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?

Thanks for any help.

Mitch

I suggest calling the FCC. They will inform you of what
you can use under any particular license.

"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?

Thanks for any help.

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

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

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.


While I agree with others that it would be an excellent idea to get the
local amateur radio organization to provide (free) communications for your
regatta, I wonder why you hadn't also considered the FRS radio system?
No license, cheap equipment, and should be able to provide your
communications requirements for a regatta, assuming you don't have hills or
other obstructions to talk past.



Ed

Ed wrote:
While I agree with others that it would be an excellent idea to get
the local amateur radio organization to provide (free) communications
for your regatta, I wonder why you hadn't also considered the FRS
radio system? No license, cheap equipment, and should be able to
provide your communications requirements for a regatta, assuming you
don't have hills or other obstructions to talk past.

I have considered FRS, but testing suggests that its range is insufficient.
We will need to communicate over a range of up to 2-3 miles. Even though
the conditions are very good, I don't think FRS can do it, but I would be
delighted to be wrong.

Mitch

On Sun, 01 May 2005 02:22:38 GMT, Ed
wrote:

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.

While I agree with others that it would be an excellent idea to get the
local amateur radio organization to provide (free) communications for your
regatta, I wonder why you hadn't also considered the FRS radio system?
No license, cheap equipment, and should be able to provide your
communications requirements for a regatta, assuming you don't have hills or
other obstructions to talk past.

The range of 1/2 watt FRS radios, advertised as "up to 2 miles", is
more like 1/2 to 1 mile in real world conditions, and terrain and
architecture can reduce that further.

A typical 2 meter ham HT puts out 5 watts, has a better antenna, and
has access to repeaters. Much greater range.

There are only 14 FRS channels, and anyone can jump in with their own.
The PL tones do not help that much if there are other users on the
same channel.

If your event ends up buying radios, it can add up rather quickly.

We see many events try other means of communications, and they end up
coming back to asking hams to help out.

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

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

Gary S. wrote:
...

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.

This is an interesting idea, but I'm not sure it will work in my situation.
Three of the radios need to be in small referee's launches which already
contain the ref and a launch driver. Another one will be at the finish line
and a fifth will be on the dock.

I will look into this further though. Thank you.

Mitch

I have considered FRS, but testing suggests that its range is
insufficient. We will need to communicate over a range of up to 2-3
miles. Even though the conditions are very good, I don't think FRS
can do it, but I would be delighted to be wrong.



Is this event held over line-of-sight water? If so, the FRS radios
should work, though close to maximum range there. If there is terrain or
just trees in the way, then 2 - 3 miles won't work. Be easy enough to
probably get a pair to check the path over your maximum range, though.

As others have said, you'll get a much higher quality communications
system if the local hams do it.


Ed

Ed wrote:

Is this event held over line-of-sight water? If so, the FRS radios
should work, though close to maximum range there. If there is
terrain or just trees in the way, then 2 - 3 miles won't work. Be
easy enough to probably get a pair to check the path over your
maximum range, though.

There is a slight outcropping between the start and finish which is probably
enough to rule out the FRS radios.

As others have said, you'll get a much higher quality
communications system if the local hams do it.

I have contacted them and will see what they say.

Mitch