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GMRS with (foreign) HAM callsign, legal?

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elsinga

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Hi all!

I'm a dutch HAM radio operator and coming to the US next summer. Since I have a CEPT/HAREC Full license I am equivalent to a US Extra licensee. I can also use FRS radio's, since they don;t require a license.

But: can I use GMRS without obtaining a US license? Will this be covered by my european CEPT license? If not, I will not bother and avoid any possible problems. If yes, this would be a nice addition to the HAM repeaters.
 

ecps92

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As an Amateur you can use Amateur Frequencies only, GMRS is not covered, even under a US Amateur license.

Hi all!

I'm a dutch HAM radio operator and coming to the US next summer. Since I have a CEPT/HAREC Full license I am equivalent to a US Extra licensee. I can also use FRS radio's, since they don;t require a license.

But: can I use GMRS without obtaining a US license? Will this be covered by my european CEPT license? If not, I will not bother and avoid any possible problems. If yes, this would be a nice addition to the HAM repeaters.
 

elsinga

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We're going to be in the US for 4 weeks: first week in New York, then 3 weeks touring the NE of the US (NY/VA/WV/NC/DC/DE/NJ) with a rental RV.

I'll be taking my TH-F7E (EU version of the TH-F6A minus 220MHz) and a mobile rig (either the ICom IC7000 HF/2/70 or the Polmar DB50M 2/70) along.

Any tips welcome. ;)
 

ecps92

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Well if you stray into the REAL NE (New England) try us at
New England Portal - Scan New England Wiki


We're going to be in the US for 4 weeks: first week in New York, then 3 weeks touring the NE of the US (NY/VA/WV/NC/DC/DE/NJ) with a rental RV.

I'll be taking my TH-F7E (EU version of the TH-F6A minus 220MHz) and a mobile rig (either the ICom IC7000 HF/2/70 or the Polmar DB50M 2/70) along.

Any tips welcome. ;)
 

elsinga

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We might, but not probable. We only have 3 weeks on the road and lots of things to do and see. But I want to, so we might include it anyway. At least the western part. .;)

Won't take the scanner with me though, is illegal in NY state which we will be crossing from NY to Niagara Falls... :( But my HAM HT can scan and as a HAM I'm excempt by FCC rules. :) :)
 

ecps92

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I maybe wrong, but I think the Ham license trumps the NY Anti-Vehicle Scanning Law.
and since your in a motorhome, the chance of it being see if minimal

I take mine regularly thru NY and into Canada w/o issue

We might, but not probable. We only have 3 weeks on the road and lots of things to do and see. But I want to, so we might include it anyway. At least the western part. .;)

Won't take the scanner with me though, is illegal in NY state which we will be crossing from NY to Niagara Falls... :( But my HAM HT can scan and as a HAM I'm excempt by FCC rules. :) :)
 

elsinga

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AFAIK (but IANAL) the excemption is only for HAM *transceivers*, not *receivers*. So I won't take any risks and use the HT as a scanner when appropriate (mostly in Manhattan, where police/fire/ems is still analog and activity is probably high).

And the family won;t like me taking the scanner... the HT and mobile rig are the most I can do, unless I want an argument. ;)
 
D

DaveNF2G

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ARRL says it only applies to transceivers, but they are not judges. I disagree with their interpretation, but I am not a judge, either.

If you feel uncomfortable risking a mobile scanner in NYS, then do what you feel is best.
 

K4BH

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Parkland, FL
GMRS is a separate service from the amateur service. FRS is licensed by rule, whereas GMRS requires a license. The current cost is $85 for a 5-year license, which arrives in about 5 business days. With GMRS you can also use FRS channels 1-7 with 5 watts of power. Only immediate family members can use your GMRS license. Details on FCC web site.
 

N9TZO

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Elgin, IL
I have a GMRS license, but was wondering what percentage of people that buy FRS radios in the US actually get a GRMS license for the channels that are included in the radio. I bet the number unlicensed GMRS channel users has to be huge.
 

rapidcharger

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The land of broken calculators.
I have a GMRS license, but was wondering what percentage of people that buy FRS radios in the US actually get a GRMS license for the channels that are included in the radio. I bet the number unlicensed GMRS channel users has to be huge.

You don't need a license to operate an FRS radio that uses the interstitial channels.
Now the FRS/GMRS radios are possibly another matter. Those are the ones that tend to have additional frequencies and/or power levels that require the GMRS license.
 

blastco2

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Nov 20, 2012
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SouthEast Idaho
You don't need a license to operate an FRS radio that uses the interstitial channels.
Now the FRS/GMRS radios are possibly another matter. Those are the ones that tend to have additional frequencies and/or power levels that require the GMRS license.







I have a GMRS license, but was wondering what percentage of people that buy FRS radios in the US actually get a GRMS license for the channels that are included in the radio. I bet the number unlicensed GMRS channel users has to be huge.
I'm guessing the percentage is in the single digits...


Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
 

Darth_vader

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Apr 5, 2013
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@elsinga--

Read this:

http://forums.radioreference.com/gm...-radioreference-frs-gmrs-murs-fact-sheet.html

All your questions are answered there. (You're welcome.)

No HAM ticket, foreign or domestic, permits its holder to operate GMRS. They are seperate, unrelated services with mutually incompatible terms and procedures. HAM call letters are 100% meaningless in GMRS except if used as one's personal "handle" (nickname), given alongside one's legally-assigned GMRS call letters.

Of course, when in doubt just stick with the FRS "upper seven", MURS or CB (or a combination of the three).
 
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