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Seems the forum somehow deleted my post from the 17th of September, resubmitting again.

A fact, today's widespread use of various communication media and equipment, is one of unlicensed radio operations within the USA. Getting caught, or reported use of, individuals using unlicensed two-way equipment is a costly risk to people who don't get caught every time they 'key up'. Those who have gotten caught, are usually in two main categories, those licensed (that) should know better, and those who buy equipment (being) ignorant of the requirements of the FCC licensing rules and regulations. Those who purchase high power (depending on the frequency & output power) equipment are themselves responsible to know if they are in violation of the FCC, along with the possible costs associated with being caught. I'll give some information here below. Search on some search engines for those who got caught, or not.

Land Mobile Radio Service (LMR)

LMR Radios stands for land mobile radios which are used in industrial, business and other land mobile applications. Businesses today use LMR for industrial operations like manufacturing, warehousing, construction sites and more. These radios are important to businesses because it allows them to communicate at a distance while keeping the lines of communication open at all times. LMR Radios must be programmed with your licensed frequencies, however, at least one radio in each mobile (vehicle) unit must be capable of monitoring the frequencies assigned for business dispatch purposes. LMR frequencies are licensed by the FCC and require an annual fee paid to them. LMR frequencies are site-specific - meaning they can only be used within a certain geographical area or "pool".

FCC Licensing, why do I need an FCC license? The FCC regulates all of the frequencies used by devices like two-way radios in the United States. They require anyone using a device with output power greater than 2W to obtain a license prior to use. Merely having a transmitter that exceeds this is valid enough for not only confiscation but also a hefty fine to go along with it.

Do I have to get a license before I can buy a LMR radio? No. vendors do not require proof of licensing before they ship a radio. They are not affiliated with the FCC, but they should advise you to acquire a license before operating your equipment. Think back to what the FCC uses to help make the decision for how much your license will be, the interference of your network into other networks. If you opt to not get a license, your network could be creating interference to another licensed user, making you the bad guy when you meant no malice. This is why, if found, the FCC lays down hefty fines to those who are operating illegally on LMR frequencies.

How do I apply for an LMR License. The easiest solution to acquire an LMR license is to contact the FCC at https://www.fcc.gov . They have the most up-to-date licensing information and are best to steer you into legal operation of your two-way radio equipment. There are many sites that will sell you the equipment, but the notice of its operation is woefully missing in the advertisements you find. If the site does 'Note' anything about needing a license, consider that site for a purchase if buying a new radio, as they have your best interests.

Is there a charge for an LMR license? Yes. You will be charged a fee for your LMR license by the FCC. This pays for organizational needs and the frequency coordination services. The license term is good for 10 years, after which you will need to renew your license.

I don’t want to pay for a license, but I need a radio. What should I do? Easy, buy a two-way radio that does not require a license. Search for 'license-free two-way radio articles' to find some great options available to you. All with no license needed.

Bringing it Home. Licensing from a government entity can be intimidating, and sometimes feel like it's not worth the initial cost but it can also provide peace of mind and channel security you might not otherwise have. Remember, you always have options. You can opt for FRS radios, which have come a long way. You can get license-free radios manufactured by the big radio players which offer wonderful features you won’t find in radios bought at your typical big box stores. The choices are of course, yours. I would not wish to be busted by the FCC. That kind of federal record is something we all should avoid. If caught, count on at the minimum the equipment you were using (note were), will not be returned to you. Moreover, the way they remove the equipment will not be as considerate of your home or vehicle as you are (even if you're lucky enough to NOT invoke a huge fine).

I hope this PSA for the membership is received well. It serves to note that an informed membership is good for all.


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Where do you get crap like this? Its like one of those YouTube videos by some dork in his mommy's basement, he THINKS he knows, but he clearly doesnt.

A fact, today's widespread use of various communication media and equipment, is one of unlicensed radio operations within the USA. Getting caught, or reported use of, individuals using unlicensed two-way equipment is a costly risk to people who don't get caught every time they 'key up'. Those who have gotten caught, are usually in two main categories, those licensed (that) should know better, and those who buy equipment (being) ignorant of the requirements of the FCC licensing rules and regulations.
There is a lot of unlicensed operation, for two reasons. 1)The FCC allows unlicensed operation in part 15, as well as CB, FRS and all so-called "wireless" applications. 2) The FCC ignores a lot of it, more on that later.

Those who purchase high power (depending on the frequency & output power) equipment are themselves responsible to know if they are in violation of the FCC, along with the possible costs associated with being caught. I'll give some information here below. Search on some search engines for those who got caught, or not.
I assume this is referring to high power CB operation. Those of us who go to the Dragon all limit power to 5 Watts, we all use type-accepted equipment and we all keep within the law enough to not worry about the FCC. Most of us are using WalMart FRS radios, in fact.

Land Mobile Radio Service (LMR)

LMR Radios stands for land mobile radios which are used in industrial, business and other land mobile applications. Businesses today use LMR for industrial operations like manufacturing, warehousing, construction sites and more. These radios are important to businesses because it allows them to communicate at a distance while keeping the lines of communication open at all times. LMR Radios must be programmed with your licensed frequencies, however, at least one radio in each mobile (vehicle) unit must be capable of monitoring the frequencies assigned for business dispatch purposes. LMR frequencies are licensed by the FCC and require an annual fee paid to them. LMR frequencies are site-specific - meaning they can only be used within a certain geographical area or "pool".
Wrong. Licenses for many services are free. And this "site-specific" stuff is not completely accurate either. (He has no idea what a "pool" is). There are "pools" of re-farmed channels that, oddly enough, can be licensed with no actual reference to a specific site. Wide area paging operations, using channels from the old IMTS phones are an example of this. The FCC licenses an operator to an entire area or region (and in a few cases, the entire 48 states) the right to certain re-farmed channels. THis is the bases of wide-area paging. Many SMR operators also are licensed like this, including my former employer, Smith Radio of Fayetteville, Arkansas."

I gotta call this out:
....however, at least one radio in each mobile (vehicle) unit must be capable of monitoring the frequencies assigned for business dispatch purposes.
This is so vapid, I can't imagine what kind of ignorance comes up with such crap. This is an example of "parroting what one reads" without understanding it. I have no clue where this indivudual came up with this one, I just know it was written by a flat-earther.

FCC Licensing, why do I need an FCC license? The FCC regulates all of the frequencies used by devices like two-way radios in the United States. They require anyone using a device with output power greater than 2W to obtain a license prior to use. Merely having a transmitter that exceeds this is valid enough for not only confiscation but also a hefty fine to go along with it.
Wrong again. The FCC only regulates certain frequencies and users. The state department has authority over many, including psuedo-international, military, consulate and government operations. As to the 2 watt remark, this was correct perhaps as recently as 1990 (not sure when things changed, to be honest). Unlicensed operation on CB is legal at up to 5 watts. Unlicensed operation on FRS and GMRS can be legal at .5 watt, 2 watt or 5 watts depending on the channel. That is why some FRS/GMRS radios are 7 channel, some are 14 channel and some have way more than 14 channels. It is also why we avoid channels 8 to 22 because some of us hold GMRS licenses and run 5 watts - but it's illegal to run 5W above channel 8.

Above 300G, no license is required at all, tho you must meet certain human safety requirements. (Id have to look, it was 30G but I think they raised it to 300G, pretty sure they did).

Do I have to get a license before I can buy a LMR radio? No. vendors do not require proof of licensing before they ship a radio. They are not affiliated with the FCC, but they should advise you to acquire a license before operating your equipment. Think back to what the FCC uses to help make the decision for how much your license will be, the interference of your network into other networks. If you opt to not get a license, your network could be creating interference to another licensed user, making you the bad guy when you meant no malice. This is why, if found, the FCC lays down hefty fines to those who are operating illegally on LMR frequencies.
Actually, no they dont. Not very often. The FCC will wig out over an AM radio station not IDing properly, or not mowing the grass around the radial grid, way more than some farmer letting his license expire. In fact, the FCC dropped all licensing of CB for one reason: Millions were using it unlicensed. Remember, the FCC works for US, not the other way around.

How do I apply for an LMR License. The easiest solution to acquire an LMR license is to contact the FCC at https://www.fcc.gov . They have the most up-to-date licensing information and are best to steer you into legal operation of your two-way radio equipment. There are many sites that will sell you the equipment, but the notice of its operation is woefully missing in the advertisements you find. If the site does 'Note' anything about needing a license, consider that site for a purchase if buying a new radio, as they have your best interests.
In other words, "I dont know what I'm talking about so I will tell you go to elsewhere".

Is there a charge for an LMR license? Yes. You will be charged a fee for your LMR license by the FCC. This pays for organizational needs and the frequency coordination services. The license term is good for 10 years, after which you will need to I don’t want to pay for a license, but I need a radio. What should I do? Easy, buy a two-way radio that does not require a license. Search for 'license-free two-way radio articles' to find some great options available to you. All with no license needed.
Whatever, not worth responding to.

Bringing it Home. Licensing from a government entity can be intimidating, and sometimes feel like it's not worth the initial cost but it can also provide peace of mind and channel security you might not otherwise have. Remember, you always have options. You can opt for FRS radios, which have come a long way. You can get license-free radios manufactured by the big radio players which offer wonderful features you won’t find in radios bought at your typical big box stores. The choices are of course, yours. I would not wish to be busted by the FCC. That kind of federal record is something we all should avoid. If caught, count on at the minimum the equipment you were using (note were), will not be returned to you. Moreover, the way they remove the equipment will not be as considerate of your home or vehicle as you are (even if you're lucky enough to NOT invoke a huge fine).
FRS radios have NOT "come a long way", other than the FCC has washed it's hands of FRS and the channels shared with GMRS. Go ahead, listen sometime. It is ILLEGAL (I mean, if the FCC gave a damn, which they dont) to use FRS for any business operation. It is ONLY LEGAL for family use. That is, only for personal communications by family and friends - it says that specifically in part 95.

And yet, EVERY channels is FULL of Walmart, Kroger, Lowes and Home Depot locations using FRS for inventory control and customer service - blatantly illegal. So, why to they get away with it?

Simple.

The FCC does not care. Not at ALL. Regardless of what this vapid nonsense, written by some joker who has an opinion, but no actual knowledge, says. The FCC has washed it's hands of FRS (and is about to do that to GMRS) just like it did with CB. I hate it, but fact is, like I said, if MILLIONS of Americans simply take the to CB, the FCC relents. (Perhaps that is as it should be, like pot legalization.) The GMRS crowd is TRYING to get the FCC to not let go, to let GMRS go as did CB, as they want their service to remain theirs - it's a losing battle. Lowes, Home Depot, Walmart - they are winning.

And again, FRS has been abandoned by the FCC. You can do whatever the hell you want there - as Lowe's Home Depot, every hotel chain, Krogers - can all attest to. So, you see, GG, you found some crap on the internet that sounded authoritative, but it what it was, was a vapid word salad this guy got from reading a few internet sites and watching a few youtube videos.

It serves to note that an informed membership is good for all.
I'm doing what I can.

Relax, GraphiteGhost. So you have a problem with me, big deal. This is the third time you have tried to start trouble - not gonna work. CONSIDER: I have worked in LMR (See? I can use the term but I use it correctly) since 1982, it's how I earn my living. You think I'd encourage this group to break the law? You think I'm so stupid I don't know what the law is, in a profession I've been in all my life? WHen I put people at risk, I tell them first - like at the driver's meeting when I tell them, "Your chance of a speeding ticket on this run is way above zero - no complaining." I've actually SAID that out loud in front of 100 people.

Continue to hide behind your anonymous name,

Sincerely,
Mark Christopher
Systems Solution Engineer
EFJohnson Technologies
Irving, Texas

 

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Geeze, stop the insanity.

LMR/GMRS, your long-winded reply has so much outside the specific equipment mentioned. Maybe YOU should catch up on some of it and not use examples on equipment outside the topic. Doubletalk, and slight-of-hand, most of your post. Use the 'search' function at https://www.fcc.gov/licensing and catch up on the latest. IF your licensed, you should know this (I've always assumed you were licensed), and NO I am not asking because I do not care.

Why you think this was aimed at you is telling, it seems you have a problem that just seems to fester within.


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