Do you have a premit for you walkie talkies?

[DisneyPhD]

My DH is looking at new walkie talkies for our next trip. We have an old pair that we have gotten tons of use out of, but they are on their last legs.

The newer pairs that have a range over 3 or 5 miles I can't remember what say you need to buy an opperating license for them. Does anyone have them and did you get a license? What happens if you don't. How much does it cost and how hard it it to get them? We are going in 2 weeks and I don't have a lot of time.

We never had too big of a problem with too many other people on our channel, but if you have longer range that might be more of a concern. It really does make our trip easier with 2 kids, we spit up a lot, even for a few min and finding your SO in a crowd at WDW can be difficult. We save a lot of time with them.

Anyway just wanted to get the scoop on walkie talkies licenses and see what others on DIS, the voice of experince in my life, has to say.

 

[Lisa L from MI]

I have 2 way radios that are a 5 mile range...I didn't need a permit or license for them...
For some reason, I think that law changed or something....not sure

 

[Lisa L from MI]

Here is a site with some info...I don't see how they would know if you have a license or not

http://www.buytwowayradios.com/Info/GMRS-FCC-Licensing.aspx

 

[DisneyPhD]

Thanks for the link to the site. That is just insanity. Pay 75$ to use $40 radios!

No way on earth DH would go for that.

I think I will look into the different kinds. I do want to get a good pair (but not ones that we need a 75$ permit for. That isn't happening.

 

[Poohnatic]

I think you need a permit for the upper channels (15 through 22). The lower channels do not require a permit. At least, that's what the law was when I bought mine. We use the lower channels on ours when we use them.

Suzanne

 

[jipsy]

Yes, what poohnatic said. If you read the fine print in the instructions that come with the radios, you'll see that the permit is only needed for certain channels. As long as you don't use the channels (there are plenty of free channels) you'll be fine.