jerrym58

I have a FT-60R and it works fantastically on Ham, GMRS, FRS, and MURS and any other service within it's frequency range following modification.  I'm not going to say here whether or not I actually have ever done it because it is not certified for non-ham frequencies and therefore it is not legal for Part 95, 90, 80, or 22 use, but that radio can also be programmed for the exact Part 95 power limits for each Part 95 service and frequencies as well.  It is much better at this than any of the Chinese radios regardless of certification.  It is almost as if Yeasu knew going in that there would be responsible Hams that also wanted to use it on GMRS, MURS, FRS, Marine, Commercial, and Ham radio.  For example, you are allowed 5 watts on GMRS/FRS splinter simplex frequencies on FRS channels if you have a GMRS license (and type-accepted radio).  The FT60 will do this.  Furthermore you can run wide or narrow bandwidth.  Current GMRS rules require narrowband emissions with a 5 watt limit on FRS channels 7-14, for example if you have a GMRS license.  There is also a 2 watt power level setting which just by coincidence is the power limit for MURS, an FCC licensed-by-rule service like CB radio.  There is also a 1/2 watt setting that can be used for pure FRS, but once again, not legally.  The FT60 is very good at maintaining these power levels across it's band capability regardless of frequency.  There is a very simple diode-removal modification available from many sources if you google "FT60 Mod" to do this but you have to have a very steady hand so you don't destroy the radio because the diode is almost microscopic.  I encourage anyone doing this to do their absolute best to conform to emissions requirements, including power, bandwidth, and spurious emissions for any band you plan to use it on, keeping in mind that is not legal to use it in the USA on anything but Ham frequencies.  Also keep in mind that there are 2 bandwidth requirements within the MURS band depending on which channel you are using. Personally, I am OK with using the same radios across radio services as long as you conform to ALL of the other FCC regulatory requirements including RF emissions, but that is up to the individual to decide if that is an acceptable thing for them to do because it is not legal due to FT-60's lack of FCC Certification. I also like having maximum frequency range transmit capabilities in case of a life or death emergency, which is allowed by the FCC.  Here's a review of the FT60:  https://www.eham.net/reviews/view-product?id=4286#:~:text=Battery%20life%20is%20excellent%2C%20easy,trip%20the%20%22wires%22%20key.

Deplorable?  ?
 

Jerry,
 
I too would like to see the FCC officially clarify explicitly that part 90 certified equipment is usable for GMRS. At a minimum, it needs to be done to allow commercial grade repeaters to be used, provided of course they are configure per the GMRS rules. The market is not likely enough to justify the overhead for a manufacture to obtain a less stringent technical certification. That repeater is not going to passed around daily to family members that are going to play with front panel controls and screw it up like a BF UV5R. I am conformable they can easily amend part 95 with appropriate language to make it legal without adding loads of bureaucracy.
 
I do not currently see myself ever purchasing and installing one, but I would like to see this legal clarification for all those with the will and means to do so.
 
Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM
 
 
 
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

My repeater is a Motorola MTR2000 programmed to operate at the maximum legal power for GMRS of 50 watts. It is FCC part 90 certified for business use and is one of the best and most spectrally clean repeaters ever made but it is not certified for GMRS part 95. The reason is that Motorola didn’t go through the expense of getting it certified for part 95 because they are not interested in pursuing that market. There are few repeaters available that are FCC certified for GMRS so it violates that one rule However in my personal opinion, that since I follow all other rules regarding emissions and I am using equipment that far exceeds the quality of most GMRS certified equipment that It is an acceptable risk to me. If the FCC tells me to stop then I will shut it off. I would like to hear from anyone that knows of a situation where someone was fined for the sole crime of using non-certified equipment on GMRS.

My repeater is a Motorola MTR2000 programmed to operate at the maximum legal power for GMRS of 50 watts. It is FCC part 90 certified for business use and is one of the best and most spectrally clean repeaters ever made but it is not certified for GMRS part 95. The reason is that Motorola didn’t go through the expense of getting it certified for part 95 because they are not interested in pursuing that market. There are few repeaters available that are FCC certified for GMRS so it violates that one rule However in my personal opinion, that since I follow all other rules regarding emissions and I am using equipment that far exceeds the quality of most GMRS certified equipment that It is an acceptable risk to me. If the FCC tells me to stop then I will shut it off. I would like to hear from anyone that knows of a situation where someone was fined for the sole crime of using non-certified equipment on GMRS.