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Jeremy - if you look closely at 95.135 is says that no station shall transmit with an RF output power of more than 50 watts. That is NOT ERP, but the raw RF coming out of the connector at the back of a repeater or a moble type radio. The Commission couldn't care less about ANTENNA GAIN and ERP for a repeater or mobile type radio. One of the systems I use each occasionally each year has a 50 watt output from the repeater into 175 feet of Andrew hardline to a stacked vertical array with 11.9 dbd gain... which is just under 600 watts taking line loss into consideration. That system is on an elevation 210 feet above average terrain and the tower is another 168 feet. It has a service diameter of over 100 miles.

OK guys - I'm convinced. Now to paint that white antenna olive drab A few weeks ago I tuned my Yaesu to the CB band. I haven't ever really monitored that service and I was amazed (appalled) at what I heard there. If GMRS ever began to sound like that, it would be a total loss. Steve

I have to agree - Security is priority 1 !. In 36 years of law enforcement I've done my share of vetting people, and believe me we drilled down into some people's life - but with regards to giving out a repeater PL code - my vetting process is kinda plain and simple - if I wouldn't want you to be an overnight house guest - I don't want to listen to you on my repeater - has worked for me so far. When I want to chat with strangers there is always AOL or CB or the corner gas station or 7-11. Dan NJ

Jeremy - Good thoughts. I have commercial licensing in low band VHF, high band VHF and UHF as well as GMRS and non-licensed MURS. Comparing range yourself with similar output powers in these frequency spectrums verifies all the published range statistics for simplex systems. The higher the frequency, the less range you have - utilizing the same output power and antenna heights (or using portables at the same height off the ground.) There is a nice helpful chart detailing this topic of frequency vs. range in the following website... http://www.artscipub.com/simpleton/simp.range.html

The UV5R is not part95 cert. and as far as I know, no Baofeng radios are. However as I have always believed, Part95 cert is in the programming of the radio, as seen with the powerwerx made by Wouxum, this shows us that a radio once properly programmed is technically compliant. not certified until the manufacture applies for the certification. I myself also use Baofeng radios, since they are half the cost of similar part95 cert. radios. and 4 watt's is better than 1 or 2 watts. also versatility, Many Part95 cert. radios that include FRS are no so versatile. The GMRS service allow up to 5 watt's and removable antennas, FRS does not. I have my UV5R programed for GMRS freq's only and when I am in my truck, I use an external antenna to prevent radiating my 4 watt's back into my head and my body. For less technical users I like the BF888 it has 2 watt's, comes with a gain UHF only antenna and works 2X as good at twice the range of a Motorola bubble pak radio, and only cost 19.99 shipped. I go to the airport once a week, the BF888 hit's the repeater at 7.6 miles as easily as the UV5R and the UVB5. for those of us not made of money, the value of these radios far outweigh the certification issues, However the use of non part 95 cert. radios is likely against the charter that allows GMRS service, even though the wording seems vague I am sure these radios were never meant to be allowed and against your license to use them. However with so many Hotels and taxi cab drivers illegally using and also using non part 95 cert. equipment, The FCC will unlikely ever get to prosecuting actual family use of non cert. equipment. I say use equipment that is affordable and well within the spec's for technical part 95 certification, use good radio operating practice and you'll be fine.