Subj : Re: No license operators
To   : n2qfd
From : SirRonmit
Date : Tue Mar 19 2024 03:16 pm

It has been a HUGE issue with the FRS/GMRS combining.
Years ago those channels were separate, but now they are all combined. If you have a license, then on certain channels you can use higher power. But it doesn't matter. Anyone can walk into Walmart and pick up a pair and just start using them. No big deal when the freqs were separated (even some radios refused to TX unless you unlocked it - aka telling it you had a GMRS license). So I paid the overly-priced license fee to get mine so I could start using repeaters. (even bought a used repeater for my own playing around and testing). 
I had tested for my HAM decades ago and passed it, but that was when you also had to know 5 WPM Morse and I was being deployed to Korea, so I never went back to obtain the license. 
I don't mind GMRS - which is just like CB now that FRS is combined. I just get very upset when I'm trying to make contact to my local repeater and (since the RX from the repeater is a GMRS channel), I can't get a return because some kid is on burping and hitting the CALL button over and over. 
I had recorded that once and sent it to the FAA to "complain" about their decision and how I had to pay $75 for a license that I can't use. 

It is still a (somewhat) fun field, and I have a few HAM rigs just for listening, and a few SDRs I play around with from time-to-time.

-- 
Timothy Norris aka SirRonmit
admin@f4fbbs.com
bbs.f4fbbs.com:2323 or :62323

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