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Using Ham radios for short distance like wheeling

Discussion in 'Sports, Hobbies & Interests' started by Sandman614, Nov 13, 2013.

  1. Nov 13, 2013 at 12:31 PM
    #1
    Sandman614

    Sandman614 [OP] Ex-Snarky TWSS elf, Travis #hotsavannahdotcom

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    I play airsoft (leave the jokes out) and referee paintball. My team was given a set of Baofeng uv-5r to use on the field. I know you have to be licensed (technician level or higher) to transmit. I believe this covers transmitting at all but is there any gray area for close quarters transmitting such as on a field or out wheeling? We will not be purposefully transmitting on any repeaters, far enough to be a nuisance, or in general being trouble makers. We will just be using the stock 3-4" antenna on the units themselves.
     
  2. Nov 13, 2013 at 12:43 PM
    #2
    bjmoose

    bjmoose Bullwinkle J. Moose

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    Just take the test man. It's not that hard and prepping for the test will give you the info you need in order to keep the low profile you intend and avoid, for example, inadvertently stepping on any repeaters when you didn't intend to.

    Two cents, adjusted for inflation.
     
  3. Nov 13, 2013 at 8:15 PM
    #3
    Sandman614

    Sandman614 [OP] Ex-Snarky TWSS elf, Travis #hotsavannahdotcom

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    I plan on it. Problem is getting the rest of the team (about 30) to do it..
     
  4. Nov 13, 2013 at 10:49 PM
    #4
    Janster

    Janster Old & Forgetful

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    We used to play airsoft and my husband was staff. They used some high powered radios..... Hold on, looking.... He has Puxing PX888

    I have no idea what it all means...but that paticular radio can be used without needing a HAM license. I'm pretty sure you can configure it to work as a HAM radio as well.

    No license required if you're not using it as HAM radio.
     
  5. Nov 13, 2013 at 11:09 PM
    #5
    Rich91710

    Rich91710 Well-Known Member

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    There are all kinds of walkie talkies that have an extremely good range and can be used for paintballing and off road trips that operate on license-free frequencies.

    For FRS/GMRS radios, you can transmit on channels 8-14 without a license.
    All channels are available in Canada, and the FCC has been considering dropping the GMRS license requirement. You can transmit at less than 1/2 watt on channels 1-7 without a license.

    I'm partial to Motorola....
    http://www.bestbuy.com/site/motorola-talkabout-2-way-radio/9757302.p?id=1218191027398&skuId=9757302&st=walkie%20talkies&cp=4&lp=11

    http://www.bestbuy.com/site/motorol...6649&st=walkie talkies&cp=4&lp=3#tab=overview

    They're also cheaper than HAM gear, and you're legal.

    Pick up the GMRS license and you're golden, and can use GMRS repeaters (which is how they get the 22-35 mile range.
     
  6. Nov 14, 2013 at 7:48 AM
    #6
    Janster

    Janster Old & Forgetful

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    The entire airsoft staff used them without a Ham license. I don't know the details, or what frequencies or setups they were using... but there was never any interference or background noise between them and there was never anyone who questioned it.

    These things could communicate with regular Motorola walkie talkies and switch back to a more 'private' communications with only staff / those with similar radios.

    When we played airsoft (especially BIG games) - There were two teams competing against each other. I've been in games where each team had 80 players. Team captains & Squad leaders would have the puxing radios with their own frequencies. Everyone else (squad members) would have regular walkies talkies. Since squad members were usually within eyesight of each other. The different squads / leaders would be scattered throughout the field (39 acres).

    It's probably a huge heated debate - but I don't think the FCC has the manpower, time, or the money to sniff out the hobbyist end user. ???

    Getting 30 people to get a Ham license? Not gonna be easy.

    But for close quarters - within eyesight of each other - Get regular walkie talkies.
     
  7. Nov 14, 2013 at 7:54 AM
    #7
    Runn0r

    Runn0r Well-Known Member

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    I use to play big scenario games back in TN and we used FRS/GMRS Motorola's. They were about 5-mile radius radios and worked great for PB. As Rich91710 said, These dont seem to require any license for general operation. And as much as they are used worldwide by unlicensed people, I doubt the FCC would care much.
     
  8. Nov 14, 2013 at 8:10 AM
    #8
    MonkeyProof

    MonkeyProof Power Top

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    Just because you think or feel the FCC isn't enforcing the law doesn't mean that its OK to break the law Operating on HAM frequencies, everybody knows that. Operating these radios on the public service band is a huge grey area and is widely debated about the legality of doing so. There are many factors why this so or what is legal and that is the responsibility of the radio operator. Using these radios with more then 2watts power on the GMRSis a no no operating on the FRS band with more then a 1/4watt power is a no no. These radios are default at 5watts out of the box. Just because you do not hear other voice transmissions does not necessarily mean you are not interfering with a public safety frequency or other frequency . First time fines imposed by the FCC will exceed 10,000 dollars. There are examples of FCC enforcement in this topic..
    http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/sp...-radio-bs-callsign-thread-24.html#post7679519

    Here's one where a CB operator was fined 12,500
    http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-fines-cber-for-operating-illegal-transmitter-with-linear
     
  9. Nov 14, 2013 at 1:16 PM
    #9
    Runn0r

    Runn0r Well-Known Member

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    Heres some more info on FRS vs GMRS:

    Page 11
    http://www.motorola.com/mdirect/manuals/t50-t55_userguide.pdf


    I think you would be safe on FRS channels:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_Radio_Service

    The FCC rules and statements regarding the use of hybrid radios on channels 1-7 stipulate the need for a GMRS license when operating under the rules that apply to the GMRS. Many hybrid radios have an ERP that is lower than 0.5 watts on channels 1-7, or can be set by the user to operate at low power on these channels. This allows hybrid radios to be used under the license-free FRS rules if the ERP is less than 0.5 watts and the unit is certified for FRS operation on these frequencies.
    In the United States of America, operation on channels 15-22 requires an FCC GMRS license.[2] Interference to licensed services may be investigated by the FCC.[3]
    Channels 8-14 are exclusively for FRS. Accordingly, GMRS operation is not allowed on these channels. Channels 15-22 are reserved exclusively for GMRS. As noted, FRS operation is not allowed on these channels.

    Or you could use CB, but there are not as many conveniently small CB's.
     
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