Scanner radios

[Jackhole]

Then why are we wearing square badges?

Because your state is infested with liberals like yourself.

[LavianoTS386]

Then why are we wearing square badges?

Wouldn't that prove the point?

[EMTGuard]

To use a GMRS radio, you need an FCC license. The cost? $80 per radio every 5 years.

To operate GMRS in the USofA the user must possess a GMRS License. As you stated the 5 year license is $80 but it is not per radio. The license covers the primary license holder and his immediate family/household. If you get a license, you, your wife and kids all operate under that one license.
While the idea of paying for a license to use the cheap toy-like "bubble pack" radios may seem extreme, be advised that the GMRS service is much more than this. The GMRS license allows you to use commercial grade, professional handheld, mobile and base radios capable of 5 watts (portable) and 50 watts (mobile or base). Also GMRS, like commercial, public safety and ham radio, allows the use of repeater stations which greatly increase the range of portables and mobiles.
There is an excellant website for discussing FRS, GMRS and other private radio services. Go to http://www.popularwireless.com/ to find out more or check out the forums there at http://www.popularwireless.com/cgi-bin/Ultimate.cgi .
Steve
Ham and GMRS license.
Scanner hobbiest.
Moderator of the Scan Baton Rouge Yahoo Group.

[Mr. Security]

The Canadian = to the FCC is called INDUSTRY CANADA.

Canada is not subject to FCC jurisdiction, as was pointed out. What INDUSTRY CANADA requires for GMRS is another matter. CB's no longer require a license in the USA. Try listening to channel 19 for some action. Truckers seem to like it for some reason.

[Mr. Security]

HAHAHA! CT is one of the most liberal states in the US.

Then why are we wearing square badges?

[HotelSecurity]

They require an FCC license, if you're not in the US the FCC has no say in what you do with your radios. There may be some Canadian communications authority, but I have no idea if there is or not.

The Canadian = to the FCC is called INDUSTRY CANADA.

[Jackhole]

Mr. Security,

Are you sure GMRS radios requires licenses. They never did up here. I remember when CBs did but that was scrapped a long time ago. (About the time they went from 23 channels to 40). Is CB still active? I can listen to them on my scanner but don't. The few times I have monitored the frequencies nobody was talking.

They require an FCC license, if you're not in the US the FCC has no say in what you do with your radios. There may be some Canadian communications authority, but I have no idea if there is or not.

[Jackhole]

Connecticut can be conservative on many issues

HAHAHA! CT is one of the most liberal states in the US.

[N. A. Corbier]

It usually says it on the back of the package.

[davis002]

Are you sure GMRS radios requires licenses.

I bought a half-dozen Motorola FRS/GMRS radios a year ago for use at a special event. Circuit City marked them down from $130 to $20 per pair!!! I thought, why not?! I figured out why they marked them down... Hidden inside the packaging was a little slip of paper that basically said that if you intend to use the GMRS channels, you need an FCC license.

I did some research, and found that it was in fact true. To use a GMRS radio, you need an FCC license. The cost? $80 per radio every 5 years.

[wvd1979]

What would you need a police scanner for?

I'm a disaster volunteer for the local American Red Cross chapter. I like to keep track of what's going on in the area during storms and emergencies.

I have a Uniden Bearcat desktop model at home. It's just a basic 10-channel scanner. To my knowledge the local authorities aren't switching to digital or trunking in the near future. Wouldn't hurt to ask around though.

[HotelSecurity]

Mr. Security,

Are you sure GMRS radios requires licenses. They never did up here. I remember when CBs did but that was scrapped a long time ago. (About the time they went from 23 channels to 40). Is CB still active? I can listen to them on my scanner but don't. The few times I have monitored the frequencies nobody was talking.

[Mr. Security]

It seems like they should be illegal because if I were a cop and for instance someone hit the silent alarm at a bank, I wouldn't want the bank robber to be able to hear that go out over the radio and possibly shoot the person who hit the button or worse.

Legal or not, the bank robber can still have one. Do you really think he cares if it's legal? Come on, the guy is robbing a BANK.

[HotelSecurity]

It seems like they should be illegal because if I were a cop and for instance someone hit the silent alarm at a bank, I wouldn't want the bank robber to be able to hear that go out over the radio and possibly shoot the person who hit the button or worse.

In Montreal all alarm calls are given on the car's computer screen, they are not given verbally. Same goes for traffic accidents so that tow trucks don't race each other to the scene like they used to.

[hisownhero]

It seems like they should be illegal because if I were a cop and for instance someone hit the silent alarm at a bank, I wouldn't want the bank robber to be able to hear that go out over the radio and possibly shoot the person who hit the button or worse.