How many channels are legal to use without a license? FYI, "GMRS" is a range of channels from 462-467 MHz for which an FCC license is required.
1033974
I bought these for grandsons to use for playing "spy" and other "police" games. I cannot speak to adult use in a more serious situation nor about FCC license and range of channels etc. They are very engaging for children though.
1033975
This is citizens band and no license needed. This product is such a piece of junk you can't broadcast across the kitchen table with it.
123589
The phraise "walkie talkie" is a lose phrase. There are walkie talkies out there, you see them by Motorola most common. Those radios have both FRS am gmrs frequencies on them. The FRS frequencies transmit at .5 watts of power and don't need a license to use. However, to use the gmrs frequencies, you do need a licence of you can get fined if you are caught by the FCC. Just keep in mind, the beofeng radio above lowest power is 1 watt. And requires a license use it no matter what frequency you select. I think the last person meant to say you don't need a license to use it as a receiver, you need one to transmit. The phraise "walkie talkie" is a lose phrase. There are walkie talkies out there, you see them by Motorola most common. Those radios have both FRS am gmrs frequencies on them. The FRS frequencies transmit at .5 watts of power and don't need a license to use. However, to use the gmrs frequencies, you do need a licence of you can get fined if you are caught by the FCC. Just keep in mind, the beofeng radio above lowest power is 1 watt. And requires a license use it no matter what frequency you select. I think the last person meant to say you don't need a license to use it as a... » Read More The phraise "walkie talkie" is a lose phrase. There are walkie talkies out there, you see them by Motorola most common. Those radios have both FRS am gmrs frequencies on them. The FRS frequencies transmit at .5 watts of power and don't need a license to use. However, to use the gmrs frequencies, you do need a licence of you can get fined if you are caught by the FCC. Just keep in mind, the beofeng radio above lowest power is 1 watt. And requires a license use it no matter what frequency you select. I think the last person meant to say you don't need a license to use it as a receiver, you need one to transmit. « Show Less
1483741
You need a Ham technician license to operate these units on the VHF & UHF bands using FM. They put out the maximum allowed wattage of 5 watts for hand helds. In the city with buildings you may get 1-2 miles and in the county 3-5 or even more if a straight line of sight. You will get a far greater range if you use a repeater station. These units are far more powerful and feature laden than the FRM/GMRS FM hand helds that do not require a license. Many make the ridiculous claim of up to 36 miles, but in most cases they are only good for a mile in the city and 2 miles in the country since I also own a pair and have tested them. You need a Ham technician license to operate these units on the VHF & UHF bands using FM. They put out the maximum allowed wattage of 5 watts for hand helds. In the city with buildings you may get 1-2 miles and in the county 3-5 or even more if a straight line of sight. You will get a far greater range if you use a repeater station. These units are far more powerful and feature laden than the FRM/GMRS FM hand helds that do not require a license. Many make the ridiculous claim of up to 36 miles, but in most cases they are only good for a mile in the city and 2 miles in the country since I... » Read More You need a Ham technician license to operate these units on the VHF & UHF bands using FM. They put out the maximum allowed wattage of 5 watts for hand helds. In the city with buildings you may get 1-2 miles and in the county 3-5 or even more if a straight line of sight. You will get a far greater range if you use a repeater station. These units are far more powerful and feature laden than the FRM/GMRS FM hand helds that do not require a license. Many make the ridiculous claim of up to 36 miles, but in most cases they are only good for a mile in the city and 2 miles in the country since I also own a pair and have tested them. « Show Less
808760
Yes on GMRS with a License, and Not at all on FRS. Visit the FCC page to read into the rules of Part 95. GMRS rules simplified:https://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/general-mobile-radio-service-gmrs Part 95http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID;=24bcc55fe030ff8104422371157e1825&mc=true&n;=pt47.5.95&r;=PART&ty;=HTML
1709604
Yes. You need either a GMRS license for the 462-467 frequencies, or a Ham (amateur radio) license for any of the other frequencies in the 70cm (420-450 MHz) band.
1226097
Good heavens! So many wrong answers. This radio can be programmed to receive on any frequency in the typical VHF/UHF land mobile bands. It cannot be used legally used to transmit on either FRS or GMRS frequencies because the radio is not Part 95 certified. There are no frequencies in this radio that can legally be used without a license. There are many business band frequencies that this can operate on legally, but it requires an FCC license, which is generally not difficult to obtain, but you do have to pay between $85 and $200, depending on how many radios you license. Now, these radios are being used every day illegally. Can you get away with it? Maybe. If you happen to pick a frequency with a licensed user or users already on it, you can expect they will file a complaint with the FCC. Depending on how much interference you cause, you may get a visit from a white van with lots of antennas. I suggest you Google the amount of fines you can be hit with. Contact a local land mobile radio dealer. They can help you with a license, and you won't have to worry about the guys in the white van.
314715
the 5 watts output is only non the GMRS channels that you will need a GMRS license to use these channelsEnjoy your new radios
499553
You can use a CB ,murs or Frs radio without a license CB radio are monitored on channel 9 in case of emergency this is a plus this radio is not legal to use without a license it exceeded the wattage requirement 2 watts max Murs and frs 500 milliwatts serious fines and confiscated equipment is what will happen if this radio is used without a license
1526058
Yes, for GMRS frequencies, not FRS. The license can be obtained online from the FCC and does no require testing, as in amatuer radio. There is some discussion of dropping the GMRS licensing requirement, but the FCC has not made a decision and moves incredibly slow. Some people ignore the licensing and operate on GMRS frequencies illegally. While there is limited FCC enforcement, it remains a gentlemens' game and on the honor system, but don't be surprised if someone monitoring GMRS calls you out for not being licensed. Many of these radio folks have the technical capability, the time, and willingness to track your illegal transmissions and report you to the FCC That's how the radio world works. Yes, for GMRS frequencies, not FRS. The license can be obtained online from the FCC and does no require testing, as in amatuer radio. There is some discussion of dropping the GMRS licensing requirement, but the FCC has not made a decision and moves incredibly slow. Some people ignore the licensing and operate on GMRS frequencies illegally. While there is limited FCC enforcement, it remains a gentlemens' game and on the honor system, but don't be surprised if someone monitoring GMRS calls you out for not being licensed. Many of these radio folks have the technical capability, the time, and... » Read More Yes, for GMRS frequencies, not FRS. The license can be obtained online from the FCC and does no require testing, as in amatuer radio. There is some discussion of dropping the GMRS licensing requirement, but the FCC has not made a decision and moves incredibly slow. Some people ignore the licensing and operate on GMRS frequencies illegally. While there is limited FCC enforcement, it remains a gentlemens' game and on the honor system, but don't be surprised if someone monitoring GMRS calls you out for not being licensed. Many of these radio folks have the technical capability, the time, and willingness to track your illegal transmissions and report you to the FCC That's how the radio world works. « Show Less
992709
This is true however it's an extremely easy process you can do it right online pay a small fee and they mail you the license. Not sure how that could ever be realistically enforced but if you're looking for that "peace of mind" it's not a big deal to get it. http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/general-mobile-radio-service-gmrs
2241800
The person that answered the question about the FCC regulations. It is true, but there are several bands this radio will program too that do not require any FCC regulation ot license.
1236640
420mhz - 450mhz are the 70cm ham band; you need an amateur radio license on these freqs. The frs and gmrs are in the 462mhz -467mhz range. No license for frs but you need one for gmrs, there is no test required for the gmrs license but it is costly.
940577
GMRS is regulated by the FCC, and needs a 5 year license. FRS does not. http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/general-mobile-radio-service-gmrs
1450013
As far I know, you do not need license! These radios only have 2 miles range
499550
Look for FRS (Family radio service) radios sold everywhere. This radio is capable of operating on those frequencies as well as "M.U.R.S" channels (also no license required), but radio is not FCC type accepted for those services and would be a technical violation. A lot of people exceed the road speed limit, and a lot use these radios in the spirit if not the letter of the law. MURS is permitted 2 watts output to any antenna, on the radio or remote. FRS has a maximum power out permitted of 500 milliwatts (1/2 W) to an attached antenna ONLY. If you use FRS channels, stick with 1-7 as 8-14 can cause interference to GMRS licensed repeaters. Look for FRS (Family radio service) radios sold everywhere. This radio is capable of operating on those frequencies as well as "M.U.R.S" channels (also no license required), but radio is not FCC type accepted for those services and would be a technical violation. A lot of people exceed the road speed limit, and a lot use these radios in the spirit if not the letter of the law. MURS is permitted 2 watts output to any antenna, on the radio or remote. FRS has a maximum power out permitted of 500 milliwatts (1/2 W) to an attached antenna ONLY. If you use FRS channels, stick with 1-7... » Read More Look for FRS (Family radio service) radios sold everywhere. This radio is capable of operating on those frequencies as well as "M.U.R.S" channels (also no license required), but radio is not FCC type accepted for those services and would be a technical violation. A lot of people exceed the road speed limit, and a lot use these radios in the spirit if not the letter of the law. MURS is permitted 2 watts output to any antenna, on the radio or remote. FRS has a maximum power out permitted of 500 milliwatts (1/2 W) to an attached antenna ONLY. If you use FRS channels, stick with 1-7 as 8-14 can cause interference to GMRS licensed repeaters. « Show Less
499931
Yes an amateur radio license is required to transmit with this unit on the ham bands. I don't think it is FCC approved for use on other bands
2263665
Wow, people voting on answers should be ashamed of themselves! The answer to your question traviswclark is ABSOLUTELY NOT LEGALLLY! These are not FCC certified, and cannot be legally used even with a GMRS license. They would have to be completely reprogrammed even to be on GMRS channels. Unless you have a HAM Radio Operator's license from the FCC, do not waste your money on these, and risk $10,000 fines. Buy a legal FRS radio, and stay on the FRS channels unless you get a GMRS license.