FCC Rules Baofeng Radios unauthorized

Not sure how many people use the cheap Amazon Baofeng radios but this may even stretch to affecting rugged radios since they have a re branded baofeng.

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-18-801A1.pdf

 

wth. I have couple

 

Can someone translate this into English?

 

I believe this BF's are transmitting at a higher wattage than what FCC authorizes for GMRS, FRS & MURS frequencies allow. These are essentially HAM radios which 90% users are using without a HAM license. I think this is FCC's way of cracking down, especially since the radios are marketed as 5w-8w TxP radios which are over the 4w max rated power output regs.

 

"Amcrest conceded that the units were capable of operating on restricted frequencies ... and later confirmed with the manufacturer that all Amcrest inventory on order and in the future would operate only on 145 – 155 MHz and 400 – 520 MHz."
Basically the radios were capable of operating on restricted frequencies if you programmed them to do so, and said they'd stop selling after the FCC told them to. However, they kept selling the ones that could on their website until February, just didn't "market" them (whatever that means).
"The FCC said Part 90 radios that permit the operator to use external controls to program and transmit on frequencies other than those programmed by the manufacturer are “generally prohibited“."

Source, couldn't open OPs link:
http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-cites-baofeng-importer-for-illegally-marketing-unauthorized-rf-devices

 

Spot on,

Seems like the link works occasionally. The arrl article has it outlined.

 

Better buy one now.

$19 BAOFENG UV-5R Dual Band Two Way Radio (Black), 144-148MHz & 420-450MHz

https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-UV-5R-Dual-Radio-Black/dp/B007H4VT7A

I don't know if the 3rd Gen is non-compliant.

$63 BAOFENG BF-F8HP (UV-5R 3rd Gen) 8-Watt Dual Band Two-Way Radio (136-174MHz VHF & 400-520MHz UHF) Includes Full Kit with Large Battery

https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-BF-F8HP-Two-Way-136-174Mhz-400-520Mhz/dp/B00MAULSOK

 

The License required to operate in the Family Radio Service (FRS) is attached to the/a Type Certified device. The Baofeng Radios do not have this type certification for use in the FRS band. A requirement for type certification in FRS is that the antenna system be fixed to the radio and non-replaceable. The BaoFeng radios do not meet this requirement. (in addition to power, additional frequencies, etc.)

The license required to operate in the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) is two part. The first part is a Type Certification on the device (see above.) the second is a Fee paid to the FCC for an individual license ($80, good for 10 years, extends to all household members.) GMRS allows for somewhat higher power levels than FRS, and allows for detachable/replaceable antennas. The BaoFeng radios still fail to have FCC Type Certification for use as GMRS radios.

MURS doesn't have a type certification that I'm aware of, but the BaoFeng Radios don't really meet MURS requirements either.

The only way to legally use a BaoFeng radio is to have a Ham Radio Technician(or higher) license, and use the radio within the ham radio bands. In the case of Ham Radio, the license to operate is attached to the license holder, and not the equipment being used to transmit. Even with this distinction, if a manufacturer is building transceivers for sale in the United States, even if it's exclusively for use by licensed Hams, the FCC requires that they certify the device to ensure it meets restrictions/regulations. The BaoFeng radios are at best a gray area in this regard.

Crom over at Tacomaworld wrote a great piece on the FCC and "Race Radios" a few years back that I re-published with his permission Here if you're interested.

 

So if buy a 2nd or 3rd gen whatchamacallit, who do I talk to, or listen to? Truckers? EMS? Spies?.....???

 

We (the guys I tend to Offroad/Overland with) tend to use CB, or the 2M ham band to communicate between trucks while we're on a trip.

I tend to use the 2m, 70cm, and HF bands to talk to "whomever"is listening while I'm in the truck alone and bored.