GPS / CB Choices

azdryheat wrote:
I guess I confused the issue with GMRS. The radio I'm talking about is a Dual-Band Two-Way Ham Radio Transceiver UHF/VHF 136-174/400-520MHz.

I understand that GMRS covers 462 to 467 Mhz, which is regulated by the FCC and requires a license and I see nothing about commercial use. The FMS also has frequencies in this range and a license is not required if the preset freq's FMS channels are used.

On the other hand, 136-174 Mhz also requires no license and truckers shouldn't have any issues using the particular channels in the freq range provided they are approved channels.

Egad's no.

Proper FCC type Ham radio equipment are designed to transmit INSIDE all the HAM band limits.

Any licensed Ham transmitting outside of Ham bands risks loosing their license, being fined and even including loosing their equipment.

Ham bands are..

2 Mtr (VHF) Ham is 140.1-148.0 Mhz

440 Mhz (70 cm)(UHF) is 420.0 Mhz to 450.0 Mhz

See ARRL chart for more details..

HERE

Some Ham radios may be able to LISTEN out of band, but they are not setup factory to transmit out side those bands. For some special groups like "MARS" which use frequencies slightly outside of Ham bands there is often a mod that can be done by factory but you must provide license proof..

There were some older Chinese import radios which DID transmit outside Ham bands, those radios after the flaw was discovered were banned from importation and ALL of the existing ones that were sold are considered not not FCC type accepted and are not legal to use.

Newer Chinese import radios do adhere to the FCC type acceptance and do not transmit outside of the Ham bands (although I suspect there might be mods but those would make the radio no longer FCC accepted and not legal to transmit.

Additionally frequencies from 136 Mhz to 174 Mhz ALL are LICENSED frequencies.. Those frequencies contain FAA Airport/airline radio audio and important radio location traffic, Marine radio frequencies, business radio traffic, NOAA, Government use and much much more. The is zero "unlicensed" use frequencies in there.. At one point some point there were VHF low power Microphone systems that were legal to use in the analog TV channels, not so much now days and they only had a few milliwatts of transmit power and barely gave you 100ft of distance..

Now if you really wish to lose your mind, HERE is from the FCC a chart from 2 Khz to 300 Ghz..

I think you will be hard pressed to find ANY "license free" spectrum available that would afford one with "CB" like useage other than Family radio (FMRS) but once again, FRMS and GMRS SHARE some of the same UHF frequencies and comes with very severe limitations in power and antenna creating a very short line of sight service which typically will end up a mile or two of distance.

FCC does not just "give away" radio frequency spectrum, they SELL IT. It is auctioned off, FCC makes money on auction frequencies, it is how they stay alive..

Ham radio back 10 yrs or so ago lost a chunk of 220 Mhz band to UPS (which UPS has never used).. So it is in the best interest of Hams to at least try to use the bands they have, or risk losing it..

But just because you don't hear anyone on a frequency, it doesn't mean you can or should transmit on those frequencies, they are owned by FCC..

FCC coordinates the usage.

Fines, prison time and loss of equipment..

Don't assume..

On edit..

FMRS while it is "unlicensed", it was designed for "family use" and was supposed to sort of "replace" the 27 Mhz CB wasteland providing a useful short distance communication method for folks to use like hunting, hiking type of thing..

With it, it comes with a power and antenna limitation which under goo conditions may get you a couple of miles (like CB).. Those radios are only available in low power handy talkies with integrated antenna (no external antenna possible).

FMRS units often include GMRS channels but in reality if you are transmitting on GMRS channels you ARE supposed to have a GMRS license.

GMRS radios tend to have higher power and a external antenna connection and share some of the FMRS frequencies.. But once agin comes with UHF line of sight limitations AND you need to pay for a license..

Overall neither is a good useful item unless you are preplanning some remote short distance communications with someone that you know.