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GMRS misinformation correction

Yes I did explore, other intercom systems, all air craft mostly.
The Rugged system allows transmit through the intercom, my wife loves the intercom I'd the only time I can understand what she says the first time.
Rugged did finally get it working, after I removed the whole system boxed it up sent to them and make it work.
Being a Manx club member and our club is pushing their product might have helped
 
wow I just reread this thread and forgot everything I said in it, not to mention the good info from others :doah:My retention is getting worse and worse.
 
I doubt Rugged Radios brings anything to the table in terms of intercom or headset interfaces. I don't think they develop ANY hardware, just program, repackage and market. So those features are probably already available in a Baofeng or other China radio. They make their money off of consumer confusion (i.e. what this whole thread is about) by offering what appears to be a modern CB radio you buy install and talk vs being able to cut through the rules, program, get a license, etc. Ultimately if you know what you're doing you can have the exact radio at a much lower price, but some consumers prefer to pay more and skip the learning curve.
 
Blue85 said:
I doubt Rugged Radios brings anything to the table in terms of intercom or headset interfaces. I don't think they develop ANY hardware, just program, repackage and market. So those features are probably already available in a Baofeng or other China radio. They make their money off of consumer confusion (i.e. what this whole thread is about) by offering what appears to be a modern CB radio you buy install and talk vs being able to cut through the rules, program, get a license, etc. Ultimately if you know what you're doing you can have the exact radio at a much lower price, but some consumers prefer to pay more and skip the learning curve.
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Totally the case with Rugged. Its easy to just order the radio and it works.
I have a bunch of Baofeng that we use snowmobiling. I can just hand them out and grab them at the end of the day, nobody has to learn anything. Maybe I set them up to run lower power and be "legal", maybe I forgot and we run at higher power. Expecting your average person to learn all the stuff for a license isn't going to happen.

I do have a HAM license, its not that hard. Only missed one question on my test. I remember almost nothing from it. Just cram, pass the test and do what you want.
 
Ok so I got a some baofeng hand-held units for backpack and hiking, I have never cared about legality before but now I want to see if it's simple enough and cheap enough I will do it.
What would it take?
I am still doing some research so I am not being lazy and waiting for easy answers but I could use corroboration on anything I learn from the interwebs
 
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is a $20 dollar license fee at the fcc sign up is good for family and 10 years. If the Boafeng were made after sept 20? they won't program to Ham freqs, at least w/o a computer and chirp.

edit, this will get you a GMRS license. If you stick to the family radio service freqs you don't need anything.
 
T
Wes Harden said:
If you stick to the family radio service freqs you don't need anything.
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Technically, it's illegal to transmit on the FRS bands with a Baofeng. FRS is 1/2-Watt max and only built-in antennas. Baofeng low power is 1W and of course the antenna is removable. You're probably less likely to run into trouble sticking with the (non FRS) GMRS channels.
imiceman44 said:
Ok, so I got some Baofeng hand-held units for backpack and hiking, I have never cared about legality before but now I want to see if it's simple enough and cheap enough I will do it.
What would it take?
I am still doing some research so I am not being lazy and waiting for easy answers but I could use corroboration on anything I learn from the interwebs
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I did get a GMRS license just to be legal like you're saying. I don't think a licensed amateur operator can just claim ignorance. There is no test, just fill out the form and pay. To be legal, you have to identify yourself periodically, just like amateur radio. What I don't like is that it's a 2nd call sign. I admit that I don't do that when almost nobody on the trail ride has a license. If I'm using it in town and especially on repeaters, then I try to ID.
https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/general-mobile-radio-service-gmrs

BTW, the fee is $35, good for 10 years.
 
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Wes Harden said:
they won't program to Ham freqs, at least w/o a computer and chirp.
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I can't imagine trying to program one from the keypad, unless you're after just one channel and no coding. I usually put at least 40 channels in them and that would take all day. I keep a base file that I can import to CHIRP or this other software for QYT, make a few changes and upload. That way all of my radios are programmed the same and they all know enough to skip stuff like NOAA when scanning.
 
Being able to program Baofeng uv-5r into some ham frequencies with key pad o the hand set had the fcc all in twist.
at least that's what I was lead to believe from the reports .
maybe an Elmer can speak to this
 
Wes Harden said:
Being able to program Baofeng uv-5r into some ham frequencies with key pad o the hand set had the fcc all in twist.
at least that's what I was lead to believe from the reports .
maybe an Elmer can speak to this
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I’m no Elmer but my understanding is the fcc’s bitch about the uv-5r is the fact it would let you program ANY frequency from the key pad. Ham is what the radio is rated for but you can plug in gmrs, frs, business bands, marine, emergency or anything.

So it should be able to plug in any HAM frequencies but it’s the fact it lets you do any others that broke the rules.
 
If a Ham want to talk on any of the other bands wouldn't the technician license cover it ? Must have been Powell's kid.
 
Bought some baofengs or whatever tonight. Would prefer to remain somewhat legal. Do I just apply for the gmrs license or should I get a HAM license? It was an impulse buy so sorry for the rookie questions.
 
centexk5 said:
Bought some baofengs or whatever tonight. Would prefer to remain somewhat legal. Do I just apply for the gmrs license or should I get a HAM license? It was an impulse buy so sorry for the rookie questions.
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Same thing happened with me a few months ago and I asked the same questions.
I got a few answers and I am trying to decide which one to go with
 
centexk5 said:
Bought some baofengs or whatever tonight. Would prefer to remain somewhat legal. Do I just apply for the gmrs license or should I get a HAM license? It was an impulse buy so sorry for the rookie questions.
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If you plan on sticking strictly to GMRS, get the license. Keep this in mind though. As it's been stated before, it's technically illegal to run the GMRS frequencies on the baofeng radio. But the likelihood of anybody ratting you out to the feds on the GMRS frequencies are extremely slim.
 
The Radios you can buy now should be legal. License is @$20. Good for 10 years your whole family or organization is covered.
I got mine sitting next to fire pit on El Mirage one evening. Took 10 minutes.
Be dammed if I could rummy call sign. Have to find the email
 
$35 for the license now. Pretty easy to sign up although you've gotta pay attention because in typical government fashion, it ain't clear or easy to navigate the multiple pages.
 
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