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License Question.....New to this

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HeeHawBR549

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Oct 16, 2015
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I am finding it very hard to follow what needs a lic and what does not.
I am looking for a long range two way no license radios, when looking at BaoFeng some say Ham two way and others say two way ( 2 Pack Baofeng UV-5RTP Tri-Power ).
If I follow correctly, if I transmit on frequencies that GMRS use ( walki Talki Freq) am I legal? Or because its a considered a ham radio I still have to have a license
 

jk77

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Ohio
In any case, you need a license to use Baofengs. I don't believe they are legal on the GMRS frequencies but even so, GMRS requires a license too. If you want to transmit with 4 watts without a license, your best bet is CB.
 

n5ims

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Ignoring the specific radio for now and using the US rules as set up by the FCC. To use any radio on ham frequencies, you need a ham license. To use any radio on GMRS frequencies, you'll need a GMRS license. To operate on FRS frequencies, you need no license (assuming that your radio follows those for FRS use) or a GMRS license (to operate under the less strict rules that GMRS has for them). To operate on MURS frequencies, you need no license. To operate on Part-80 (Marine) frequencies, you need no license if on water and a land station license if on land. To operate on Part-90 (PD, FD, and most business radios), you need a business radio license and operate in the area that license specifies.

Be aware that several services have specific requirements for radios that operate on that service. Ham radios do not need any special certification so most radios are allowed. Part-80, Part-90, GMRS, MURS, and FRS radios must be certified to be legal for someone to operate on those services (each service had their own certification so just because one is certified for use on one, it still isn't legal for use on another that isn't certified). This is to make sure that a radio not only doesn't cause interference on (or near) the assigned frequencies for that service, but also that it follows the special rules that service may have (power levels, modulation types, non-removable antenna, etc.).

The Baofeng UV-5RTP can be legally used on ham frequencies (no special certification required). It also is certified for Part-90 use (be sure to get written permission from the license holder or holders for the frequencies in question and have the radio programmed properly to operate under those licenses). It is not certified for use on MURS, Part-80, GMRS, or FRS frequencies.

Many do not care about using a non-certified radio on the services that require this certification. Many others believe that the certification of the cheap Chinese radios like the Baofeng were obtained using false information and are therefore should not have been granted by the FCC. Since your post asked about legal operation, I provided information on how and where it would be legal and not. Will you get caught using a non-certified radio where one is legally required? Probably not, but if you do (normally as part of other investigations), the FCC will be happy to take your $10,000 per violation (often read as each day of operation with that violation).

Please keep to the topic in question, and use the many other threads to discuss the certification issues unless they specifically address questions asked in post 1 of this thread.
 

Blackswan73

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What distance do you need to communicate over?
There are no long range radios that don't require licensing in the US.

Cb can operate for hundreds of miles, even thousand under ideal conditions. Most of the time around 15-20 miles. No license is required
 
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cmdrwill

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Dah..CB IS licensed by rule. You HAVE to follow the FCC Rules and regulations........

FRS is also licensed by rule.
 

RAD909

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We know that two-way radio licensing can be confusing, so we put together a simple table that lists the various types of two-way radios (Ham, CB, MURS, LMR, FRS, etc...) the licensing requirements for each, along with equipment restrictions, and other more detailed information for each below the table. Here is a link to the information: https://quality2wayradios.com/store/two-way-radio-license

Hope this helps clear up the confusion.
 

Blackswan73

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We know that two-way radio licensing can be confusing, so we put together a simple table that lists the various types of two-way radios (Ham, CB, MURS, LMR, FRS, etc...) the licensing requirements for each, along with equipment restrictions, and other more detailed information for each below the table. Here is a link to the information: https://quality2wayradios.com/store/two-way-radio-license

Hope this helps clear up the confusion.
Very nicely done :)
 

FrankNY

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Oct 6, 2013
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New York, NY
Overall, I think that it's a great introductory overview for those who are new to two-way radio communications, but there are some minor errors.

For example, FRN stands for "FCC Registration Number" and not "Frequency Registration Number".

Frank.
 

RAD909

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Thanks to everyone for your feedback. We will take a look at improving the information. Suggestions are always welcome. Overall though, our goal was to simplify the licensing information to cover what applies to 90% of users. Too much detail just overwhelms people who are new to this. Thanks again.
 

HeeHawBR549

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Oct 16, 2015
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CB was an option but what Im hearing the range on Hand Helds are the same as FRS.
I work about 12 miles from my house and I am thinking about disaster situation with phone down cell jammed up and need to communicate with my family as I make my way back home..

I am still leaning toward the Ham just wish it covered the whole family. I understand the Ham can be used unlicensed in life threatening events..... Key word life threatening.

Murs may be an option
 

WyoDuner

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Jan 25, 2004
Messages
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Location
Las Vegas, NV
A Ham Technician class license isn't difficult at all. My son was 12 when he got his license. He's not interested in radios but I wanted him to have it so when we are out ATVing he has communications to me or anywhere else if necessary. Only costs $15 for testing and a week of study time. I can't see any reason not to do it. It's easy.
 

cmdrwill

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And ''long range and no license" are not ..

Everything, CB, FRS, MURS, are Licensed by rule.. ( and others I did not mention.) So they DO require a license.
 

BoxAlarm187

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Everything, CB, FRS, MURS, are Licensed by rule.. ( and others I did not mention.) So they DO require a license.

Except the FCC says that MURS, FRS, and CB do not require an individual license right on their own website...
 

prcguy

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GMRS is probably your best option and one license will suffice for your immediate family. There are lots of great used commercial radios that are legal to use on GMRS for less than $100. You can get a 25-50w mobile with a power supply feeding a modest antenna on your roof as a base station and a similar radio in the car with a magnetic mount antenna. That has a good chance of working over your 12mi path unless there are hills or lots of obstructions in the way.
prcguy

CB was an option but what Im hearing the range on Hand Helds are the same as FRS.
I work about 12 miles from my house and I am thinking about disaster situation with phone down cell jammed up and need to communicate with my family as I make my way back home..

I am still leaning toward the Ham just wish it covered the whole family. I understand the Ham can be used unlicensed in life threatening events..... Key word life threatening.

Murs may be an option
 
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