Thread: is it illegal for UHF handheld work as a basic 2-way family FRS or GMRS radio (on...

...family radio service bands)? Is it illegal to do this? I will be in a heavily wooded area for a camping trip on a camping trip and sometimes, my radios aren't too powerful. I was wondering that if I program a UHF radio on these family radio service channels, would it be a problem?

The first answer was basically correct.

No one can tell, by listening, what brand radio you are using, or if it is using legal power or not.

Just as you can't tell if anyone you hear on those frequencies is using a legal radio or not.

Like I said in my other answer it is illegal (technically). Will anyone ever arrest you for it? No. The FCC has better things to do. If you were using a 1000 watt transmitter on that band, you may attract some attention. 2 watts...no problem.