Batboard

Does the vhf business band require a license. If so where do I apply and whats it cost. Also, considering I dont live near an ocean, or major lakes, is it illegal to chit chat on a (non- commercial) marine frequency. What are the frequencies for the vhf usiness band? Power rating?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ALL radio transmitters MUST be licensed.
---------------------------------------------------

Radio transmitters must be licensed by the FCC pursuant to 47 U.S.C. S 301.
The only exception to this licensing requirement is for certain
transmitters using or operating at a power level that complies with the
standards established in Part 15 of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R. SS
15.1 et seq.

Murs is covered in Part 95 MURS is licensed by rule.
Most all other frequencies are covered in Part 90.

dbfd588 wrote: ... considering I dont live near an ocean, or major lakes, is it illegal to chit chat on a (non- commercial) marine frequency. ?

ABSOLUTELY NOT Legal. Do not even try it.....

There's always MURS..

You can do the application directly to the FCC yourself, or you
can get a company that specializes in this to do it for you. One
company is called the Licensing Assitance Office, located in
Gettysburg PA which is where the FCC office is also located. You can
find the LAO's website via Google. Depending on several things
the cost will run between $150 and about $300. The process
takes several weeks to get completed. This process has nothing
to do with amateur radio licenses, which are an entirely different
type of thing.

[quote="Tom in D.C."]You can do the application directly to the FCC yourself, or you
can get a company that specializes in this to do it for you. [quote]


Not quite true. While you can prepare the application yourself, it generally needs to be submitted through an authorized frequency coordinator. There are a few exceptions for licenses for itinerant frequencies that do not need coordination. If you are not familiar with the process, it usually is worth the extra cost to have the coordinator prepare the application.

This FCC link describes the process:

http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index. ... l_business

Marine frequencies may be used only on board a ship for communications necessary to operation of the ship. The Coast Guard and FCC do not tolerate "chit chat" or use on land. There have been several recent cases of FCC enforcement and $10,000 fines to hunters using marine radios inland.

Your best alternative for casual radio use not needing a license is MURS.

OR, if you want somewhat potentially better coverage and don't mind spending the $75 for a five year license - GMRS.

Al wrote:OR, if you want somewhat potentially better coverage and don't mind spending the $75 for a five year license - GMRS.

How exactly does GMRS get better coverage? Radio waves are radio waves...

GMRS has [potentially] better coverage because 1.) repeaters are allowed as opposed to MURS, and 2.)there's 50 W power limitation as opposed to 2 W on MURS. The frequency makes no difference.

Ah, OK. I was thinking you were comparing it to business/industrial pool freqs that have no such low-power limitations. GMRS vs MURS, you are 100% correct.

Just as an aside, a customer of mine got a VHF license for their tow truck service. They have 200W ERP from their antenna and can transmit 100W from their mobiles in a 40km surrounding radius. We went through DCI-LAO, and the total cost for everything (FCC license fee, CORES registration, coordination etc) was about $650. The license is good for 10 years and is easily renewed.

Al wrote:,snip>
don't mind spending the $75 for a five year license - GMRS.

The GMRS license is now $ 85 for 5 years..

The 'business/industrial' part 90 license is $100 for 10 years..
The coordination is a one time cost.
The CORES registration is NO cost.

Ah, thank you for the correction, Will. I was aware that FCC had increased their fees, and I suspected that GMRS was not exempted from the increase.....now I know!

So what would be the cheapest solution for the 136-174 band without going to ham. Is GMRS within that band. Also Im running up to about 45-50 watts. Thanks guys.

dbfd588 wrote:So what would be the cheapest solution for the 136-174 band without going to ham. Is GMRS within that band. Also Im running up to about 45-50 watts. Thanks guys.

Seriously, dude, do some basic research.

Ham would be illegal - commercial use is prohibited on the ham bands.
GMRS frequencies can be obtained through a simple Google search... and they're all UHF.
Marine frequencies are also illegal.

You should take this stuff very seriously. Illegal operation can subject you to FCC NALs... which are generally $11K/offense.

As you've been told, your best bet is a licensed business channel on VHF. Contact your local FCC field office and they should be able to give you some pointers.

Also, check your PM.

Im 16. Im new to this stuff. Im 100% human and am capable of making mistakes. Thats why I was asking for imput on the subject

Just to be clear on what someone took exception to,
licensing coordinators, such as the LAO, also take care of the
frequency coordination when and if required, which
they're not for itinerant licenses.

Not that business band coordination is worth a rat's
ass anymore, because it's not. But hey, that's just
my opinion having suffered through innumerable
coordination messes in the Washington D.C. market
a few years ago involving health care facilities, as well
as the resort where my condo is located where HAAT
appears to be completely ignored when doing any kind
of coordination.

I give up for now
I guess I'll just stick with a cell phone and use my radio for FD use only for a while. I cant afford that stuff anyway.

dbfd588 wrote:I give up for now
I guess I'll just stick with a cell phone and use my radio for FD use only for a while. I cant afford that stuff anyway.

Well, when you do want to know more about getting an FCC license visit your local Two Way shop and tell them you are interested in an FCC license.Don't think of a license as an alternative to cell casual conversation.The shop sould be able to tell what you can and cannot use a licensed channel for.Same as a drivers license,if you are not operating or utilizing that license correctly you can lose it or be fined.much same as driver license.
Radio is not a cheap hobby anyways.
Wayne

OK. Thanks for the polite info. I may eventually resort to 2m ham.

dbfd588 wrote:OK. Thanks for the polite info. I may eventually resort to 2m ham.

Hey, Ray has a playmate

You mentioned your desire to use the radio for "chit-chat".

This raises issues that no one seems to have mentioned on here:

A "business" license requires that you be engaged in some legitimate business activity and the radios may be used only by you and your employees for communications related to that business. You must describe the nature of your business on the FCC application to prove you are eligible for a license.

A GMRS license is issued to an individual for their personal or business activities but it can be used only by that individual and members of their immediate family. If you want to talk to your friends or employees, each one needs their own GMRS license.

MURS (vhf low power) and FRS (uhf very low power) do not need a license.

A Ham license allows you to communicate with other hams for non-commercial purposes. You can not use it for any business related communications.