On Sat, 30 Apr 2005 16:34:15 +0200, "Roger Conroy"
wrote:

"Mitch Berkson" wrote in message
news:F8zce.3$2J6.0@lakeread06...
I'd like to use GMRS radios to run a rowing regatta (in the U.S.). These
require an FCC license but the GMRS license
(http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/per...generalmobile/) is limited to
an
individual and members of his household and relatives.

The Private Land Mobile Radio Service license
(http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/plmrs/) looks like it might be what I
need, but I'm not sure about that. Also the fee for a PLMRS license for a
non-profit is $55 per call sign. Can I use GMRS radios with a PLMRS
license? Does each GMRS radio count as a separate call sign? Maybe this
suggests that PLMRS is not the appropriate license?

Mitch

Have you considered a less complicated and cheaper solution? Approach a
local ham club, they might be very happy to handle the comms for your event.
In South Africa (where I am) such communication services comprise large part
of many club's activities. In fact 50 hours of such "community service" is
one of the ways (now that the Morse test is no longer the only one) that a
holder of a restricted licence can upgrade to a full licence.

73
Roger ZR3RC

Mitch:
What Roger said.

In my area (greater Boston/eastern Massachusetts in the USA) these
events, which hams call "public service events" are routinely covered
for all of their communications by hams.

Recently, I was one of about 300 hams who staffed the Boston Marathon
as part of the 7,000 volunteers who work the event. Tomorrow, I will
be out at 6:15 AM to start working the annual Walk for Hunger (along
with about 75 other hams). Every fall, I also work the Head of the
Charles Regatta (which anyone familiar with rowing will know about) in
a similar role, with about 60 other hams.

Hams bring not only radio gear capable of doing the job well, but also
bring communications and event management experience, and a variety of
other skills.

In return, the hams, who are 100% volunteers, often receive an event
T-shirt or hat, and occasionally a lunch. We use this as an
opportunity for good PR and education about ham radio, and real-world
practice for emergency communications.

If you contact the ARRL (American Radio Relay League) www.arrl.org for
your area, you may well find that there is a similar group of hams in
your area just waiting for you to ask.

Happy trails,
Gary (net.yogi.bear)
--
At the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence

Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA
Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom