BayArea777
Member
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2012
- Messages
- 5
I want to purchase a Yaesu VX-8GR transceiver for the scanner capabilities and gps features,since it can transmit do i need a license to buy one and use in the SF Bay Area.
No, you do not need a license to buy a ham radio
No, you do not need a license to receive only on a ham radio
Yes, you need a license to transmit with a ham radio
If you are planning on passing you ham radio test at some point...cool. Buy one.
If you have no plans to pass your ham test, why not just get a scanner ? I am not sure why you would want GPS if you cant use the radio's APRS capabilities. It's not a Tom Tom.
It's only asking for trouble to have the thing around with the ability to transmit on frequencies your not authorized to use. Even if your intentions are good, it can always land in the wrong hands.
The guy didn't ask any of the questions you just assumed he needed to know. He asked one simple question "do i need a license to buy one?"
Also, why on earth would you write he is "asking for trouble" ? What does that mean? I have 30 steak knifes at home, if they get stolen, am I "asking for trouble" if someone stabs people with them? Should I not have them? What about the cans of peas and corn at home, am I "asking for trouble" for owning them--what if someone steals them and throws them at the elderly, police cars or soccer moms?
How come everyone wants has a need to bully everyone with their "knowledge?" Humbleness is a trait which has disappeared.
No, you do not need a license to buy a ham radio
No, you do not need a license to receive only on a ham radio
Yes, you need a license to transmit with a ham radio
If you are planning on passing you ham radio test at some point...cool. Buy one.
If you have no plans to pass your ham test, why not just get a scanner ? I am not sure why you would want GPS if you cant use the radio's APRS capabilities. It's not a Tom Tom.
It's only asking for trouble to have the thing around with the ability to transmit on frequencies your not authorized to use. Even if your intentions are good, it can always land in the wrong hands.
Well, accidental open mikes aren't uncommon, so having a transmitter without a license could result in trouble that way.
Accidentally flying cans of corn are a lot more uncommon.
The guy didn't ask any of the questions you just assumed he needed to know.
What about the cans of peas and corn at home, am I "asking for trouble" for owning them--what if someone steals them and throws them at the elderly, police cars or soccer moms?
Nope, as others have mentioned a license is not required to own a radio that transmits.
A lot of railfans buy ham gear for the better receivers and more rugged build quality. So if one only wants to listen to conventional FM stuff, and doesn't mind the slower scanning speed, a ham HT or mobile will work very well.
As for the worries of transmitting by accident. That's easy enough to avoid. It won't transmit outside of the 2m and 70cm bands. Of course if one wants to monitor ham repeaters or simplex, that's where you have to be more careful. One way to avoid transmitting is to setup a repeater offset outside of the range the radio will transmit in.
I've had to do this with 420 Mhz public safety freqs here in S.E. Michigan. Some of the radios I have will transmit from 420 to 450 Mhz. So with those freqs it's as simple as using the repeater offset to put the input freq out of band. Problem solved.
It's just too bad most ham gear doesn't allow you to program memories as receive only.
The guy didn't ask any of the questions you just assumed he needed to know. He asked one simple question "do i need a license to buy one?"
Also, why on earth would you write he is "asking for trouble" ? What does that mean? I have 30 steak knifes at home, if they get stolen, am I "asking for trouble" if someone stabs people with them? Should I not have them? What about the cans of peas and corn at home, am I "asking for trouble" for owning them--what if someone steals them and throws them at the elderly, police cars or soccer moms?
How come everyone wants has a need to bully everyone with their "knowledge?" Humbleness is a trait which has disappeared.
Thanks, emcomm, lots of info here, unlike the post of N3IVK, lolololol!!!!! In fact, we all thank you!