2 replies to this topic

[Van B]

I am looking to buy a system and see several on eBay but am hesitant to buy used because of the FCCs narrowbanding requirements that went into effect in 2013. People I know say to stay away from any radios that are not narrowband capable.

Anyone with knowledge on this please chime in.

[davew]

Used radios can be a bargain. Make sure they are name brand and have newer batteries. If you need to replace the batteries you may as well have bought new radios. Make sure they are serviced by some one locally. I once had a set of radios that I could not get the frequencies changed without sending the radios back to the manufacturer. I sold them at an auction to some stock car guy who did not car.

 

Also watch for FCC legalities. Sooner or later we are going to get inspected by the FCC and fined for not having the correct license and paperwork. Last winter I went ahead and got the proper license and now have 6 frequencies that I own accross the country. Eventually some beaurocate will find out we racers can be a revenue stream.

 

Dave

[Blake Thompson]

I am looking to buy a system and see several on eBay but am hesitant to buy used because of the FCCs narrowbanding requirements that went into effect in 2013. People I know say to stay away from any radios that are not narrowband capable.

Anyone with knowledge on this please chime in.

 

We can talk if you want?  I bought my GMRS set from Sampson racing (it's also sold through Winding Road if you have store money to spend).  The license is $90/5 year via the FCC.  We use his Vertex 5w setup on our two cars + a spotter.  They are programmed to be within my GMRS band privileges (462.XXX).  I have had the rare occasion to find someone else on a nearby freq but nothing I couldn't deal with by shifting to another channel.  GMRS is not allowed for commercial use unless you were licensed before 1987, those entities are grandfathered in.  GMRS is usable by all "immediate family members" but that has a very grey interpretation by even the FCC.  As we're not winning anything it's pretty well thought we're within the privileges of the band as non-commercial.  One always has to be careful not to interfere with other communications.  There is a gentleman's agreement that no one has a right to any particular freq.

 

GMRS freqs:  462.5625, 462.5875, 462.6125, 462,6375, 462.6625, 462.6875 and 462.7125.  (If you get near Canada you lose some of these privileges)

Dave (WQTL946 ) is in a commercial spectrum (IG Business Pool), which is appropriate for his business, that also gives him less occasion to interfere with other folks at larger races.  Dave is permitted to transmit on either side of the GMRS band but not within it.  He's also limited to 6w on most of his channels (fine for Road America and anything smaller) and 35w on one of them.  35w will darn near get him to my house from his.

 

The penalty for operating illegally is pretty terrible and someone just got a nasty fine from the FCC for interfering with ?NCAA? if I recall correctly.  

http://www.arrl.org/...s-for-two-radio

 

And if I recall correctly some LeMons buttheads brought their cop radios out to a race at TH and ended up operating over emergency freqs they didn't have access to.  The race was shut down until they were located and subsequently reprimanded.

 

Blake, KD9CCX / WQUS462