Legal Question About Baofeng Radio And GMRS Channels

[RockyBennett]

Hello All,
I have a question about using a handheld ham radio, such as a Baofeng, to communicate on GMRS frequencies, such as 462.550. Since 462.550 equates to channel 15 on my Motorola walkie talkies I often talk to my wife and kids using my Baofeng. But I have a couple of questions about this.

1. Do I have to announce my amateur radio call sign while I communicate on the GMRS frequencies using a handheld ham radio?

2. Can my wife use our little Baofeng, although she is not licensed as an amateur radio operator (yet), to communicate on the common GMRS frequencies, such as 462.550. My family does a GMRS license that covers 10 family members on GMRS radios, does that also cover the Baofeng?

Thanks in advance for all information on these questions.

Rocky

 

[KN4HTC]

1. Do I have to announce my amateur radio call sign while I communicate on the GMRS frequencies using a handheld ham radio?

2. Can my wife use our little Baofeng, although she is not licensed as an amateur radio operator (yet), to communicate on the common GMRS frequencies, such as 462.550. My family does a GMRS license that covers 10 family members on GMRS radios, does that also cover the Baofeng?

Thanks in advance for all information on these questions.

Rocky

1) No. Your amateur call means nothing on the GMRS band. I believe you would need to give the GMRS call you are covered under.

2) No. The Baofeng isn't certified as a GMRS radio so it can't legally be used on the GMRS band. The chances of running into any legal issues are relatively low, but it's still a violation of FCC rules

 

[RockyBennett]

Thank you. I appreciate the info.

 

[mmckenna]

Hello All,
I have a question about using a handheld ham radio, such as a Baofeng, to communicate on GMRS frequencies, such as 462.550. Since 462.550 equates to channel 15 on my Motorola walkie talkies I often talk to my wife and kids using my Baofeng. But I have a couple of questions about this.

1. Do I have to announce my amateur radio call sign while I communicate on the GMRS frequencies using a handheld ham radio?

Your amateur radio license -ONLY- gives you permissions to use amateur radio frequencies. GMRS is not part of the amateur radio service, and your license provides no privileges there. Giving your amateur call sign on GMRS frequencies is not required, not necessary, and would just confuse everyone. You should be using your families GMRS call sign.

2. Can my wife use our little Baofeng, although she is not licensed as an amateur radio operator (yet), to communicate on the common GMRS frequencies, such as 462.550. My family does a GMRS license that covers 10 family members on GMRS radios, does that also cover the Baofeng?

Since you have a valid GMRS license your wife is covered by that. Your GMRS call sign should be announced every 15 minutes during an ongoing conversation, or at the end of shorter conversations.

Thanks in advance for all information on these questions.

Rocky

I'd recommend reading the FCC GMRS Rules, and making sure you fully understand them. You can access the most recent version of the rules here:

eCFR :: 47 CFR Part 95 -- Personal Radio Services

www.ecfr.gov

For your amateur license, you should read and fully understand those rules:

eCFR :: 47 CFR Part 97 -- Amateur Radio Service

www.ecfr.gov

Do keep in mind that GMRS and Amateur radio are two completely different and separate radio services. Your GMRS license provides no privileges on the amateur radio frequencies, and your amateur radio license provides no privileges on the GMRS frequencies. The two rule parts are separate.

 

[MikeSD]

2) No. The Baofeng isn't certified as a GMRS radio so it can't legally be used on the GMRS band. The chances of running into any legal issues are relatively low, but it's still a violation of FCC rules

With regards to "certified", I don't believe the Baofeng, or any Chinese radio, that isn't reworked by an American company, is technically legal in the U.S.. But like you said, doubtful anyone will ever know.