Hello,
Been looking at VHF/UHF hand-held radios and everything I read says that while these radios can tune into FRS/GMRS and MURS frequencies that use of these frequencies on UHF/VHF radios is illegal. I'd like to go through why people are saying it's illegal and then give rational for why it should be allowed. Am looking for your feedback as to if my reasoning is correct or incorrect, and if so, then why?
A) FRS can't be used on most UHF/VHF radios because of two reasons: 1) FRS power limit is 0.5 watts and UHF/VHF radios generally are higher power and, 2) FRS antennas must be either non removable or not easily removable and UHF/VHF radios usually have removable antennas. My work-around suggestion (If I were to approach he FCC asking them to relax these rules) would be to allow FRS to be used on UHF/VHF hand-held radios with these requirements: 1) require users to power back to 0.5 watts max when using FRS frequencies and 2) the FCC should relax (and live with) the antenna issue but limit max length to something like 4-6" that is on current VHF/UHF hand-held radios. I know this is counting on users to power back when using these frequencies but this is really no different than what the FCC already does when they allow purchases of hybrid FRS/GMRS radios and then requires users to get a license prior to actually using the GMRS frequencies. Also, most users of VHF/UHF radios already have an entry level or higher license (FRS requires NO license) so licensed radio operators should be able to be counted on to obey the 0.5 watt restriction.
B) I am not sure why GMRS can't currently be used on most UHF/VHF radios. I know it takes a GMRS license but VHF/UHF operators can certainly obtain this and while power is limited to 5 watts on channels 15-23, many hand-helds either: 1) do not reach that power level or 2) for those that do, many can be throttled back in power to meet the 5 watt max requirement. Beyond those restrictions, why are GMRS frequencies not legally allowed to be used on UVHF/UHF radios? Any info is appreciated.
C) MURS frequencies can't be used on most UHF/VHF radios because of three reasons: 1) The radios are field programmable and 2) most VHF/UHF radios are not part 95 certified and 3) MURS power limits are 2 watts and some hand held VHF/UHF radios are higher power. My work-around suggestion would be to allow GMRS frequencies to be used on UHF/VHF radios with these requirements: 1) require users to set field programmable radios to the exact MURS frequencies/bandwidths used by current generation of MURS only radios, thus meaning there is no difference in transmitted waveform 2) someone help me out here...what does part 95 certification bring to the table that is not met by current generation of VHF/UHF radios and 3) the FCC should require that users throttle back power to 2 watts or less when using MURS frequencies on a VHF/UHF radio. Again, I now this is counting on the user to actually "do something" but this is really no different than what the FCC already does when they allow purchases of hybrid FRS/GMRS radios and then requires (insert "counts on") users to get a license prior to actually using the GMRS frequencies. Also, most users of VHF/UHF radios already have an entry level or higher license and while GMRS requires a license, this is really just a revenue producer "sham" whereby you "pay $90 and get a license" as opposed to obtaining a Ham license that actually takes some studying and knowledge of radios. Also, licensed Ham operators at any level can be counted on more to do the right thing as opposed to someone who simply wrote a check. Also, as someone previously pointed out, you can tune a VHF/UHF radio to a frequency just outside any of the MURS frequencies and it's legal and the radio works just fine. Is the FCC therefore asking us to believe that when we tune a bit more to an exact MURS frequency that the radio goes to hell in a hen basket and won't operate? Someone please enlighten me here on what part 95 certification imparts to a MURS frequency that is not already met by (or can't be programmed by) a standard VHF/UHF programmable radio.
Comments are appreciated to fill in the holes in the logic and then provide a workaround to those roadblocks.
thanks
Been looking at VHF/UHF hand-held radios and everything I read says that while these radios can tune into FRS/GMRS and MURS frequencies that use of these frequencies on UHF/VHF radios is illegal. I'd like to go through why people are saying it's illegal and then give rational for why it should be allowed. Am looking for your feedback as to if my reasoning is correct or incorrect, and if so, then why?
A) FRS can't be used on most UHF/VHF radios because of two reasons: 1) FRS power limit is 0.5 watts and UHF/VHF radios generally are higher power and, 2) FRS antennas must be either non removable or not easily removable and UHF/VHF radios usually have removable antennas. My work-around suggestion (If I were to approach he FCC asking them to relax these rules) would be to allow FRS to be used on UHF/VHF hand-held radios with these requirements: 1) require users to power back to 0.5 watts max when using FRS frequencies and 2) the FCC should relax (and live with) the antenna issue but limit max length to something like 4-6" that is on current VHF/UHF hand-held radios. I know this is counting on users to power back when using these frequencies but this is really no different than what the FCC already does when they allow purchases of hybrid FRS/GMRS radios and then requires users to get a license prior to actually using the GMRS frequencies. Also, most users of VHF/UHF radios already have an entry level or higher license (FRS requires NO license) so licensed radio operators should be able to be counted on to obey the 0.5 watt restriction.
B) I am not sure why GMRS can't currently be used on most UHF/VHF radios. I know it takes a GMRS license but VHF/UHF operators can certainly obtain this and while power is limited to 5 watts on channels 15-23, many hand-helds either: 1) do not reach that power level or 2) for those that do, many can be throttled back in power to meet the 5 watt max requirement. Beyond those restrictions, why are GMRS frequencies not legally allowed to be used on UVHF/UHF radios? Any info is appreciated.
C) MURS frequencies can't be used on most UHF/VHF radios because of three reasons: 1) The radios are field programmable and 2) most VHF/UHF radios are not part 95 certified and 3) MURS power limits are 2 watts and some hand held VHF/UHF radios are higher power. My work-around suggestion would be to allow GMRS frequencies to be used on UHF/VHF radios with these requirements: 1) require users to set field programmable radios to the exact MURS frequencies/bandwidths used by current generation of MURS only radios, thus meaning there is no difference in transmitted waveform 2) someone help me out here...what does part 95 certification bring to the table that is not met by current generation of VHF/UHF radios and 3) the FCC should require that users throttle back power to 2 watts or less when using MURS frequencies on a VHF/UHF radio. Again, I now this is counting on the user to actually "do something" but this is really no different than what the FCC already does when they allow purchases of hybrid FRS/GMRS radios and then requires (insert "counts on") users to get a license prior to actually using the GMRS frequencies. Also, most users of VHF/UHF radios already have an entry level or higher license and while GMRS requires a license, this is really just a revenue producer "sham" whereby you "pay $90 and get a license" as opposed to obtaining a Ham license that actually takes some studying and knowledge of radios. Also, licensed Ham operators at any level can be counted on more to do the right thing as opposed to someone who simply wrote a check. Also, as someone previously pointed out, you can tune a VHF/UHF radio to a frequency just outside any of the MURS frequencies and it's legal and the radio works just fine. Is the FCC therefore asking us to believe that when we tune a bit more to an exact MURS frequency that the radio goes to hell in a hen basket and won't operate? Someone please enlighten me here on what part 95 certification imparts to a MURS frequency that is not already met by (or can't be programmed by) a standard VHF/UHF programmable radio.
Comments are appreciated to fill in the holes in the logic and then provide a workaround to those roadblocks.
thanks