liscense one day (the doors it opens are endless) then look for part 90 radios.
Well since I can’t figure out how to get outside of the presets on my third unit that Rugged has sent, we will try 153.110 as it’s the preset Yokahoma channel. You could easily scroll through the frequencies on my last unit but finding anything out on this replacement has been difficult. I’m assuming legality issues are playing a role in their vagueness. When we all ordered some we got dual band but mine happened to be a pos and then they couldn’t supply me another dual band so they gave me a 60 watt VHF.
The problem I have found is that unless you have your HAM license its not legal to transmit on GMRS frequencies with a Baofeng. Because they are Part 90 Certified not Part 95 Certified. I'm not saying we couldn't do it, but as a club I'm trying to find a solution that we can legally suggest to our members in a public forum.
Nick, do you have a Commercial license for the VHF radios? What are yall up to?
Nick, do you have a Commercial license for the VHF radios? What are yall up to?
From Rugged Radios:
I’m going to copy/paste a reply I sent to someone else recently. I think this may be helpful. The short story is yes, you do. When we talk about licensing, there are often two areas of this that get muddled together, so let me help clarify. HAM radio operators go through a very specific study and FCC testing. When complete, they are assigned a specific “call sign” such as (random example: KNUC12) that they use to identify themselves during transmission.
Rugged Radios offers radios that work in the commercial band and as a result, they do not require testing as they fall outside the range of a HAM radio.
However, a licensing and filing fee should be done with the FCC for our radios. For the frequency range we deal with, you would need to file for a PLMR (Private Land Mobile Radio) license. There’s a couple steps involved and the fee is nominal. You can do some research online for additional details, but these two links may be a great place to start your process…
https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/private-land-mobile-radio-services
https://www.fcc.gov/help/applying-new-license-universal-licensing-system-uls
I’m going to copy/paste a reply I sent to someone else recently. I think this may be helpful. The short story is yes, you do. When we talk about licensing, there are often two areas of this that get muddled together, so let me help clarify. HAM radio operators go through a very specific study and FCC testing. When complete, they are assigned a specific “call sign” such as (random example: KNUC12) that they use to identify themselves during transmission.
Rugged Radios offers radios that work in the commercial band and as a result, they do not require testing as they fall outside the range of a HAM radio.
However, a licensing and filing fee should be done with the FCC for our radios. For the frequency range we deal with, you would need to file for a PLMR (Private Land Mobile Radio) license. There’s a couple steps involved and the fee is nominal. You can do some research online for additional details, but these two links may be a great place to start your process…
https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/private-land-mobile-radio-services
https://www.fcc.gov/help/applying-new-license-universal-licensing-system-uls
Here is some info from the Baofeng Website suprisingly:
Which Two-Way Radio Service is Right for You?
Choosing the right two-way radio can be confusing. You can't just buy a pair of radios and start talking on them. Most two-way radio services require licensing of some sort, and radios designed to be used in those radio services must be certified by the FCC. The most popular two-way radio services are:
Private Land Mobile Radio Services(PLMRS)
The Private Land Mobile Radio Servicesis used by public safety agencies, utilities, railroads, manufacturers, and other businesses to meet many different communication needs. Frequencies include:
Commercial, public safety, and government users must obtain an FCC license to use PLMRS radios. When you obtain a license, you're assigned specific frequencies, and the radios you use must be used only on those frequencies. The radios require an FCC Part 90 certification, and are not programmable by end users.
We recommend the BTECH UV-82C for PLMRS use. This radio is Part 90 certified and can be used on both VHF High Band and UHF frequencies. Its features make it an excellent choice for PLMRS use.
General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)
The General Mobile Radio Service is a service available to individual users (no licenses will be granted to businesses, organizations or other entities). The GMRS uses channels around 462 MHz and 467 MHz. The most common use of GMRS channels is for short-distance, two-way voice communications using hand-held radios, mobile radios and repeater systems. In 2017, the FCC expanded the GMRS to also allow short data messaging applications including text messaging and GPS location information.
To use GMRS radios, you need to apply for a license (no test required) that costs $70 for 10 years. This license covers the licensee (must be an adult) and his or her immediate and extended family members. The licensee's GMRS system may consist of one or more transmitting units (stations).
GMRS radios must be certified to FCC Part 95A or 95E specifications. They are generally preprogrammed to the GMRS channels and may include some Family Radio Service (FRS) channels. We suggest the BTECH GMRS-V1 for use on GMRS frequencies. It comes with GMRS two-way and GMRS repeater channels pre-programmed, and its many features make it very easy to use.
Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS)
In the United States, the Multi-Use Radio Service is an unlicensed, two-way radio service. Established by the FCC in 2000, MURS radios have a power limit of 2 W, may not be connected to the public telephone network, or used with repeaters. This makes them suitable for only very short-range applications.
MURS radios require Part 95J certification and are generally locked to MURS channels only. We recommend the BTECH MURS-V1. It is very easy to use—even for young family members. The radios display the actual frequencies and CTCSS tones (aka PL tones or privacy codes) the radio is transmitting, unlike children's FRS walkie talkies.
Amateur Radio Service (ARS)
Amateur radio operators can use many different frequencies, including HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies. In the VHF and UHF range, the amateur radio bands include:
Which Two-Way Radio Service is Right for You?
Choosing the right two-way radio can be confusing. You can't just buy a pair of radios and start talking on them. Most two-way radio services require licensing of some sort, and radios designed to be used in those radio services must be certified by the FCC. The most popular two-way radio services are:
- Private Land Mobile Radio Service (PLMRS)
- General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)
- Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS)
- Amateur Radio Service (ARS)
Private Land Mobile Radio Services(PLMRS)
The Private Land Mobile Radio Servicesis used by public safety agencies, utilities, railroads, manufacturers, and other businesses to meet many different communication needs. Frequencies include:
- 30 −50 MHz (Low Band or Low VHF Band)
- 150 −172 MHz (High Band or High VHF Band)
- 450 − 470 MHz ( UHF). Some urban areas have additional UHF frequencies from 470 − 490 MHz, and 490 − 512 MHz.
Commercial, public safety, and government users must obtain an FCC license to use PLMRS radios. When you obtain a license, you're assigned specific frequencies, and the radios you use must be used only on those frequencies. The radios require an FCC Part 90 certification, and are not programmable by end users.
We recommend the BTECH UV-82C for PLMRS use. This radio is Part 90 certified and can be used on both VHF High Band and UHF frequencies. Its features make it an excellent choice for PLMRS use.
General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)
The General Mobile Radio Service is a service available to individual users (no licenses will be granted to businesses, organizations or other entities). The GMRS uses channels around 462 MHz and 467 MHz. The most common use of GMRS channels is for short-distance, two-way voice communications using hand-held radios, mobile radios and repeater systems. In 2017, the FCC expanded the GMRS to also allow short data messaging applications including text messaging and GPS location information.
To use GMRS radios, you need to apply for a license (no test required) that costs $70 for 10 years. This license covers the licensee (must be an adult) and his or her immediate and extended family members. The licensee's GMRS system may consist of one or more transmitting units (stations).
GMRS radios must be certified to FCC Part 95A or 95E specifications. They are generally preprogrammed to the GMRS channels and may include some Family Radio Service (FRS) channels. We suggest the BTECH GMRS-V1 for use on GMRS frequencies. It comes with GMRS two-way and GMRS repeater channels pre-programmed, and its many features make it very easy to use.
Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS)
In the United States, the Multi-Use Radio Service is an unlicensed, two-way radio service. Established by the FCC in 2000, MURS radios have a power limit of 2 W, may not be connected to the public telephone network, or used with repeaters. This makes them suitable for only very short-range applications.
MURS radios require Part 95J certification and are generally locked to MURS channels only. We recommend the BTECH MURS-V1. It is very easy to use—even for young family members. The radios display the actual frequencies and CTCSS tones (aka PL tones or privacy codes) the radio is transmitting, unlike children's FRS walkie talkies.
Amateur Radio Service (ARS)
Amateur radio operators can use many different frequencies, including HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies. In the VHF and UHF range, the amateur radio bands include:
- 6 m: 50 – 54 MHz
- 2 m: 144 – 148 MHz
- 1.25 m: 222 – 225 MHz
- 70 cm: 420 – 450 MHz
- 33 cm: 902 – 928 MHz
Here is a VHF/UHF Rugged kit for they have on sale for 2 of them for $144
https://www.ruggedradios.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1167&products_id=1718
I'm just not sure how we can use these legally on VHF? It doesnt really read to me that the PLMRS applies, but Rugged and Baofeng both claim it does for certain frequencies. I can't seem to find how much a PLMRS license is, or if its aquired by a user or a group of users.
https://www.ruggedradios.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1167&products_id=1718
I'm just not sure how we can use these legally on VHF? It doesnt really read to me that the PLMRS applies, but Rugged and Baofeng both claim it does for certain frequencies. I can't seem to find how much a PLMRS license is, or if its aquired by a user or a group of users.
Yeah the FCC websites seem to say fill out the application and we will let you know how much it will be once you finish. The only disadvantage I could see for PLMRS is that I think you are assigned a single frequency to use whereas GMRS would still give us a few channels to choose from. From what I see from the channels that are preprogrammed into the rugged radios, they rely on historically used channels from the desert race teams for the PLMRS frequencies, like a Yokohama channel, BFG pits and BITD. I think this means they expect BFG and Yokohama to have the PLMRS license.
You can just find your own frequency and use it. That was our plan this year although I still can't get out of the presets. I don't know why they preset the units for those channel unless its just to listen to their communication if you are at an event. We ran GMRS channels last year at windrock and it was like talking on cell phones. I read on some site that some enthusiast were on a channel at Windrock that they should not have been and they were told that they were in violation and to change channels. Even invited to the guys transmit location or something. Anyone else read that?