FRS and GMRS is pretty much a US and Canada only system. And until very recently (May 2017) FRS was limited to 0.5 watts. Same as the EU equivalent, which is PMR446. FRS has now been bumped up to 2 watts on some channels, but only this year.
“All equipment used on FRS must be type accepted according to FCC regulations. Radios are not type-accepted for use in this service if they exceed limits on power output, have a detachable antenna or for other reasons. FRS radios must use only permanently attached antennas … This limitation intentionally restricts the range of communications, allowing greatest use of the available channels.”
If you want to use GMRS, you are required to buy a license, $70 for 10 years.
Since Europe has about twice the population of the US+Canada, I suppose you could argue that PMR446 is the dominant license-free system, worldwide.
So, to summarise, across Europe, license-free, we now have 16 PMR446 analogue channels (though most sets only have the original 8), 24 more assigned for digital use, 69 channels for low power (LPD433), up to 80 channels of 27Mhz CB.
The small license fee has the benefit for users that these bands are relatively uncongested. If e.g. UK Business Light 5watt radios, with their very useful range, on our crowded little island, were as popular as PMR446s, they would rapidly become unusable. Perhaps this is also the thinking behind your license fee for GMRS.
I think I’ll opt for the Retevis RT602. They look professional, the brand has been recommended, they seem to be designed to appeal to children without looking like a cheap toy, they display the channel that is being broadcast on, and they come with Li-Ion cells and a charging dock. Don’t really think I can go wrong with that. If I get the 888s, I’ll have paid the same once once I’ve bought the programming cable - I’d rather have something that can be used legally out of the box.
Thanks for all the advice. Wasn’t imagining that I’d be stirring up a cultural hornets nest!
I had a close look at those sets, and they would have been my second choice. Probably will get some for myself, as a cheap way to get into radio technology - it just isn’t possible for my to get interested in a topic without completely obsessing about it, not just when it comes to flashlights!
I have 4 of the Baofeng 888’s here in the USA. One pair has the stock stubby antennas that are for the kids. The other set has longer Nagoya 7” whips.
They are programmed with FRS/GMRS frequencies. Don’t forget to buy the programming cable because the radios don’t come with one. It connects via USB to any computer and plugs into the ear/mic jacks on the radios. There are plenty of youtube videos on programming, which is very simple. The radios themselves are very versatile and have been as durable as I’ve needed them to be over the years.
Keep your eyes peeled for Amazon Warehouse deals… I bought my second pair for $12 Prime and couldn’t find a single thing wrong with them although they were sold as blems.
They will do it anyway (until they get bored). Better they do it precisely. The genie is out of the bottle, and I doubt a few with a trivial amount more power will make any difference. As long as they stay clear of “other” bands
And maybe a tiny few might spark an interest in the real subject.
Only when used with approved handsets. Actually it is extremely tightly controlled and licensed, just you don’t have to worry about any of that if you just buy a proper one. Buy e.g a Baofeng and hopefully code it up near-enough and it will work, but never be legal.
Just as a divvy could code one up onto US FRS or GMRS frequencies, I suspect they would be dealt with quite harshly over there, if found out.
Thanks, I didn’t realise that. I’ve seen quite a few on ebay that were being sold as having several Watts, but I thought there must be an easy way to reduce the output power. Guess it would need a resistor mod though, and probably not much that can be done about the antenna.
I wasn’t aware how much there is to look out for, so I’m glad I started this thread … probably saved me from a few unpleasant surprises!
You’re still effectively breaking the rules as they limit EIRP by saying 500mw and a tiny antenna but you wont get caught out.
I have some programmed with a few extra channels so that I can use those and know that no one else will be on them.
I’m also prefer second choice. Maybe i will get cheapest walkie-talkie, but i’m not sure. On http://google.com/ i found list of 2018 models, and can’t say that walkie-talkie is cheap way of communication