Description: Advises retailers and operators that VHF/UHF two-way radios must comply with FCC technical requirements before they may be marketed, imported or operated
DA/FCC #: DA-18-980
There is a LOT of confusion regarding what this means about all of the handheld radios many of you have as part of your Commo preps.
In September 2018 the FCC took action against the importer of the popular radio for non-compliance of the type certification it applied for in order to import these radios.
The importer requested type 90 certification, the rules for type 90 regulated frequencies and power outputs and how the radios are programmed. Ever notice that police or business band radios do not have keypads for programming, or the bubble pack walkie talkies can only change channels, add privacy codes and adjust volume? That's because of type 90 certification.
Amateur Radio operators do not operate type 90 radios however they too are limited to only transmit within the amateur radio bands and certain legal modifications for the MARS (Military Affiliated Radio Service) *known as the CAP/MARS Mod, but there are currently no civilian radio available for use with the CAP (Civil Air Patrol).
The confusion is that the FCC has stated to retailers and operators must not offer to sell, advertise or use these radios until they are brought into compliance with the the FCC regulations.
Good news is that licenced radio amateurs can still use these INSIDE the amateur radio bands 2m/440 but cannot legally use them as MURS, GMRS/FRS radios. Those who are using them outside of the amateur radio bands are in effect using a non-type accepted transmitter. That's the legalities.
The bad news, as of September 30, 2019, advertising, importing and use of the non-type accepted radios will be illegal until the radios are brought into compliance. New radios will be specific to be ham radio transmitters, with transmitting frequencies blocked outside of the ham bands. Or they will be strictly an FRS radio limited to .5W and a fixed (not interchangeable) antenna and only on the FRS shared and Primary channels. The third type may be GMRS with the higher power output and the use of the interchangeable antennas however I do believe that the keypad programming would be removed from the radio and only programmed at the manufacturer.
The BOTTOM LINE
If you've been waiting to expand your comms beyond the bubble pack radios, time is short. After September 30 the popular BeoFeng handheld VHF UHF portable radios will no longer legally be allowed to be sold, offered, imported or otherwise purchased in the United States.
PS: yes.
From the Document DA-18-980
Amateur Radio Exception. There is one exception to this certification requirement: if a device is capable
of operating only on frequencies that the FCC has allocated for use by Amateur Radio Service licensees, it
does not require FCC equipment authorization,8 and an amateur licensee may use his or her license to
operate such radios. However, many two-way radios that purport to operate on amateur frequencies also
operate on frequencies that extend beyond the designated amateur frequency bands
Get your back ups now
Yeah. I ordered mine as most have these as MURS GMRS FRS use. Thinking it's bad form for a defacto commo guy not to have the same capabilities of the others.
@Patriotic Trucker options are options. I need to snag a few more sets and get on some things. Funny how life gets in the way of living.
@JS Badger lol story of my Life. Though I only bought the one.
To all of the above: yup.
Just put in an order for final 5 Baofeng 2m/440 radios on Amazon
@TyMoore it'll be interested to see if beofeng will market the same radio as GMRS or Ham as essentially the FCC is saying no dual service radios. Uv-8H (ham) uv-8G (GMRS?) Interesting idea just came to mind....73s
Lol, yup, it could be entertaining.....
Essentially they will be "hobbled" and the firmware "PROM"d as in they will flash it once at the factory and then that will be it. Most Yaesu, Icom, Kenwood, Alinco are done this way. The actual user operating frequencies, and repeater configurations are stored in nonvolatile EEPROM so they are still programmable.
Well here we are, October 26 nearly a full month into the ban on the sale of these and there they are. Good to go. Maybe the government was just blowing smoke up our...
@Patriotic Trucker , still going to get some backups and extras.
i have a few of these, the bf-8hp units no issues , along with a kenwood tm-v71a mobile unit so far made contact 50 miles away on simplex with the kenwood .
alot of HAM'S are snobs. the baofeng are great for backup radios or primary unit in you B.O.B back the batteries are work horses and with the correct adapters you can charge them with a portable hand held solar charger
50 miles on simplex? Great! How many Watts you pushing? Flat land?.....Baofengs are functional, got no complaints. I use one regularly. I'm going to try to upgrade my other(mobile) 2 meter units for the cars, and house. If I can't right away, that'll be okay, but I'm starting to have issues with my cheap chinese mobile units so I am saving bucks to upgrade.
@Winfield Johnson hams are snobs in certain circumstances. Most I think it's product affiliation and dare I say jealousy that they spent hundreds if not thousands on radios that are surely more limited than the Chinese radios. NOAA, fm broadcast, ham, GMRS FRS and MURS. All for one very low cost handheld. It really cannot be beat. I have no qualms about what radio you're using as long as the audio is warm and clear. I dislike a lot of radios for the tinning sound (speaking into a mic at the bottom of a paint can) but what matters is getting the message through. 73s
@Patriotic Trucker Oh yeah, a lot of them are very loyal to brand names. I think it has a lot to do with what brand you get used to. They all seem to have their own ways of programming, and operating. The main complaint I have with the Chinese radios is that the ones I have used are very difficult to program without a computer, and paying for a special program. I haven't tackled Chirp yet, and I've been told there is another program that is easier to use than Chirp for $50.00.....Right now that's fifty bucks that need to go to another project. I do have an acquaintance that has all those programs and special cables, etc. but I hate depending on someone else to change my channel list. So I guess I'm kinda stuck right now. I think I'm going to ask around to see if there's a brand of radio that's easier to use that I can afford sometime in the near future. I'll prolly be looking in the used market, but I'm not proud. I just need it to work, and be something the local Elmers can give me advice on.
Pushing 50 watts most likely wasnt flat terrain 25 miles through MA and 25 miles into NH
Gotcha, that's still pretty good.
I have Aspergers Syndrome. There is NOT ONE HAM CLUB in the entire State of Oregon that will have me. I made some social Blunders (Due to my disability) early in my Ham experience, and NOBODY will let me forget it! I am very rarely on HF, and you will not catch me DEAD on ANY repeaters! And I hold an EXTRA Class License!
If you're an aspy, I'd be surprised if you WEREN'T an extra. My son is an aspy also. I'm ADHD, so it's been a very educational experience for both of us....Explaining humor to him taught me a lot about the subject. It may not be as cut and dried as you think it is. As JS Badger states, try logging contacts. It helps you get familiar with the on-air protocols, HAM-speak is, to a large extent, a different language with it's own customs. And some people are jerks with no patience for new-comers. I ignore them.....Are you familiar with the Oregon Emergency Network? It's on 3.980, or thereabouts, every evening starting at 6:00 PM PST. Just listen a few times. Familiarize yourself with the protocols and, when you feel comfortable with what's going on, check in at the appropriate time. I generally check in when they ask for emergency gear(or sometimes they specify "Emergency Power"). As to repeaters, our local repeater bunch is very considerate and willing to work with new folks. At least two of the local old-timers have been taking on the "Elmer" role. So what I am saying is; don't let the turkeys get you down. Amateur radio attracts some unusual personalities, and they don't always get along....At the risk of being nosey, what part of Oregon do you live in? I'm in the K Falls area. I'd be happy to talk to you any time, if you have questions. I'm still very much a beginner at this, but I do know people that know stuff. 73, KI7JMZ.
@Winfield Johnson VERY familiar with OEN. I will NOT check into it. Here's the short version as to why.
I made some social Blunders in club meetings early in my Ham Journey. Albeit only a few, THOSE People started up a rumor Mill so bad, you would think I was Ted Bundy! My wife and I have been lied to, lied about about, had our lives threatened and our property vandalized. BY HAMS! SEVERAL incidents have been documented by Law Enforcement. I do NOT use repeaters, because I fear for the very safety of my family!
@Bruce Forster Wow, that's bizarre. I'm sorry to hear that. You do what you have to to protect your family. My offer still stands. Maybe DXing is the best route forward. 73, KI7JMZ.
That explains the zeal in your posts! My son has that. The ex used that to poison him against me. I may have it, in retrospect, but I've conditioned myself over the years. Most would describe me as "quiet and unassuming " or "shy". It makes socializing difficult sometimes, yet I still try. Try sticking to logging contacts and work out from there. Never hurts to try again, just adjust your angle of approach. Need to get my license. It would make using my uv-82's a little easier!🤣🤣🤣
And LEGAL, LOL!