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Author Topic: 2 Meter Race Radios....Licensing?  (Read 8746 times)

HAMMERHOG

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2 Meter Race Radios....Licensing?
« on: January 30, 2008, 07:57:14 PM »

First off, I know nothing about these high tech radios, but I want to learn.

A few of us belong to an off-road club. We currently use CBs to communicate. However the CB is only good at short distances. We run in canyons most of the time.

We want a few of our rigs to have a better way to communicate at much farther distances, and especially for emergencies.

My buddies do not think we need license for these 2 meter radios (Icom IC-V800). I think we do. In fact I just ordered study material and do plan to go after the Tech License regardless.

These guys think that if we're using them as "Race Radios," we don't need the licensing.

So please give me some clarification on this subject.

Thanks,
Steve



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KB1LKR

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2 Meter Race Radios....Licensing?
« Reply #1 on: January 30, 2008, 08:39:35 PM »

If you're operating in the 144-148 MHz (2m) band, the US FCC "Uncle Charlie" thinks you need at least an Amateur Technician class license.

Put another way: YES, absolutely, positively an Amateur license (Technician) is required!

Study, get your Tech, then help your friends study and do the same. The test is not hard, nor costly, and single band radios and antennas are reasonably priced.
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HAMMERHOG

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2 Meter Race Radios....Licensing?
« Reply #2 on: January 30, 2008, 08:52:35 PM »

Thanks,

It's just as I suspected.
That is the range we'll be operating in as well.

And yes, I plan to go for the Tech License.

I saw the practice test and tried it. Failed bad the first go, but passed (barley) the second time...with no studing whatsoever. Looking foreward to receive my study materials...

Again, Thanks!

Steve

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K6IHC

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2 Meter Race Radios....Licensing?
« Reply #3 on: February 02, 2008, 11:31:41 PM »

I am aware that a number of hang glider and paraglider pilots and ground crews use 2 meter radios for communications, and virtually all of them do not have amateur licenses.
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HAMMERHOG

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2 Meter Race Radios....Licensing?
« Reply #4 on: February 03, 2008, 07:49:02 AM »

They may have modified there radios outside the "Ham" band.

I have learned that it's common amongst racers that they do the same thing. They say no license is required on those frequencies (151. and 153. range).

I plan to operate in both areas. I have received my study material and will get licensed.

BTW, the test is allot less intimidating than I thought is was to be.
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WB2NVY

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2 Meter Race Radios....Licensing?
« Reply #5 on: February 13, 2008, 10:51:45 AM »

If you watch the Everest series, you'll see the climbers' radios are operating on the 2m amateur band. I doubt they have ham licenses, but then, what licensing is required on and around Mt. Everest?
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W3LK

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2 Meter Race Radios....Licensing?
« Reply #6 on: February 13, 2008, 11:31:24 AM »

Are you making this judgement based on the looks of the radios? Icom and Kenwood both make commercial radios that look just like their 2m counterparts. It's also possible that 2m in that part of the world is 144-146 mHz as it is in most of Europe and they are somewhere on 146-148 mHz, which are commercial frequencies in those same areas.

At any rate, licensing would be under the control of the country of Nepal.

73,

Lon - W3LK
Naugatuck, Connecticut
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K6RMR

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2 Meter Race Radios....Licensing?
« Reply #7 on: February 27, 2008, 04:27:08 PM »

Any one cought opereating Ham Radio Frequencys without a license better be prepaired for a $10,000
fine to the FCC.
If the Off roading races are for money it would not
be leagal to use ham radio frequencys.
I see nothing wrong using the 2 meter band for
communications if everyone was licensed and the
race was not for finantial gain.
That means obeying all the FCC rules such as ID every
10 Minutes.
They do use MERS frequencys at about 152Mhz just above
the 2 meter ham band. That has a 2 or 3 watts limit.
I know many off roaders do run Illegal power on them
with 2meter Ham radios Illegaly modified.
I have talked to the Glider Pilots and the ones I talked to did have Valid Ham Licenses.
Many of the Off road races take place in Mexico and
that is up to the Mexican Government. The Mexicans
do not accept US Ham radio Licenses. You must get a
Mexican permit.
       Stan
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N3CJN

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2 Meter Race Radios....Licensing?
« Reply #8 on: March 19, 2008, 11:28:43 AM »

Have you folks considered the Multi-Use MURS? (http://www.provide.net/~prsg/murs_faq.htm)
(http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=operations_1&id=multi_use)

Might not be quite what you need, but it'd be better than
running foul of the FCC.
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DA2KI

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2 Meter Race Radios....Licensing?
« Reply #9 on: May 23, 2008, 10:01:50 AM »

"They" may be referring to the Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS) which the FCC created several years ago.  While it is true that no license is required for the MURS radio service, you must use FCC approved equipment (FCC Type Accepted or Type Certified) that was approved specifically for use on the MURS frequencies.  The VHF frequencies available for MURS are:

151.820 MHz
151.880 MHz
151.940 MHz
154.570 MHz
154.600 MHz

The maximum output power allowed is 2-watts.  This means using a bootleg 75-watt Icom IC-V8000 mobile radio certified for use on the Amateur Radio frequencies is NOT legal.  There is no way around it.  And the difference between a 2-watt signal and a 75-watt signal will be very obvious to anyone monitoring the MURS frequencies.
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AJ4DW

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2 Meter Race Radios....Licensing?
« Reply #10 on: June 05, 2008, 01:21:59 PM »

K6IHC;

The hang gliders and paragliders get busted regularly for being unlicensed. The FCC especially likes to hit schools that operate using 2m ham band radios (if they're a school they're operating illegally on the 2m ham bands even if they HAVE a ham license).

-Carl
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