Questions with handheld trancievers.

[MOBIUS1]

I need a clear cut answer on these questions.
I recently purchased a BaoFeng UV-5R. I am very new to this radio.
What I understand is that you can look up A frequency to search, set it to a channel then scan those channels and also broadcast through the frequency. In the case of where I live, I used to work at a menards in the mid-west. I'm wondering if i could tune into the chatter.

If it is possible, am i allowed to tune into their frequency channels and listen to worker's communication chatter?

Could accidental Broadcast/ communicating go out from me to their radios if i hit the button? I am not interested in getting myself in trouble, thus why I ask here.

Does a store like this operate on a MURS (Multi-Use Radio Service) system?

Wikipedia states "The FCC formally defines MURS as "a private, two-way, short-distance voice or data communications service for personal or business activities of the general public." MURS stations may not be connected to the public telephone network, may not be used for store and forward operations, and radio repeaters are not permitted."

^ according to that there should be no problems with exploration of their frequency, Right?

 

[77Impala]

The only frequencies that I am aware of that we cannot monitor is cell phone/home wireless phone communications. Or any frequency that is encrypted.

Yes you can listen to any frequency that the UV-5R can pick up.

No you cannot transmit on those frequencies. Unless your a amateur radio licensed operator and then only on the 2 meter and 70 cm frequencies.

If you use Chirp software to program the radio you should be able to turn off the PTT switch for all the channels you want to only listen to.

Be aware that this radio will not decipher digital P25 Phase I or Phase II communications. You will hear computer sounds instead.

 

[N4GIX]

...or DMR for that matter, unfortunately. Even though there's only one 1.25m DMR repeater in my area of Northwest Indiana, it happens to be one of the best for signal.

 

[jaspence]

Monitoring

There are some types of transmissions that are illegal to disclose to a third party, especially in the public service bands. A few jurisdictions still use analog signals that that radio can receive, which would be included in the the non disclosure category.

 

[teufler]

In programming the uv5r, you can set each channel to NOT transmit, so to be safe as to not transmitting. I believe this is via the software and not available as an option via the manual programming. Best precaution then is to set the power at low power. If you are far enough away, you will not bother them, and they probably use a sub tone, so if you are not setup for a tone input, you will not bother them. If the store is close to other big box stores, that probably have a dedicated FCC frequency. Yes the radio will scan but they are slow scanning as compared to a regular scanner. Some big box stores use MRS, others have frequencies allocated by the FCC. Hard to tell since you have not listed your location.

 

[KD8DVR]

I need a clear cut answer on these questions.
I recently purchased a BaoFeng UV-5R. I am very new to this radio.
What I understand is that you can look up A frequency to search, set it to a channel then scan those channels and also broadcast through the frequency. In the case of where I live, I used to work at a menards in the mid-west. I'm wondering if i could tune into the chatter.

If it is possible, am i allowed to tune into their frequency channels and listen to worker's communication chatter?

Could accidental Broadcast/ communicating go out from me to their radios if i hit the button? I am not interested in getting myself in trouble, thus why I ask here.

Does a store like this operate on a MURS (Multi-Use Radio Service) system?

Wikipedia states "The FCC formally defines MURS as "a private, two-way, short-distance voice or data communications service for personal or business activities of the general public." MURS stations may not be connected to the public telephone network, may not be used for store and forward operations, and radio repeaters are not permitted."

^ according to that there should be no problems with exploration of their frequency, Right?

MURS is a specific radio service, with its own rules and regulations. It consists of 5 channels.

It is unlikely Menards uses these. They likely use one or more of the business band frequencies, (IG - Industrial/Business Pool). They are, or are supposed to be licensed on one or more frequencies.... again, this is a different radio service with its own rules.

You may have to do some research.

At any rate, with your radio, you CANNOT transmit on any frequency AT ALL.

Every single frequency that radio can transmit or receive on falls under many different radio services, with different rules, regulations and licensing requirements. Most uses DO require a license. Many of these licenses are only available to businesses or groups that meet special criteria.

With an amateur radio license, you would be able to transmit; but only on the frequencies authorized to the amateur radio service.

 

[jaspence]

Radio frequencies

According to at least one RR list, Menard's does use MURS. Many Sam's and Wal Marts can also be found on MURS, often one of the two highest frequencies (154.57 and 154.6).