"The license is $85. That costs too much."... A GMRS license is good for 5 years. Pay the $85 and operate for 5 years.
"I'll never get caught."... Do not believe that. GMRS enforcement is starting to increase. Many illegal operators are now undergoing FCC actions. Many licensed GMRS operators are assisting the FCC in identifying and reporting offenders. Tens of thousands of GMRS operators are becoming the "eyes and ears of the FCC"
"Big deal... the FCC..." Fines and penalties are $10,000 per offense! also, you are invoking the attention of the Federal Court System and other federal agencies. Definitely a VERY big deal.
"I have the right to use my radio any way I want to. I paid for it, it is mine!"... Like all other segments of society, radio communications services are regulated. Commercial broadcasters, businesses, ham radio operators, television stations, etc. all are governed by very strict rules and regulations. GMRS is a regulated service. Get a license and follow the rules.
"CB radio doesn't require a license, why does my little $20 walkie talkie?"... GMRS radios, before this massive influx of cheap "toys", were expensive, commercial grade devices. You had to spend a couple hundred dollars to get a radio capable of GMRS operation. GMRS is not new. It has been around since the 1960s. CB itself, used to require a license. This was eliminated in the 1980s.
If you do not want to get an FCC license, then you need to stay on the license free FRS channels 1-14, and operate on LOW power only. If your radio operates with only 14 channels, then you have an FRS radio and can use all 14 channels without a license.
Back to main GMRS page. Comments? Questions? Email: gmrspage@yahoo.com
(C) Copyright 2006 John L. Wilkerson Jr. all Rights Reserved