GMRS vs. HAM

[Hans13]

Coyote's logic pretty much nails it.

OP, I recommend GMRS where individials in a group are dead set against or very reluctant to get an Amateur Radio license. If they use the radios for any length of time, you will probably find many of them looking towards Amateur Radio eventually. It is a natural progression. For those that still won't or can't, your group can still talk using GMRS.

I also recommend that people get GMRS licenses to complement their Amateur Radio licenses. It is still a separate licensed service and it is nice to be able to utilize it. I run into people who hold only a GMRS license. The fact that I can communicate with them legally is nice for everyone.

 

[KC4RAF]

C-F (post # 17) said a lot in her statement,

"...if you can separate them from their 'celphones ( the usual agruement here is 'why do I need *that radio* when I have my iFone??...I can't text on *That*, can I ?!"----- and so on.)"
Cell phone and computers have become the bane to new amateur radio operators to some degree. (computers though was a marriage made in RF heaven. it was the segment that wanted plug n play that hurt the ham clan.)
BUT, when the storms hit and the cell phone towers don't work, it will be the amateur radio operators, CBers, MURS, FRS and the GMRS crowd that will get the information through.

 

[k6cpo]

Coyote's logic pretty much nails it.

OP, I recommend GMRS where individials in a group are dead set against or very reluctant to get an Amateur Radio license. If they use the radios for any length of time, you will probably find many of them looking towards Amateur Radio eventually. It is a natural progression. For those that still won't or can't, your group can still talk using GMRS.

Good point, but if they're unwilling to obtain an amateur license, will they be willing to pay the $65 license fee? Especially when the most you will pay for taking the amateur license exam is $15...

I also recommend that people get GMRS licenses to complement their Amateur Radio licenses. It is still a separate licensed service and it is nice to be able to utilize it. I run into people who hold only a GMRS license. The fact that I can communicate with them legally is nice for everyone.

I'm an Extra class amateur and the only reason I don't have a GMRS license is the $65...

 

[Hans13]

Good point, but if they're unwilling to obtain an amateur license, will they be willing to pay the $65 license fee? Especially when the most you will pay for taking the amateur license exam is $15...



I'm an Extra class amateur and the only reason I don't have a GMRS license is the $65...

Most of the people that I encounter aren't too concerned about the cost. Primarily, they don't want to take a license at all. Secondly,they don't want to take an Amateur Radio license for similar and other reasons. We have some free testing sites that pop up here from time to time. I paid $65 for a GMRS license and $0 for an Amateur Radio license. The money wasn't a factor. For me, once I decided to accept a license, the GMRS license was a no-brainer but the Amateur Radio license was a tough internal sell. I really didn't want to take one. I almost walked out of the testing site...

 

[k6cpo]

I suppose it all comes down to your reason for using radio in the first place. The amateur service offers so much more in the way of frequencies and flexibility. GMRS is limited to a small number of specific channels, some shared with the Family Radio Service and GMRS repeaters are few and far between.

Amateur radio, on the other hand, has four VHF/UHF frequency bands with repeaters everywhere. In the event of an emergency, I would imagine it would be much easier to contact someone on the amateur bands than by GMRS.

 

[Hans13]

and GMRS repeaters are few and far between.

The number of GMRS repeaters is growing in our AO. My group is about to put up our own as well. For the most part, the people I deal with aren't all that interested in communicating with those in Amateur Radio per se during an emergency. Undoubtedly, those licensed for the radio service will gladly network with them during a time of need, but would prefer to communicate primarily amongst themselves during emergencies and otherwise. For those, GMRS works very well. The lack of formal organization appeals to them and, I must say, is the way I also prefer things even although I do participate in amateur nets and the like.

 

[SCPD]

A good point, John.... legally only the family (which under the FCC definition of "family' is quite extensive-- but, family it remains) - is supposed to operate under the single station callsign.
.
I am going to throw out another easy alternative to both the Ham and GMRS options- that is, to get a Land Mobile license under the Business/Industrial portion of Part 90. If you are in anyway able to meet the license requirements (which are very broad- many people can find a way to qualify)--- then you can literally write your own 'ticket" (I have one that gives us a vast spectrum of low, high band and UHF frequencies, and power outputs to 500 watts)-- And if you limit your choices to what is call the "Itinerants"- you can bypass the need for frequency co-ordination (ie: 464.500, 469.50, 151.625....... there are lots more in this itinerant category.) These are 10 year licenses, but the down side is the FCC fee; today its rather $$ for what they used to cost.
.
I do not want this to distract from the original post. For + 99% of people, they will find GMRS just peachy for their own and their "Family's" (how ever you wish to define that) use.
.
............................................CF

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

Part 95 vs Part 97

I am always amazed at the amount of effort some Hams will go to try to persuade folks to get a ham license instead of GMRS license when their need is clearly one of personal communication.

I have both a ham license as well as GMRS.

I see no need to persuade my family members (or friends) to get a ham license in order to communicate. Amateur radio is and always will be a "Hobby" to folks outside "the Service".

And sad to say, but the white male demographic at most Ham-fest's rivals the Republican party!

 

[bharvey2]

I see no need to persuade my family members (or friends) to get a ham license in order to communicate. Amateur radio is and always will be a "Hobby" to folks outside "the Service".

And sad to say, but the white male demographic at most Ham-fest's rivals the Republican party!

Do you see the irony in those two statements?

Maybe there is no need to enlist family members into the hobby. However, maybe others (excluding white males of course) might enjoy it too.

 

[N2JDH]

Simply put.

Amateur (Ham) you can build your equipment, make some modifications and be an instructor for new operators. Each operator needs a license, except for when you are supervising people on your radio. There are so much more to list and probably listed by others.

GMRS (General Mobile Radio System) license is needed for GMRS frequencies (except for the FRS frequencies 7 to 14). Also needed for repeater systems. But FRS is deemed for families. A family can operate on a GMRS frequency if someone in the family has a GMRS license and ID's as the FCC states. It is limited by power and antenna height.

Andre, N2JDH & WQWI891


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[N2JDH]

My suggestion, get both. If not GMRS to start with.


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[Seven-Delta-FortyOne]

This was mentioned once before, but I'll mention it again, because I think it is the most important consideration: Ham is for NON-COMMERCIAL use only.

I am a ham and GMRS user, and they are not for the same purpose. We use GMRS at the ranch. If your proposed use is for anything business related, you have many options, but ham is not one of them.



Delta

 

[N2JDH]

This was mentioned once before, but I'll mention it again, because I think it is the most important consideration: Ham is for NON-COMMERCIAL use only.

I am a ham and GMRS user, and they are not for the same purpose. We use GMRS at the ranch. If your proposed use is for anything business related, you have many options, but ham is not one of them.



Delta

I agree, but they should get both to understand more about them. And FRS would be fine for the person asking. Just that it has a low range.



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