Newbie to FCC registration, license, etc.

[Hay Dude]

I applied for FCC licensing. As I understand it, I need this for 5 watt radios? Or am I way off?
Basically, I want to buy a base, CB’s for trucks & farm tractors and maybe 2 hand helds.

I registered, but now what do I need to do?

 

[B7510HSD]

CB's do not need a license only Ham radio and power does not matter you need a license for all on Ham. CB are "supposedly" only 5 watts on AM and 12 watts on SSB but alot of folks bump them up for more range. Even a Base CB will be 5 watts on AM BUT the base mounted antenna will help quite a bit with your usable range!

 

[EarPlug]

Citizens Band Radio Service (CBRS)

The Citizens Band (CB) Radio Service is a private, two-way, short-distance voice communications service for personal or business activities of the general public. It also may be used for voice paging. It is authorized 40 channels between 26.965 MHz and 27.405 MHz. Similar service includes the...

www.fcc.gov

 

[WinterDeere]

...BUT the base mounted antenna will help quite a bit with your usable range!

Is a regular half dipole still the preferred antenna? Do they still ship them long, and leave it to the user to trim/tune them? If so, you'd do well to find someone local with a VSWR meter or network analyzer, to really get the best performance out of your antenna in its installed location.

 

[Sprinkler Fitter]

CB's do not need a license only Ham radio and power does not matter you need a license for all on Ham. CB are "supposedly" only 5 watts on AM and 12 watts on SSB but alot of folks bump them up for more range. Even a Base CB will be 5 watts on AM BUT the base mounted antenna will help quite a bit with your usable range!

GMRS also needs a license I believe.

 

[B7510HSD]

Is a regular half dipole still the preferred antenna? Do they still ship them long, and leave it to the user to trim/tune them? If so, you'd do well to find someone local with a VSWR meter or network analyzer, to really get the best performance out of your antenna in its installed location.

I am not sure I have not had any CB stuff for years all Ham now.

 

[B7510HSD]

GMRS also needs a license I believe.

Yes GMRS requires a license BUT no test required just pay the I believe $30 fee good for 10 years.

 

[repete]

What range are you needing? If it is for business use that may dictate what frequencies you can use as well.

 

[Hay Dude]

5-10 mi

 

[Topzide]

Cb are 4 watts and no license is needed for use. GMRS does require a license and is a "family" license (anyone residing in your household). GMRS is easy online application and good for 10 years. Then there is the Ham license. Several flavors for what you want to do. Need to pass lower levels to proceed upward.

Sounds like what you may need is GMRS radio service. Although CB can sometimes give you that distance, it's mainly flat open ground. GMRS will give a more reliable service without needing flat and open ground. Then with GMRS, you could put up a repeater or be able to use one if nearby. I hear guys on repeaters that are 50 miles from my location while mobile. You can drop quite some coin on GMRS quickly!