FCC Part 95 reform, FRS and GMRS rule changes

[jwilkers]

Up for a vote in May, Part 95 is changing to allow FRS radios to have 22 channels and 2 watt power output. GMRS licensing remains, with repeaters remaining. CB radio rules changed to remove the distance restriction.

see here: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/index.do?document=344617

 

[Rick330man]

Removing the distance restriction for CB makes sense for 2 reasons: (1) there's been essentially zero enforcement of it for decades and (2) exceeding 150 miles was largely a function of mother nature's mood on a given day. Conversely, maintaining the restriction against international communications (except when talking to Canada) makes no sense for the same reasons. A station in Miami can talk to the Bahamas (fifty miles away) relatively easily. Stations in the southwestern U.S. can communicate easily with stations in Mexico. Stations in the lower Florida Keys occasionally pick up stations in Cuba, and a relatively easy trip of only 90 miles when considering that it is 100% over water.

Not perfect revisions, but steps in the right direction.

 

[kc8adu]

i suspect that the international restriction is due to itu treaty.
not something we can arbitrarily change.

 

[edfiero]

I know this is over a year old, but what was the outcome? How did the votes fall?

 

[BJ radionut]

https://bettersaferadio.com/fcc-adopts-long-awaited-changes-prs-bands-gmrs-frs-cb-murs/