On Fri, 6 Sep 2013, rickman wrote:

On 9/6/2013 3:37 PM, Steve Crow wrote:

On Fri, 6 Sep 2013, rickman wrote:

On 9/5/2013 11:35 PM, Jerry Stuckle wrote:

That's just it. You don't fit into any of the categories for which a
license is issued. "Providing services" does not mean giving weather
reports to your pals.

They don't need weather reports, they have access to that themselves.


You've missed the point.

Let's recap:

1. You want to use VHF Marine because everybody else is doing it.
2. You don't appear to fit into any of the requirements for a VHF Marine
license.
3. Unlicensed operation, or operation outside what is permitted by your
license, are both illegal.

You are making assumptions. Why is this such a big deal to you? I will let
the FCC decide if I can get a license. Why are some of you getting your
knickers in a knot about it?

Forgive me if it got lost in the noise, which is quite possible, but I
haven't seen where you have spelled out exactly what the intended
application is, so I'm forced to make assumptions.

As for why we're getting worked up about it? Personally, I'm not, but
based on the responses you've received from others in this group, I can
see where you might assume that I am. Let me attempt to explain some
of the, ehem.. hostility?

Amateur radio operators generally take great pride in their licenses and
the privileges afforded by that license. Likewise, they (we) generally
have a great respect for radio licensing, rules, and regulations, because
one component of the amateur radio service is self-policing of the
regulations and holding each other accountable for operating not just
within the letter of the law but with a high engineering standard.

As a result, when someone such as yourself comes along and has a genuine
concern and truly wants help with something he doesn't understand, too
many amateur radio operators ("hams") get up on their high horse and see
it as an opportunity to get all preachy and play FCC Police.

I don't play that game.

But that's why you're getting some of the responses you have.

Remember, too much of the ham radio crowd falls fully within the "cranky
old fart" category. Sadly, I'll be there myself in another 30 years or
so!



Combine those three things and you have quite the quandry. Your peers in
the hobby are using VHF marine with some degree of success and you want
to be able to communicate with them. If your intended communications are
anything like those of your friends, then they, too, are likely
operating in a manner that runs afoul of the law.

Can you be specific here. I have no idea what you are talking about.


Basically, the way I understand what you're after is a way to talk to your
friends/peers/etc within your kayaking hobby that are already using VHF
marine radio. Which comes across as an assumption on your part that
because others are doing it, it must be legal, which is incorrect.


Remember, just because everybody else is doing it doesn't make it legal.

There are a number of radio services that might fit your needs, which
have been discussed elsewhere in this thread, including MURS, GMRS, FRS,
and, I believe to a lesser extent, amateur radio. However, none of those
will grant you the type of interoperability you desire.

You left out VHF which is the one of choice. All I need to do is justify the
appropriate license.


No. I didn't. VHF is not a radio service. As was explained elsewhere in
this lengthy thread, VHF refers to the frequency band. There are three
major bands -- HF, VHF, and UHF. Within each band there are a number of
"radio services" -- each with a specific intended application and its
corresponding licensing requirements and operating regulations.

You don't get a "VHF license." You get a license for a radio service that
falls within the VHF bands, and for your purposes that could be amateur
radio (which, among other bands, has frequencies in VHF) and MURS (which
is VHF). The VHF Marine radio service falls within VHF, but VHF itself is
not a radio service.

That might be a part of the big misunderstanding here. Let me know if I
can clarify further.


If you still have your heart set on using VHF Marine, the absolute BEST
thing you could do is to pick up the phone and call the FCC.
1-888-CALL-FCC. You can get in touch with someone there who is familiar
with the laws surrounding VHF Marine radio licensing and they will be
able to tell you whether you meet the requirements and exactly what type
of license to get.

Good luck, and have fun on Lake Anna. I wish I were there!

Hey, you are welcome to come up sometime. We should be here this weekend.
Do you kayak or canoe?

I've always wanted to, but it's one of many things on my very long list of
things to try!


--

Rick