Cheap Comms - Baofeng Radios

[DenverGP]

Amazon may require a license to purchase Baofeng radios starting second quarter 2021.

The seller will have to provide the FCC certification information before being able to list the item on amazon

Funny thing is, the Baofengs do have an FCC certification number for Part 90 (commercial use). They are not Part 95 certified, so they are not legal to operate on the FMRS / GMRS. So the Baofengs will not disappear off amazon due to this.

From the amazon link:

in order to create new listings or update existing listings of radio frequency devices you will need to fill in the FCC Radio Frequency Emission Compliance attribute. In the attribute, you must do one of the following:
Provide evidence of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authorization – either an FCC certification number or contact information for the Responsible Party, as defined by the FCC.
or certify that the product is exempt from FCC requirements.

[funkymonkey1111]

Amazon may require a license to purchase Baofeng radios starting second quarter 2021.

Unsure if this is aimed at the seller, who is NOT required to have a license to sell the radios - so that makes no sense - or the final purchaser.

https://sellercentral.amazon.com/for...zon-com/781188

O2

Where do you get that Amazon would possibly require a license to purchase a radio from that link?

[O2HeN2]

Where do you get that Amazon would possibly require a license to purchase a radio from that link?

In all honesty, I don't see the text that implied that anymore...

Took me a couple weeks to re-find the link to the announcement and I didn't re-read it.

O2

[00tec]

Zombie post

It has come to my attention that the baofeng radios coming out now (at least the uv5r) are locked out from transmitting on GMRS and MURS frequencies. While it is illegal to transmit on these without an approved radio during normal times, it is nice to be able to transmit on whatever you need to in an emergency.

To fix it, turn the radio off, press and hold the PTT, monitor, and VFO/MR buttons, then power on while holding them.If you were locked, you should see "factory" on the boot screen.

[battlemidget]

FYI the gmrs license fee is supposedly dropping to $35 this year (from $70).

[00tec]

FYI the gmrs license fee is supposedly dropping to $35 this year (from $70).

Still illegal to use a baofeng on it

Not that I'm snitchin

[hollohas]

Still illegal to use a baofeng on it

Not that I'm snitchin

Why would it be illegal to use a particular brand if you're licensed?

[Grant H.]

Why would it be illegal to use a particular brand if you're licensed?

The radio hardware isn't licensed/certified for use on those bands.

Not only do you the operator have to have a license for operations, but the radio has to be tested/certified/licensed for use on those bands in the US.

As an example, you have LOTS of devices that are known to broadcast RF that have a label that says something along the lines of "this device complies with part 15 (insert other part as necessary for device, band, etc) of the FCC reg's". Your wifi router operates in the ISM band, which does NOT require YOU to have a license, but it has to "licensed"/tested/registered with the FCC before it can be sold in the US.

[brutal]

FYI the gmrs license fee is supposedly dropping to $35 this year (from $70).

Wasn't it approved for reduction 2 years ago and has been "supposed to go into effect" for about that long now? I guess the FCC is lacking manpower or a contractor to update the website and payment processor.

[00tec]

Why would it be illegal to use a particular brand if you're licensed?

Same reason you can't pipe 100w over FRS bands.
Because the government says so.