Unlicensed VHF
Unlicensed VHF
Unlicensed VHF
Summary
The TS4000 radio modem can be used without a license, with some restrictions, in the United States on five
specific VHF frequencies under the MURS (Multi-Use Radio System) rules of the FCC. The MURS rules allow
voice or data communications for personal or business activities of the general public. [see 95.401(e)]
Note that the FCC may change, restrict, modify or amend these rules in the future.
This channel bandwidth (occupied bandwidth) of the TS4000 is configured on the Radio tab of the TS4000
configuration software.
Power
The MURS frequencies can be used with up to 2 watts or transmit power. [see 95.639(h)]
For the TS4000 Radio Modem, the transmit power is set on the Radio tab in the TS4000 configuration software.
Antennas
The MURS rules do not currently limit the type of antenna.
Antenna Height
The highest point of any MURS antenna must be no more than 18.3 meters (60 feet) above the ground or 6.10
meters (20 feet) above the highest point of the structure on which it is mounted. [see 95.1315]
Channel Sharing
The MURS rules specify that the channels must be shared with other users. [see 95.1309] The TS4000 is
designed to minimize interference with other users by listening before it transmits. However, the best way to
minimize interference with other channel users is to use the TS4000’s Clear Channel Scan feature. Clear Channel
Scan automatically and dynamically selects the frequency with the least amount of interference. Clear Channel
Scan is set on the Radio tab of the TS4000 Configuration software.
The MURS rules do not allow the use of store and forward repeaters. [see 95.1311]
Location
A MURS radio can be used “within or over any area of the world where radio services are regulated by the FCC”.
[95.405(a), 95.1303]
Equipment
The TS4000 Radio Modem (Part# TS4000-05C15SBB) meets the requirements for MURS. Note that the TS4000
must be configured correctly to meet the MURS rules. The TS4000 can be ordered with a MURS compatible
configuration using part# TS4000-05C15SBB-MURS.
Notes:
1) The rules for MURS first went into effect on November 13, 2000.
2) The FCC may change, add, restrict or modify these rules in the future.
3) A number of changes to the MURS rules were made in October of 2002.
95.401 (CB Rule 1) What are the Citizens Band Radio Services?
The Citizens Band Radio Services are:
* * * * *
(f) The Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS)--a private, two-way, short distance voice or data
communications service for personal or business activities of the general public. The rules
for this service are contained in subpart J of this part.
General Provisions
95.1301 Eligibility.
An entity is authorized by rule to operate a MURS transmitter if it is not a foreign
government or a representative of a foreign government and if it uses the transmitter in
accordance with 95.1309 and otherwise operates in accordance with the rules contained in this
subpart. No license will be issued.
95.1303 Authorized locations.
(a) MURS operation is authorized:
(1) Anywhere CB station operation is permitted under 95.405; and
(2) Aboard any vessel of the United States, with the permission of the captain, while
the vessel is traveling either domestically or in international waters.
(b) MURS operation is not authorized aboard aircraft in flight.
(c) Anyone intending to operate a MURS unit on the islands of Puerto Rico, Desecheo, Mona,
Vieques, and Culebra in a manner that could pose an interference threat to the Arecibo
Observatory shall notify the Interference Office, Arecibo Observatory, Post Office Box 995,
Arecibo, Puerto Rico 00613, in writing or electronically, of the location of the unit.
Operators may wish to consult interference guidelines, which will be provided by Cornell
University. Operators who choose to transmit information electronically should e-mail to:
prcz@naic.edu.
(1) The notification to the Interference Office, Arecibo Observatory shall be made 45
days prior to commencing operation of the unit. The notification shall state the geographical
coordinates of the unit.
(2) After receipt of such notifications, the Commission will allow the Arecibo
Observatory a period of 20 days for comments or objections. The operator will be required to
make reasonable efforts in order to resolve or mitigate any potential interference problem
with the Arecibo Observatory. If the Commission determines that an operator has satisfied its
responsibility to make reasonable efforts to protect the Observatory from interference, the
unit may be allowed to operate.