Getting A FCC License ?

[tylermaule1995]

Hello,
Recently I obtained a old maratrac radio that operated on frequenices around 42-50 mhz which is some of the buisness band if i remeber right. So my question is that is it possible to get a license for me to use this radio with the frequencies it has programed into it already ? It would be used for personal use too. How much would it cost? I dont have a programming cable or software so if not its basically useless other than just to have it for parts.

 

[nd5y]

There is no FCC license that is good for personal use on VHF low band.
The only type of license you can get for personal use is GMRS or amateur radio.

If the radio you got was used on business or public safety VHF low band frequencies then there is no way you can legally use it on the frequencies it is already programmed for.

It would only be useful if you get an amateur license and reprogram the radio for the 6 meter amateur band (50-54 MHz) and depending on what type of radio it is it may not be possible to program frequencies above 50 MHz.

 

[NDRADIONUT]

If they are business you could get a lic. For that.... do u know the exact freqs ???

 

[N5XPM]

Personal use on VHF low band

Can you help provide the frequencies are available for unlicensed use on VHF low band?
I have not heard that was legal before.

 

[nd5y]

Can you help provide the frequencies are available for unlicensed use on VHF low band?.

There aren't any.
The only unlicensed frequencies on low band are only for very low power Part 15 devices like cordless phones, baby monitors, remote control toys and cheap walkie-talkies.
The common ones are 49.83, 49.845, 49.86 and 49.875.
Cordless phones had several other frequencies in the 43-44 MHz range.

There are no low band frequencies available that you can legally use a Motorola mobile radio on (like the OP has) without a license.
You can't get a business license unless you prove to the FCC that you have a legitimate business or other organization and an individual can't get a public safety license unless they are a doctor or veterenarian or a few other things.

Individuals that need communications for personal use at higher power than Part 15 devices are allowed, and don't want or can't get a license, are limited to CB, MURS, or FRS.

 

[tylermaule1995]

Thanks for the information guys. I did track down the frequencys, I can't remeber them exactly but they all are on 49 mhz. But being as it would be for personal use ill probably just take it apart and use all the wiring and part it out.

 

[EZlistener]

Although I am not in North Dakota, I can share some experience as the administrator of a business radio system in another state.
For the part 90 services, there are eligibility qualifications for all the radio service Part 90 includes. Since I was active these nineteen radio services have been consolidated into two or three. The eligibility rules are available in the Code of Federal Regulations and are avilable through various radio trade groups as well as through the Government Printing Office. You are required to be aware of these rules and possess a copy of them if you are to be licensed.
If you meet the eligiblity requirements, and the old Business Radio Service was the most liberal, you then must be co-ordinated by a Commission-approved co-ordinating body prior to submitting a license application to the Commission. The co-ordinating groups, typically a trade association, charge a fee for this service.
The amateur radio service licenses operators rather than frequencies, but if a repeater is involved, co-ordination is recommended. I have worked a bit with Maratracs, but I remember that their performance fell off considerably even if one could make the necessary hardware and software modifications for six-metres (low band for the amateur service). They only came in a high-power version (100w) so they cannot operate on freqs that require reduced power.
I would recommend that you purchase a copy of the rules and study it thoroughly. Also, be advised that simplex operation in any band is going to have limited range unless there is a base station at a high elevation involved in your system. Hope this is helpful.