GMRS License questions. . .

[instrumentphilip]

I plan on getting my HAM license, but I am also interested in a GMRS license. I am interested in the hand held factor of it. And the fact that I will be able to transmit with more than a whopping 500 mA of power. I have a question of one how much is the current fee, because I did some googling and came up with several different amounts.

And #2 I know that if I have a GMRS license then anyone in my family could talk on them like if I was on channel the channel since I am the Licensee.

"he General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) is a land-mobile radio service available for short-distance two-way communications to facilitate the activities of an adult individual and his or her immediate family members, including a spouse, children, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, and in-laws (47 CFR 95.179). "

-http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=service_home&id=general_mobile

And I was wondering if that would also apply to friends , or in my case my girlfriend. I would like to use them to talk to my girlfriend to entertain my radio hobby, and she is into radio too and lives very close to me. FRS just aren't working.

Thanks,

Philip

 

[dwh367]

I have a question of one how much is the current fee, because I did some googling and came up with several different amounts.

$85

And I was wondering if that would also apply to friends , or in my case my girlfriend. I would like to use them to talk to my girlfriend to entertain my radio hobby, and she is into radio too and lives very close to me. FRS just aren't working.

Since your girlfriend and your friends are not a part of your family, they would have to obtain their own license as well.

 

[canav844]

Since your girlfriend and your friends are not a part of your family, they would have to obtain their own license as well.

But get married and your wife will be covered. Talk her into getting her Ham ticket and it's only $14-15

 

[instrumentphilip]

But what about the fact that she is talking to me and only me and I am the licensee, or in other terms I see myself as the control operator of that channel. Wouldn't just she be covered if she is only talking to me the Licensee and I am only talking to her? I mean that would make sense to me. I would really like to hear your guys thought about that or be able to talk to anybody from the FCC about it XD.

 

[dwh367]

But what about the fact that she is talking to me and only me and I am the licensee, or in other terms I see myself as the control operator of that channel. Wouldn't just she be covered if she is only talking to me the Licensee and I am only talking to her?

Nope. As I mentioned, your license would only cover your family. For you to legally talk to her, she would need to have her own license as well. The FCC has a long history of not making any exceptions for anything.

 

[davidgcet]

could she talk on it without a license, yes. is it legal, no. depending on how many licensed GMRS users there are in your area, you may or may not get away with it. SHE is the one who would face the fines, you would be operating within the parameters of your license and be ok. ask her would she rather pay $85.00 and be good, or possibly pay $8,000.00(or more) if she gets caught.

 

[instrumentphilip]

Argh!

You guys have your GMRS license? What do you or people use it for? I do plan on getting my HAM ticket no later than this summer. And I know she plans on it sometime too. $85 is a pretty penny. I appreciate the information you guys are giving me.

 

[pickles37]

You might want to wait a bit before investing in multiple GMRS licenses -- there is an move afoot at the FCC to remove the license requirement for GMRS as well as making a lot of other changes to the service - see PRSG HomePage ). Also, if you got a license only, you could talk to your girlfriend perfectly legally on a high power radio on an intersitial frequency (GMRS 1-7) as long as she was using a low power FRS

 

[comp2x2]

Why don't you guys get your ham licenses and use that?

I understand GMRS for being able to talk to your family, but if you're girlfriend is into radio, going the ham route is a lot cheaper (at least from the licensing standpoint).

 

[instrumentphilip]

Ahh okay maybe that is the best reason that there is GMRS for individual reasons. As in not a business. Maybe one day when I have the spare money laying around. And after I Get my HAM license.

 

[b7spectra]

GMRS is a lot more liberal than amateur radio. Yeah, you have to pay $85.00 for the FCC license, but you don't have to no diddly squat about radio/antennas/electronics/etc., to get your license.

 

[davidgcet]

GMRS is for folks who just want to use a radio, and ham is for folks who want to learn the how and why (supposedly) of radio use. of course, you have a minority of GMRS folks who want to learn more, just like you have a minority of hams who could care less about learning. but in general, this was why the FCC setup GMRS to facilitate 2way comms between individuals and groups who don't qualify and/or require a ham or business license.

 

[oneidalake]

Actually, I found that there is quite a bit to learn with GMRS and the licensing process can be helpful. The user guide that comes with radios really does not address frequencies by itself. And also, the "North of Line A and East of Line C" restriction was a bit of a challenge until I found a website that mapped it out. Then I had to cross-reference those frequencies with my manufacturer's channels to find out which channels were restricted in my area. Then there's the "shared" FRS/GMRS frequencies that require a license with GMRS, but not with FRS.

I recently obtained my GMRS license and it was also part of the learning process. By the way, it was very easy to sign up for (and yes, it was $85) and my license covers anyone in my family. I was granted a "call sign" the next business day, although I've received nothing in the mail yet.

Here is a link to a document that was helpful for me in determining who can use the radio on my license.
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/prs.pdf

On another note, I took quite a bit of "flack" from friends for spending the time/money on the license. I just did not want to be one of those guys that opens the package and presses buttons. Now that I'm licensed, I'll probably be annoyed by all the chatter on the radio from people that I'm sure didn't go through the licensing process.

 

[RADIOGUY2002]

As Oppose to

As Oppose to 600.00 commerical license, 85.00 or 14.00 is nothing. You have to look a the bigger picture and determine whats best for you.

I have all three, I found myself on all three. Gives me a board spectrum to play and conducted business with in. You also have MURS, but that's sightly better then FRS from a power stand point. Not necessarily a coverage stand point in all environments by any means. If your looking for a cheap alternative with the ability to expand you knowledge of radio go with the first license class in ham. But, do expect to be regulated on some level. You just want to talk go with frs or murs. You want to talk to others and have a more casual conversation go with GMRS.

That's how I look at, some opinions may very. In the end you never know who's listening to your conversations so keep that in mind.

 

[MTS2000des]

GMRS is a lot more liberal than amateur radio. Yeah, you have to pay $85.00 for the FCC license, but you don't have to no diddly squat about radio/antennas/electronics/etc., to get your license.

but you are more restricted as far as modes, frequencies available, power limits- all that goes away in the amateur world. Part 97 has some basic common sense operating practices (no commercial use, no cursing, ID ever 10 minutes of transmitting, etc.) but unlike other radio service, part 95 included, you aren't prohibited unless the rules specifically forbid it. One of the basis and purposes of the amateur service is experimentation and developing new technologies and ways of doing things with RF.

With the ability to use up to 1500 watts (yeah that's right, 1.5KW) of power LEGALLY, access to a plethora of modes (AM/FM/CW/SSB/DV/Spread Spectrum, you name it) and bands (from longwave to microwave) you have to demonstrate a little technical proficiency so you don't microwave yourself. OTOH, if you plan on putting up something complex as a repeater system, getting into programming/tuning radios, you SHOULD be a HAM, as you can learn a great deal about how this stuff works. And the ham community is one of teaching and sharing, you will gain skills to become more technically proficient.

The entry level technician test is mostly common sense operating practices, and what bands to use, rules and regulations. It isn't THAT hard, I'd say programming the average trunking scanner requires more work. It's all in what one values.

And Mike, you will have WAY more fun on ham radio than GMRS as far as repeaters and linked systems. With repeaters on low band (29 and 50MHz), high band (2 meter 144), 220, 440, 900 and 1.2GHz, you'll have more FUN and talk further and to more people in more places than GMRS can legally go! (No 50 watt power or antenna restrictions either)

anytime you want help studying for that tech test, let me know.