FRS / GMRS Radio FCC licensing
 

Well, I got a nice little Christmas present, a pair of Motorola T4500 FRS
(or so I thought) radios. Seems that these broadcast on both the FRS (Family
Radio Service) channels and the newer GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service)
frequencies.

When FRS came out, they were nice little radios that didn't require a
license, and had a good range, relatively inexpensive, etc. Of course,
somebody couldn't leave good enough, so they came out with the GMRS
frequencies. The radios use a higher power on the GMRS frequencies.

Well guess what? To be strictly legal, you have to get a license for these
new GMRS frequencies. $75 for 5 years from the FCC, you have to fill out
forms 605 and 159. Now, I can of course operate these radios on channels
8-14 ONLY without a license and be legal, because these are the old FRS
frequencies. Sheesh, the license is more than the radios!

Now how many folks who got these for Christmas do you think are going to
apply for an FCC license? Sure reminds me of the old CB radio days. Just
another taxation scheme.

FRS / GMRS Radio FCC licensing
 

I got some and am going through the same headache. To make matters worse I
heard someone made a mistake on his form so the FCC did not grant him a
license. They did however cash his $75 check. I am not sure how it ended.

"Keith" wrote in message
...
Well, I got a nice little Christmas present, a pair of Motorola T4500 FRS
(or so I thought) radios. Seems that these broadcast on both the FRS
(Family
Radio Service) channels and the newer GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service)
frequencies.

When FRS came out, they were nice little radios that didn't require a
license, and had a good range, relatively inexpensive, etc. Of course,
somebody couldn't leave good enough, so they came out with the GMRS
frequencies. The radios use a higher power on the GMRS frequencies.

Well guess what? To be strictly legal, you have to get a license for these
new GMRS frequencies. $75 for 5 years from the FCC, you have to fill out
forms 605 and 159. Now, I can of course operate these radios on channels
8-14 ONLY without a license and be legal, because these are the old FRS
frequencies. Sheesh, the license is more than the radios!

Now how many folks who got these for Christmas do you think are going to
apply for an FCC license? Sure reminds me of the old CB radio days. Just
another taxation scheme.

FRS / GMRS Radio FCC licensing
 

In the early 70's the CB band also required a license. When the "CB boom"
hit in the mid 70's, the FCC found it didn't have the resources to handle
the huge influx of applications, or the the resources to enforce people
operating without a liscense. So to save face - they threw the service
open to free usage.

To date, I've never heard of a case of FCC enforcement on CB that didn't
involve numerous complaints about the same operator coupled with the FCC
being spoon fed the location of the offender. These complaints always
involved very excessive power, or extremely profane operation. Unliscensed
operation was way too petty to squander resources on.

-W


"Keith" wrote in message

Now how many folks who got these for Christmas do you think are going to
apply for an FCC license? Sure reminds me of the old CB radio days. Just
another taxation scheme.

FRS / GMRS Radio FCC licensing
 

Clams Canino wrote:


To date, I've never heard of a case of FCC enforcement on CB that didn't
involve numerous complaints about the same operator coupled with the FCC
being spoon fed the location of the offender. These complaints always
involved very excessive power, or extremely profane operation. Unliscensed
operation was way too petty to squander resources on.

-W


You're probably right, but with the current political atmosphere in
Washington, DC, and the lunatic in the AG's office, you never know.
Perhaps an investment in Campbell's zoup cans and string...




--
Email sent to is never read.

FRS / GMRS Radio FCC licensing
 

I thought about that...... and postulated that what FCC resources were
reallocated to monitor these bands as part of the anti-terror campaign,
would also be too busy focusing on "chatter" that sounded encripted in some
way.

I still don't think they have the time, or tools, to hassle the operator
that says: "Hey, while on your way to the ramp, grab an extra pizza and a
milk. And hollar when you're close so I can come meet you."

( I have a pizza place trained to deliver to my boat anyway.... heh)

The liscense requirement may well be a way to generate revenue, but if they
really need big money all they need to do is wait for Stern to commit more
full frontal nudity on the radio. hehe

-W

"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
Clams Canino wrote:


To date, I've never heard of a case of FCC enforcement on CB that didn't
involve numerous complaints about the same operator coupled with the FCC
being spoon fed the location of the offender. These complaints always
involved very excessive power, or extremely profane operation.
Unliscensed
operation was way too petty to squander resources on.

-W


You're probably right, but with the current political atmosphere in
Washington, DC, and the lunatic in the AG's office, you never know.
Perhaps an investment in Campbell's zoup cans and string...




--
Email sent to is never read.

FRS / GMRS Radio FCC licensing
 

In article ,
"Keith" wrote:

Well, I got a nice little Christmas present, a pair of Motorola T4500 FRS
(or so I thought) radios. Seems that these broadcast on both the FRS (Family
Radio Service) channels and the newer GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service)
frequencies.

When FRS came out, they were nice little radios that didn't require a
license, and had a good range, relatively inexpensive, etc. Of course,
somebody couldn't leave good enough, so they came out with the GMRS
frequencies. The radios use a higher power on the GMRS frequencies.

Well guess what? To be strictly legal, you have to get a license for these
new GMRS frequencies. $75 for 5 years from the FCC, you have to fill out
forms 605 and 159. Now, I can of course operate these radios on channels
8-14 ONLY without a license and be legal, because these are the old FRS
frequencies. Sheesh, the license is more than the radios!

Now how many folks who got these for Christmas do you think are going to
apply for an FCC license? Sure reminds me of the old CB radio days. Just
another taxation scheme.



If you actually knew what you were talking about you would be DANGEROUS.
GMRS predates FRS by only about 30 years. FRS is an unlisensed Service
because the power of the radio's is small. GMRS Radios have more power
and therefor are capable of interfering with other radio systems that
SHARE the same frequencies. This is why they are LICENSED, so that if
you interfere with someone else's LICENSED system, they can identify you
and get you to STOP. If you aren't capable of filling out the LICENSE
FORM or can't AFFORD the fee, then you need to stay on FRS or CB where
Mooron's belong.

me

FRS / GMRS Radio FCC licensing
 

On Fri, 26 Dec 2003 19:21:40 GMT, Me wrote:


If you actually knew what you were talking about you would be DANGEROUS.
GMRS predates FRS by only about 30 years. FRS is an unlisensed Service
because the power of the radio's is small. GMRS Radios have more power
and therefor are capable of interfering with other radio systems that
SHARE the same frequencies. This is why they are LICENSED, so that if
you interfere with someone else's LICENSED system, they can identify you
and get you to STOP. If you aren't capable of filling out the LICENSE
FORM or can't AFFORD the fee, then you need to stay on FRS or CB where
Mooron's belong.

me

Back behind the scenes at all this 2-way-radio nonsense, there's
someone who's been pulling the FCC's string for decades. It's

M-O-T-O-R-O_)$(&@#_)(%&_)(#$*_)@(#&^%_)NO CARRIER


Larry W4CSC

NNNN

FRS / GMRS Radio FCC licensing
 

Well, "Me", what a nice Christmas attitude you project, and to the whole
world! Ignorance can be solved with education; I doubt there is such a
simple cure for your clearly displayed malady.


"Me" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"Keith" wrote:

Well, I got a nice little Christmas present, a pair of Motorola T4500
FRS
(or so I thought) radios. Seems that these broadcast on both the FRS
(Family
Radio Service) channels and the newer GMRS (General Mobile Radio
Service)
frequencies.

When FRS came out, they were nice little radios that didn't require a
license, and had a good range, relatively inexpensive, etc. Of course,
somebody couldn't leave good enough, so they came out with the GMRS
frequencies. The radios use a higher power on the GMRS frequencies.

Well guess what? To be strictly legal, you have to get a license for
these
new GMRS frequencies. $75 for 5 years from the FCC, you have to fill out
forms 605 and 159. Now, I can of course operate these radios on channels
8-14 ONLY without a license and be legal, because these are the old FRS
frequencies. Sheesh, the license is more than the radios!

Now how many folks who got these for Christmas do you think are going to
apply for an FCC license? Sure reminds me of the old CB radio days. Just
another taxation scheme.



If you actually knew what you were talking about you would be DANGEROUS.
GMRS predates FRS by only about 30 years. FRS is an unlisensed Service
because the power of the radio's is small. GMRS Radios have more power
and therefor are capable of interfering with other radio systems that
SHARE the same frequencies. This is why they are LICENSED, so that if
you interfere with someone else's LICENSED system, they can identify you
and get you to STOP. If you aren't capable of filling out the LICENSE
FORM or can't AFFORD the fee, then you need to stay on FRS or CB where
Mooron's belong.

me

FRS / GMRS Radio FCC licensing
 

The frequencies that are open to to the GMRS are in the little used
'business section' of the UHF band, and these frequencies have had
license requirements for years... so whats your bitch? Does that mean
Im due a refund after all these years? ... you know that answer.

FRS / GMRS Radio FCC licensing
 

Actuallly it was Radio Shack on this one......


In article , Larry W4CSC
wrote:

On Fri, 26 Dec 2003 19:21:40 GMT, Me wrote:


If you actually knew what you were talking about you would be DANGEROUS.
GMRS predates FRS by only about 30 years. FRS is an unlisensed Service
because the power of the radio's is small. GMRS Radios have more power
and therefor are capable of interfering with other radio systems that
SHARE the same frequencies. This is why they are LICENSED, so that if
you interfere with someone else's LICENSED system, they can identify you
and get you to STOP. If you aren't capable of filling out the LICENSE
FORM or can't AFFORD the fee, then you need to stay on FRS or CB where
Mooron's belong.

me

Back behind the scenes at all this 2-way-radio nonsense, there's
someone who's been pulling the FCC's string for decades. It's

M-O-T-O-R-O_)$(&@#_)(%&_)(#$*_)@(#&^%_)NO CARRIER


Larry W4CSC

NNNN

FRS / GMRS Radio FCC licensing
 

You need not bother with licensing of those radios. You are not on
frequencies that anyone would worry about and you will never, ever have a
representative of the FCC or the DOC ask you for a radio license. Don't pay
the fees simply use them professionally and you will not have to worry.
Especially in Canada, everyone already has those FRS radios, I mean everyone
so the DOC wouldn't even think of having a crew out asking, they simply do
not have the resources available.









"Rich Hampel" wrote in message
...
The frequencies that are open to to the GMRS are in the little used
'business section' of the UHF band, and these frequencies have had
license requirements for years... so whats your bitch? Does that mean
Im due a refund after all these years? ... you know that answer.

FRS / GMRS Radio FCC licensing
 

Now we know why you sign in lower case, me.

FRS / GMRS Radio FCC licensing
 

My point was in the marketing of the radios. They marketed those FRS radios
for several years basically saying "you don't need a license!" Then they add
the GMRS frequencies, but don't really tell anybody that they'll need a
license that costs more than the radios to operate them legally. The folks
that bought them for me had no idea that we'd need licences. I was only
trying to notify those folks who didn't know.

Good luck to the FCC trying to enforce those laws with the hundreds of
thousands, if not millions of those radios that are out there now
unlicenced. You think any of them who gave their kids a pair for Christmas
are going to say... "now wait 'till we get a FCC licence honey!" Nah.

"Rich Hampel" wrote in message
...
The frequencies that are open to to the GMRS are in the little used
'business section' of the UHF band, and these frequencies have had
license requirements for years... so whats your bitch? Does that mean
Im due a refund after all these years? ... you know that answer.

FRS / GMRS Radio FCC licensing
 

On Sat, 27 Dec 2003 07:02:38 -0600, "Keith"
wrote:

My point was in the marketing of the radios. They marketed those FRS radios
for several years basically saying "you don't need a license!" Then they add
the GMRS frequencies, but don't really tell anybody that they'll need a
license that costs more than the radios to operate them legally. The folks
that bought them for me had no idea that we'd need licences. I was only
trying to notify those folks who didn't know.

Good luck to the FCC trying to enforce those laws with the hundreds of
thousands, if not millions of those radios that are out there now
unlicenced. You think any of them who gave their kids a pair for Christmas
are going to say... "now wait 'till we get a FCC licence honey!" Nah.

I think the most annoying part is that the average citizen can play
dumb, but a licensed ham or commercial operator will take a big hit
because "we know better", even though paying $75 to use a $20 radio is
a bit silly.
Joe N3HGB

FRS / GMRS Radio FCC licensing
 

Yup. Knowledge is expensive.

-WA1MKH

"Joe Della Barba " wrote in message

I think the most annoying part is that the average citizen can play
dumb, but a licensed ham or commercial operator will take a big hit
because "we know better", even though paying $75 to use a $20 radio is
a bit silly.
Joe N3HGB

FRS / GMRS Radio FCC licensing
 

GMRS has been out many, many more years than FRS. Originally designed for
the service they now provide. The rules established at that time required a
license. As with all things Government, it is much easier to establish a law
than to change it. Many use GMRS without licensing altho' strictly you are
supposed to get one.


"Keith" wrote in message
...
Well, I got a nice little Christmas present, a pair of Motorola T4500 FRS
(or so I thought) radios. Seems that these broadcast on both the FRS (Family
Radio Service) channels and the newer GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service)
frequencies.

When FRS came out, they were nice little radios that didn't require a
license, and had a good range, relatively inexpensive, etc. Of course,
somebody couldn't leave good enough, so they came out with the GMRS
frequencies. The radios use a higher power on the GMRS frequencies.

Well guess what? To be strictly legal, you have to get a license for these
new GMRS frequencies. $75 for 5 years from the FCC, you have to fill out
forms 605 and 159. Now, I can of course operate these radios on channels
8-14 ONLY without a license and be legal, because these are the old FRS
frequencies. Sheesh, the license is more than the radios!

Now how many folks who got these for Christmas do you think are going to
apply for an FCC license? Sure reminds me of the old CB radio days. Just
another taxation scheme.

FRS / GMRS Radio FCC licensing
 

Gotta love this clown.

He begins his mean mouthed post by insulting the original poster's
intelligence when asking a reasonable question and then follows with:

"Unlisensed" which presumably means "unlicensed"

"therefor" which presumably means "therefore"

and ends his uncalled for "mouth off" by calling the orignal poster a
"MOORON" which presumably was meant to mean "moron"

Only a MORON can't spell MORON.

No wonder you're so insecure.

"Me", you're an idiot...or maybe I should spell it idjut so's youz can
figures it out fer yurself?


Me wrote


If you actually knew what you were talking about you would be DANGEROUS.
GMRS predates FRS by only about 30 years. FRS is an unlisensed Service
because the power of the radio's is small. GMRS Radios have more power
and therefor are capable of interfering with other radio systems that
SHARE the same frequencies. This is why they are LICENSED, so that if
you interfere with someone else's LICENSED system, they can identify you
and get you to STOP. If you aren't capable of filling out the LICENSE
FORM or can't AFFORD the fee, then you need to stay on FRS or CB where
Mooron's belong.

me