Who May Legally Program MURS/GMRS/LMRS

[AC8MS]

Do I need a GROL, or other commercial license to program commercial radios for MURS or GMRS. A local neighborhood watch is considering the use of MURS. I have programmed commercial gear for the ham bands, and they would like me to program their radios to save the cost of commercial programming. I've also been asked if I can program some GMRS radios. Technically, yes I can-I have the software and cables. My question is can I do it and still be in FCC compliance without a commercial license? Could someone direct me to the part 90 & 95 regs concerning this? If I programed the MURS or GMRS radios, would I need to present any documentation to the users attesting to the fact the radios were service-compliant? Do the same regs apply to LMRS?

 

[MTS2000des]

You are no longer required to have a GROL to program radios, however, the licensee is responsible to ensure his/her equipment is operating within their emission mask, bandwidth, deviation, etc. Proper verification of radio operation with a service monitor can save headache down the road.

MURS and GMRS radios are both license by rule under 47 CFR part 95.

eCFR — Code of Federal Regulations

Technically, a radio has to be certified as a part 95 for both MURS or GMRS, the exception are "grandfathered" part 90 devices on MURS channels which were licensed before the service was created. There is much debate about the legality of using part 90 gear on GMRS part 95. IMO a rule clarification needs to be set on this, as under part 95 rules, if a transceiver isn't part 95 certified, than using a part 90 radio is no different than using a modified ham radio on the band in the eyes of the OET.

 

[WA0CBW]

There have been several instances over the last year of Radio shops (along with the licensee) being fined for programing frequencies in radios for which the licensee was not authorized to use. Technically the radio would need to be certified for the appropriate service (Part 90, 95, etc.). It is important to note that MURS radios cannot have the capability of being programed for frequencies other than MURS frequencies (47 CFR 95.655 and 95.632).
BB

 

[DaveNF2G]

Licensee authorization and type certification are separate issues.

It is illegal to program a radio to transmit on a frequency for which the user is not licensed or authorized.

It is illegal to use a radio to transmit on any frequency for which the user is not licensed or authorized.

It is illegal to use a radio to transmit in a service for which the radio is not certified.

These would constitute 3 separate violations.

 

[AK9R]

David, I accept your second and third point as being true, but I'm not sure about the first one. Can you cite the applicable FCC rule?

 

[nd5y]

90.427 (b)

 

[quarterwave]

Rule or not, when I worked in Radio we would not program radios for any TX that the user was not authorized for by license or written permission of the licensee. We used to have fire guys get mad because we would not put the forestry TX in their personal portable. They did not have permission from the Div of Forestry....so no TX for you. That's kind of industry policing itself.

 

[DaveNF2G]

90.427 (b)

Thanks, Tom. You saved me a little digging.