Hi J.Wilkers:
Thanks for all the good information on this forum. One more question for you, do you think the LI-7200s sold in Canada will be the exact same as those in the US, or will their power output be reduced to conform to Canadian regulations. Any way of checking via FCC approval numbers?
Thanks again for your help.
Well, the FCC data only applies to the USA.
In Canada, you need an Industry Canada approval.
As it turns out, the LI-7200 HAS an IC Number… 906B-LI7200
as such these radios are perfectly legal in Canada 
I editied the review to include this number. I’ll see if other I have reviewed have an IC number too, that way, it is easier for Candian users to figure out their needs.
Hi. I’ve been looking at this as I am somewhat disappointed with my Cobra LI-6500 as I find the range in a large mall to be not that great. Has anyone used the LI-7200 in a large mall?
Also out of curiosity, how would the authorities know if you don’t have a licence? Or is the licensing system based on an honour system?
I’ve used the LI-7200 in a hotel/casino. A mall may have too many obstructions, but it IS the longest range radio I’ve ever used.
If you don’t identify with your call sign per the regulations, then it is assumed you have no license. “Faking” a call sign is identity theft, a felony, as a call sign is tied in with a person’s SSN.
There is no honor system. Get a license.
Thanks for the info. I’m from Mississauga, ON (next to Toronto) and as far as I know, I do not need a licence in Canada. Please correct me if I am wrong. And I’m only in the states a few times a year so I don’t know if an American licence would apply to me. Again, please correct me if I am wrong.
No license is required in Canada at all.
Just use the FRS frequencies when in the USA, and you will be fine.
Noted. Thanks again.
I am new to this. Would you mind elaborating on what the sense behind this licensing system is, if anybody can get a license without further qualification? 
Thanks,
David
Most radio services require some sort of license. commercial, public safety, amateur, etc all require licensing. It allows for frequency coordination in some cases, and of course, to make money for the government.
Today I bought the LI-7200 on sale for CAD $64.99 from Future Shop (Best Buy owns FS in Canada). And if I didn’t like it I could return it within 14 days. Anyway, compared with the LI-6500, the 7200 had a significantly longer range and much better performance. Even though the 7200 isn’t as compact as the 6500, the better performance offsets the larger size. So far, thumbs up for the 7200.
I have the sister radio handset - the Li-7020 which is merely the cameoed version of the same radio.
I can vouch for the battery life - just under 48 hours while monitoring channel 1 which is a big step up from the dinky AAA powered Motorolas I had before.
Newbie here with a quick question. I picked up a pair of Cobra LI7700-2WX on clearance at walmart for about $45. I can’t find much information about this model, but from what I am seeing, it looks like it may be the same handsets & charger as the LI7200, but packaged with some earbud/mics. Can anyone confirm these are the same or similar handsets?
edit Silly me, I just found this in another thread. I assume this is good info?
Hello
I’ve been looking into this radio to be able to communicate with my family around town, mostly, so as to save on cell phone bills. Are there any other two way radios which could have a longer range and/or better performance in an urban setting, even if somewhat more expensive? Thanks a lot.
Rodrigo
Hi Rodrigo,
The issue with limited range of GMRS radios isn’t due to cost. You could have a mobile GMRS radio that puts out 25 watts and you still couldn’t talk to your family across town. This is because UHF communication relies on line-of-sight. If you cannot ‘see’ the other person you won’t be able to communicate with the other person. It’s simple as that.
For your needs you have a few options. You WILL need a repeater to assist in your communication when you go beyond 1 mile. Repeaters are always mounted on top of a mountain so the range is greatly extended. There are some different options with repeaters. You can spend big bucks on a GMRS repeater system or you can get a HAM license. A HAM license allows you to use your local 2 meter or 70cm repeaters for free. Using a local repeater you’ll be able to communicate with your family across town, say up to 20 miles away. Some repeaters are linked together to form a large communication network, such as the Snowbird Intertie available to folks that live in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, and Neveda (http://www.utahvhfs.org/snowlink.html). To be a HAM you need to pass a multiple choice exam and pay $15 (cheaper than a GMRS license). You can pick up a pair of VHF/UHF radios with a 5 watt output for $120. For many scout campers in my state (Idaho) the HAM repeater is the only method of communication as there’s no cell coverage in most of the remote campsites. I hope this helps.
If you’re interested in a HAM license here’s a link to get you started: http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/classes.html
So I guess the Cobra Li-7200 isn’t capable of reaching my local repeaters, right? In that case, could you point me to some fairly light/small models who can do that? I’d be glad to do some studying to get a HAM license, so that sounds like a fun challenge. Thanks very much for your reply.
Rodrigo
Correct. The 7200 uses different frequencies and it is not compatible with the 2 meter HAM repeaters.
Here are a few links to some inexpensive, good quality HAM hand-held radios. You could also use these radios without a repeater if the two radios are within ‘simplex’ range. These put out 5 watts and with an efficient after-market antenna they have a much longer range than the average GMRS radios. Just keep in mind that you still need a HAM license with or without the use of a repeater. The license isn’t for the use of the repeater but rather the use of the frequency.
http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6221
GMRS does allow repeaters. These radios, however are not capable of repeaters. See my latest Motorola Radio review. These DO cover repeaters.
You better make darn sure you have your GMRS license though… a repeater owner will be mighty upset if a “pirate” stops by.
Most repeaters on GMRS are private, or require a membership. Always call for the ower before use.
Those radios I listed are for the 2M and 70CM Ham bands, not to be confused with GMRS band. I don’t see the point of using GMRS repeaters when he just wants to talk to his family across town. To you point most GMRS repeaters are private and he would have to spend big $$ on a repeater system. I recommend the Ham 2M/70CM repeater solution which are free of charge except for the Ham license fee.
Roger that
Thanks for everyone’s help. Pdlpsher, your suggestions are excellent, but unfortunately these HAM hand-held radios are impossible to find in Brazil, where I live, AFAIK. Others from better known brands are quite expensive here. Since I live on the top floor of an apartment building which sits on top of a hill overlooking the city, I’ll give the Cobra a shot and see how it performs. I can always sell them later on. Thanks again
Rodrigo