On air ID with GMRS radio question

[missinaz]

Hello

I am new to GMRS radios. I have three GMRS-v1’s for the family. Do we need to identify our call sign even when using the channels shared with FRS?  

 

As an example. When using channels 8-14 the radio defaults to .5 watt - the same as a FRS radio. In fact, I believe the radio uses the same wattage for channels 1-14 as an FRS radio (2 watts pr .5 watt)  Only when we go above into channels 15-30 can the radio broadcast true GMRS at 5 watts. 
 

I appreciate any help for a noob question. 

[BoxCar]

FRS does not require identification. 

[marcspaz]

I agree with BoxCar... when operating on FRS frequencies, with an FRS compliant radio, you adhere to FRS rules... no ID required.

 

 

The only problem I see is, the radio is not certified for FRS use, nor can it be due to the removable antenna. So, by the legal letter of the law, you are using GMRS hardware (not FRS compliant hardware) therefore you are using GMRS privileges. You need to adhere to the requirements for GMRS use, not FRS.

 

On the flipside of that, I would never advocate that you flat-out break the law... but the FCC doesn't walk around inspecting radios while people are doing whatever they are doing. In fact, I filed several complaints with the FCC in the past few years, about grossly illegal activity on amateur radio frequency, handing them all of the evidence and proof of who was doing it and the FCC basically ignored everything I sent. They sent me an email saying they would look into it, and nothing happened.

[berkinet]

...The only problem I see is, the radio is not certified for FRS use, nor can it be due to the removable antenna. So, by the legal letter of the law, you are using GMRS hardware (not FRS compliant hardware) therefore you are using GMRS privileges. You need to adhere to the requirements for GMRS use, not FRS.....

in fact, since the last update of the GMRS regulations, there are no more radios that are both FRS and GMRS certified. Either one or the other. Therefore, if you buy a GMRS radio, regardless of anything else you may or may not do to it, you must, according to the rules, follow GMRS regulations.

 

of course, has Marc notes, there is absolutely nobody listening to see if you are identifying correctly. And, even if someone were to report improper identification, there is no one in the FCC who really cares.

[missinaz]

Thanks guys . . . Much appreciate the responses to my question.  I will ID at all times per rules. 
 

I will say my journey into radios has been weird. I am getting my feet wet with GMRS -have a legitimate family need. And I don’t think I can convince everyone to get their HAM license. My GMRS license will cover all of us. 
 

But even the journey to find the right radio has been crazy. There are so many differing opinions about Part 95 official radios, and all the others that will TX on the same channels and more. There are many who just spring for the UV-5R’s . . . And assume no one will ever catch them. And they might be right. 
 

I chose the GMRS-V1 as my first radio as it is legal and I did not have to worry about the issue. And maybe I didn’t anyways. It does seem like government over reach to force a Ham licensed operator to have three different radios if them want to use GMRS and say MURS. But those are the rules. 
 

Thanks again. 

[marcspaz]

in fact, since the last update of the GMRS regulations, there are no more radios that are both FRS and GMRS certified. Either one or the other. Therefore, if you buy a GMRS radio, regardless of anything else you may or may not do to it, you must, according to the rules, follow GMRS regulations.

 

of course, has Marc notes, there is absolutely nobody listening to see if you are identifying correctly. And, even if someone were to report improper identification, there is no one in the FCC who really cares.

I guess that all goes back to the layman's definition of integrity being, doing the right thing, even when no one is looking.

 

As gentlemen and ladies, we all agreed to play by the rules. That's a huge plus I see to communities like ours. Most of us are here because we want to do the right thing. Many of us have been down the other path and don't like were it leads.