Both Joseph Fenn, and CL responded with good information. That
leaves me with nothing to add, except that so-called response from the
"Police" was highly likely to be some jerk out there listening in with
his own FRS radio. Just change channels to avoid such types.

Ed K7AAT


PS: J. Fenn, pretty nice credentials you have..... !
















**THE-RFI-EMI-GUY** wrote in
:

If the radios are plainly marked FRS on the model plate, they can be
used on any of the frequencies without a license. If they are GMRS
models, you need the license ($75) due to higher power. If they are
GMR/FRS models you "may" not need license if the radios are used on
FRS channels "and" the power is rerstricted to 1/2 watt ERP (About 2
watts output). I suspect yours are of the GMRS/FRS variety.

The range claims of the manufacturers are BOGUS. If they work for many
blocks in an urban environment and about 2 miles over flat terrain,
you are getting your moneys worth.

As far as the "POLICE". 1) If you are in Canada there is some overlap
with GMRS and police on a couple of 25KHz spaced channels channels. 2)
In the US some police departments installed GMRS base stations in past
and even so with an FRS radio or properly licenses GMRS radio, you are
free to use the channel, however. 3) You might want to change channels
to avoid a dispute, simply because they have guns and hancuffs. 4) If
your radio can operate on a GMRS repeater (transmit +5 MHz), you need
an FCC license AND permission of the repeater operator to use their
repeater.

What model do you have?

Joseph Fenn wrote:

I bought 2 of these tiny little FRS radioes so could keep in touch
with wife when she takes her daily walks. I called the FCC
and asked them if any kind of license is required to use thses.
They said certain chnls do require FCC license which costs $75 for
a 1 year period. Chnls 1 thru 7 need this license also the
higher chnls I believe was 16 to 20 also require FCC license.
The others do not require any license or ID when used.
So I set both hers and mine to chnl 12 (frs free useage chnl).
These free chnls per docs have a range of up to 7 miles. The
FCC licensed chnls with same unit have a range up to 14 miles.
When my wife was trying to reach me from a shopping center about
10 miles away she did find a spot that worked. But next time
we tried I Could'nt hear her well only a sylable or 2.
She says after she tried 4 or 5 times, some one came up and
said this is the "POLICE" do you need help!!! How in the heck
does FCC get into the picture or better yet how does the FCC
even monitor these FRS chnls. I thought they only monitor 911.
Joe


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* Ham since 1937 HiSchool Sophomore ex W9ZUU, KP4EX, W4FAG, KH6ARG
KH6JF *
* WW2 Vet since Sep 1940 to just After VJ day. US Signal Corps
AACS *
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