one GMRS license, can buddy use?

[dkcorlfla]

Hi all, been wanting to play around with the Baofeng UV-5 so I placed an order for a pair of the X GMRS versions. I hope to be able to program it for Scanning UHF stuff and retain the GMRS TX.

Just thought it would be nice to have a pair hanging around that I could perhaps loan one to a buddy if the SHTF but it's not clear to me if that would be legal. From what I have read and understand of the FCC rules it clearly is ok for a family member to use my GMRS call but what about a buddy?

It would be great to get some clarification on this.

Thanks, Dale

 

[KevinC]

Easy answer. No. Relatives only (and it actually includes a LOT of them).

 

[RaleighGuy]

Hi all, been wanting to play around with the Baofeng UV-5 so I placed an order for a pair of the X GMRS versions. I hope to be able to program it for Scanning UHF stuff and retain the GMRS TX.

Just thought it would be nice to have a pair hanging around that I could perhaps loan one to a buddy if the SHTF but it's not clear to me if that would be legal. From what I have read and understand of the FCC rules it clearly is ok for a family member to use my GMRS call but what about a buddy?

It would be great to get some clarification on this.

Thanks, Dale

Under FCC rules, it allows family to use your license, not friends.

 

[mmckenna]

It would be great to get some clarification on this.

The FCC rules are pretty dang clear on this. They did -mostly- a good job of plain language explanations for the personal radio services.

Federal Register :: Request Access

47 CFR 95.1705(c)(2)​

Any individual who holds an individual license may allow his or her immediate family members to operate his or her GMRS station or stations. Immediate family members are the licensee's spouse, children, grandchildren, stepchildren, parents, grandparents, stepparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and in-laws.​

If your friend is really concerned about the "SHTF", then they should put a minimal amount of effort into getting their own GMRS license. It's not difficult, and it's not expensive.

 

[dkcorlfla]

Thanks for the replies, that's what I thought but was hoping it could be done.

Guess if the SHTF the FCC will have more pressing issues then to try and go after a couple of guys using an illegal 5 watt HT ;-)

 

[belvdr]

Let's be real though. I doubt anyone purchases a GMRS license for those scenarios. They want to chat with friends on a regular basis.

 

[KevinC]

Thanks for the replies, that's what I thought but was hoping it could be done.

Guess if the SHTF the FCC will have more pressing issues then to try and go after a couple of guys using an illegal 5 watt HT ;-)

You could always marry your buddy.

 

[mmckenna]

Guess if the SHTF the FCC will have more pressing issues then to try and go after a couple of guys using an illegal 5 watt HT ;-)

If your buddy can't afford the $35 to get a GMRS license good for 10 years (Less than 1¢ per day), they probably have bigger issues than the doo-doo hitting the fan.

 

[RaleighGuy]

Guess if the SHTF the FCC will have more pressing issues then to try and go after a couple of guys using an illegal 5 watt HT ;-)

Let's be real though. I doubt anyone purchases a GMRS license for those scenarios. They want to chat with friends on a regular basis.

Certainly agree with @belvdr, but just curious @dkcorlfla, if, as it sounds, you're not worried about FCC enforcement, then why ask the question to start with?

 

[N4KVE]

You could always marry your buddy.

Too funny, I was actually going to post that, but figured the mod’s would pull it. But in today’s world, I guess it’s acceptable.

 

[dkcorlfla]

Certainly agree with @belvdr, but just curious @dkcorlfla, if, as it sounds, you're not worried about FCC enforcement, then why ask the question to start with?

Just trying to be funny, really do try to follow the rules on both ham radio and plan to on my new GMRS. That in part was why I chose the Baofeng UV-5X as it is suppose to be a legal GMRS HT instead of reprogramming the UV-5R version.

BTW - the main reason I decided to get my GMRS license is I find it enjoyable to learn new things, I wanted to play around with the Baofeng UV5 radio and I'm a radio head. It also might be useful on road trips?

 

[belvdr]

Just trying to be funny, really do try to follow the rules on both ham radio and plan to on my new GMRS. That in part was why I chose the Baofeng UV-5X as it is suppose to be a legal GMRS HT instead of reprogramming the UV-5R version.

BTW - the main reason I decided to get my GMRS license is I find it enjoyable to learn new things, I wanted to play around with the Baofeng UV5 radio and I'm a radio head. It also might be useful on road trips?

I wasn't suggesting you were looking to violate the rules, otherwise, why would you ask? Rather, I read it as a way to utilize the rules most effectively and save some money for your friend.

I've never listened to GMRS while traveling. From what I've heard, it tends to be more closed-minded compared to the 2m calling frequency.

 

[iMONITOR]

Under FCC rules, it allows family to use your license, not friends.

What about a brother from another mother?

 

[mmckenna]

It also might be useful on road trips?

It is useful if you are specifically wanting to talk to someone else and you have an agreed upon channel and squelch code.
It is not useful if you are expecting random contacts like ham radio or CB. Most traffic I've heard on GMRS is running a squelch code, specifically because they want to stick to their own group (or maybe just don't know how to turn it off).

I did a 2 day road trip a week or two ago and popped on my UHF radio and did hear a smattering of traffic on GMRS and FRS. Not a lot, but a little bit. Most seemed to be using hand held radios inside the cars, so range was limited. I did hear one group for about 30 minutes that seemed to have better equipment.

 

[tunnelmot]

If your buddy can't afford the $35 to get a GMRS license good for 10 years (Less than 1¢ per day), they probably have bigger issues than the doo-doo hitting the fan.

OMG. LOL. I cant even.
Thank you McKenna. It's been a rough week.
To OP...just tell your buddy to get his license. In all seriousness there is a lot of great stuff going on right now with GMRS (Linked systems, new type accepted radios, etc). Make it legit and it's all good.

 

[WRQS621]

I regularly scan FRS/GMRS. I am surprised the amount of construction companies and general businesses that utilize it. i pickup some pretty interesting stuff on way into work.

 

[tunnelmot]

You could always marry your buddy.

Sort of a Chuck and Larry (the movie) type thing? LOL. I'm crying over here.

 

[dkcorlfla]

It is useful if you are specifically wanting to talk to someone else and you have an agreed upon channel and squelch code.
It is not useful if you are expecting random contacts like ham radio or CB. Most traffic I've heard on GMRS is running a squelch code, specifically because they want to stick to their own group (or maybe just don't know how to turn it off).

I did a 2 day road trip a week or two ago and popped on my UHF radio and did hear a smattering of traffic on GMRS and FRS. Not a lot, but a little bit. Most seemed to be using hand held radios inside the cars, so range was limited. I did hear one group for about 30 minutes that seemed to have better equipment.

It sure seems like GMRS could be useful for traffic safety. Truck drivers used to use CB radio to relay road and other traffic info to other drivers. Now with data being allowed on GMRS it seems to me it would be possible to set up some type of monitoring system that could send out an auto warning if there was a sudden speed change for example and anybody in range would receive the info. Seems it could help prevent pileups in fog for example. I see a lot of potential here.

 

[12dbsinad]

You could always marry your buddy.

Have to drink a Bud Light first