FCC Licensing
Every time we think we've heard it all, something happens that proves that the general public awareness for an FCC license to operate 2-way radio is something less that expected.
Here are just a few examples of smart people doing dumb things. Case number one, a municipal police department had been operating on an expired license since 2002. They refused to do anything to correct the problem. Another user, this time a fire department, bought some radios from us. When we asked for his frequency information, he said he didn't know - HE GOT THEM FROM RADIO SHACK! And lastly, a major hospital was looking for radios to be used in the Emergency Room and rejected compliant alternatives.
They were shown commercially available radios that could be legally licensed by the FCC while simultaneously addressing the HIPAA patient privacy rights requirements . They chose to purchase inexpensive GMRS radios that are illegal for commercial use. Their supplier told them it was no big deal - everybody does it! What he didn't tell them was that a single violation of FCC regulations can cost the violator up to $10,000 PER DAY, blacklisted from obtaining a license, and even the potential of imprisonment! The penalties for HIPAA violations can be even worse. Additional information on FCC licensing is available at www.info4u.us/FCCInfo.pdf. Additional information on HIPAA (primarily of interest to those who provide patient transport services and hospitals) is available on the Internet at www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/.
So what were the reasons given for making this illegal purchase? The radios were smaller (because the batteries are too small to make a full shift) and they came in cool colors. As it later turned out, these consumer radio were not designed, nor will they perform to commercial and/or public safety standards.
As a responsible vendor, we have an obligation to give you the facts and to assist you if you wish. This may not come under a maintenance classification, but it certainly involves SERVICE! For what it's worth there are several exemptions where licensing is not required. The Motorola DTR650 is ideally suited for hospital, administration, and manufacturing use with no FCC license required. Additional information is available at www.falcondirect.com/DTR. There are also frequencies set aside in the VHF band available for unlicensed use. If you have questions about licensing, come to the source for factual information, Falcon Direct - At your service!