Is it just me, or are half the posts in this thread advocating illegal activity?
- You may ONLY operate on amateur radio frequencies if you are an FCC Part 97 (Amateur Radio Service) license holder.
- You may only use LMR (VHF or UHF) frequencies if you have a geographically-specific license (not free unless you are a public service agency) to operate on the specific frequencies you use. The license typically certifies one or more frequencies within an x-mile radius of a specific geographic point (Lat/Lon). You are licensed for a specific number of devices, and they must be specified as a base station, mobile, etc. Most of what is being referred to as "Land Mobile Radio" falls within FCC Part 90. The restrictions and licensing requirements are numerous.
- It is illegal to modify Part 97 (ham radio) equipment to operate on non-Part-97 frequencies (ie. use your ham radio for CB, commercial VHF/UHF, or even FRS/GMRS).
- It *is* legal to modify commercial radio equipment to operate on Part 97 frequencies, but you may only use those frequencies of you are a Part 97 license holder.
- The only equipment that does not require a license to use are those devices certified under FCC Part 15. The long-range capability of that equipment is minimal. Wikipedia has some info about Part 15.
If I am wrong, please feel free to correct me, but please provide proof in FCC statutes.
More information about Part97 can be found on ARRL's web site. I'd hate to see a reputable site like ExPo advocating illegal activity.
While there may be some legitimate discussion about using licensed LMR equipment for overlanding, I personally don't believe that it would be very useful due to the geographic limitations of the license. It would not be cost effective to purchase licenses for all areas you plan to travel in. The amateur radio license, with its geographically-flexible terms, is a far better fit.
-Chris (K0RSQ)