Actually, I have a FRS 14/38 channel set of motorolas. I believe that the channel that staff operated on down at the MIGC was the FRS 2, 33 subcode. You don't need a license for that. ~Chris ----- Original Message ----- From: Sara Carter To: geocaching@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Sunday, March 28, 2004 7:31 PM Subject: [GeoStL] Re: 2 way radios Dufer is correct in the way he stated this. The comment that was made earlier though was that they are operating on GMRS channel 2. If this is indeed the case then they should all have licenses to do such. The license is easily applied for online and is $75 for 5 years so if you look at the long term the cost is $15 per year, I'm sure most of us spend more than that on things we don't really need and it's not all that much money. Now for my question.......For those of you already using the motorola radios, are you using regular alkaline batteries? Rechargeable AA's? or the rechargables designed for it w/the base unit? And what is battery life on each? I saw the ones on sale at best buy and saw the rechargeable battery kit listed for $24.99. The same radios with the battery set are similar in price at Amazon as the cost to buy them seperately at best buy. Was just trying to decide which would be a better deal for me, especially since I'm horible about sending in rebate forms. Sara Dufer <mobilegeocacher@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: The license is just for the GMRS Channels Its easily applied for online. You can use the radios on the FRS channels without a license. The difference is range. You are allowed more power on the GMRS channels so you can talk farther. ----- Original Message ----- From: Dru C Reeves To: geocaching@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Sunday, March 28, 2004 1:26 PM Subject: [GeoStL] Re: 2 way radios http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/personal/generalmobile/ This might clear-up some questions. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: geocaching-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:geocaching-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Mike Bollinger Sent: Sunday, March 28, 2004 12:47 PM To: geocaching@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [GeoStL] Re: 2 way radios Hey Chris, How is it that you need a federal license for those? There is no interstate component to using them and the FCC lacks jurisdiction in the matter. The only time that the FCC can claim jurisdiction is in "inter" - not "intra" - state. It's just like the low power FM radio stations (or pirate radio) and the FCC lost on that case. It's also like your phone bill. I can call my Grandma in Germany or my Bro in Chicago at 7 cents a minute, but a call from Jeff City to Columbia costs almost 30 cents a minute. That's because "inter" state is Federally regulated and "intra" state is not. Now if a State wants to regulate and tax them, that's a different matter. I think that the radio manufacturers want you to believe you are responsible for that license, but I really don't think that you are, unless you want to "volunteer" to fall under their jurisdiction. -----Original Message----- From: geocaching-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:geocaching-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Chris Binder Sent: Sunday, March 28, 2004 11:34 AM To: geocaching@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [GeoStL] Re: 2 way radios .... The only downside to GMRS is that there is a $75 or so license fee from the FCC. I know several people that didn't purchase the license, but that is illegal. ...