GMRS - Canadian rolling through the US

[Alternate Routes Ltd]

Hi all,

Similar to another q posted recently. We'll be travelling around the US and would be bringing some GMRS radios. I checked and see the requirement for a license. I started the process but get hung up on the application due to no US mailing address to input into the form. I answered all questions even saying I was a foreign national or some other wording when getting my FRN.

Anyone done this successfully? Not required if not a US citizen?

Thanks

 

[Mid State Overland]

There is a license requirement in the US, there is not a test jst a form that needes to be filled out and fee sent in. It is good for 10years and covers all family members so its more of a government tax to grab you money, my guess is that less than 50% of the people using GMRS here have the license. I have attached a link with good info. FCC GMRS License Information

 

[Downs]

There is a license requirement in the US, there is not a test jst a form that needes to be filled out and fee sent in. It is good for 10years and covers all family members so its more of a government tax to grab you money, my guess is that less than 50% of the people using GMRS here have the license. I have attached a link with good info. FCC GMRS License Information

Probably way less lol

 

[NJRadioGuy]

When you start the FRN process on CORES, you're asked if this is for a business or personal, and also if your address is within the US. Select NO, and the form becomes different. This should allow you to complete it. Note that Canadian GMRS and US GMRS equipment requirements are different, and specifically that in the US, you're allowed up to 50 Watts on channels 15-22 (and repeaters), and 5 Watts on channels 1-7. You're also allowed to operate either wideband or narrowband (most are wideband). The rules say you should use type-accepted GMRS equipment under Part 95E, but most people I know just use modified ham rigs.

If you're planning an extended trip in the U.S., you might want to consider obtaining a ham license before you go. It's dirt simple and in Canada, the lifetime is for life. Unlike GMRS, you can use your ham callsign with the appropriate suffix in the U.S. without any additional license paperwork/etc. Before I got licensed in the United States I used my Canadian call here after we moved down (VE3THX/W2).