Dual Band FRS/GMRS Radios

[PanJurekMrJerry]

I think that I understand that if you operate a FRS ONLY radio, then you do NOT need a license. If you operate a GMRS ONLY radio then you need a license.
The problem comes when you operate a Dual Band FRS/GMRS Radio. Anybody know if you need a licesne for these or if you do NOT?

The reason that I asked is because RS has a good price on Catlog Number: 210-1917 and that does NOT look like a removable antenna.
Thus I wondered why they say you would need a licesne.

 

[Colin9690]

If you intend to use both FRS and GMRS, you need a license. If you use only FRS, you don't need a license. If you use only GMRS, you need a license. But of course, if you intend to use only FRS, just get a FRS radio. They're alot cheaper than FRS/GMRS!

 

[PanJurekMrJerry]

If you intend to use both FRS and GMRS, you need a license. If you use only FRS, you don't need a license. If you use only GMRS, you need a license. But of course, if you intend to use only FRS, just get a FRS radio. They're alot cheaper than FRS/GMRS!

Thanks. I kinda figured that but I wanted to be sure. Thanks again.

 

[Colin9690]

Your welcome. Glad I could help!

 

[PanJurekMrJerry]

Was Dual Ban FRS/GMRS and is now Central Ohio & Licking

I have a question: Is there a Central Ohio Radio Scanning Group?
I know that there is one for North East Ohio, & Medina, Lorain, & Cuyahoga Counties.
Thanks for the help and if you could provide the link to this group or if there is one for Licking County and the Link. Thanks.

 

[Colin9690]

Actually there is a very good web site that I know of, actually two. They both are about central ohio and have Licking County information:

http://www.wa8pyr.net/scanning.htm

http://www.scanohio.com

Give em a try!

 

[rickgo]

Do you want to know about FRS/GMRS? check this out

http://www.popularwireless.com

 

[nd5y]

Read the last section of this web site about dual use radios.
http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/personal/family

 

[CORN]

If you get a dual FRS/GMRS radio channels 8-14 are FRS only. Channels 15-22 are GMRS only but channels 1-7 are listed both FRS/GMRS so i'm not sure if you could use it on those or not. On my radio the FRS only channels are a 1/2 watt where as the GMRS and FRS/GMRS channels are 1 watt. So i'm not sure on those. Good luck.

 

[cellblock776]

If you get a dual FRS/GMRS radio channels 8-14 are FRS only. Channels 15-22 are GMRS only but channels 1-7 are listed both FRS/GMRS so i'm not sure if you could use it on those or not. On my radio the FRS only channels are a 1/2 watt where as the GMRS and FRS/GMRS channels are 1 watt. So i'm not sure on those. Good luck.

If, as you said "FRS/GMRS channels are 1 watt" then that would mean that when using those particular channels you would have to have a GMRS license. If those channels were only .5 watt like the frs only channels then you would not need a GMRS license. The increase in power from .5 to 1 watt is what makes the difference.

 

[Dave13]

Dual Banders and the FCC

Honestlly, I don't see how the FCC could justify controlling these "Family Use" radiosanymore! The sales have placed controlling the band out of reason!
I mean whatcha gonna see, A big FCC Monitoring Van full of Govt Radio Gestapo, busting 12 year old girls in Yosemite Nat'l Park?
Maybe Camo-clad signal stalkers hiding in the bushes at Disneyland, popping Granny and the kids?
Realistically, the Manufactures have beaten the FCC, and frankilly despite the occasional misuse, offensive children potty-mouthing, and unconfirmed "stories" of pedifiles using these handy little radios, the benifits of having easilly available, short range communications for "Family Use" outweigh the detrements.
Yes, I KNOW the GMRS used to be a viable Licensable band.
Yes, it WAS once a needed business communications band.
Yes, Ham's and private operators DO still use it today and paid well for the privelage and Licenses. I only know of 3 licensed users of all the Ham's I know! Most ALL the Ham's I know own at least a pair of these little guys!
Hmmmm...
It appears though that the needs of the majorities vs the wants of the FCC and other "Intrested Parties", have won out! Manufacturers (read; Private Industry), has seen and fulfilled this, providing an inexpensive, relativelly unobtrusive, short range, and much needed alternative to the Cell Phone...
Like they say," when the Government won't do anything, SOMEBODY please DO somthing!" Well it looks like Uniden, Motorola, Audiovox, Radio Shack, (plus a host of others) DID!
OK, An insignificant old FCC ruling/law now needs to be readjusted. That oughta take YEARS! Untill then, many Mom's, Dad's, Grandparents,and Kid's will continue to be unlicensed, Outband Outlaws!
From time to time there is a necessity to change some things within our Radio Hobby (Re: the old CB licensing "drop", back in the 1960's...), I am quickilly becoming convinced the FRS/GMRS License requirement is just another one of em!
JMHO,
Dave13

 

[cellblock776]

Hey, As far as I'm concerned, as long as those little bubble pack radios don't interfere with my use of the local GMRS repeater I could care less what people do with them.

 

[N_Jay]

Hey, As far as I'm concerned, as long as those little bubble pack radios don't interfere with my use of the local GMRS repeater I could care less what people do with them.

Glad you feel that way. :twisted:

Guess you don't care if people break other laws as long is it does not impact you directly? :roll: :wink:

 

[Dave13]

Minor infraction

Relativelly speaking, I'd consider a press of a FMRS/GMRS Low Power, PTT button FAR less damaging to the Legal system than the blatant disreguard for our Nations Immigration Policy and Borders!
Like I suggested, FCC Change is in the wind for this Band, as it was for CB Licenses, and the slackenening of the more recent, Morse Code testing Requirement. Change takes time, a Long time!
Heck, here in Calif. they WANT to pass a Bill to give Illegals Drivers Licenses and local Voting privelagees!
Ya suppose we could tag a "Rider" on that Bill to get Legal CITIZENS free GMRS Licenses???
Dave13

 

[PanJurekMrJerry]

Re: Minor infraction

Relativelly speaking, I'd consider a press of a FMRS/GMRS Low Power, PTT button FAR less damaging to the Legal system than the blatant disreguard for our Nations Immigration Policy and Borders!
Like I suggested, FCC Change is in the wind for this Band, as it was for CB Licenses, and the slackenening of the more recent, Morse Code testing Requirement. Change takes time, a Long time!
Heck, here in Calif. they WANT to pass a Bill to give Illegals Drivers Licenses and local Voting privelagees!
Ya suppose we could tag a "Rider" on that Bill to get Legal CITIZENS free GMRS Licenses???
Dave13

Better yet, no paassage of the bill unless the ECPA gets repealed.
After all, this should be up to the users and NOPT the lsiteners.

 

[N_Jay]

Now that several of you have shown you have no concept of Federal vs. States issues, we can return to are regularly scheduled disagreement! :twisted: :twisted:

 

[Dave13]

Re: Reg Sheaduled Disagreement

I LOVE that!
The great part about this foremat, is that we DO discuss all these topics!
Interaction usually seeds thought and in a group of generally levelheaded people, usually fun discussions!
Thanks for the great String!
BTW, one of my little Audiovox units FRS/GMRS units FAILED miserablly yesterday while we took the Grandkids to Paramounts Great America In Santa Clara, Ca!
Couldn't make the trip from Crockidile Dundee's Beach to the Demon Rollercoaster areas (approx 1/8 mi.)!
"On-Time" of 5 hrs and less than 7 (very brief) High Power transmits killed the AAA rechargables in one unit.
The other unit (mine) had a well used (maybe 16hrs use-time, lotsa TX, old set of Alkalines) and is still alive and showing FULL power TX scale!!!
So much for AAA Lithium Rechargables...
*Another thing for the record, since Paramount took over "Great America" from Marioot's, it looks like a run-down Carnival! That was the real dissapointment!
I'm STILL not giving up on FRS/GMRS!
I'm getting a fistfull of Alkalines, and trudging-on with my adventures toying with these bands! :wink:
Dave 13

 

[scanfan03]

Re: Reg Sheaduled Disagreement

I'm getting a fistfull of Alkalines, and trudging-on with my adventures toying with these bands! :wink:
Dave 13

This is just bugging me, FRS and GMRS are not different bands. They are both in the UHF band.

 

[N_Jay]

Re: Reg Sheaduled Disagreement

I'm getting a fistfull of Alkalines, and trudging-on with my adventures toying with these bands! :wink:
Dave 13

This is just bugging me, FRS and GMRS are not different bands. They are both in the UHF band.

Yes, its been bugging me too, but "BAND" often refers to the section of the rules, as in "Public Safety Band", Broadcast Band" etc.

So I have resisted pointing out the obvious!

 

[Dave13]

I stand corrected!

Thanks!
You are right, I should've said frequencys.

On the other Topic Batteries, there is one BIG difference in Battery life between"AA" and "AAA" Lithum Rechargables!
I have "AA's" ranging from 1850MAH to 2500MAH.
BIG difference there too!
The little 600MAH "AAA's" (even using 5 in series) run down fast.
Dave 13