GMRS/FRS transceiver & FCC licensing
 

Hello,

I just got a pack of two Audiovox GMRS7001-2CH two-way
radios and had an unpleasant surprise after opening the
package - "USE OF THIS RADIO ... REQUIRES FCC LICENSE".

Some research showed that, yes, transmitting on a GMRS
frequency requires license. However, the radio have
7 "FRS-only" channels (freq. 467.5625-467.7125). Do I
need license is I use ONLY those channels?

I expect to need the radio once or twice per year when
camping, and I don't want to spend money and time on
FCC license, if not needed for the FRS channels.

Regards,

Gonzo

GMRS and FRS are both citizens band allocations. GMRS is a licensed radio
service, authorizing higher power and flexibility. FRS is unlicensed, with
significant restrictions.

FRS frequencies are interleaved with GMRS frequencies. GMRS radios are also
authorized to transmit on FRS channels 1 to 7 with no more than 5 watts and
using 5 KHz deviation. GMRS uses 467 MHz frequencies as repeater input
channels. All FRS channels are simplex, with 3 Khz deviation and 500
milliwatts.


FRS Frequencies
a.. CH01 462.5625
b.. CH02 462.5875
c.. CH03 462.6125
d.. CH04 462.6375
e.. CH05 462.6625
f.. CH06 462.6875
g.. CH07 462.7125
h..
i.. CH08 467.5625
j.. CH09 467.5875
k.. CH10 467.6125
l.. CH11 467.6373
m.. CH12 467.6625
n.. CH13 467.8874
o.. CH14 467.7125
Do I
need license is I use ONLY those channels?

NO

Ace - www.WH2T.com


Hello,

I just got a pack of two Audiovox GMRS7001-2CH two-way
radios and had an unpleasant surprise after opening the
package - "USE OF THIS RADIO ... REQUIRES FCC LICENSE".

Some research showed that, yes, transmitting on a GMRS
frequency requires license. However, the radio have
7 "FRS-only" channels (freq. 467.5625-467.7125). Do I
need license is I use ONLY those channels?

I expect to need the radio once or twice per year when
camping, and I don't want to spend money and time on
FCC license, if not needed for the FRS channels.

Regards,

Gonzo

wrote in news:1112687214.388534.149420
@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

Hello,

I just got a pack of two Audiovox GMRS7001-2CH two-way
radios and had an unpleasant surprise after opening the
package - "USE OF THIS RADIO ... REQUIRES FCC LICENSE".

Some research showed that, yes, transmitting on a GMRS
frequency requires license. However, the radio have
7 "FRS-only" channels (freq. 467.5625-467.7125). Do I
need license is I use ONLY those channels?

I expect to need the radio once or twice per year when
camping, and I don't want to spend money and time on
FCC license, if not needed for the FRS channels.


Yes. You require a license. As this radio is type accepted for GMRS
use, you are required to get a license to use the radio, regardless of
whatever channels you already use.

Here is a good source of information:
http://www.popularwireless.com/gmrsbppfaq.html

From the website:

"I thought FRS channels were license free?

You can ONLY operate without a license in the Family Radio Service if you
are using a radio that is FCC Type Approved as a FRS radio. This means a
radio type accepted by the FCC as a FRS radio and NOT a GMRS radio."

As the radios you have are type-accepted as GMRS radios, you would
require a license.

Hope this helps :)




--
John L. Wilkerson Jr.

GMRS Consumer information website:
http://www.geocities.com/johnlwilker....net/gmrs.html

Thanks for the answers. Now I start to see what should I do,
but still would like to check with you if this is OK.

According to the manual, if I switch to low output power mode (it
has two modes) the maximum output power is 0.5 watt. This should
mean, according to my understanding, that if I use it only in low-
power mode and only on the FRS channels I should be fine.

So, I plan instead of returning the radios to the shop, to go on
using them with those limitations. I still prefer to have the
high power option, in case of real emergency, that's why I prefer
not to switch to FRS-only radio. Also, I would like to start
listening from time to time on the GMRS channels (no transmitting),
just to see how are the things there and decide if I would like to
get GMRS license or not (I probably would).

Is this OK?

Thanks,

- Gonzo

Hi Gonzo ,
That is what I would do. I have read the related laws. I know some people
will say you will be breaking the law because of FCC type acceptance.
Ace - WH2T


wrote in message
oups.com...
Thanks for the answers. Now I start to see what should I do,
but still would like to check with you if this is OK.

According to the manual, if I switch to low output power mode (it
has two modes) the maximum output power is 0.5 watt. This should
mean, according to my understanding, that if I use it only in low-
power mode and only on the FRS channels I should be fine.

So, I plan instead of returning the radios to the shop, to go on
using them with those limitations. I still prefer to have the
high power option, in case of real emergency, that's why I prefer
not to switch to FRS-only radio. Also, I would like to start
listening from time to time on the GMRS channels (no transmitting),
just to see how are the things there and decide if I would like to
get GMRS license or not (I probably would).

Is this OK?

Thanks,

- Gonzo

wrote in news:1112720808.942240.213740
@l41g2000cwc.googlegroups.com:

Thanks for the answers. Now I start to see what should I do,
but still would like to check with you if this is OK.

According to the manual, if I switch to low output power mode (it
has two modes) the maximum output power is 0.5 watt. This should
mean, according to my understanding, that if I use it only in low-
power mode and only on the FRS channels I should be fine.


No. Since the radio is a type-certified GMRS radio, you will require a
license regardless.

So, I plan instead of returning the radios to the shop, to go on
using them with those limitations. I still prefer to have the
high power option, in case of real emergency, that's why I prefer
not to switch to FRS-only radio. Also, I would like to start
listening from time to time on the GMRS channels (no transmitting),
just to see how are the things there and decide if I would like to
get GMRS license or not (I probably would).

Is this OK?

Nope. See above, and see my original followup to your original post, as
well as the links I offered you.
A license is REQUIRED to use that radio, under any and all conditions.


--
John L. Wilkerson Jr.

GMRS Consumer information website:
http://www.geocities.com/johnlwilker....net/gmrs.html

Dr.Ace - WH2T wrote:
GMRS and FRS are both citizens band allocations.

One comment. GMRS is absolutely NOT a citizen's band service.

No where in the CB regulations does it list GMRS. GMRS *did* develop
from the old "Class A CB" service, however. It is one of the personal
radio services.

"John L. Wilkerson Jr." wrote

A license is REQUIRED to use that radio, under any and all conditions.

So far as the letter-of-the-law is concerned, John is correct.

As a practical matter SO LONG AS YOU TRANSMIT ONLY ON FRS channels and ONLY AT
THE LOW POWER SETTING then you are unlikely to upset anyone nor invite the
attention of any radio police.

See
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...=Google+Search




wrote in message
oups.com...

Dr.Ace - WH2T wrote:
GMRS and FRS are both citizens band allocations.

One comment. GMRS is absolutely NOT a citizen's band service.

No where in the CB regulations does it list GMRS. GMRS *did* develop
from the old "Class A CB" service, however. It is one of the personal
radio services.

People use radios including amateur radios for purposes other than they were
type accepted everyday . Some police use amateur radios that tranmit on
police frequencies, they cost less than Motorola equipment. Some amateurs
use police radios that have been modified to work on amateur frequencies
etc. etc.
Nuff Said
Ace - WH2T


"John L. Wilkerson Jr." wrote in message
...
"Dr.Ace - WH2T" wrote in
:

Hi Gonzo ,
That is what I would do. I have read the related laws. I know some
people
will say you will be breaking the law because of FCC type acceptance.

That is absolutely correct. He should NOT under any circumstances use the
radio, until he licenses. You wouldn't like it if someone used an amateur
radio without a license, now would you? Us Licensed GMRS operators feel
the same way.