Baofeng radios

[tx2sturgis]

True... they do go after the companies with bigger wallets. I'm amazed that Amazon has not been on the hit list.

But there is more to the technical standards than just output power level that you have selected trying to keep it legal. Someone, maybe not you, is BOUND to use the highest power available if they think they need it.

And another requirement is that FRS radios are supposed to have a non-removable antenna, and have no ability to re-program the frequencies beyond selecting the channels and privacy codes, and have no ability to go above the legal power limits.

FRS radios are also limited to narrow-band FM only, and the Baofengs have the ability to do narrow and wide-band FM.

There are more standards, some important, some trivial, but I think you get the point.

Use it all you like, but don't make the mistake of telling everyone they are perfectly legal on FRS, because they are not.

[Ddarnell]

Mods can we delete this thread since its dealing with illegal content? I dont want the attention.

[MN C Van]

And it being beginning of total anarchy

[Blacktank]

Mods can we delete this thread since its dealing with illegal content? I dont want the attention.

your fine,tx2 is a H.A.M. guy and knows the specifics,he means no offence

[tx2sturgis]

I have no intention of enforcing the FCC rules, hell I have broken more than a few over the years!

But it is kinda important, I think, that the actual rules be at least, understood, if not adhered to. CBers run illegal amps, hams sometimes break the rules, people who drive cars sometimes speed. 

But we all know what we are doing when we do that.

I own several Baofeng and other chinese radios me-own-self...they are not high quality, but hey, for $50 what do you expect?

They work ok most of the time. If they had AM RX and could scan aircraft frequencies, I would use them a lot more.

Having a ham license gets us a few more priviledges, so there is that. It's worth looking into!

[rvpopeye]

Hmmmmm, The Old Tron's eye view....FWIW.

In light of the FCC and net neutrality thing going on ,,,,,,radio is probably the last thing they care about.
It's starting to look like the entire agency is becoming even more toothless and possibly defunded all together ....

Anyone ever seen a triangulation van operating anywhere in the last 40 years ??????

Just play nice and don't be a jerk. (sound familiar ?)

Skuh kuh kun kuh kuh

[rvpopeye]

One more thing
Even if no license.
If anyone transmits for help , I have no doubt you'll get help as long as someone hears you.
Kinda the purpose of ham radio from the beginning.
So there's that.

Disclosure:
As you may have noticed ,,,,many of my own transmissions may be considered QRM anyhoo.

[tx2sturgis]

Yeah if lives are in danger or there is a forest fire, severe injury, rattlesnake bite, car accident, someone lost in the woods, or something else you need to report and you have no cell coverage but you DO have a radio of any kind, by all means, use what you have at your disposal to get help.

That's another benefit to getting a ham license, you will hopefully gain the knowledge to be able to access the local repeaters and call for help.

For almost 40 years I have been involved in lots of ham radio related public service events: wildfires, tornado spotting, damage surveys (OKC Bombing) and search and rescue operations, not to mention setting up EOC comm centers at police stations and hospitals, running comms for bike-a-thons, triathlons, aid stations, portable HF work, security during movie filming, communications at airshows and parades, etc etc etc. 

Hey, you learn a thing or two when your skills and experience are in demand.

[rvpopeye]

Yup yup

[Gr8ful]

For doing a convoy I still think a CB would be better & legal.