My husband and I work a street festival every year and use radios to communicate. Prior to this year we’ve used whatever my mom had in her garage. They don’t work anymore, so I ordered a set of Midland GXT760s after doing some reading here.
Now I have them, and I’m confused about the need for licensing. We need to use them next week, so I don’t have much time to figure them out. Are the FRS channels on low power legal to use without a license?
My husband and I are usually no more than about 500 feet apart, so I’m assuming we won’t have a problem sticking to low power.
Am I correct that we can use the FRS channels as long as we stick to low power? Messing with the radios it looks like the FRS channels don’t allow you to go to higher power levels. And I need to stay under 1/2 watt power, correct? Does anyone know if low power on these radios qualify?
Here’s the official word from a popular GMRS/FRS radio manufacturer.
This two-way radio operates on GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) frequencies which require an FCC (Federal Communications Commission) license. A user must be licensed prior to operating on Channels 1 through 7 on high power or 15 through 22, which comprise the GMRS channels of this radio. Serious penalties could result for unlicensed use of GMRS channels, in violation of FCC rules. Operation of this radio is subject to additional rules specified in 47 C.F.R. Part 95.
From this it appears that one should obtain a license if operating on any of the GMRS-only frequencies 15-22, or at more than .5 Watt on any of the GMRS/FRS frequencies 1-7.
Having said that, to the best of my limited knowledge, I’m not aware of any radio that can detect if the operator is “Not Licensed” and, therefore, automatically reduce power on channels 1-7 or automatically prevent one from even operating on channels 15-22 if not licensed. I guess its really just safer to get the license if one owns a radio that is able to communicate on a GMRS frequency.
Your quote is what confused me…that is what is stated in the manual. The first line makes it seem that you need a license to use them at all. The second, makes it seem that a license is only needed for the GMRS channels.
Heading to read your other links…thanks!
ETA: It seems that we are fine without a license as long as we stay on the FRS channels, which won’t be a problem for us.
