gmrs/marine questions

[Delivers1234]

hi.

is this acceptable on a tera-505 radio? I was going to add TX to the marine channels but I think it may be illegal? unless its an emergency. im always walking on the shore and i'd like to monitor the frequencies. or should i get a dual radio...

im also not sure on the high/low power specs on the gmrs.



and advice is appreciated.

 

[nd5y]

Marine radios must be Part 80 certified.
GMRS radios must be Part 95 certified.
I'm not aware of any radios that have both.
If the radio has both certifications then the radio would be legal but as far as I know to legally transmit on marine frequencies from a hand held that isn't associated with a ship station you would need a marine utility license.
Also the operator would need a GMRS license for GMRS frequencies.

 

[CaptDan]

You are fine listening with any radio you want to.

Adding the transmit capability is another whole other issue. If you were to add it and never transmit - again you would most likely never have an issue.

The first issue would be an "accidental" transmission on one of the Marine frequencies. The USCG equipment is pretty sophisticated and can come close to pin pointing exactly where the transmissions are originating from. In my experience, they are not inclined to be happy with a "woops my bad" explanation for illegal transmissions on a frequency you are not authorized to use.

That being said, back in 2012 during the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, in NJ there were some folks who used their Marine Band radios to contact the USCG for help from their homes out on the barrier island(s) - basically Point Pleasant south to South Seaside Park. For several days, it was the only means of communication from several areas on the islands to the mainland and responding rescue units. This was truly an emergency and no one questioned the use of the Marine Band Frequencies. As far as I know, no one ever questioned what brand radio was used or if it was certified for the Marine Band. It was accepted as a true emergency, no one abused the band. I believe those "true emergencies" are very rare. I do not know of any other situation where the Marine Band frequencies were used by land based units, I'm sure there could be, I am just not aware.

Bottom line, I'd think twice about programming that radio to transmit on the Marine Band Frequencies.

 

[mmckenna]

Under the heading of 'no one will likely ever know'….

A GROL license is also required to program marine radios. That's if you really want to toe the line.

And, yes, a Part 80 radio is required, if you want to toe said line.

Just program it for RX only, then there is nothing to be concerned about.

As for GMRS power levels, what was your specific question on those?

 

[wtp]

if an emergency takes place and you have no other means of getting help and then changing the radio is one thing.
changing it before and 'just in case' i believe would get you in trouble.

 

[mmckenna]

im always walking on the shore and i'd like to monitor the frequencies.

Since I'm in your area, I can pass on some info...
Don't be surprised if you don't hear much. Most use cell phones. You may hear some chatter, but don't expect much. You may periodically hear the USCG making announcements.

I've actually heard much more commercial fishing traffic in the area using 146.415, a 2 meter amateur radio frequency. They think that no one else can hear them and discuss where the fishing is hot and where it isn't. They don't want other fishing boats to hear, so they don't use VHF marine. The run pretty hot and heavy for a while, I think around the season opener, then it dies off.

 

[hill]

Most radios have some way for any channel you wish to be receive only. Either by not entering a transmit frequency or checking somewhere within the software for receive only.

Going forward would use this method, since you really don't want to key up the radio and have it stuck transmitting a carrier. If it occurs on channel 16 you could be big legal trouble.

 

[iMONITOR]

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[mmckenna]

Dual band marine VHF and GMRS radio. 22 Channels and 10 hour battery life.

You may have trouble finding those for sale new. I believe the FCC had some sort of heartburn over them, but I don't recall what the issue was. Something to do with multiple type certifications.
You can probably find them on the used market, though.

Or just use the radio the OP has in RX only mode.

 

[iMONITOR]

Cobra MR-HH450 DUAL Combination Marine and GMRS Radio in-stock, $149.95

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I'd say buy the transceiver. Get a GMRS license and use the marine band responsibly. No one is going to prison if the push the wrong button momentarily/accidentally.

 

[WB9YBM]

I was going to add TX to the marine channels but I think it may be illegal?

Even if your radio is certified to transmit on marine channels, the FCC regs say that you actually have to be on the water to be legally allowed to transmit (I forgot how shore stations [like a marina] are licensed--probably an extra box that needs to get checked off on the license application). And no, transmitting from your boat while it's sitting on a trailer won't cut it.

 

[mmckenna]

No, 80.115 allows use from shore in some instances. But that doesn't apply here since he doesn't have a boat.

 

[WB9YBM]

No, 80.115 allows use from shore in some instances. But that doesn't apply here since he doesn't have a boat.

The operative phrase being "in some instances". But I see your point.

 

[Delivers1234]

Under the heading of 'no one will likely ever know'….

A GROL license is also required to program marine radios. That's if you really want to toe the line.

And, yes, a Part 80 radio is required, if you want to toe said line.

Just program it for RX only, then there is nothing to be concerned about.

As for GMRS power levels, what was your specific question on those?

I get confused on which gmrs frequencies on the TERA 505 have the low power and high power...

Also for Channel 16, its on receive only (all marine channels are) but I keep getting a green flash indicating something is being recieved. I think it is receiveing but I don't here anything. Does channel 16 transmit something digitally from the coast guard? or something? I don't believe the radio is in scanning mode.

 

[mmckenna]

I get confused on which gmrs frequencies on the TERA 505 have the low power and high power...

According to the Powerwerx website:

Channel	RX Frequency	RX Tone	TX Frequency	TX Tone	TX Power
Channel 1	462.5625 MHz	None	462.5625 MHz	141.3	Low
Channel 2	462.5875 MHz	141.3	462.5875 MHz	141.3	Low
Channel 3	462.6125 MHz	141.3	462.6125 MHz	141.3	Low
Channel 4	462.6375 MHz	141.3	462.6375 MHz	141.3	Low
Channel 5	462.6625 MHz	141.3	462.6625 MHz	141.3	Low
Channel 6	462.6875 MHz	141.3	462.6875 MHz	141.3	Low
Channel 7	462.7125 MHz	88.5	462.7125 MHz	88.5	Low
Channel 8	462.5500 MHz	88.5	462.5500 MHz	88.5	High
Channel 9	462.5750 MHz	None	462.5750 MHz	141.3	High
Channel 10	462.6000 MHz	None	462.6000 MHz	141.3	High
Channel 11	462.6250 MHz	None	462.6250 MHz	141.3	High
Channel 12	462.6500 MHz	None	462.6500 MHz	141.3	High
Channel 13	462.6750 MHz	None	462.6750 MHz	141.3	High
Channel 14	462.7000 MHz	None	462.7000 MHz	141.3	High
Channel 15	462.7250 MHz	None	462.7250 MHz	141.3	High

Also for Channel 16, its on receive only (all marine channels are) but I keep getting a green flash indicating something is being recieved. I think it is receiveing but I don't here anything. Does channel 16 transmit something digitally from the coast guard? or something? I don't believe the radio is in scanning mode.

No. Probably just the squelch set too lose, or you're just on the fringes of something.

 

[KK6HRW]

No, 80.115 allows use from shore in some instances. But that doesn't apply here since he doesn't have a boat.

New sales pitch: “Every radio comes with a boat!”

 

[Delivers1234]

So I have 156.800, channel 16 on the tera505. On receive only. Near Monterey, I get cleaning or some commercial people talking. I don’t get it in my ftm-100 radio.

is the handheld just more sensitive? I have iton “narrow” and carrier for busy lock.

 

[nd5y]

I get cleaning or some commercial people talking. I don’t get it in my ftm-100 radio.

It's probably intermod or images due to Tera being a CCR. The receiver in the FTM-100 is probably way better.

 

[N2DUP]

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The Cobra MR-HH450-DUAL All-Terrain-Radio™ gives you the power to communicate on both land and open water!

www.buytwowayradios.com

I'd say buy the transceiver. Get a GMRS license and use the marine band responsibly. No one is going to prison if the push the wrong button momentarily/accidentally.

What makes this radio legit is that you physically have to switch between GMRS or VHF marine usage. That's how the FCC will approve them. They can't include GMRS and VHF marine operations at the same time. Mainly so you can't push the wrong button. Just know which band you are using at the time and no mistakes.

 

[mmckenna]

So I have 156.800, channel 16 on the tera505. On receive only. Near Monterey, I get cleaning or some commercial people talking. I don’t get it in my ftm-100 radio.

Yeah could be intermodulation/images as ND5Y said. The radios are not super high quality, so strong nearby signals can mess them up.
Someone using 156.800 for business would not go unnoticed. And the fact your Yaesu doesn't hear it tells you that it's a quality issue thing.

is the handheld just more sensitive? I have iton “narrow” and carrier for busy lock.

Marine VHF is traditionally Wide. Eventually it'll start going narrow band, but not yet.