Quote Originally Posted by Grant H. View Post
The Baofengs are being "banned" because of the way they are FCC certified, and the bands they cover. Since they are Part 90, but cover more spectrum than part 90, that is why the FCC is annoyed. It is important to note... As written, the FCC is not banning possession of these radios, only the advertisement and sale of further radios. This is a regulatory thing, and from some of the info coming out of the FCC and ARRL, likely a lobbied for move by big name radios (kenwood, yaseu, icom, etc)

GMRS technically requires a license, period.

A low level ham license is maybe cheaper, but the tests do take some extra time to get ready for (RF theory, and the harder part, rules/regs/habits).

A GMRS license is only $70.

The baofengs will also transmit on the FRS bands (technically over powered, but not dramatically so) which would allow you to use them mostly legally even without the GMRS license.
Thanks!

If I have a GMRS (family) license, can my radios then use repeaters?