Two way radios for skiing

[Skytrooper]

I apologize, I forgot to look for them. I will look for them as soon as I get home from work.

[jyl]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

Seriously - this is what you need.

$22 each.

https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-UV-82-Two-Way-136-174MHz-400-520MHz/dp/B00E4KLY34/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=baofeng+uv-82&qid=1607387197&sprefix=baofeng+uv&sr=8-3

These are what we use. I also have 2 car harnesses and PTT setups for in the race car / on my kid’s kart for endurance racing and coaching.

Are these legal to use? Do you have to hold a ham radio license?

[rsrguy]

Ski fast... No problem

[unclebilly]

^^^ maybe.

I think you also need a license for a CB...

[rsrguy]

Nope... Not for citizens band...

[jyl]

Okay, I looked it up. Amateur radio (Ham radio) bands are 420-450 MHz, 219-225 MHz ("1.25 meter"), 144-148MHz ("2 meter"), and various higher and lower frequency bands. http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Regulatory/Band%20Chart/Band%20Chart%20-%2011X17%20Color.pdf

These radios can operate in the 136-174 MHz and 400-520 MHz bands. They are thus able to operate in the amateur radio bands, but it is illegal to do so unless you're a licensed ham operator.

They also operate in some of the maritime radio bands and aviation radio bands. https://transition.fcc.gov/oet/spectrum/table/fcctable.pdf Again, illegal to do so unless you're a maritime or aero user.

Anyone using these radios for skiing or karting/coaching or other general uses is very likely committing a Federal crime when they transmit.


Use a FRS or GMRS radio. They are inexpensive, user-friendly, have enough range for skiing/coaching/etc, and they are meant for those sort of general uses.

Something like this https://www.amazon.com/BTECH-GMRS-V1-Repeater-136-174-99mhz-400-520-99mhz/dp/B01LWOLZ8L/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=gmrs+radio&qid=1607443543&sr=8-4 which is a GMRS transmit/receive radio that can receive (as scanner) some of the ham, maritime, and aviation bands.

You need a GMRS license (one per family) but you can do it online and there is no "test". https://quality2wayradios.com/store/gmrs-fcc-license

Read here about GMRS https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Mobile_Radio_Service which is in the 462-468 MHz band

[jrj3rd]

Not sure US FCC has any jurisdiction in UncleBilly's region

[jyl]

Originally Posted by jrj3rd

Not sure US FCC has any jurisdiction in UncleBilly's region

Sorry, I should have qualified "in the US". Which is where the OP is.

Note that Canada has some of the same band assignments (e.g. for ham radio) and while I haven't really studied the Canadian chart, I suspect the legal issues are similar. https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/vwapj/2014_Canadian_Radio_Spectrum_Chart.pdf/$file/2014_Canadian_Radio_Spectrum_Chart.pdf

[unclebilly]

Most people on this board have owned a car capable of exceeding the legal speed limit (dare I say it, a Porsche)... This could lead to one of at least 3 outcomes...

1. You get caught and are issued a fine.
2. You go too fast and endanger or hurt / kill somebody.
3. Nothing at all.

Using a handheld radio on the Ham band could have similar outcomes to the above (maybe not #2). The likelihood is about 100 orders of magnitude less than getting a speeding ticket that you will be given a fine if you are using a commercial frequency not used in that area without a ham license.

YMMV

[Ayles]

After digging even more, there is debate on the legality of using those baofeng radios. Since they can be programmed you can limit them to the legal frequencies.

[vash]

a sub $25 radio!!! i might have to try a few of those out!! i hunt with 5 guys, and 3 of them are so cheap they still use handsignals to each other. you need binoculars to "talk"..

those "USA only" consumers are missing out on a deal!

[vash]

damn..those would be perfect for my gang of kayak fishermen!! thanks Uncle Billy

[rsrguy]

---no one cares--
I'm seriously more concerned with getting a speed or exhibition ticket, than getting hunted by ham cops.

[jyl]

Originally Posted by Ayles

After digging even more, there is debate on the legality of using those baofeng radios. Since they can be programmed you can limit them to the legal frequencies.

Look at the radios’ frequency capabilities and compare to the FCC chart - all their frequencies are ham, marine or aviation. These radios are not able to operate on non restricted frequencies. They should be advertised as such, not sold for general use.

As for the practicalities, it is true that you can probably get away with it, as you can with shoplifting, dumping used motor oil in a stream, graffiti and vandalism, cheating on taxes, and so on.

[unclebilly]

I really feel for the victims of this crime... is it really true that every time a child uses a ham radio in a remote area such as a ski hill on an unused commercial channel, that god kills a kitten?

Oh the humanity...

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by jyl

As for the practicalities, it is true that you can probably get away with it, as you can with shoplifting, dumping used motor oil in a stream, graffiti and vandalism, cheating on taxes, and so on.

You forgot mass murder and war crimes...

[gtc]

I would buy Midland or Motorola FRS radios, as they are the defacto standard and other kids might have compatible radios. I can't imagine range would be a problem in a ski resort.

[Skytrooper]

OK, I found 2 with their charger. They are Midland Extra Talk LXT 480's. These are GMRS/FRS radios. We used them racing.

You are welcome to them, just PM me your ship to address. I will keep looking for the other two.

[rsrguy]

Originally Posted by jyl

Look at the radios’ frequency capabilities and compare to the FCC chart - all their frequencies are ham, marine or aviation. These radios are not able to operate on non restricted frequencies. They should be advertised as such, not sold for general use.

As for the practicalities, it is true that you can probably get away with it, as you can with shoplifting, dumping used motor oil in a stream, graffiti and vandalism, cheating on taxes, and so on.

Ya.. Totally the same thing your right ham pollutes.... Give a hoot and all....
Get some intestinal fortitude or don't.