You must have a license for these radios whether your on GMRS channels or FRS channels. It has to do with the radio type, not the channel. Only radios type tested as FRS radios (FRS channels only) are license free. THese DO require licenses and the properly licensed GMRS radio operaters are getting very agressive at tracking down unlicensed users. How do they know? You are required to announce your station number (given with the license) when you use the radio. If you don't use it (or use a fake one), they'll know and use a doppler radio deal to track your ass down. One GMRS group claims to have tracked down and given the info to the FCC to about 150 pirates last year in one city alone.
Also, if you get a license, you entire immediate family can use it.
Also, if you get a license, you entire immediate family can use it.
John,
Can you be any more vauge? I have the code, I have seen the directions where to put it, but it is not there.
mpjohnst,
Thanks for the directions.
Regarding the license issue, this is a Hot deals Forum, why does anyone care if a license is needed or not. It is still a hot deal. Most people sell most of the stuuf they get here anyway.
If you use these only on the FRS channels, how is anyone going to know that you have
radios that you are supposed to be licensed to use? I assume (correct me if I am wrong)
that the difference between these radios and the cheap radios that only broadcast on
FRS, when using the FRS channels, is that these radios broadcast a stronger signal.
Or is there more to it than that? And if that's all there is, how would someone know you
were using one of these radios? And more to the point, why would anyone really care
(if you stick to those channels that the serious operators generally ignore).
Kwad
radios that you are supposed to be licensed to use? I assume (correct me if I am wrong)
that the difference between these radios and the cheap radios that only broadcast on
FRS, when using the FRS channels, is that these radios broadcast a stronger signal.
Or is there more to it than that? And if that's all there is, how would someone know you
were using one of these radios? And more to the point, why would anyone really care
(if you stick to those channels that the serious operators generally ignore).
Kwad
They are in stock in Madison, WI 53703... I got one pair and my girlfriend got 2 pair for her dad and bro for X-Mas.
Anyone know of a hot deal on a GMRS license?
Anyone know of a hot deal on a GMRS license?
That is exactly the question. Nowhere can I find that it is illegal to brodcast FRS from a FRS/GMRS radio without a license. There is no question whether a license is needed to broadcast GMRS, and that no license is requred for FRS, but FRS from a FRS/GMRS radio? I do not buy into the illegality of ownership of this equipment without a license, this is unlike all other FCC rules. Generally they do not care if you have the equipment, they are concerned with protecting and allocating the airwaves. FCC will not, and cannot track you down if you do not broadcast on GMRS with these radios.
Hell, it is a mute point. These are decent radios at a good price, expand your horizons, it won't hurt anyone to get a license.
OK, here is the "official" poop, straight from Cobra's support line...
Me: I just bought a pair of the 900 DX family radios and I can't figure out if I need to buy a license or not?
Rep: Naah, as long as you are using the FRS channels, you'll be fine.
Me: So I don't need one.
Rep: I wouldn't bother.
Me: Do I technically need one, even if I only use the FRS channels 1-7?
Rep: Well I guess, but they would probably have to triangulate you or something...
Me: So you're telling me I don't need them...?
Rep: Yup. Just stay off the GMRS only channels.
Me: Ummm... ok.
I'm going to use them for my cross country trip in a few days without a license... if they manage to track me down, I'll have them call Cobra to see what the reps told me.
Me: I just bought a pair of the 900 DX family radios and I can't figure out if I need to buy a license or not?
Rep: Naah, as long as you are using the FRS channels, you'll be fine.
Me: So I don't need one.
Rep: I wouldn't bother.
Me: Do I technically need one, even if I only use the FRS channels 1-7?
Rep: Well I guess, but they would probably have to triangulate you or something...
Me: So you're telling me I don't need them...?
Rep: Yup. Just stay off the GMRS only channels.
Me: Ummm... ok.
I'm going to use them for my cross country trip in a few days without a license... if they manage to track me down, I'll have them call Cobra to see what the reps told me.
That's a little non commital for a company guy, but I beleive that he is generally correct. They would triangulate if you were abusing the GMRS frequencies. There is no way they will triangulate if you are using FRS. Would love to see them triangulate you in a moving car, that would be cool.
Nice! Just ordered mine with free delivery and about $3.64 in tax extra. Thanks for the headsup!
Doubt they would bother "triangulating" you unless you kept repeatedly breathing heavy on the emergency frequency. It's cost them an arm and a leg to find you.
Doubt they would bother "triangulating" you unless you kept repeatedly breathing heavy on the emergency frequency. It's cost them an arm and a leg to find you.
I brokedown and bought the charger from Cobra. I installed 4 NiMH batteries in the radio and plug the charger cord into it. There is a red light that shines when the charger is connected, but there is no indication of when the charging is complete. The charger also did not come with any instructions (go figure). For those looking to buy elsewhere (RadShack, etc.) the rated output is 8VDC and 120 milliamps.
I got mine awhile back and the rebate has been approved, so if anyone was wondering about that....
~$27.69 shipped from OD.
~$27.69 shipped from OD.
I got the PR-900 kit awhile back that came with the charger. Since there were no instructions for the charger, I e-mailed Cobra to ask how long I have to leave the charger on to get a full charge, and can I leave it connected to the radio permanently so the batteries are always charged. I received a smart-alec response, so I replied saying that they did not answer my question. I got a terse reply saying that it takes 10 hours to charge the batteries, and the charger can be left on all the time. I don't know weather to believe the last part after the first reply I received, but there you go.
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