FCC lowers GMRS license fee

[tx2sturgis]

If you ever thought about getting your GMRS license, now is the time. The fee has dropped from $70 for 5 years, and now it's $35 for 10 years. GMRS operates on UHF frequencies, around 462 and 467 mhz, so it's mostly line of sight, and mostly free from noise, interference, and skip, unlike CB. This is NOT CB radio. 

You don't have to take a test like you do for ham radio, you just submit an application and pay the fee. If you have never had an FCC license, you do need to set up an online account with the FCC. For this you will need to submit an email address and other info like name, address, etc.

Lots of cheap consumer 'bubble pack' FRS/GMRS 'walkie talkie' radios are available for sale at big box retailers and online, but having the actual GMRS license (and FCC assigned callsign) lets you legally use public access GMRS repeaters.

The GMRS service has been changing over the last 5 years or so, and now the repeaters are being linked via internet. This means you might be able to participate in a conversation (or net) on the east coast, by using a repeater that's a few miles away from wherever you might be camped somewhere near the west coast. You might also find it handy when traveling in a convoy...other nomads and RVers might have FRS or GMRS radios, and since some of the channels are shared between them, you will likely be able to maintain communications within about 2 to 5 miles as you travel, and no need to tie up your cellphone or be dependent on the cell network.

I'm not suggesting anyone take up a brand new expensive hobby, because you can buy a capable GMRS mobile radio and antenna for under a couple hundred dollars (some will cost more, depending on features) and then there is no recurring fee or costs involved, other than renew the FCC license every 10 years. A decent GMRS (repeater capable) handheld can be bought for $50-$100 or so.

And just FYI, some GMRS repeater 'clubs' charge a small yearly fee to use their repeaters, but this is not common, depending on where you are. Most repeater owners and managers allow travelers to use the repeater as they pass thru for motorist information, chit chat, etc, free of charge. 

At any rate, something to think about, especially for solo travelers, to have an extra measure of safety in case you need to call for help way out in the boonies and your cellphone isnt able to get thru reliably.

A few links to get you started:

https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divi...rvice-gmrs

https://www.theaudiocritic.com/handheld-gmrs-radio

https://shop.mygmrs.com/collections/two-way-radios

https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/5039C...f_=ast_bln


A word of caution about comparing FRS/GMRS radio range...sometimes you will see a pair of FRS (1/2 watt) radios with the range listed as 25 miles, 36 miles, etc. This is absolute Bulls**t. You will typically be able to get 2 to 5 miles from one handheld to another, depending on the terrain and environment. You MIGHT get 10 miles if you and the other party were parked at the tops of a couple of mountains, with nothing to degrade the signal between you. GMRS mobile radios (15 to 40 watts) with an exterior mounted antenna can get around 15-20 miles range typical range to another mobile, or maybe 5-10 to a handheld radio. 

Repeaters are where the action is, if you are within 10 to 25 miles of a repeater, depending on how high it it located (building, tower, mountaintop) your handheld or mobile might have a range of 20-75 miles or more. If the repeater is linked over the internet, you can talk thru that networked repeater across the state or across the country. 

So...that $35 fee for 10 years seems very reasonable to me!