Old joke:
Q: What do you get when you cross a centipede and a parrot?
A: a walkie-talkie
Okay. I have a set of those dual GMRS-FRS walkie-talkies. I don’t have a license for GMRS so I stay off those channels. But say I get licensed, and I go camping with my family and want/need to use a GMRS channel. Does the other person in my family to whom I give the other unit also have to be licensed? It would seem useless if I was the only one who could operate one. If unlicensed, can the other person be passive and only listen to my messages?
Ah just found the answer:
A GMRS system may legally be operated only with an FCC license. The individual licensee is responsible for the proper operation of the GMRS system. A licensee may permit his or her immediate family members to operate the GMRS system.
Multivehicle road trips (or caravanning as we called it) was how we used such things in the days before cell phones became common. It was helpful to tell the other car that you were planning to take the next exit for gas or a bathroom break or whatever.
We found them useful for just a 2 car trip a couple of years ago. We were heading to the Oregon Coast to camp out for the eclipse in 2017. We had to take 2 cars to get all our gear and guests there. So, spouse and I each had one. It was faster and easier than having to call each other, and there is some spotty cell coverage through the mountains. They came in handy when we split up into 2 groups a few times at the campground, which also had spotty cell coverage.
Kids love them! We gave our grandkids (7 and 3) a set of three, and they love playing with them.