POLL: GMRS License

Does everyone using GMRS has a license? I was surprised hearing this weekend that my motorola walkie talkies requires me to have a license to use the GMRS frequencies.

True to form, I can't even find where to get that license.

 

FCC.

You pay a fee and it's good for 10 years (iirc). There's no knowledge test like the HAM license.

There's a link here:
https://midlandusa.com/why-do-i-need-a-gmrs-license-how-do-i-get-it/

It's up to you if you feel it's worth it. Many will tell you to just get the license because it's cheap and easy, others will tell you that it's not like the FCC has a team of investigators laying around waiting to catch people illegally communicating on handhelds when they're out wheeling. The only conviction was I think a guy that was involved in a bank robbery or something.

I'd say that the HAM license is much more worth it.

All that said, I've never had a problem with my GMRS radios set on the lower power channels. If you use it for truck to truck comms, the .5W channels are usually more than adequate.

 

Thanks for the link, that makes things clearer. I think you are right about the power, looks like mine has FRS and GMRS but the GMRS is to chat with other folks using different systems. If I end up sticking with these then the license makes sense.

 

I'm still not really clear on what devices that talk with what other devices. Not all HAMs can talk with GMRS, etc...

I have a cheap handheld HAM, and a couple GRMS's too, so I can pretty much chat with whoever. Tho no CB (yet?)...

 

You have to have a HAM radio license to legally transmit on 2 meter 220, or 440 frequencies. Part of the licensing test explains what bands you are allowed to use with this license. In addition to licensing requirement on GMRS, there are restrictions with GMRS and FRS frequencies that preclude HAM equipment from being used on those bands. These include requirements for non-detachable antennas, and power restrictions. Will you get caught? probably not, but if you do, the fines can be expensive.

Don't be the guy that uses a ham radio without a license. The test for the amateur radio Technician class license is extremely easy to pass, and inexpensive. There are a number of free online test study websites, and most local amateur radio clubs offer classes and testing.

KJ4OBR
Dave

 

Yeah it's all a learning process for me at the moment as well. I had gotten a set of two radios a couple years ago for hiking/trail running outdoor stuff. Now that I am using them to go wheeling they work great when I split one to my buddy in his vehicle. The challenge now is a bigger group (we had four vehicles this weekend) and we all had different systems. One was GMRS only so we can chat with him and the other was a midland CB which was not able to chat with us. Luckily the other guy had an old spare walkie that could communicate.

I like having the two way so I can get off and spot and also not spend more money if possible. Maybe a repeater to boost? not sure but just trying to learn up on what's what.

 

Yeah, you always have to figure out what everyone else is using. The Midlands I lave work great for that too, since like you say you can give one to someone who doesn't have one.

The HAM I bought is one of those cheap Baofengs you can get for like $40. I haven't actually used it yet. I bought it because I was going on a trip to Moab and all the other guys had those. But I unfortunately broke both my wrists in a dirtbike crash the week before the trip... oops.

I prefer the good ol hand signals for spotting. I always laugh when I see someone pull up in a big class A RV and their wife gets out with a radio - it never seems to go well, lol...

 

Not usually the FCC that will come investigate, but if you're outta bounds, someone could report you to the FCC. Happens in the HAM circles with some regularity. "fox hunters" aka guys that have nothing but time have busted quite a few people for signal interruption to blatant unlicensed use.

I'd say HAM is more valuable, but GMRS has a practical benefit that is hard to ignore as well.

Legally speaking, no HAMs can talk to GMRS because how radio operations are written in the rules. but no way to tell over the air without a signal analyzer.

 

Saw the poll and answered. Then saw the first post. I have a ham license. Do not have any GMRS radios or a license for one. Easy enough to get a GMRS license. Pay the $75 and you and your family are licensed for 10 years no test required.

 

I've got mine, but wish I hadn't.

 

GMRS has some advantages in certain areas. Georgia is pretty well covered with GMRS repeaters. I’ve heard they’re pretty active also. Never been on one though.

 

I was able to get my Baofeng to hear my GMRS, but not transmit. Or maybe it was the other way around, I don't remember... I read (apparently incorrectly) that the baofeng could talk to the GMRS radios, which would have been nice to have my Baofeng, and my two Midlands as spare radios to give out if people needed them.

EDIT: I did eventually figure out the issue getting my Baofeng to talk to the Midlands. Is was a simple issue of using the correct "privacy code" settings.

There are definitely the militant HAM purists out there who have nothign better to do but complain about the lack of morse code requirements and look for people who are aren't licensed, but like I said, I am unaware of any actual convictions aside from that bank robbery guy or whatever it was. The people with the actual power and authority to prosecute have bigger fish to fry than some dude talking to his buds on some 4x4 trail. Even if some tattletale calls the yard duty on them, I find it hard to believe the Sheriff is going to rush out and go looking for them.

It's really the people who don't respect open channels and constantly step on other people's comms that call attention to themselves.

 

Sorry about your accident! But seriously, do not transmit on that radio without a ham license, the aforementioned old fart hams with nothing better to do will figure out where you're at and report you. I know a lot of guys are doing it without a license, but last time I looked, it's under 20 bucks to take the test. Getting your license also opens up your use of the repeaters where you live.

KJ4OBR
Dave

 

In the case of BaoFeng, they have the ability to transmit and receive outside the freq band they were accepted under, which is why the FCC hit them with a big ol fine and cease and desist. My statement was more "legally" than "mechanically able to" because BaoFeng is a well known radio that can talk to them, just not while following the rules.

Most of the ones I've seen been reported didn't get arrested, but did get a hefty fine in the mail. I think willful interference is a $10K fine?

 

Forgive my n00b question to this topic but you are mentioning HAM, is that the same/overlap with GMRS or am I misunderstanding it? The license I was originally polling was for GMRS. I know HAM is more involved.

 

The two spaces are completely different. GMRS use frequencies that are approved for use with those packaged radios 50 watt mobile and under for GRMS and the license free FRS is limited to 2 watts. GMRS allows you and your family to use those frequencies and the approved hardware. Hilariously, that license is more expensive than getting the technician ham license. It also limits you to type approved radios with non-removable antennas, and non-programmable frequencies.

Benefits to ham include more allowed transmit power, vast network of repeaters, more frequencies available to you including the FM portion of the 10 m band which allows you to talk all over the world when conditions are right. And like I said, getting the ham license is cheap and it opens up so much more flexibility for you. My mobile is 25 watts and I can hit repeaters 25 to 30 miles away easily. And there are a lot more Ham repeaters out there.

KJ4OBR
Dave

Edit: looked up the power allowed and corrected it.

 

I just renewed my GMRS license for another 10 years. Generally use it for trail comms with family members, but there is overlap in frequencies with FRS-only radios so that can offer some flexibility. GMRS is legal up to 50W, Midland has a 40W radio available.

 

Ham here.... I highly suggest getting a ham license, it's a little bit of effort and work but not very hard.
I suggest Hamstudy.org

That being said, do what you need. Just don't be a jerk.

 

I stand corrected on the power..

KJ4OBR
Dave

 

Yes, it's different and more involved. I think it's inevitable that when talking about FCC licensing, that the subject of HAM comes up. It always does.

What's dumb is that there isn't overlap between HAM and GMRS. I would think that if you have the "more involved" HAM license that'd give you the ability to (legally) use the GMRS freqs too. But as is typical of government, it doesn't always make sense, lol.

For a long time, I was (mis)using GMRS as being synonymous with the FRS radios (lower power .5 watt "toy" radios). The idea that I can go buy a radio at REI or walmart that I'm not legally allowed to use (unless I self-limit to certain frequencies) is understandably stupid. Again, government regulations don't always make sense, lol...

I'm more on the fence in a lot of respects. I'm generally a "rule follower" but I also understand the absurdity in needing to take a test and get a license just to talk to the dude in a truck 200 yards from me. I'd be all over CB except that all the overlanders and gear junkies seem to think that HAM is universally cooler so it seems like that's pretty much what everyone uses these days.

I think mine must be one of the newer ones that had the transmit ability removed for compliance, unless there's some hack that I'm unaware of.

The problem is that you need some sort of involvement from law enforcement in order to verify YOU are the one illegally transmitting, so they know where to send the fine. And I just don't see that happening too often, unless it's a really slow news day. I know several law enforcement that don't give a rat's ass about it unless they're transmitting on LEO freqs or are doing "nefarious" things with it.