WQWI871

Oddly, every christmas and new years here for a few years, I hear children voices on FRS and GMRS frequencies. Usually someone gets them as gifts. It reminds me of those gasoline mini motorcycles and electric mopeds (also popular gifts) that I seem to remember not being street legal. Though, parents feel that's a gray situation as long as It's not being used on a 30MPH+ large street (even though the children are not fully supervised and often wonder off anyways). I don't mean to sound harsh about it, but, rules are rules. I don't feel rules have a gray side unless the gray side was specified. A side note, though, there's many people who don't look at the manual's for a lot of stuff because they feel there's no need to. Who would think they need a manual for a little electronic with power, volume, and channels? They see it as straight forward. And I do think the FCC rules look like those safety warnings or warranty listings that most tend to skip past. Perhaps if the licensing were printed clearly on the packaging instead of being tucked away in tiny manuals, it would be noticed more. What annoys me the most is that some (my family) don't believe a license is needed (excluding FRS). If I try to explain that to them, I'd get something like "Nah, people have been using these for years." and if somehow I manage to show more proof, they would still try to counter it with something like "Well, they don't really mean everyone needs a license. That's just for businesses." But, I've always been surrounded by family that thinks they're right and there's nothing I can do to prove anything until it hits them hard.

I suppose I can understand if one may be using a mobile unit that supports amateur and GMRS frequencies, but, doesn't have an amateur license to legally transmit on amateur frequencies and can only legally transmit on GMRS frequencies because of the callsign supporting multiple residents, but, an amateur repeater may be needed for them to receive the transmit due to range, power, or, other factors of GMRS. The sender (amateur user) may have the ability to receive the transmit of the GMRS user depending on equipment and factors. I'm not implying anything, I'm just stating "one" possible reason I can understand why someone would need to do that if they did. Or, similar situations.

I generally only use FRS frequencies when I need close range communication with family members. The FRS/GMRS combo radios can be small and compact for this purpose, and, may seem more suitable for those that aren't experienced such as my family. Also, because I don't simply feel comfortable with my family using my better equipment or using other frequencies. They're not experienced and only know how to transmit. So, I generally lock the keypad and make sure It's all ready for them to use. PTT button is all they need. I also feel FRS is nice for privacy. I keep them handy for comms, storms and NOAA. I use the other stuff on my times. Sometimes I may pass through if I'm bored.