I need some 2-way radios. Any suggestions? Also, do you need a license to operate? I noticed on the Motorola website that you must obtain a FCC license.

Thanks for any input

 

FRS/GMRS radios are very inexpensive these days. About 7 months ago I picked up a package of two radios, two rechargeable batteries and charging stand all in one pack for $39 at Sam’s. As far as the license goes, I don’t know of anyone who has one to operate them.

 

For the family radios you do not need an FCC license to operate them in the US. The range of these radios is generally no more then 1-2 miles at most.

Some of the new ones can transmit GPS data, you may need some sort of license for these (if I remember, there was a delay in releasing them because of FCC rules).

They are generally pretty cheap no a days. If you are going to use them camping, or out of town, it's a good idea to get ones that use regular batteries so that you can swap them out when you need to. If you are going to use them around the area, the rechargables are probably the best route.

Some of them even come with headsets now, so that you could use them in the car hands free.

 

I'll clarify this a little bit. Some of the FRS radio frequencies do not need a license. the GMRS frequencies which transmit using higher wattage do need a license. Most of the radios out there now can operate using both FRS and GMRS frequencies. FRS is 0.5W and GMRS is 1-5W

Someone can correct me if I am wrong but here is the channel breakdown

1-7 FRS
8-14 FRS/GMRS
15-22 GMRS

If your radio has 1 watt or greater transmission power then it is capable of transmitting the GMRS frequencies. if you only use the first 14 channels then you do not need a license.

Technically, you need a GMRS license that costs $80 but almost nobody actually gets one except for ham radio nuts.

I'd suggest that you pretend that you did not read or understand what I wrote and forget about paying $80 to the FCC.

Remember to use the higher power GMRS frequencies on your radios for better range. Also another good reason why we should switch from 7sub21 to a GMRS frequency for club events now that almost everyone has a radio capable of the higher frequencies. . . .

 

Yes, you do in fact need to purchase an FCC license if you have GMRS radios, you do not need a license for the lower power FRS radios...

That being said however, as long as you don't modify the radios so that they transmit off frequency or at a differenct power output than they were orignally designed for (either of which could cause interference on other devices) then you probably have nothing to worry about.

 

My GMRS radios work just fine without the license from the FCC. . only thing they NEED is batteries

If I needed a license to operate a walkie-talkie I bought at Wal-Mart, then Wal-Mart would have made sure I had one before selling it to me!

 

Hey, I'm just pushing the party line there...

 

Yes, and I'm being the rebel!

Maybe I should go broadcast some music with uncensored dirty words over my GMRS!

 

That said, if your going to get one with GMRS, you might as well get 5 watts vice 1 watt.

 

I bought a pair of radios from Target for $59 about two years ago with a charging base... now goes for $39. My charge lasts all day, more use drains the battery, but so far we've yet to lose a radio on a rally.

Licenses, we don't need no stinkin' licenses!

 

handheld radios?



i just found these CB things, i'm tellin ya, they are gonna make cell phones obsolete!

 

WOW!!! You going to get one of those big antennas to mount on the top of your MINI?

 

That would complete the RC look!

 

i had one, but i think my thru-the-window mount one will do for now.

it kept sliding around on the roof, didnt wanna damage paint

 

You got to bolt that quarter wave CB antenna DIRECTLY into the middle of the roof to get a good ground plane

 

Saw a pair of Midland radios at Best Buy over the TGiving weekend for $24.95 with a $10 mail in rebate for total cost of $14.95. Don't know when sale expires, but watch for a repeat...they do that during the holidays...

BTW, what are FRS vs GMRS? Is one more expensive, better, greater range than the other? I'll be going on a lot more runs next year, and will be in the market.
hs

 

GMRS radios typically are higher power radios and have a longer range than FRS radios. In addition GMRS radios can transmit over a broader range of frequencies than FRS radios.

A GMRS radio can use the same frequencies as and talk to a FRS radio, however FRS radios can't use all the frequencies that a GMRS radio can...

Then there's the licensing issue. There is no licensing requirement for FRS radios, but there is an FCC license requirement for GMRS radios... But as pointed out above, if you should forget to apply for a license for your GMRS radios, you probably won't have anything to worry about...

 

Thanks for the tutorial. In practical terms though, would you say that on a run where most of the participants are maybe only a mile or two apart at the most, the FRS would suffice?

Sounds like the old cb days to me...guess I'll have to dust off my old handle, 'finewine.'

 

It all depends on the terrain between you and the other users. Given the price difference now a days between GMRS and FRS radios, I would recommend going with a GMRS radio. I believe you can get a pair of GMRS radios for $40 or less nowadays...

 

Look around in Radio Shack. They sometimes have the radios on clearance. A few months ago, I picked up a pair of moto's for $15!!!! Not too shabby; GMRS to boot. They get better reception than the frs unidens I bought over a year ago for $20.

Shop around. 'Tis the season.