Cheap Comms - Baofeng Radios

[Grant H.]

By my interpretation: Given some radios by FCC compliance are now "GMRS licensed," is it still required to obtain a GMRS license or is this only for repeater use? Are the Baofeng radios prohibited regardless because of their non-cmpliance (and/or transmit power?)

Is it true that a low level HAM license costs less than the (no test) GMRS license?

Forgive my ignorance, but I'm just picking up bits and pieces of the confusing regs and info out there after having ordered some of these cheap radios. I'd like to be able to transmit on GMRS with them if possible(legal) so they're not just SHTF radios.

I know there was a thread discussing these radios a while back, but I don't think it covered my GMRS questions.

Thanks for doing this!

The Baofengs are being "banned" because of the way they are FCC certified, and the bands they cover. Since they are Part 90, but cover more spectrum than part 90, that is why the FCC is annoyed. It is important to note... As written, the FCC is not banning possession of these radios, only the advertisement and sale of further radios. This is a regulatory thing, and from some of the info coming out of the FCC and ARRL, likely a lobbied for move by big name radios (kenwood, yaseu, icom, etc)

GMRS technically requires a license, period.

A low level ham license is maybe cheaper, but the tests do take some extra time to get ready for (RF theory, and the harder part, rules/regs/habits).

A GMRS license is only $70.

The baofengs will also transmit on the FRS bands (technically over powered, but not dramatically so) which would allow you to use them mostly legally even without the GMRS license.

[brutal]

The Baofengs are being "banned" because of the way they are FCC certified, and the bands they cover. Since they are Part 90, but cover more spectrum than part 90, that is why the FCC is annoyed. It is important to note... As written, the FCC is not banning possession of these radios, only the advertisement and sale of further radios. This is a regulatory thing, and from some of the info coming out of the FCC and ARRL, likely a lobbied for move by big name radios (kenwood, yaseu, icom, etc)

GMRS technically requires a license, period.

A low level ham license is maybe cheaper, but the tests do take some extra time to get ready for (RF theory, and the harder part, rules/regs/habits).

A GMRS license is only $70.

The baofengs will also transmit on the FRS bands (technically over powered, but not dramatically so) which would allow you to use them mostly legally even without the GMRS license.

Thanks!

If I have a GMRS (family) license, can my radios then use repeaters?