do you have to have a license to operate this radio ?
778219
Yes, you need at minimum a technicial-class licence. That will give you a small spectrum for voice use and a small spectrum for Morse. A general-class will give you more of the spectrum to use.
778220
Larry.. Technically yes you need a license it's a ham radio, on the other hand I had it converted to the C. B. Channels for around 30 dollars at a shop. All features still intact works great for me
778221
This radio operates on amateur radio frequencies. So, yes you would be required to have the necessary Amateur radio license to use on those freqs. However, the radio may be converted to operate on CB radio frequencies. Technically though this radio is illegal to use on the CB bands as it puts out higher power than allowed by FCC. So, use at your own risk!
1226097
Good heavens! So many wrong answers. This radio can be programmed to receive on any frequency in the typical VHF/UHF land mobile bands. It cannot be used legally used to transmit on either FRS or GMRS frequencies because the radio is not Part 95 certified. There are no frequencies in this radio that can legally be used without a license. There are many business band frequencies that this can operate on legally, but it requires an FCC license, which is generally not difficult to obtain, but you do have to pay between $85 and $200, depending on how many radios you license. Now, these radios are being used every day illegally. Can you get away with it? Maybe. If you happen to pick a frequency with a licensed user or users already on it, you can expect they will file a complaint with the FCC. Depending on how much interference you cause, you may get a visit from a white van with lots of antennas. I suggest you Google the amount of fines you can be hit with. Contact a local land mobile radio dealer. They can help you with a license, and you won't have to worry about the guys in the white van.
1177300
If you're looking for a radio you can use without a license, then no, it is not a good radio for that purpose. This radio is not Part 90 (commercial land mobile) or Part 95 (FRS/GMRS, etc.) certified. If you use it as received from the factory, you'll be transmitting on commercial and public safety channels, so could get in a lot of trouble very quickly (with fines exceeding $10,000). If reprogrammed for ham radio 70cm band and you're licensed, then yes, it can be used legally. If reprogrammed for FRS, then you'll be illegal due to power levels and the removable antenna. If reprogrammed for GMRS AND you have a license, then you'll be on shaky ground, but the chance of getting caught is small. If you're looking for a good "family" radio and don't want to get a license, then stay with FRS radios and stay off the GMRS channels (Channels 15-22 on Motorola radios). The short answer is that is that it is NOT a good solution for a low cost, LEGAL, easy to use radio for unlicensed family use. There are no frequencies you can program this radio to for use without a license and remain legal.
223222
These are real walkie talkies, yes. You do not have to program them. You do not need a license for them. These are nice and simple walkie talkies.
1887513
No you do not have to have a license for this. It goes about a half a mile on full power. I suggest going to radio-locator.com and put in your ZIP Code to find an empty frequency. It works great
992709
This is true however it's an extremely easy process you can do it right online pay a small fee and they mail you the license. Not sure how that could ever be realistically enforced but if you're looking for that "peace of mind" it's not a big deal to get it. http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/general-mobile-radio-service-gmrs
140656
You will need a license if programming frequencies on VHF or UHF in business bands or any HAM frequencies including repeaters. You can use the radio if authorized in public safety frequencies, example if you work for any licensed department and you have been authorized to use or given a radio number under the department's license. You don't need license if programming FRS frequencies or open channels available for public use, example Marine frequencies for boat users.
1940537
Call the FCC's main number and they will direct you, you do need a license but the type of license depend on if you are using them in one location or moving from site to site as a contractor would.
499548
an FRS approved walkie talkie, or an MURS approved walkie talkie are your only legal alternatives to use without a license. This is not one of those.
267532
You will need to grms FCC license to operate unless you have ham license or UHF or VHF license
415334
Yes you need a license to TRANSMIT. Find a friend with a license, he/she can supervise you - and you can transmit under their close supervision, using their license and callsign. You must be within a few feet (1 to 2 meters) of them at all times. This is called "transmitting under direction of a control operator". This is a great way to learn radios.
296922
You need a license to operate on the ham bands, and a license to operate on commercial bands.
544826
No - but you need a license to transmit. You need an amateur radio license to transmit on the amateur bands. You need special permission, e.g., from your town's fire dept if you are a member, to use the radio for that frequency; permission that will not be forthcoming if you are not associated with the department. If you just want to listen, a scanner will work better.
505720
No you need a license. This is a sore spot with me. I think the cost of a license should have been on the advertisement for these radios.
294872
No FCC license is required. They are not super powerful. However in a dense city I can get a strong 2-3 block range
732390
Yes GMRS is a licensed radio services and requires you to fill out a form and send 85$ to the FCC in order to legally use the GMRS frequencies. However the FRS frequencies are free and open to everyone. Just do not use GMRS frequencies if you don't want to go through the hassle and you will still have quite a few channels to use. Many use GMRS without a license but they risk jamming or interfering with critical services using the GMRS band already such as REACT or SKYWARN
644029
Yes you can own but refer to the ARRL licensing rules if you wish to transmitt on HAM frequencies. Since this is also a scanner in a sense, you are free to listen to a tremendous amout of channels available to monitor.