I purchased a GP68 on ebay last night with the purpose of using it with my fire department. After the purchase I found this site, and all of the questions that have been raised. After reading countless numbers of the posts here, I basically have three that I am hoping someone will answer-
1: Can this radio be programed to work on our VHF frequency with our PL tones?
2: Was the sale of this unit to me, in the US, legal- I have permission to use the radio on the Department's license?
3: Or did I just waste my $130.00?javascript:emoticon(':o')
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Thanks for taking the time to help- If this looks like it is going to be a bad deal I still have time to halt the payment.
Please help a fireman with a GP68 (actually getting one)
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ILFireInv2006
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Sat Feb 18, 2006 10:02 am
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MTS2000des
- Posts: 3347
- Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2003 4:59 pm
- What radios do you own?: XTS2500, XTS5000, and MTS2000
okay here's the deal....
The GP68 is not a US market radio. It is LEGAL to OWN it contrary to what some misinfomed Motorola legal beagle spouts off.
However, unless you lucked out and have one with an FCC type certification for Part 90 use (which would be denoted on the product ID label as FCC ID xxxxxxxx which you can verify on the FCC's OET website) it is NOT LEGAL to TRANSMIT on any commercial or public safety frequency as the equipment is not certified for use by the FCC. You can receive with it all day long.
If you are a licensed HAM operator, you can LEGALLY TRANSMIT with it on HAM FREQUENCIES (144-148 for VHF, 420-450 for UHF) as amateur radio equipment doesn't need certification, you as the licensee are responsible for the technical aspects of your station.
So the short answer is, no, it is not legal to transmit with on your FD radio system unless it is FCC certified. This goes for any equipment not just GP68's. There are alot of uncertified export radios on Ebay like the Abells which are Kenwood knock offs that fall into the same category.
The GP68 is not a US market radio. It is LEGAL to OWN it contrary to what some misinfomed Motorola legal beagle spouts off.
However, unless you lucked out and have one with an FCC type certification for Part 90 use (which would be denoted on the product ID label as FCC ID xxxxxxxx which you can verify on the FCC's OET website) it is NOT LEGAL to TRANSMIT on any commercial or public safety frequency as the equipment is not certified for use by the FCC. You can receive with it all day long.
If you are a licensed HAM operator, you can LEGALLY TRANSMIT with it on HAM FREQUENCIES (144-148 for VHF, 420-450 for UHF) as amateur radio equipment doesn't need certification, you as the licensee are responsible for the technical aspects of your station.
So the short answer is, no, it is not legal to transmit with on your FD radio system unless it is FCC certified. This goes for any equipment not just GP68's. There are alot of uncertified export radios on Ebay like the Abells which are Kenwood knock offs that fall into the same category.
The views here are my own and do not represent those of anyone else or the company, the boss, his wife, his dog or distant relatives.
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MTS2000des
- Posts: 3347
- Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2003 4:59 pm
- What radios do you own?: XTS2500, XTS5000, and MTS2000
I might also add there are alot of unscrupulous sellers pawning off modified HAM radios on Ebay for commecial use. This is the same deal here so be careful.
While some may argue that "they'll never know I'm using an FT-50" they are accepting not only the risk of subjecting their radio system license to FCC enforcement, they are also being stupid if they are using an uncertified piece of gear in the line of duty. You would not use a knock-off firearm that wasn't dept approved so why would you do the same with a radio? it's your life your toying with...
And yes, the FCC DOES enforce these rules. Riley Hollingsworth, special counsel of amateur enforcement enjoys contacting Ebay buyers of HAM radios sold to public safety agencies and advising them they just blew xxxx of their dept money on uncert equipment they can't legally use on PS freqs...
While some may argue that "they'll never know I'm using an FT-50" they are accepting not only the risk of subjecting their radio system license to FCC enforcement, they are also being stupid if they are using an uncertified piece of gear in the line of duty. You would not use a knock-off firearm that wasn't dept approved so why would you do the same with a radio? it's your life your toying with...
And yes, the FCC DOES enforce these rules. Riley Hollingsworth, special counsel of amateur enforcement enjoys contacting Ebay buyers of HAM radios sold to public safety agencies and advising them they just blew xxxx of their dept money on uncert equipment they can't legally use on PS freqs...
The views here are my own and do not represent those of anyone else or the company, the boss, his wife, his dog or distant relatives.
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RadioSouth
- Batboard $upporter
- Posts: 2884
- Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2001 4:00 pm
Yup, what he said. As far as question 1 goes the radio may or may not be capable depending on the frequency. Many new FD allocations are on the splinter channels that the GP68 wouldn't do. Post the freq. and we'll be able to tell you if the radio is capable for Rx purposes along with the extended model# of the GP68, they came in 25/30 and 12.5 spacings.
