Posted: 6/22/2012 4:28:26 AM EDT
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Every few months I come back to this subforum to read about HAM radios but I never go through with taking the test. Recently, we bought a bunch of radios (HT's???) at work and now I'm back and seriously considering getting my license. When we first got the radios I thought we'd need to all get HAM licenses. I came here to read the FAQ again and realized I forgot HAM was for "amateurs" and since we're a business we don't need them.
My question is, what's the definition of commercial? Could you just setup an LLC or something like that and operate radios without a HAM license? Also, I found some of the links in the FAQ are outdated. In the "How to get a HAM radio license" section the following are broken. (1) this link works for the "What-is" page http://www.arrl.org/what-s-ham-radio (2) The link to the study guide is broken but I don't know of any guides to link to. (4) Exam Search has been changed to this http://www.arrl.org/exam_sessions/search |
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There are different bands (frequency allocations) set up by the FCC for different purposes. The Hams have one set of frequencies; for example, on VHF, one of the allocations runs from 144 MHz through 148 MHz. Business band allocations can be found at
this Wiki article. They generally run from 151 MHz to 158 MHz. No license is required, however, in the larger areas, where there is lots of competition for frequencies, there are organizations that manage the allocations in order to try to keep everyone from stepping on each other. As far as your business is concerned, whatever licensing your business requires is all you'll need. |
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Thanks for the reply and the link!
Here's some information from the company that we bought these from. Or maybe we're renting them. We feature only top quality professional Motorola two way portable and mobile radio equipment available in UHF/VHF or 800/900MHz, conventional, digital or trunking configurations. We have several different Motorola models available for rent including new digital 900MHz DTR650 series radios. We are always putting into service brand new equipment and we never rent out old run down models and equipment that is often troublesome. Quality and customer satisfaction is our #1 priority!
Local UHF and 800 MHz LTR trunked repeater service available for extended outdoor coverage and long distance range. Motorola repeaters available for enhanced on-site communications; applications include large outdoor events such as triathlons and races, multi site conventions or events coverage in office buildings and hotels. I'm pretty sure we're using the Motorola CP200 series radios. |
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Quoted:
No license is required (snip) As far as your business is concerned, whatever licensing your business requires is all you'll need. This is incorrect. Licenses are absolutely required for business/commercial land mobile radio operation. The only exception would be use of one of the five frequencies in the MURS (multi-use radio service) pool with 2 watts or less. There is a massive amount of bootleg unlicensed operation but doesn't change the requirements. Pretty much anyone could come up with some reasonable rationale for licensing if you really wanted to get a business LMR (land mobile radio) license. If you want radios for strictly non-commercial personal communications, there is also the GMRS service with greatly relaxed licensing requirements. "Ham" is a slang term for amateur radio, which is a completely different radio service, with different licensing, for different purposes. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
No license is required (snip) As far as your business is concerned, whatever licensing your business requires is all you'll need. This is incorrect. Licenses are absolutely required for business/commercial land mobile radio operation. The only exception would be use of one of the five frequencies in the MURS (multi-use radio service) pool with 2 watts or less. There is a massive amount of bootleg unlicensed operation but doesn't change the requirements. Pretty much anyone could come up with some reasonable rationale for licensing if you really wanted to get a business LMR (land mobile radio) license. If you want radios for strictly non-commercial personal communications, there is also the GMRS service with greatly relaxed licensing requirements. "Ham" is a slang term for amateur radio, which is a completely different radio service, with different licensing, for different purposes. You're right, my bad. I was thinking of the need of a business license, not of the radio license. |