APX GMRS FRS CODEPLUG

[alcahuete]

I personally could care less about the liability. I care about the OP being lazy.

He wants a codeplug here. He wants to copy and paste the GMRS/FRS channels into the XPR radio in the other thread. We're literally talking about ~25 channels here, and he can't do that manually? A really simple copy and paste job? SMH...

 

[WRTF671]

I personally could care less about the liability. I care about the OP being lazy.

He wants a codeplug here. He wants to copy and paste the GMRS/FRS channels into the XPR radio in the other thread. We're literally talking about ~25 channels here, and he can't do that manually? A really simple copy and paste job? SMH...

I care about both and I wouldn't make such an issue out of liability if it wasn't such a millennial request...

 

[rivardj]

Subpart B—Family Radio Service (FRS)​

I feel it necessary to caution you: Programming FRS transmit frequencies into your radio is illegal. Actually transmitting on them is an FCC violation.​

​

FCC Part 95 rules applicable to FRS and this discussion:​

​

§ 95.501 Scope.​

This subpart contains rules that apply only to the Family Radio Service (FRS).

§ 95.503 Definitions, FRS.​

Family Radio Service (FRS). A short-distance two-way voice communication service, with limited data applications, between low power hand-held radios, for facilitating individual, family, group, recreational and business activities.
FRS unit. A transceiver for use in the FRS.

§ 95.561 FRS transmitter certification.​

(a) Each FRS unit (a transmitter that operates or is intended to operate in the FRS) must be certficated for use in the FRS in accordance with this subpart and subpart J of part 2 of this chapter.
(b) A grant of equipment certification for the FRS will not be issued for any FRS transmitter type that fails to comply with all of the applicable rules in this subpart.
(c) A grant of equipment certification will not be issued for hand-held portable radio units capable of operating under both this subpart (FRS) and under any other subparts of this chapter (except part 15) if the application for such grant is filed on or after December 27, 2017.

§ 95.567 FRS transmit power.​

Each FRS transmitter type must be designed such that the effective radiated power (ERP) on channels 8 through 14 does not exceed 0.5 Watts and the ERP on channels 1 through 7 and 15 through 22 does not exceed 2.0 Watts.

§ 95.571 FRS emission types.​

Each FRS transmitter type must be designed such that it can transmit only the following emission types: F3E, G3E, F2D, and G2D.

§ 95.573 FRS authorized bandwidth.​

Each FRS transmitter type must be designed such that the occupied bandwidth does not exceed 12.5 kHz.

§ 95.587 FRS additional requirements.​

Each FRS transmitter type must be designed to meet the following additional requirements.
(a) Transmit frequency capability. FRS transmitter types must not be capable of transmitting on any frequency or channel other than those listed in § 95.563.
(b) Antenna. The antenna of each FRS transmitter type must meet the following requirements.
(1) The antenna must be a non-removable integral part of the FRS transmitter type.
(2) The gain of the antenna must not exceed that of a half-wave dipole antenna.
(3) The antenna must be designed such that the electric field of the emitted waves is vertically polarized when the unit is operated in the normal orientation.

​

Not so, those are the rules for a radio to be classified as an FRS radio.

Find below the frequencies that are authorized for GMRS:

§ 95.1763 GMRS channels.​

The GMRS is allotted 30 channels—16 main channels and 14 interstitial channels. GMRS stations may transmit on any of the channels as indicated below.

(a) 462 MHz main channels. Only mobile, hand-held portable, repeater, base and fixed stations may transmit on these 8 channels. The channel center frequencies are: 462.5500, 462.5750, 462.6000, 462.6250, 462.6500, 462.6750, 462.7000, and 462.7250 MHz.
(b) 462 MHz interstitial channels. Only mobile, hand-held portable and base stations may transmit on these 7 channels. The channel center frequencies are: 462.5625, 462.5875, 462.6125, 462.6375, 462.6625, 462.6875, and 462.7125 MHz.
(c) 467 MHz main channels. Only mobile, hand-held portable, control and fixed stations may transmit on these 8 channels. Mobile, hand-held portable and control stations may transmit on these channels only when communicating through a repeater station or making brief test transmissions in accordance with § 95.319(c). The channel center frequencies are: 467.5500, 467.5750, 467.6000, 467.6250, 467.6500, 467.6750, 467.7000, and 467.7250 MHz.
(d) 467 MHz interstitial channels. Only hand-held portable units may transmit on these 7 channels. The channel center frequencies are: 467.5625, 467.5875, 467.6125, 467.6375, 467.6625, 467.6875, and 467.7125 MHz.

 

[ElroyJetson]

Did I mention GMRS? No. Do the regulations quoted say anything about GMRS? No.

For brevity's sake I truncated the regulations I posted, including the full list of frequencies and some other rules that aren't specifically applicable to the OP's request.

Those who wish to learn specifically about all the differences between GMRS and FRS are invited to Google it. I'm not going to put forth the effort a second time to find a relevant article, copy, edit, and paste it.

But the shortest answer is that GMRS is licensed, and FRS is not, and SOME of their frequency assignments are shared between both services.

If you were to program those frequencies into your APX, they'd fall within the GMRS rules and you would need to be licensed.

In EITHER event, you may not legally use your APX as an FRS radio but you may use it on licensed GMRS channels IF you hold a valid GMRS license.

 

[prcguy]

In EITHER event, you may not legally use your APX as an FRS radio but you may use it on licensed GMRS channels IF you hold a valid GMRS license.

Maybe, maybe not. Many years ago there was FCC wording that mentioned a Part 90 radio was legal to use on GMRS but I have not seen that in print for many years now. The current FCC rules state a radio must be Part 95 to be legal on GMRS.

 

[ElroyJetson]

To operate on the FRS channels the radio must comply with the FRS specific restrictions as mentioned previously. 1/2 watt max output, permanently attached antenna, no TX frequencies not on the FRS frequency list, for starters.
To operate on the GMRS channels the radio doesn't have those restrictions but you need to be licensed and the license applies strictly to the
GMRS designated repeater pairs and simplex frequencies. It doesn't grant you permission to operate on those FRS channels that are not part of the GMRS frequency list. It's only on the light orange channels in this chart where you could use either, but even then, you have a 2 watt FRS and 5 watt GMRS (and license) limitation.

Nothing within these rules allows you to operate your APX on FRS channels unless you're licensed for GMRS and are operating on the shared channels (light orange). With OR without a license, you may not operate your APX (transmitting) on the white FRS only channels.

 

[prcguy]

To operate on the FRS channels the radio must comply with the FRS specific restrictions as mentioned previously. 1/2 watt max output, permanently attached antenna, no TX frequencies not on the FRS frequency list, for starters.
To operate on the GMRS channels the radio doesn't have those restrictions but you need to be licensed and the license applies strictly to the
GMRS designated repeater pairs and simplex frequencies. It doesn't grant you permission to operate on those FRS channels that are not part of the GMRS frequency list. It's only on the light orange channels in this chart where you could use either, but even then, you have a 2 watt FRS and 5 watt GMRS (and license) limitation.

Nothing within these rules allows you to operate your APX on FRS channels unless you're licensed for GMRS and are operating on the shared channels (light orange). With OR without a license, you may not operate your APX (transmitting) on the white FRS only channels.
View attachment 154924

Show me wording from the FCC where it’s currently legal to use a Part 90 approved radio on GMRS. I’ve poured over FCC rules for a good 5yrs and can’t find it and instead there is wording that the radio must be FCC part 95 approved for GMRS. I also don’t find anything that says any APX model is FCC part 95 approved but I haven’t spent a lot of time on that.

 

[ElroyJetson]

I understand that particular issue and it's one that has been asked quite a few times over the years, and the same question arises when using a Part 90 radio on the VHF marine (Part 80) frequencies. But....even federal and military agencies have routinely programmed VHF marine channels into their Part 90 radios whenever it was needed. I even remember seeing a Motorola MX-300S programmed with 48 channels, and if they weren't ALL marine channels, most of them definitely were. And it was a USCG radio.

In truth I don't see definitive guidance on the legality of Part 95 frequencies being in a Part 90 radio but it is likely that an APX would qualify for all technical requirements of Part 95 certification and would get that cert if submitted for that service approval. (Power level and detachable antenna notwithstanding)

That part, at least, is probably something that nobody, not even an FCC field agent, would bother to pursue.

 

[mmckenna]

I understand that particular issue and it's one that has been asked quite a few times over the years, and the same question arises when using a Part 90 radio on the VHF marine (Part 80) frequencies. But....even federal and military agencies have routinely programmed VHF marine channels into their Part 90 radios ... And it was a USCG radio.

NTIA, not FCC.

All the VHF capable Part 90 radios I've purchased in the last 12 or so years (Kenwood and Harris) all had Part 80 certification.

That part, at least, is probably something that nobody, not even an FCC field agent, would bother to pursue.

I agree. FCC has better things to do.

 

[mikewazowski]

Doesn't look like the OP is going to get a codeplug. No reason for this to continue.