On 05/28/2014 10:17 PM, allen wrote: > ... > Most marine VHF handhelds transmit with 1 watt on "low" and 4 or 5 > watts on "high" AFAIK. > > Apparently the Midland GXT1000VP4 GMRS walkie transmits with 5 watts! > > Up to 50 watts is allowed on GMRS, apparently, but walkie talkies are > limited by their small batteries and other size factors. Actually, all handhelds are limited to 5 watts due to radiation concerns -- the antenna can be mere inches from the operator's eyes. It's technically possible, but not lawful, to make a handheld that can transmit at higher power. 50 watt GMRS radios, just like 25-watt marine radios, must be designed to exclusively use an external antenna, which should be positioned well away from the operator or any other persons. -Sean

Au contraire! That "permit class" is still being issued (with a different name than I remembered). It is no longer free and it qualifies as the required "operator permit" for US citizens using marine (and possibly other) radios in countries other than the USA. My current "Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit" has effective and print dates of 06-04-2011 and a grant date of 05-21-1982. It was issued to replace the tattered one I had been carrying in my wallet since 1982. It was issued using the same FRN that is used for my Extra Class ham license. * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** D C "Mac" Macdonald ** * Grand Lake & OKC - OK * ** AGLCA (#217) & USPS ** * * (no current boat) * * ** USAF & FAA, Retired ** ** Amateur Radio K2GKK ** * * Since 30 Nov 1953 * * * k2gkk hotmail dot com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * > Date: Wed, 28 May 2014 23:37:05 -0400 > From: slwelsh+trawlers@gmail.com > To: great-loop@lists.trawlering.com > Subject: Re: GL: GMRS Radios? > > On 05/28/2014 08:34 PM, D C _Mac_ Macdonald wrote: > > ... > > I have had what was called the Third Class Radiotelephone Operator's Permit since 1981 or so and it did not require a fee then. AFAIK, that permit is good for life. > > That permit class was eliminated long ago (along with First and Second > class Licenses). Many things that formerly required such a permit no > longer require licensing, but many now require a different license. So > in that sense, your lifetime permit now confers no operating privileges > whatsoever. > > None of which really bears on maritime use. Recreational vessels in the > US require a Ships License (and operator permit) if they are equipped > with SSB and/or if they are equipped with VHF and travel to foreign > ports (including Canada). "Compulsory" vessels have somewhat more > onerous licensing standards. > > -Sean

I read this list but don't post much! Most "walkie-talkies" sold these days cover both FRS and GMRS frequencies, they are available everywhere and are cheap, usually around $50 for a pair. There is a GREAT DEAL of misinformation out there on Amazon claiming "no license is required." GMRS requires a license, period. Ignore this requirement at your own peril! That said, if you stick to the FRS frequencies, no problem, and for most purposes, the range will be dandy! I really get annoyed with people having non-boat related personal conversations using up the marine VHS channels. FRS really is perfect for this and wish more people would use it! Pat Anderson C-Dory 25 Cruiser Daydream KD7OAC GL Wannabe On Thu, May 29, 2014 at 9:24 AM, D C _Mac_ Macdonald <k2gkk@hotmail.com> wrote: > Au contraire! > > That "permit class" is still being issued (with a different name than I > remembered). It is no longer free and it qualifies as the required > "operator permit" for US citizens using marine (and possibly other) radios > in countries other than the USA. > > My current "Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit" has effective and > print dates of 06-04-2011 and a grant date of 05-21-1982. It was issued to > replace the tattered one I had been carrying in my wallet since 1982. > > It was issued using the same FRN that is used for my Extra Class ham > license. > > * * * * * * * * * * * * * > ** D C "Mac" Macdonald ** > * Grand Lake & OKC - OK * > ** AGLCA (#217) & USPS ** > * * (no current boat) * * > ** USAF & FAA, Retired ** > ** Amateur Radio K2GKK ** > * * Since 30 Nov 1953 * * > * k2gkk hotmail dot com * > * * * * * * * * * * * * * > > > > > Date: Wed, 28 May 2014 23:37:05 -0400 > > From: slwelsh+trawlers@gmail.com > > To: great-loop@lists.trawlering.com > > Subject: Re: GL: GMRS Radios? > > > > On 05/28/2014 08:34 PM, D C _Mac_ Macdonald wrote: > > > ... > > > I have had what was called the Third Class Radiotelephone Operator's > Permit since 1981 or so and it did not require a fee then. AFAIK, that > permit is good for life. > > > > That permit class was eliminated long ago (along with First and Second > > class Licenses). Many things that formerly required such a permit no > > longer require licensing, but many now require a different license. So > > in that sense, your lifetime permit now confers no operating privileges > > whatsoever. > > > > None of which really bears on maritime use. Recreational vessels in the > > US require a Ships License (and operator permit) if they are equipped > > with SSB and/or if they are equipped with VHF and travel to foreign > > ports (including Canada). "Compulsory" vessels have somewhat more > > onerous licensing standards. > > > > -Sean > > _______________________________________________ > > http://lists.trawlering.com/mailman/listinfo/great-loop_lists.trawlering.com > > To modify your Great-Loop subscription options (change email address, > unsubscribe, etc.) go to: > http://lists.trawlering.com/mailman/options/great-loop_lists.trawlering.com >