hand held VHF radios

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Originally Posted by jrc

...I'm sure Phantom means that he only uses it to talk from his boat to his cottage. Because I think talking from shore is against the rules unless he has a special license...

Good catch JRC!

From the USCG FAQ page on radio communications:

I need to be able to communicate with a friend in a boat by radio. What license or approval do I need to install a marine radio on shore?

You need to apply for a land radio station license using FCC Form 503, available at http://www.fcc.gov/wtb/marine/fctsht14.html. You may find that the FCC won't approve your application based upon your intended use: typically, you'd need to have a requirement to communicate with a fleet of vessels (e.g. more than one), or provide some sort of service to vessels, or not be able to use the services of a public coast station. If you do not meet the FCC's requirement for obtaining a land radio station license, you cannot operate a marine radio ashore. You must use a public coast station, such as WJG Maritel, Globe Wireless, or Mobile Marine Radio.