The FCC Rules described in this document reflect the status of the GMRS rules prior to February 12, 1999. On that date, the FCC changed these rules to the language adopted by the Report and Order in FCC docket 98-20, concerning the Universal Licensing System (ULS).
The ULS docket made major changes to the FCC Rules governing GMRS. The rules shown below include both the former language (labeled below as the "current rule") and the new language implemented on February 12 (labeled below as the "new rule"). PRSG petitioned the FCC to reconsider some of these new rules, and to delay implementation of the date of effect until the FCC could make this reconsideration. On June 10, 1999, the FCC granted the PRSG petition, but only in part.
We have retained this older set of rules (and the discussions about the impact of the now current rules) in order for you to examine the implications of the rules changes imposed by the FCC.
If you wish instead to view only the most current version of the FCC Rules, please click here.
Also available on this Web site is the November 10, 1988 Report and
Order in FCC Docket 87-265. This was the FCC action
that established the version of the GMRS Rules in effect before these most
recent changes. (These FCC Rules had actually changed very little since
the adoption of that 1988 Report and Order, up to these most recent
ULS-associated changes.)
The significance of this 1988 R&O is that it explains it detail the
FCC's rationale for the landmark changes adopted in that rulemaking docket.
To understand why the current rules (and especially the restrictions on
GMRS licensing eligibility) exist, you need to read this R&O. The
R&O is available here as a 22 KB ZIP-compressed version
(87265RO.ZIP) of an 70 KB straight ASCII text file. You can download this
file by clicking here:
Federal Communications Commission Rules for the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) Part 95 (Personal Radio Services), Subpart A and Relevant Portions of Subpart E (Technical Regulations)
Subpart A: General Mobile Radio Service General Provisions. 95.1: The General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS). [No changes.] 95.3: License required. [No changes.] 95.5: License eligibility. [Minor changes with major implications.] 95.7: Channel sharing. [Minor changes.]Considerations When Planning A GMRS System. 95.21: GMRS system description. [Minor changes.] 95.23: Mobile station description. [Minor changes.] 95.25: Land station description. [Minor changes.] 95.27: Paging receiver description. [No changes.] 95.29: Channels available. [Major changes.] 95.31: Overlap of GMRS systems. [To be deleted.] 95.33: Cooperative use of radio stations in the GMRS. [Minor changes.] 95.35: Multiple licensing of radio transmitting equipment in the GMRS. [To be deleted.] 95.37: Considerations near the Canadian border. [To be deleted.] 95.39: Considerations near FCC monitoring stations. [To be deleted.] 95.41: Considerations in the National Radio Quiet Zone. [To be deleted.] 95.42: (Considerations near Arecibo, Puerto Rico.) [To be deleted.] 95.43: Environmental considerations. [To be deleted.] 95.45: Considerations on Department of Defense land and in other circumstances. [Minor changes and consolidation.] 95.47: Considerations in large urban areas. [To be deleted, with a major, negative impact.] 95.49: Considerations near large urban areas. [To be deleted.] 95.51: Antenna height. [Major changes.] 95.53: Mobile station communication points. [To be deleted.] 95.55: Base station communication points. [To be deleted.] 95.57: Mobile relay station communication points. [To be deleted.] 95.59: Control station communication points. [To be deleted.] 95.61: Fixed station communication points. [To be deleted.]
Applying for a GMRS System License. 95.71: Applying for a new or modified license. [To be deleted.] 95.72: Applying for an STA or waiver of the rules. [To be deleted.] 95.73: System licensing. [To be deleted.] 95.75: Basic information. [To be deleted.] 95.77: Additional information for GMRS systems with four or more land stations. [To be deleted.] 95.79: Additional information for stations in the National Radio Quiet Zone. [To be deleted.] 95.83: Additional information for stations with antennas higher than normally allowed. [To be deleted.] 95.85: Additional information for stations near United States borders. [To be deleted.] 95.87: Signature. [To be deleted.] 95.89: Renewing a license. [To be deleted.]
Managing a GMRS system. 95.101: What the license authorizes. [Minor changes.] 95.103: Licensee duties. [Minor changes.] 95.105: License term. [Minor changes.] 95.107: Keeping the license. [To be deleted.] 95.109: License not transferable. [To be deleted.] 95.111: Transfer of control of a corporation. [To be deleted.] 95.113: System records. [To be deleted.] 95.115: Station inspection. [Minor modification.] 95.117: Where to contact the FCC. [Minor modification.] 95.119: Station Identification. [Major modification.] 95.121: Transmitting channel. [To be deleted.] 95.123: Sharing a station or sharing equipment. [To be deleted.] 95.125: Station control point. [To be deleted.] 95.127: Controlling a station from a remote point. [To be deleted.] 95.129: Station equipment. [Major modification.] 95.131: Servicing station transmitters. [To be deleted.] 95.133: Modification to station transmitters. [To be deleted.] 95.135: Transmitter power limits. [Major modification.] 95.137: Moving a small base station or a small control station. [To be deleted.] 95.139: Adding a small base station or a small control station. [Major modification.] 95.141: Interconnection prohibited. [No changes.] 95.143: Managing a GMRS system in an emergency. [No changes.]
Operating a GMRS system. 95.171: Station operator duties. [Minor changes.] 95.173: Station operator duties. [To be deleted.] 95.175: Cooperation in sharing channels. [To be deleted.] 95.177: Responsibility for station operator's communications. [To be deleted.] 95.179: Individuals who may be station operators. [To be deleted.] 95.181: Permissible communications. [Minor changes.] 95.183: Prohibited communications. [To be added.]
Appendices. Appendix A: Making a Control Station Power Test. [To be deleted.] Appendix A: Locations Where GMRS is Regulated by the FCC. [To be added.] Appendix B: Where the Large Urban Areas Are Located. [To be deleted.]
Subpart E: Technical Regulations (Excerpts Pertaining to the GMRS) [No changes to this Subpart E.] General Provisions. 95.601: Basis and purpose. 95.603: Type acceptance required. 95.605: Type acceptance and certification procedures. 95.607: CB transmitter modification. 95.621: GMRS transmitter channel frequencies. 95.623: R/C transmitter channel frequencies. 95.625: CB transmitter channel frequencies. 95.627: FRS unit channel frequencies. 95.629: LPRS transmitter frequencies. 95.631: Emission types. 95.633: Emission bandwidth. 95.635: Unwanted radiation. 95.637: Modulation standards. 95.639: Maximum transmitter power.
Type Acceptance Requirements. 95.645: Control accessibility. 95.647: FRS unit and R/C transmitter antenna. 95.649: Power capability. 95.651: Crystal control required. 95.653: Instructions and warnings. 95.655: Frequency capability.
Additional Type Acceptance Requirements for CB Transmitters
Appendix 1: Glossary of Terms.
General Provisions
Current Rule:
(a) The GMRS is a land mobile radio service available to persons for short- distance two-way communications to facilitate the activities of licensees and their immediate family members. Each licensee manages a system consisting of one or more stations.
(b) [Pertains only to the Interactive Video and Data Service (IVDS).]
PRSG Comment: No change adopted to 95.1.
Current Rule:
Before any station transmits on any channel authorized in the GMRS from any point (a geographical location) within or over the territorial limits of any area where radio services are regulated by the FCC, the responsible party must obtain a license (a written authorization from the FCC for a GMRS system).
PRSG Comment: No change adopted to 95.3.
Current Rule:
An individual (one man or one woman) is eligible to obtain, renew and have modified a GMRS system license if that individual is 18 years of age or older and is not a representative of a foreign government. A non-individual (an entity other than an individual) is ineligible to obtain a new GMRS system license or to make a major modification to an existing GMRS system license (see 95.71(e)). Certain non-individuals are eligible to renew existing GMRS system licenses (see 95.89(c) and (d)).
New Rule:
An individual (one man or one woman) is eligible to obtain, renew and have modified a GMRS system license if that individual is 18 years of age or older and is not a representative of a foreign government. A non-individual (an entity other than an individual) is ineligible to obtain a new GMRS system license or to make a major modification to an existing GMRS system license. Certain non-individuals are eligible to renew existing GMRS system licenses.
PRSG Comment: The ULS docket made only minor edits to this section to remove references to deleted sections. However, one of those deleted sections (formerly 95.71(e) specifies the kinds of system modifications for which a non-individual license is not permitted to apply. Contrary to the FCC's assertion in the ULS R&O, these prohibitions were not fully carried over under the new Part 95 and Part 1 rules.
Current Rule:
(a) Channels or channel pairs are available to GMRS systems only on a shared basis and will not be assigned for the exclusive use of any licensee. All station operators and GMRS system licensees must cooperate in the selection and use of channels to reduce interference and to make the most effective use of the facilities.
(b) Licensees of GMRS systems suffering or causing harmful interference are expected to cooperate and resolve this problem by mutually satisfactory arrangements. If the licensees are unable to do so, the FCC may impose restrictions including specifying the transmitter power, antenna height, or area or hours of operation of the stations concerned. Further, the use of any frequency at a given geographical location may be denied when, in the judgment of the FCC, its use in that location is not in the public interest; the use of any channel or channel pair may be restricted as to specified geographical areas, maximum power, and other operating conditions (see 95.71(d)).
New Rule:
(a) [No change.]
(b) * * * Further, the use of any frequency at a given geographical location may be denied when, in the judgment of the FCC, its use in that location is not in the public interest; the use of any channel or channel pair may be restricted as to specified geographical areas, maximum power, or other operating conditions.
PRSG Comments:
Only minor edits were made to remove references to deleted sections.
Considerations When Planning A GMRS System
Current Rule:
(a) A GMRS system is one or more transmitting units used by station operators to communicate messages. A GMRS system is comprised of:
(1) One or more station operators;
(2) One mobile station consisting of one or more mobile units (see 95.23);
(3) One or more land stations (optional); and
(4) Paging receivers (optional).
(b) In certain areas, point-to-point GMRS systems may be comprised of fixed stations only (see 95.47, 95.49 and 95.61).
(c) A GMRS system may be operated in:
(1) Simplex mode. (Only one station operator can speak at a time.)
(2) Duplex mode. (Two station operators can speak at the same time. One or more stations transmit on one channel. The other station(s) transmit(s) on the channel pair counterpart.)
(3) A combined simplex-duplex mode. (E.g., a mobile relay system with mobile units operating in simplex mode on a channel pair.)
New Rule:
A GMRS system is one or more transmitting units used by station operators to communicate messages. A GMRS system is comprised of:
(a) One or more station operators;
(b) One mobile station consisting of one or more mobile units (see
Sec. 95.23 of this part);
(c) One or more land stations (optional);
(d) Paging receivers (optional); and
(e) Fixed stations (optional).
[Original paragraphs 95.21(c) and (d) are deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
These are mostly minor editorial amendments, but the deletion of the definition of "simplex" and "duplex" is a step forward. Many GMRS licensees confuse these terms, and the current definition contributes to this confusion. It is preferable to avoid these terms altogether. However, the new rules do continue to refer elsewhere (for instance, in 95.29(f)) to simplex and duplex operation.
Current Rule:
(a) A mobile station is one or more units which transmit while moving or during temporary stops at unspecified points.
(b) A mobile station unit may transmit from any point within or over any areas where radio services are regulated by the FCC except where additional considerations apply (see 95.37-95.49).
(c) A mobile station unit may transmit from an aircraft or ship, with the captain's permission, which is:
(1) Within or over any area where radio services are regulated by the FCC except where additional restrictions apply; and
(2) On or over international waters, if the unit is transmitting from an aircraft or ship of United States registry.
(d) A mobile station unit must not transmit from points within or over the territorial limits of any area where radio services are regulated only by:
(1) A foreign government; or
(2) A United States government agency other than the FCC.
New Rule:
(a) [No change.]
(b) A mobile station unit may transmit from any point within or over any areas where radio services are regulated by the FCC except where additional considerations apply.
(c) [No change.]
(d) [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
Minor editorial amendments to remove cross reference to deleted section and to move the prohibition of operation in areas governed by foreign countries or by federal government agencies other than the FCC to 95.101.
Current Rule:
(a) A land station is a unit which transmits only from:
(1) An exact point shown on the license; or
(2) An unspecified point within an operating area (an area within a circle centered on a point chosen by the applicant) as shown on the license, for a temporary period (one year or less).
(b) The point from which every land station transmits must be within an area where radio services are regulated by the FCC.
(c) Each land station is classified according to its communications points (the other stations or paging receivers to which the station operator communicates messages). There are four land station classes:
(1) Base station (see 95.55); (2) Mobile relay station (see 95.57); (3) Control station (see 95.59); and (4) Fixed station (see 95.61).
(d) A small control station is any control station that:
(1) Has an antenna no more than 6.1 meters (20 feet) above the ground or above the building or tree on which it is mounted (see 95.51); and
(2) Is:
(i) South of Line A or west of Line C (see 95.37); or
(ii) North of Line A or east of Line C, and the station transmits with no more than 5 watts ERP (effective radiated power).
(e) A small base station is any base station that:
(1) Has an antenna no more than 6.1 meters (20 feet) above the ground or above the building or tree on which it is mounted (see 95.51); and
(2) Transmits with no more than 5 watts ERP.
(f) A land station may be licensed to transmit as more than one class. (Example: A land station is licensed as both a base station and a control station. When it is transmitting as a base station its communication points are those of a base station (see 95.55). When it is transmitting as a control station its communication points are those of a control station (see 95.59).)
New Rule:
(a) A land station is a unit which transmits from a specific address as determined by the license.
(b) [No change.]
(c) [Reserved.]
(d) [No change except to delete the cross reference to a deleted section in (d)(2)(i).]
(e) [No change.]
(f) Each base station and each control station with an antenna height greater than 6.1 meters (20 feet) must be separately identified on Form 605. (See Secs. 95.25 (d) and (e) and 95.51 of this part).
PRSG Comments:
Reference to operation of a land station at temporary, unspecified locations is moved to 95.101. That section permits licensees to change the location and other technical parameters of any GMRS station without first needing to modify the license.
The ULS docket deletes 95.25(c), which classifies land stations by their points of permissible communications. The ULS docket deletes all restrictions on points of communications, currently 95.53 through 95.61. The ULS docket replaces the current 95.25(f), which deals with points of communications, with the language above.
Current Rule:
A paging receiver is a unit capable of receiving the radio signals from a base station for the bearer to hear a page (someone's name or other identifier said in order to find, summon or notify him/her) spoken by the base station operator.
PRSG Comment: No change adopted to 95.27.
Current Rule:
(a) The licensee of the GMRS system must select the transmitting channel or channel pair for the stations in the GMRS system from the following lists:
(1) For a base station, mobile relay station, fixed station or mobile station, the following 462 MHz (megahertz) channels:
462.5500 462.5750 462.6000 462.6250 462.6500 462.6750 462.7000 and 462.7250.
(2) For a mobile station, control station or fixed station operated in the duplex mode, the following 467 MHz channels:
467.5500 467.5750 467.6000 467.6250 467.6500 467.6750 467.7000 and 467.7250.
(3) As of December 31, 1993, the 467 MHz channels may be used only to transmit communications through a mobile relay station and for remotely controlling a mobile relay station. As of December 31, 1993, no station in a GMRS system may transmit communications directly (not through a mobile relay station) on the 467 MHz channels.
(b) The FCC will normally assign only one channel or one channel pair (one 462 MHz channel and its counterpart 5 MHz spaced 467 MHz channel) to a GMRS system comprised of stations intended for operation in the simplex mode. A second channel or channel pair will be assigned at the request of the applicant.
(c) The FCC will normally assign only one channel pair to a GMRS system comprised of stations intended for operation in the duplex mode. A second channel pair will be assigned at the request of the applicant.
(d) No GMRS system may be assigned more than two channels or channel pairs. Stations in certain GMRS systems may, however, also transmit on additional frequencies listed in the following paragraphs, in accord with the conditions specified.
(e) Mobile stations in a GMRS system licensed to an individual that is not specifically authorized for the 462.675 MHz/467.675 MHz channel pair may transmit on that channel pair with the following limitations:
(1) The communications must be for the purpose of soliciting or rendering assistance to a traveler, or for communicating in an emergency pertaining to the immediate safety of life or the immediate protection of property; and
(2) The frequency 467.675 MHz may be used only for the purpose of accessing and communicating through a mobile relay station transmitting on 462.675 MHz.
SPECIAL NOTE: The FCC has set aside the restrictions of 95.29(e)(1) pending release of a Memorandum Opinion and Order (MO&O) that responds to the PRSG Petition for Reconsideration on this matter. Click here for more information.
(f) Except for a GMRS system licensed to a non-individual, a mobile station or a small base station operating in the simplex mode may transmit on the following 462 MHz interstitial channels:
462.5625 462.5875 462.6125 462.6375 462.6625 462.6875 and 462.7125.
These channels may be used only under the following conditions:
(1) Only voice type emissions may be transmitted;
(2) The station does not transmit one-way pages; and
(3) The station transmits with no more than 5 watts ERP.
(g) Fixed stations in GMRS systems authorized before March 18, 1968, located 160 kilometers (100 miles) or more from the geographic center of urbanized areas of 200,000 or more population as defined in the U.S. Census of Population, 1960, Vol. 1, Table 23, page 50 that were authorized to transmit on channels other than those listed in this section may continue to transmit on their originally assigned channels provided that they cause no interference to the operation of stations in any of the Part 90 private land mobile radio services.
New Rule:
(a) For a base station, fixed station, mobile station, or repeater station (a GMRS station that simultaneously retransmits the transmission of another GMRS station on a different channel or channels), the licensee of the GMRS system must select the transmitting channels or channel pairs for the stations in the GMRS system from the following 462 MHz channels:
462.550, 462.5750, 462.6000, 462.6250, 462.6500, 462.6750, 462.7000 and 462.7250.
(b) For a mobile station, control station, or fixed station operated in the duplex mode, the following 467 MHz channels may be used only to transmit communications through a repeater station and for remotely controlling a repeater station. The licensee of the GMRS system must select the transmitting channels or channel pairs for the stations operated in the duplex mode, from the following 467 MHz channels:
467.5500, 467.5750, 467.6000, 467.6250, 467.6500, 467.6750, 467.7000, and 467.7250.
(c) [Reserved.]
(d) [Reserved.]
(e) Mobile stations in a GMRS system licensed to an individual are authorized to transmit on the 462.6750 MHz/467.6750 MHz channel pair with the following limitations:
(1) [No change.]
(2) The frequency 467.675 MHz may be used only for the purposes of accessing and communicating through a repeater station transmitting on 462.675 MHz.
(f) [No change.]
(g) [No change.]
PRSG Comments:
The changes in 95.29 are the most radical and (in some cases) administratively improper of all those adopted in the ULS docket.
1) On channel selection in general:
The ULS docket deletes the requirement that a GMRS station may transmit only on the channel(s) or channel pair(s) authorized on that station's license. The new rules will permit the station operator to select from any of the frequencies available for that particular class of station. This changes GMRS from an "assigned channel" service into an "all-channel" service.
Under the current rules, the licensee of a license issued to an entity other than an individual person is prohibited from modifying that license to change the authorized frequencies. However, the new rules would not prohibit stations operated under licenses issued to such non-personal entities from such all-channel operations. This violates the FCC's intent (as again stated in 95.5 above) to restrict the kinds of system modifications for which non-personal licensees are eligible.
In the Report and Order, the FCC claims that non-personal licensees would still be prohibited from expanding their systems. (Current FCC rules both in Part 95 and in Part 1 acknowledge that changing frequencies is a significant action.) The R&O (see especially paragraph 190) further claims that non-personal licensees are prohibited from this kind of major system modification by language moved to Part 1 of the FCC Rules.
Both statements in the R&O are wrong. No language in Part 95 would prohibit non-personal licensees from changing channels, and no language was added to Part 1 to cover this situation.
2) On the use of the 675 channel pair specifically:
The current rules permit the operator of a mobile station unit licensed to an individual to transmit on the 675 channel pair even if operation on that channel is not authorized on the license. However, under this circumstance, such use must be solely "for the purpose of soliciting or rendering assistance to a traveler, or for communicating in an emergency pertaining to the immediate safety of life or the immediate protection of property."
The ULS docket adopts language that would radically alter the use of the 675 channel pair. Under the new language, the only communications that would be permitted on this channel are communications pertaining solely to an emergency pertaining to the immediate safety of life or the immediate protection of property.
All other non-emergency, non-assistance communications on the 675 channel would be prohibited, even by those thousands of GMRS users who are currently licensed for 675 operations and who currently and lawfully use that channel for other authorized communications. Under the new rules, these users would have to switch to some other channel if they wished to continue to conducting their non-emergency/non-assistance communications!
In the ULS NPRM, the FCC did not identify such a radical change for the use of the 675 channel pair. Indeed, it is clear that current FCC employees misunderstand the nature of 675 operations. However, the language of the Report and Order (for instance, at paragraph 194) makes it clear that the FCC intends to restrict the use of the 675 channel for all users!
3) On the definition of a repeater (mobile relay station):
The current rules (at 95.57) define a mobile relay station as a station that "automatically (without immediate thought or action by the station operator)" retransmits communications of other GMRS stations. In the ULS docket, the FCC changes the reference from "automatic" to "simultaneous" and relocates the language to 95.29.
This constitutes a major change not previously proposed that exempts from the new rules governing repeaters those repeater-type stations whose retransmissions are still automatic but are not exactly simultaneous.
This would exempt from all repeater restrictions the vast majority of current repeaters, whose retransmissions are not simultaneous but delayed (even if only for a few milliseconds). This would also exempt "store-and-forward" or "time domain" repeaters, a type only recently becoming used but for which the hardware is now routinely available from consumer electronics stores.
This change in definition would permit the operation of any class of GMRS station in a repeater-like configuration (automatically retransmitting others' communications), so long as there was at least a minimal (undefined, but presumably measurable delay in retransmission.
This could be used at a control station, for instance, to create multi-hop repeater linking. This could also be used at a small base station operating n the 462 MHz interstitial frequencies, thus creating a GMRS repeater functioning to repeat FRS communications.
Operation of a repeater-type station would clearly violate the established policy (see paragraph 64 of the Report and Order) of using the interstitials as an alternative to non-repeater communications on repeater-output frequencies.
Whatever the merits and necessary regulatory precautions for repeater linking or interstitial frequencies, the FCC cannot lawfully implement such a major change in policy without first identifying the change and then affording the public an opportunity to comment.
4) On cross-channel operations:
The language of the ULS docket does not define "frequency pair," and would permit repeater operations on non-paired frequencies (i.e., offset by some increment other than precisely 5.000 MHz). This would create a horrendous problem for pre-transmission monitoring.
5) On multi-channel simulcasting:
The language of the ULS docket, especially in allowing the licensee to select multiple channels without restricting their simultaneous use by multiple stations, would also permit simulcasting (the transmission of identical communications on multiple channels simultaneously). This would be an abusive operation that should explicitly prohibited under the rules.
PRSG has filed a Petition for Reconsideration requesting that the FCC correct the problems discussed above. We have also file a Petition for Stay that requests that the FCC delay the date of effect of the new rules until the FCC resolves these issues.
Current Rule:
An entity may not have a base station or a mobile relay station for that entity's GMRS system within 64.4 kilometers (40 miles) of a base station or a mobile relay station for another GMRS system licensed to the same entity. Base stations and mobile relay stations licensed to the same entity in two different GMRS systems less than 64.4 kilometers (40 miles) apart which were authorized prior to October 16, 1983 are not subject to the provisions of this rule.
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
This rule limits the number of systems (and thus, the number of operating channels) available for use by a licensee at base or repeater stations within a given area. With the "all channel" concept adopt in the ULS docket, this restriction is no longer necessary.
Current Rule:
(a) Licensees (a licensee is the entity to which the license is issued) of radio stations in the GMRS may share the use of their stations with other entities eligible in the GMRS, subject to the following conditions and limitations.
(1) The station to be shared must be individually owned by the licensee, jointly owned by the participants and the licensee, leased individually by the licensee, or leased jointly by the participants and the licensee.
(2) The licensee must maintain access to and control over all stations authorized under its license.
(3) A station may be shared only:
(i) Without charge;
(ii) On a non-profit basis, with contributions to capital and operating expenses including the cost of mobile stations and paging receivers prorated equitably among all participants; or
(iii) On a reciprocal basis, i.e., use of one licensee's stations for the use of another licensee's stations without charge for either capital or operating expenses.
(4) All sharing arrangements must be conducted in accordance with a written agreement to be kept as part of the station records.
(b) Participants in a cooperatively shared GMRS mobile relay or base station may obtain a license for their own mobile station(s), provided that the licensee of the shared GMRS station consents in writing to the issuance of such authorization.
New Rule: [Section (b) is deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
The ULS docket removes the antiquated and largely ignored requirement of paragraph (b).
95.35 Multiple licensing of radio transmitting equipment in the GMRS.
Current Rule:
Two or more persons licensed in the GMRS may use the same transmitting equipment under the following terms and conditions:
(a) Each licensee complies with the general operating requirements set out in 95.171 through 95.184 of the rules; and
(b) Each licensee must have access to the transmitter for which the licensee is authorized.
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
Deletion of this section removes the current obligation of each licensee to assume the full responsibility for the proper operation of each multiply licensed station. We are likely to see a continuing proliferation of "absentee licensees," namely, where no one takes full responsibility where there is and should otherwise be joint and several responsibilities among multiple parties.
Current Rule:
The United States and the Government of Canada coordinate channel assignments to certain radio stations in areas along their common borders north of Line A and east of Line C. (See 1.955 of the FCC Rules.)
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
The ULS docket moves this rule to an expanded 95.45.
Current Rule:
The FCC may impose additional restrictions on a land station in a GMRS system if it is at a point within 4.8 kilometers (3 miles) of an FCC monitoring facility and the station's transmissions degrade, obstruct, or repeatedly interrupt the operation of the equipment at the FCC monitoring facility. Before applying for a license to put a land station at such a point, or before applying to change anything in a station already licensed for such a point, you should consult the FCC by writing to the Chief, Compliance and Information Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, Washington, D.C. 20554.
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
The ULS docket moves this rule to an expanded 95.45.
Current Rule:
(a) The FCC may impose additional restrictions on a land station in a proposed GMRS system, or one in a GMRS system proposed for modification, if the station is proposed for or located at a point within the National Radio Quiet Zone (an area within the states of Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia). The Zone is the area bounded by:
(1) 39 degrees 15 minutes N. on the North; (2) 78 degrees 30 minutes W. on the East; (3) 37 degrees 30 minutes N. on the South; and (4) 80 degrees 30 minutes W. on the West.
(b) When applying for a license to put a land station at a point in the National Radio Quiet Zone, or when applying to change certain details in a station already licensed for such a point, the applicant must send a notice to the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (see 95.79).
(c) Restrictions may be imposed if the National Radio Astronomy Observatory files an objection with the FCC within 20 days after the application is filed with the FCC.
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
The ULS docket moves this rule to an expanded 95.45.
Current Rule:
[PRSG Note: This rule section was apparently added only recently, and then was removed by the ULS docket. We do not have and could not find the language so briefly in this section, but we expect it created language similar to that in 95.41 and 95.43 but applying to the monstrous Arecibo radio telescope.]
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
The ULS docket moves this rule to an expanded 95.45.
Current Rule:
An application for a GMRS system that includes a land station which may have a significant impact upon the environment, as specified in Sec. 1.1307 of this chapter, must be accompanied by an environmental assessment as set forth in Sec. 1.1311 of this chapter.
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
The ULS docket moves this rule to an expanded 95.45.
95.45 Considerations on Department of Defense land and in other circumstances.
Current Rule:
The Department of Defense may impose additional restrictions on a station transmitting on its land. (Before applying to place or modify a station at such a point, an applicant should consult with the commanding officer in charge of the land.)
New Rule:
(a) The Department of Defense may impose additional restrictions on a station transmitting on its land. (Before placing a station at such a point, a licensee should consult with the commanding officer in charge of the land.)
(b) Additional restrictions may apply when a land station in a GMRS system is located near FCC field offices, near United States borders, in quiet zones, or when it may have a significant impact upon the environment. See Secs 1.923 and 1.924 of this chapter.
PRSG Comments:
This represents a minor editorial amendment that shifts the obligation from the applicant to the user. This section is also expanded to include language or reference previously in 95.39 through 95.43.
Current Rule:
(a) No fixed station may be at any point within a large urban area.
(b) A control station at a point within a large urban area must have:
(1) A directional antenna (at least 15 decibel front-to-back ratio); and
(2) No more transmitter power than determined by a control station power test (a test to determine the appropriate transmitter power (see Appendix A)).
(c) Where these Rules use the term large urban area, it means a circular region extending out 121 kilometers (75 miles) in all directions around the geographic center of certain cities.
(d) The large urban areas and their geographic centers are shown in Appendix B.
(e) Control stations and fixed stations authorized before October 16, 1983 located beyond 121 kilometers (75) miles of the geographic center of urbanized areas of 200,000 or more population as defined in the U.S. Census of Population, 1960, Vol. 1, table 23, page 50, are not subject to the restrictions of this rule section.
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
The FCC's deletion of 95.47 and the current language in paragraphs 95.129(c)(1) and 95.135(b) eliminates the requirement for control stations in large urban areas to use directional antennas, and to reduce their transmitter output power. PRSG believes that this is a foolish and short-sighted change that will lead to substantially increased interference in the future. The big losers will be low-power handheld radio users attempting to communicate through a repeater.
Current Rule:
(a) A fixed station at a point near a large urban area must have:
(1) A directional antenna (at least 15 decibel front-to-back ratio); and
(2) No more than 15 watts transmitter power output.
(b) Where these Rules use the term near a large urban area, it means the region within a circular band around a large urban area. The band is 40 kilometers (25 miles) wide. It begins at the rim of the large urban area, and extends out 161 kilometers (l00 miles) around the geographic center of the city.
(c) Fixed stations authorized before October 16, 1983 located beyond 161 kilometers (100 miles) of the geographic center of urbanized areas of 200,000 or more population as defined in the U.S. Census of Population, 1960, Vol. 1, table 23, page 50, are not subject to the restrictions of this rule section.
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
There are only three licenses nationwide (and two of them are issued to the same extended family) that still authorize fixed station operation. Despite the deletion of this rule section, the FCC has retained this class of station. The FCC missed an opportunity to eliminate this anachronistic and antiquated class of stations.
Current Rule:
(a) A land station antenna (the land station's radiating structure (for transmitting, receiving or both), including the tower, mast or pole supporting it and everything attached to the structure) must not be a hazard to aircraft. The licensee of a GMRS system must get FCC permission (see 95.83) before the uppermost tip of an antenna may be higher than normally allowed in paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) of this rule section.
(b) Regardless of any other requirement of this rule section, an antenna may always be at least:
(1) 6.1 meters (20 feet) above the ground or above the building or tree upon which the antenna is mounted; or
(2) equal to the height of an existing antenna to which the land station antenna is attached.
(c) The antenna may be as high as 61 meters (200 feet) above the ground, unless it will be within 6.1 kilometers (20,000 feet) of an airport or heliport.
(d) If the antenna is near an airport or heliport listed in the FAA's (Federal Aviation Administration's) Airport Facilities Directory, or near an airport or heliport operated by the Department of Defense, it must not be higher than:
(1) One meter higher than the airport elevation for every 100 meters from the nearest runway if the runway is longer than one kilometer (3281 feet), and is within 6.1 kilometers (20,000 feet) of the antenna; or
(2) Two meters higher than the airport elevation for every 100 meters from the nearest runway if the runway is no longer than one kilometer (3281 feet), and is within 3.1 kilometers (10,000 feet) of the antenna; or
(3) Four meters higher than the heliport elevation for every 100 meters from the nearest landing pad if the pad is within 1.5 kilometers (5,000 feet) of the antenna.
(e) If the FCC grants permission to put an antenna higher than normally allowed in paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) of this rule section, the licensee may have to mark the antenna with bright paint and light it up at night (see Part 17 of the FCC Rules).
(f) The antenna for a small base station or for a small control station must not be more than 6.1 meters (20 feet) above the ground or above the building or tree on which it is mounted.
New Rule:
(a) Certain antenna structures used in a GMRS system and that are more than 60.96 m (200 ft) in height, or are located near or at a public-use airport must be notified [sic] to the FAA and registered with the Commission as required by part 17 of this chapter.
(b) The antenna for a small base station or for a small control station must not be more than 6.1 meters (20 feet) above the ground or above the building or tree on which it is mounted.
PRSG Comments:
After earlier proposing to include reference here to FCC Form 854 and FAA Form 7460-1, the FCC subsequently decided (and the ULS docket has adopted rules) merely to refer to Part 17 of the FCC Rules. From a practical standpoint, applicants for a GMRS system with a very tall antenna or with an antenna at or near a public-use airport will now have to consult a different Rule Part.
The FCC had proposed collecting additional information on the new FCC Form 605, but neither that new form nor its attachments has any place for that information.
Current Rule:
(a) A mobile station unit may transmit communications directly to:
(1) Other mobile station units in the same GMRS system;
(2) Mobile station units in any other GMRS system;
(3) A base station in the same GMRS system; and
(4) A base station in any other GMRS system.
(b) A mobile station unit may transmit communications through a mobile relay station in the same GMRS system to:
(1) Other mobile station units in the same GMRS system;
(2) Control stations in the same GMRS system; and
(3) Mobile station units in any other GMRS system.
(c) A mobile station unit authorized to transmit on a channel assigned to a mobile relay station in another GMRS system may transmit communications through that mobile relay station to:
(1) Mobile stations in the other GMRS system; and
(2) Control stations in the other GMRS system.
(d) A mobile station unit in a GMRS system licensed to an individual authorized to transmit on a channel assigned to a mobile relay station in another GMRS system may transmit communications through that mobile relay station with the permission of the licensee of the other GMRS system to:
(1) Other mobile station units in the same GMRS system; and
(2) Mobile station units in another GMRS system having permission to transmit communications through the mobile relay station.
(e) A mobile station unit must not transmit communications to:
(1) Any fixed station;
(2) Any control station directly;
(3) Any station in the Amateur Radio Service;
(4) Any unauthorized station; or
(5) Any foreign station.
(f) A mobile station unit must not transmit communications through a mobile relay station in another GMRS system, for retransmission to:
(1) Other mobile station units in its own GMRS system, unless:
(i) The mobile station units are in a GMRS system licensed to an individual; and
(ii) The licensee of the other GMRS system has given permission to use the mobile relay station for this purpose.
(2) A control station in its own GMRS system or
(3) Any station in any GMRS system other than the system which includes the mobile relay station.
(g) A mobile station unit may transmit communications as a radio control link (see 95.127) to a remotely controlled station.
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
The ULS docket eliminates all constraints on points of communications by mobile station units. See the discussion below in conjunction with 95.59.
Current Rule:
(a) A base station may transmit communications directly to:
(1) Mobile station units in the same GMRS system;
(2) Mobile station units in any other GMRS system; and
(3) Paging receivers in the same GMRS system.
(b) A base station must not transmit communications to:
(1) Any mobile relay station;
(2) Any base station;
(3) Any paging receiver not in the same GMRS system;
(4) Any fixed station;
(5) Any control station;
(6) Any station in the Amateur Radio Service;
(7) Any unauthorized station; or
(8) Any foreign station.
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
The ULS docket eliminates all constraints on points of communications by base stations. See the discussion below in conjunction with 95.59.
Current Rule:
(a) A mobile relay station in a GMRS system may automatically (without immediate thought or action by the station operator) retransmit communications between:
(1) A mobile station unit in the same GMRS system and:
(i) Another mobile station unit in the same GMRS system; or
(ii) A control station in the same GMRS system.
(2) A mobile station unit in any other GMRS system and:
(i) Another mobile station unit in the same GMRS system as the mobile relay station; or
(ii) A control station in the same GMRS system as the mobile relay station.
(b) A mobile relay station in a GMRS system must not automatically retransmit communications between:
(1) A mobile station unit in any other GMRS system and another unit of the same mobile station, unless:
(i) The other GMRS system is licensed to an individual; and
(ii) The licensee of the GMRS system with the mobile relay station has given permission to use the mobile relay station for this purpose;
(2) Any control station and any other control station;
(3) Any other mobile relay station and any station;
(4) Any base station and any station; or
(5) Any fixed station and any station.
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
The ULS docket eliminates all constraints on points of communications by mobile relay (repeater) stations. See the discussion below in conjunction with 95.59.
Current Rule:
(a) A control station may transmit communications as a radio control link (see 95.127) to a remotely controlled station.
(b) A control station may transmit communications through a mobile relay station to:
(1) Mobile station units in the same GMRS system as the control station; and
(2) Mobile station units in any other GMRS system.
(c) A control station must not transmit communications to any other station.
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
The ULS docket eliminates all constraints on points of communications by control stations, and indeed by all other classes of station. Any station will be able to communicate with any other station.
Elimination of these rules will, at some point in time, negatively impact virtually every current and future GMRS user, regardless of whatever benefits individual users might want to think they gain. This aspect of the ULS docket is, in the PRSG opinion, the one that most radically changes GMRS.
Eliminated are the requirements that persons must have permission to use someone else's repeater, and the prohibition of point-to-point communications (between and among base and control stations).
The big losers in these changes are repeater operators (who will likely now attempt to conceal and complicate their methods of repeater access and control), and, even more so, repeater users (especially operators of low-power handheld transceivers who signals will be overwhelmed by distant high-power, high-antenna control stations).
In the FCC's foolhardy rush to simplify the GMRS rules, the regulatory constraints proven valuable for more than 50 years, even though well based in technology and largely supported by the user community, were simply thrown out the window. The FCC authors of these changes are entirely aware of this inevitable destructive impact.
Current Rule:
(a) A fixed station may transmit communications from the point authorized for it on the license to another fixed station in the same GMRS system at the point authorized for it on the license.
(b) A fixed station must not transmit communications to any other station.
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
There are currently only three licenses that authorize fixed station operation. Fixed station operation was uniquely defined and justifiable solely on the basis of limiting the points of communications. With the eliminating of all restrictions on points of communications, there is no justification for retaining any provision for fixed station operation.
Applying for a GMRS System License.
Current Rule:
(a) An individual applies for a license for a new GMRS system by filling out an application form and attaching all additional information required. An individual applies to modify a license for an existing GMRS system using the same form and in the same manner as applying for a new GMRS system. Individuals should submit their applications, together with the filing fee, to the address specified in the Private Radio Services Fee Filing Guide.
(b) An applicant for a General Mobile Radio Service system license, sharing a multiply-licensed mobile relay station, may operate the system for a period of 180 days, under a Temporary Permit, evidenced by a properly-executed certification made on FCC Form 574-T, after mailing FCC Form 574 to the Commission.
(c) The application will be returned to the applicant if it is defective. An application is defective if:
(1) The form is not completely filled out;
(2) All necessary additional information is not included; or
(3) All necessary certifications have not been made (see , e.g., 95.79(g)(2), (o) and (p)).
(d) The Commission may, without a hearing, grant an application in part or subject to terms or conditions or with privileges other than those requested. Such an action is presumed to be a grant of the application unless the applicant files a written rejection of the grant as made within 30 days from the date of the grant or the effective date of the grant, whichever is later. If the Commission receives rejection of such a grant, the Commission will vacate its original action and will set the application for hearing.
(e) A non-individual may not obtain a new GMRS system license. A non-individual that held a GMRS system license issued before July 31, 1987, may not make the following major modifications:
(1) Change the area of operation of the GMRS system;
(2) Add any stations to the GMRS system;
(3) Increase the number of units of the mobile station;
(4) Change the location of any land station in the GMRS system;
(5) Add one or more channels or channel pairs and/or change the assigned channel(s) or channel pair(s);
(6) Increase the transmitter power of any station in the GMRS system; or
(7) Increase the height of a station antenna in the GMRS system.
(f) A GMRS system licensee may notify the FCC of a change of name or a change of mailing address by sending a letter to the Federal Communications Commission, 1270 Fairfield Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325-7245. This does not, however, permit GMRS system license transferability (see 95.109). Nor does this suffice for corporate transfer of control -- the provisions of 95.111 apply instead.
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
The FCC justifies deletion of temporary licensing (under FCC Form 574T) on the basis that the electronic filing of an application accomplishes the same instant license. This overlooks the problem of those who do not have access to the equipment necessary for electronic filing.
PRSG believes that it would be preferable to retain in the GMRS rules those specific types of modifications which are impermissible for grandfathered non-personal licensees. It would help clarify (by exclusion) those other types which are permissible.
Current Rule:
Applicants requesting an STA or waiver of the rules should submit their requests, together with the filing fee, to the address specified in the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Fee Filing Guide.
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
The ULS docket moves this to Part 1 of the FCC rules.
Current Rule:
(a) Application for a license for a new GMRS system or application to modify a licensed GMRS system is made on Form 574. The applicant must follow the Instructions for Completion of FCC Form 574 (available at FCC Field Offices).
(b) One set of forms must be used for each system the applicant wants the FCC to license.
(c) One form must be used to apply for the following stations in a GMRS system:
(1) The mobile stations;
(2) All small base stations (see 95.25(e));
(3) All small control stations (see 95.25(d)); and
(4) All other land stations (at no more than 6 locations).
(d) An additional form must be used to apply for every six land stations in a GMRS system that cannot be listed in the preceding form.
(e) Form 574-T, Temporary Permit for a General Mobile Radio Service System, should be used if applicant is eligible and desires to operate the station pending the processing of the application. (See also 95.71(b).)
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
The ULS docket moves these requirements to Part 1.
Current Rule:
The following information is required in all applications for a license for a new or modified GMRS system:
(a) Applicant's name (see 95.5);
(b) Applicant's mailing address (an address in the United States where mail from the FCC can be received);
(c) Transmitting channel or channel pair requested (see 95.29);
(d) Station class;
(e) Number of transmitter units in a mobile station (see 95.23);
(f) Number of land stations in each class (see 95.25);
(g) Transmitter power as follows:
(1) Transmitter output power in watts for all stations.
(2) Station ERP in watts for all stations other than mobile stations, small base stations and small control stations.
(h) Each land station point (except small base stations and small control stations);
(1) Latitude and longitude within one second; and
(2) Street address (if none, local directions to the station);
(i) Each control point for each remotely controlled land station (see 95.127), including small base stations and small control stations;
(1) Street address (if none, local directions to the control point); or
(2) Call sign of any control station already licensed to the applicant for that point;
(j) Antenna height (see 95.51) and antenna ground elevation for each land station, except for small base stations and small control stations;
(k) Communications services (see 95.101(c)) the proposed GMRS system would provide to, or receive from, any other individual or entity;
(l) Age eligibility statement (where required -- see 95.5);
(m) Area of operation;
(n) Emission designator. In the GMRS, emission F3E will be considered to include use of a selective calling tone or a tone or digitally operated squelch (a tone code used to address a particular station) in conjunction with voice communications;
(o) Foreign government certification, if applicable (see 95.5);
(p) Frequency claim waiver certification, if applicable; and
(q) Applicant's signature (see 95.87).
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
The FCC intends to withdraw from any meaningful data collection effort.
95.77 Additional information for GMRS systems with four or more land stations.
Current Rule:
(a) An application for a new or modified GMRS system having land stations (except for small control stations or small base stations) at 4 or more locations must include a functional system diagram (a drawing showing details of the GMRS system, including the points between which communications with other stations in the system will be exchanged.)
(b) [Reserved.]
(c) A copy of the functional system diagram must be kept as part of the GMRS system records (Sec. 95.113).
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
This requirement enabled the Commission to determine if the applicant was planning on conducting fixed-point communications. The FCC considers this now to be irrelevant.
95.79 Additional information for stations in the National Radio Quiet Zone
Current Rule:
An application for a license for a new or modified GMRS system having a land station at a point within the National Radio Quiet Zone (see 95.41) must:
(a) Send a notice to:
Director, National Radio Astronomy Observatory P.O. Box 2 Green Bank, West Virginia 24944
(b) Provide the following details about the proposed station in the notice:
(1) Antenna point (latitude and longitude);
(2) Antenna height;
(3) Antenna directivity;
(4) Transmitting channel(s);
(5) Emission; and
(6) Transmitter output.
(c) Include in the application to the FCC the date the notice was sent to the Observatory.
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
The ULS docket moves this to an expanded 95.45.
95.83 Additional information for stations with antennas higher than normally allowed.
Current Rule:
(a) An applicant for a license for a new or modified GMRS system seeking permission to have a land station antenna higher than normally allowed (see 95.51) must:
(1) Request (on FCC Form 574) an antenna height greater than normally allowed; and
(2) Notify the Federal Aviation Administration (on FAA Form 7460-1) that the antenna would be higher than normally allowed.
(3) Register the structure by submitting FCC Form 854. The requirements for antenna structure registration, painting, and lighting are found in Part 17 of this chapter.
(b) Each base station and each control station with an antenna height greater than 6.1 meters (20 feet) must be separately identified on Form 574 (see 95.25(d) and (e) and 95.51(f)).
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
The ULS docket moves these rules to an expanded 95.51.
95.85 Additional information for stations near United States borders.
Current Rule:
For a new or modified GMRS system having a land station at a point north of Line A, east of Line C, or at any point close to any United States border where interference to a station in another country could occur, an applicant may include additional data on FCC Form 574-B if the land station:
(a) Does not have vertical polarization;
(b) Does not have an omnidirectional azimuth;
(c) Has an associated control station with other than a directional antenna having its azimuth of maximum radiation directed towards the land station;
(d) Has an associated control station with other than 20 degrees beamwidth; or
(e) Is part of a GMRS system that includes stations or units intended for communications with stations or units in other GMRS systems or in other radio services.
Provision of this information will enable the Commission to seek greater interference protection for the station from foreign stations.
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
The ULS docket moves these requirements to an expanded 95.45.
Current Rule:
See Part 1 of this chapter, Sec. 1.913, for practices and procedures governing signatures on license applications.
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
The ULS docket moves this requirement to Part 1.
Current Rule:
(a) The licensee of a GMRS system may apply to the FCC to renew the license for another term (see 95.105) by filling out FCC Form 574-R (or FCC Form 405-A when the licensee has not gotten FCC Form 574-R within 30 days of the expiration of the license) and sending it, together with the filing fee, to the address specified in the Private Radio Services Fee Filing Guide (unless the licensee is a governmental entity, in which case the renewal application should be sent to the Federal Communications Commission, 1270 Fairfield Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325-7245).
(b) If the renewal application is sent to the FCC before the existing license term expires, the renewal application is timely filed. Except for GMRS systems whose licenses may not be renewed (see 95.89(c)(3) and (d)), stations in a GMRS system whose application is timely filed may continue to transmit under the expired license until the FCC acts on the renewal application. A copy of the renewal application sent to the FCC must be kept in the GMRS system records (see 95.113) until the renewed license, or notification of other FCC action, is received.
(c) A GMRS system licensed to a non-individual before July 31, 1987, is eligible to renew that license and all subsequent licenses based upon it if:
(1) The non-individual is:
(i) A partnership, and each partner is 18 years of age or older;
(ii) A corporation;
(iii) An association;
(iv) A state, territorial or local government unit; or
(v) Other legal entity;
(2) The non-individual is not:
(i) A foreign government;
(ii) A representative of a foreign government; or
(iii) A federal government agency; and
(3) The licensee has not been granted any of the modifications to its GMRS system license specified in 95.71(e).
(d) A GMRS system licensed to a non-individual on or after July 31, 1987, may not be renewed.
(e) If a GMRS system license is allowed to expire, the former licensee may file an application to reinstate the expired license within six months after the expiration date. The application to reinstate must be accompanied by a renewal application. An expired GMRS system license for which a timely renewal application has not been filed is not valid. No station of such a GMRS system may transmit until the licensee has received a new GMRS system license based on the late-filed renewal application.
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
The ULS docket moves most of these provisions to Part 1. However, the new rules provide no time for reinstatement. Instead, the establish a procedure for review of that action upon special application.
Managing a GMRS System.
Current Rule:
(a) A license authorizes the licensee to manage the GMRS system only as:
(1) The Rules require;
(2) The license specifies;
(3) Proposed by the entity in the license application; and
(4) Shown on the functional system diagram (where applicable).
(b) The license does not authorize operation as a common carrier or communication of messages for pay.
(c) If the licensee is a corporation and the license so indicates, it may use its GMRS system to furnish non-profit radio communication service to its parent corporation, to another subsidiary of the same parent, or to its own subsidiary. Such use is not subject to the cooperative use provisions of 95.33.
New Rule:
(a) A GMRS license authorizes a GMRS station to transmit messages to other GMRS stations at any geographical location within or over the territorial limits of any area where radio services are regulated by the FCC. These points are listed in Appendix A.
(b) [No change.]
(c) [No change.]
PRSG Comments:
This change permits GMRS licensees to operate from any location (not just those shown on the license), and to change locations and other technical parameters (operating channels, output power, etc.) without prior FCC approval or modification of the license. The language interestingly authorizes communications only to GMRS stations, not to FRS.
Current Rule:
(a) The licensee is responsible for the proper operation of the GMRS system at all times.
(b) The licensee must have access to the station equipment and be able to disable it. A licensee using multiply licensed transmitting equipment may satisfy this requirement by entering an arrangement with other licensees using the same equipment to select one of their number to have primary access responsibility.
(c) When the information about the licensee stated on the license changes, the licensee must take the following step(s):
(1) The licensee must notify the FCC in writing in the event of a name or mailing address change (see 95.117(b)). The notice must show the name and mailing address as they appear on the license, the station call sign(s), and the new name or new mailing address. A copy of the notice must be kept as part of the GMRS system records (see 95.113). (FCC Forms 405-A or 574-R may be used for this purpose.)
(2) If the status of a non-individual GMRS system licensee changes (for example, when a corporation is dissolved and a new corporation stands in its place, or a partnership becomes a corporation), the licensee must send the license to the FCC for cancellation (see 95.117(b)).
The former licensee may not operate until the FCC has approved a license for the system in the name of the new entity.
New Rule:
The licensee is responsible for the proper operation of the GMRS system at all times. The licensee is also responsible for the appointment of a station operator.
(b) [Deleted.]
(c) [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
The ULS docket deletes the requirement that licensees must have physical access to their equipment. This language remains in 95.33, but that section applies only to stations operated under a written cooperative/shared agreement.
Current Rule:
A license for a GMRS system is usually issued for a 5-year term. (The FCC prints the expiration date on the license.)
New Rule:
A license for a GMRS system is usually issued for a 5-year term.
PRSG Comments:
This change allows the FCC to go to a non-printed electronic license.
Current Rule:
(a) The licensee must keep the license document until:
(1) The license expires; or
(2) The license is terminated by the FCC; or
(3) The licensee obtains a different license for the GMRS system.
(b) The license must be kept as part of the GMRS system records (see 95.113).
(c) The license may be photocopied for any lawful purpose.
(d) If the license is lost, the licensee must request a duplicate document from the FCC. The request for a duplicate license, together with the filing fee, should be sent to the address specified in the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Fee Filing Guide.
(e) If the license is no longer desired, it must be sent to the FCC (see 95.117(b)(6)) with a written request that it be canceled. (Forms 405-A and 574-R may be used for this purpose.)
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
The deletion of this rule merely accommodates non-printed licenses.
Current Rule:
(a) The licensee must not transfer, assign, sell or give the license for a GMRS system to any other entity except in accordance with the provisions of 95.111.
(b) If the licensee sells or gives away the GMRS system equipment, the new owner must obtain a new license before using it (see 95.71), unless the new owner intends to use the equipment with an already licensed GMRS system.
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
The FCC now believes that it is not necessary to separately restate these requirements apart from language in Part 1.
Current Rule:
If the licensee of a GMRS system is a corporation, and there is a change in the control of the corporation, the licensee must request consent for the change of control from the FCC by filling out Form 703 and sending it, together with the filing fee, to the address specified in the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Fee Filing Guide. The FCC document granting such consent must be kept as part of the GMRS system records (see Sec. 95.113).
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
The ULS docket moves this language to Part 1.
Current Rule:
(a) The licensee must keep records for the GMRS system for the license term (see 95.105), except that the licensee need not keep authorizations which have expired.
(b) GMRS system records include the following documents (where applicable):
(1) The license (see 95.107);
(2) [Reserved.]
(3) Copies of letters from the licensee to the FCC concerning name or mailing address changes (see 95.103);
(4) Copies of answers to discrepancy notices;
(5) An STA or waiver of these Rules;
(6) A copy of any renewal application submitted to the FCC and not yet acted upon (see 95.89(b));
(7) A copy of the measurements and calculations (see Appendix A) made during a control station power (see 95.47);
(8) A copy of the functional system diagram (see 95.77);
(9) A copy of the agreement under which any station in the GMRS system is cooperatively shared (see 95.33);
(10) A copy of the FCC consent to a licensee corporation's change in its corporate control (see 95.111); and
(11) A temporary permit.
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
The rules adopted in the ULS docket still refer to station records (95.33 and 95.115), but nowhere are these records defined.
Current Rule:
If an authorized FCC representative requests to inspect any station in a GMRS system, the licensee or station operator must make the station available. If an authorized FCC representative requests to inspect the GMRS system records (see 95.113), the licensee must make them available.
New Rule:
* * * If an authorized FCC representative requests to inspect the GMRS system records, the licensee must make them available.
PRSG Comments:
This change removes the cross reference to the immediately prior rule section.
Current Rule:
(a) Write to: The nearest FCC Field Office
(1) For application forms (see 95.73 and 95.87);
(2) For instruction forms (see 95.73);
(3) To complain about interference; or
(4) To find out if the FCC has type-accepted a certain transmitter for use in the GMRS (see 95.129).
(b) Write to: Federal Communications Commission Attention: GMRS 1270 Fairfield Road Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17326
(1) To ask a question about an application or about these Rules;
(2) [Reserved.]
(3) [Reserved.]
(4) To notify the FCC of a new name or mailing address (see 95.103);
(5) [Reserved.]
(6) To return a license to the FCC for cancellation (see 95.103 and 95.107).
(7) [Reserved.]
(c) [Reserved.]
New Rule:
Additional GMRS information may be obtained from any of the following sources:
(a) FCC National Call Center at 1-888-225-5322.
(b) FCC World Wide Web homepage: http://fcc.gov.wtb/prs.
(c) In writing, to the FCC, Attention: GMRS, 1270 Fairfield Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325-7245.
PRSG Comments:
The FCC wants to funnel all telephone calls through its National Call Center in Gettysburg, PA.
Current Rule:
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, every station in a GMRS system and every mobile station unit must transmit a station identification:
(1) Following the transmission of communications or a series of communications; and
(2) Every 15 minutes during a long transmission.
(b) The station identification is the call sign assigned to:
(1) The GMRS system; or
(2) The station in the GMRS system transmitting communications.
(c) A unit number may be included after the call sign in the identification.
(d) The station identification must be clearly transmitted in:
(1) Voice in the English language, with each letter and digit separately and distinctly transmitted (letters may be said using a phonetic alphabet); or
(2) International Morse code telegraphy with a keyed tone (400 to 2,000 Hertz) between 8.34 and 20.85 baud (ten to twenty-five words per minute). The transmitted frequency deviation must be between l,500 and 2,500 Hertz. Should delayed or periodic activation of automatic Morse Code identification equipment interrupt the communications of another co-channel licensee, the Commission may require the use of equipment which will inhibit automatic station identification when co-channel communications are in progress.
(e) A station need not identify its transmissions if it automatically retransmits communications from another station which are properly identified.
New Rule:
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (e), every GMRS station must transmit a station identification:
(1) [No change.]
(2) [No change.]
(b) The station identification is the call sign assigned to the GMRS station or system.
(c) [No change.]
(d) The station identification must be transmitted in:
(1) Voice in the English language; or
(2) International Morse code telegraphy.
(e) [No change.]
PRSG Comments:
This change removes the requirement that each letter and digit must be separately and distinctly pronounced. It also deletes all technical specifications for Morse Code identification.
Current Rule:
Each station in a GMRS system must transmit only on the channel(s) or channel pair(s) (see 95.7 and 95.29) printed on the license for that station, or authorized by these Rules for use by that station (see 95.29(e) and (1)).
New Rule: [Deleted.]
Current Rule:
Every station in a GMRS system which is cooperatively shared (see 95.33) must be managed by the licensee in accordance with the written agreement and in accordance with the provisions of 95.33. Licensees sharing multiply licensed equipment must do so in accordance with the provisions of 95.35.
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
The language of 95.33 continues to require a written contract.
Current Rule:
(a) Each station in a GMRS system must have a control point (where the station operator can perform the required duties (see 95.173)).
(b) The control point for each station must be at that station, unless the license authorizes the station to be controlled from a remote point.
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
The deletion of 95.125 and 95.127 removes all requirements and responsibilities for remotely controlling a station.
Current Rule:
(a) A station operator in a GMRS system may control the station from a remote point through a control link (a connection between the remote control point and the remotely controlled station). The control link must be either:
(1) A wireline control link (solely for purposes of transmitter control (see 95.181(i)(13)); or
(2) A radio control link.
(b) The remotely controlled station must not make unauthorized transmissions.
(c) The station operator must perform the required duties (see 95.173) when controlling the station from a remote point the same as when controlling it locally at the station point. Should the control link fail to function so that the station operator cannot perform the required duties, the remotely controlled station must not transmit.
(d) The FCC does not consider a station in a GMRS system as being remotely controlled if the connection is a wireline or mechanical control link, and the station and its control point are both:
(1) On the same vehicle; or
(2) At the same street address, or within 152 meters (500 feet) of each other.
(e) Any device used to establish a wireline control link which is attached to the public switched telephone network after April 1, 1976 must be registered with the FCC and must comply with the standards incorporated in a registration program to protect the public switched telephone network from harm (see Part 68 of the FCC Rules).
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
The deletion of 95.125 and 95.127 removes all requirements and responsibilities for remotely controlling a station.
Current Rule:
(a) Every station in a GMRS system must use transmitters the FCC has type-accepted for use in the GMRS. Write to any FCC Field Office to find out if a particular transmitter has been type-accepted for the GMRS. All station equipment in a GMRS system must comply with the technical rules in Part 95, Subpart E of these rules.
(b) No transmitter may be used as a station in a GMRS system which:
(1) Is not FCC type-accepted for use in the GMRS;
(2) Has been internally modified to make it different from the FCC type-accepted model (see 95.133); or
(3) [Reserved.]
(c) A land station in a GMRS system must use a directional antenna if it is a:
(1) Control station at a point within a large urban area (see 95.47); or
(2) Fixed station at a point near a large urban area (see 95.49).
(d) Every small base station and every small control station must use an antenna no more than 6.1 meters (20 feet) high (see 95.25(d) and (e)).
New Rule:
Every station in a GMRS system must use transmitters the FCC has certificated for use in the GMRS. Write to any FCC Field Office to find out if a particular transmitter has been certificated for the GMRS. All station equipment in a GMRS system must comply with the technical rules in Part 95.
PRSG Comments:
The deletion of paragraph 95.129(c)(1) (and in 95.47(b)(1)) removes the requirement that a control station within a large urban area must use a directional antenna.
Current Rule:
(a) The GMRS system licensee shall be responsible for the proper operation of all stations in the GMRS system at all times and is expected to provide for observations, servicing and maintenance as often as may be necessary to ensure proper operation.
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, test signals during internal adjustment to a station transmitter must be made using a non-radiating simulated antenna.
(c) Brief test signals using a radiating antenna may be transmitted to adjust the antenna to the station transmitter or to detect or measure spurious radiation. These test transmissions must not be longer than one minute during any five minute period. These test transmissions shall not interfere with communications already in progress on the operating frequency, and shall be properly identified as required, but may be otherwise unmodulated as appropriate.
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
The requirements of subparagraph (a) are retained at 95.103.
Current Rule:
(a) No internal changes may be made in a transmitter used in a station in a GMRS system to make the transmitter different from the FCC type-accepted model (see 95.129).
(b) One FCC type-accepted model may be converted to another FCC type-accepted model if the conversion is done:
(1) By the original manufacturer of the transmitter.
(2) In accordance with the original manufacturer's instructions.
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
The FCC provide no explanation as to why these requirements were not retained.
Current Rule:
(a) No station may transmit with more than 50 watts output power.
(b) A control station at a point within a large urban area must not transmit with more output power than the licensee determines by a test (see 95.47 and Appendix A). The licensee must keep a copy of the measurements and calculations made during this test as part of the GMRS system records (see 95.113).
(c) A small control station at a point north of Line A or east of Line C must transmit with no more than 5 watts ERP.
(d) A fixed station at a point near a large urban area must transmit with no more than 15 watts output power (see 95.49).
(e) A small base station must transmit with no more than 5 watts ERP.
New Rule:
(a) [No change.]
(b) [Deleted.]
(c) [No change.]
(d) A fixed station must transmit with no more than 15 watts output power.
(e) [No change.]
PRSG Comments:
The FCC drops all transmitter power limits on control stations except those north of Line A or east of Line C (near the US/Canadian border).
95.137 Moving a small base station or a small control station.
Current Rule:
(a) A small base station (see 95.25(e)) or a small control station (see 95.25(d)) in a GMRS system may be moved from the point specified on the license to any other point where radio services are regulated by the FCC.
(b) The licensee must file an application to modify the GMRS system (see 95.71) to show the new point within 30 days after the small base station or the small control station is moved.
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
However, the new rules fail to explicitly prohibit the moving of a small base or small control station by a non-personal licensee. This language could have been added to 95.139 with an only minor change in the title and the addition of a few words to the redesignated 95.139(b).
95.139 Adding a small base station or a small control station.
Current Rule:
(a) Except for a GMRS system licensed to a non-individual, one or more small base stations or small control stations may be added to a GMRS system at any point where radio services are regulated by the FCC.
(b) The licensee must file an application to modify the GMRS system (see 95.71) within 30 days after each small base station or small control station is added.
(c) Non-individual licensees may not add any small base stations or small control stations to their GMRS systems.
New Rule:
(a) [No change.]
(b) [Deleted.]
(c) [Redesignated as (b).]
PRSG Comments:
A personal licensee may now add a small base station or a small control station without notifying the FCC.
Current Rule:
No station in a GMRS system may be interconnected to the public switched telephone network, except as and in accordance with the requirements and restrictions applied to a wireline control link (see 95.127).
PRSG Comments: No change adopted to 95.141.
Current Rule:
(a) The stations in a GMRS system must cease transmitting when the station operator of any station on the same channel is communicating an emergency message (concerning the immediate protection of property or the safety of someone's life).
(b) If necessary to communicate an emergency message from a station in a GMRS system, the licensee may permit:
(1) Anyone to be the station operator (see 95.179); and
(2) The station operator to communicate the emergency message to any radio station.
PRSG Comments: No change adopted to 95.143.
Operating a GMRS System.
Current Rule:
When a station in a GMRS system is transmitting, it must have a station operator. The station operator must be at the control point (see 95.125) for that station. The same person may be the operator for more than one station at the same time.
New Rule:
95.171 Station operator duties.
When a GMRS station is transmitting, it must have a station operator. The station operator must be at the control point for that station. The same person may be the operator for more than one station at the same time. The station operator communicates messages and controls the station. The station operator must also cooperate in sharing each channel with station operators of other stations.
PRSG Comments:
The additional language merely incorporates that from other existing rule sections.
Current Rule:
The station operator:
(a) Communicates messages (see 95.181);
(b) Controls the station by:
(1) Causing it to transmit and to cease transmitting;
(2) Taking all necessary and reasonable precautions to assure that unauthorized or improper operations do not occur.
(3) Refraining from making any transmissions that may have the reasonably anticipated effect of causing improper operation of others' equipment; and
(4) In cases of recurrent interference, obeying any Commission-imposed additional requirements or restrictions.
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
The ULS docket moves rules regarding station operator duties to 95.171.
Current Rule:
The station operator must cooperate in sharing each channel with station operators of other stations by:
(a) Monitoring the channel before initiating transmissions;
(b) Waiting until ongoing communications are completed before initiating transmissions;
(c) Engaging in only permissible communications (see 95.181); and
(d) Limiting transmissions to the minimum practicable transmission time.
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
The ULS docket deletes these specific definitions of "cooperation," and instead includes only the vague general language of the revised 95.171.
95.177 Responsibility for station operator's communications.
Current Rule:
The licensee is responsible for all communications made by station operators in the GMRS system. (The licensee should be certain every station operator understands and complies with these Rules.)
New Rule: [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
The ULS docket moves this requirement to 95.103.
Current Rule:
(a) An individual GMRS system licensee may permit his/her immediate family members living in the same household to be station operators in his/her GMRS system. They may communicate messages about the licensee's personal activities and about the licensee's business activities. Immediate family members are the:
(1) Licensee;
(2) Licensee's spouse;
(3) Licensee's children, grandchildren, stepchildren;
(4) Licensee's parents, grandparents, stepparents;
(5) Licensee's brothers, sisters;
(6) Licensee's aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews; and
(7) Licensee's in-laws.
(b) In a GMRS system licensed to a non-individual, eligible station operators are limited to the persons listed in subparagraph (1) with the conditions listed in subparagraph (2), as follows:
(1) Only the following persons may be permitted to operate under the authority of a GMRS system licensed to a non-individual:
If the GMRS system licensee is: These persons may be station operators:
(i) A partnership Licensee's partners and employees; (ii) A corporation Licensee's officers, directors, members and employees; (iii) An association Licensee's members and employees; (iv) A governmental unit Licensee's employees.
(2) These persons may only communicate messages about the licensee's business activities. Employees of the licensee may communicate messages while acting within the scope of their employment, and only about the licensee's business activities.
(c) The licensee may permit a telephone answering service employee to be a station operator if:
(1) That employee only communicates messages received for the licensee to the licensee;
(2) The station equipment at the telephone answering point is not shared in any other GMRS system; and
(3) The station at the telephone answering service point is not interconnected to the public switched telephone network.
(d) The station operator of a GMRS system licensed to an individual may be a station operator in any other GMRS system if he/she has permission from the licensee of the other GMRS system.
(e) The provisions of 95.33 regarding cooperative use do not apply to or govern the authority of a GMRS licensee to designate station operators in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(f) Except for emergency communications (see95.143), only persons specified in paragraphs (a) through (d) may be GMRS station operators.
New Rule:
(a) An individual GMRS system licensee may permit immediate family members to be station operators in his or her GMRS system. Immediate family members are the: * * *
(b) Only the following persons may be permitted to operate under the authority of a GMRS system licensed to a non-individual:
[The remainder of the eligible person list from 95.179(b)(1) is unchanged, except that the designation of subparagraph (1) is deleted. Also deleted is subparagraph (2) altogether.]
(c) [No change.]
(d) [No change.]
(e) [No change.]
(f) [Deleted.]
PRSG Comments:
Family members other than those residing in the same household are now eligible to be station operators.
The deletion of 95.179(b)(2) removes the limitation on station operators of a non-personal licensee that they may communicate only about the business of the licensee.
Current Rule:
(a) A station operator for an individual who is licensed in the GMRS (other than an employee of that individual) may communicate two-way voice messages concerning the licensee's personal or business activities (see 95.179).
(b) [Reserved.]
(c) A station operator for any entity other than an individual licensed in the GMRS may communicate two-way voice messages concerning the licensee's business activities (see 95.179). An employee for an entity other than an individual licensed in the GMRS may, as a station operator, communicate two-way voice messages while acting within the scope of his/her employment.
(d) A station operator for any GMRS licensee may communicate two-way voice messages concerning:
(1) Emergencies (see 95.143);
(2) Rendering assistance to a motorist; and
(3) Civil defense drills, if the responsible agency requests assistance.
(e) All messages must be in plain language (without codes or hidden meanings). They may be in a foreign language, except for call signs (see 95.119).
(f) A station operator may communicate tone messages for purposes of identification or transmitter control in a control link (see 95.127). (The FCC treats a control tone as voice in this case.)
(g) A station operator may communicate a selective calling tone or tone operated squelch only in conjunction with a voice communication. If the tone is subaudible (300 Hertz or less), it may be communicated during the entire voice message. If the tone is audible (more than 300 Hertz), it may be communicated for no more than 15 seconds at a time.
(h) A station operator may communicate a one-way voice page to a paging receiver. A selective calling tone or tone operated squelch may be used in conjunction with a voice page, as prescribed in paragraph (g). A station operator may not communicate a tone-only page (tones communicated in order to find, summon or notify someone).
(i) A station operator must not communicate:
(1) Messages for hire, whether the remuneration received is direct or indirect;
(2) Messages in connection with any activity which is against Federal, State or local law;
(3) False or deceptive messages;
(4) Coded messages or messages with hidden meanings ("10-codes" are permitted);
(5) Intentional interference;
(6) Music, whistling, sound effects or material to amuse or entertain;
(7) Sounds only to attract attention;
(8) Obscene, profane or indecent words, language or meaning;
(9) Advertisements or offers for the sale of goods or services;
(10) Advertisements for a political candidate or political campaign (messages about the campaign business may be communicated);
(11) International distress signals, such as the word "Mayday" (except when on a ship, aircraft or other vehicle in immediate danger to ask for help);
(12) Programs (live or delayed) intended for radio or television station broadcast (messages about news items or program preparation may be communicated);
(13) Messages which are both conveyed by a wireline control link and transmitted by a GMRS station (see 95.127);
(14) Messages (except emergency messages) to any station in the Amateur Radio Service, to any unauthorized station, or to any foreign station;
(15) Continuous or uninterrupted transmissions, except for communications involving the immediate safety of life or property; or
(16) Messages for public address systems.
(j) A station operator in a GMRS system licensed to a telephone answering service must not transmit any communications to customers of the telephone answering service.
New Rule:
(a) [No change.]
(b) [No change.]
(c) [No change.]
(d) [No change.]
(e) [No change.]
(f) A station operator may communicate tone messages for purposes of identification or transmitter control in a control link.
(g) [No change.]
(h) [No change.]
(i) [Moved to a new 95.183.]
(j) [Moved to a new 95.183.]
PRSG Comments:
These are only minor editorial amendments.
Current Rule:
[none]
New Rule:
(a) A station operator must not communicate:
(1) Messages for hire, whether the remuneration received is direct or indirect;
(2) Messages in connection with any activity which is against Federal, State, or local law;
(3) False or deceptive messages;
(4) Coded messages or messages with hidden meanings ("10 codes" are permissible);
(5) Intentional interference;
(6) Music, whistling, sound effects or material to amuse or entertain;
(7) Obscene, profane or indecent words, language or meaning;
(8) Advertisements or offers for the sale of goods or services;
(9) Advertisements for a political candidate or political campaign (messages about the campaign business may be communicated);
(10) International distress signals, such as the word "Mayday" (except when on a ship, aircraft or other vehicle in immediate danger to ask for help);
(11) Programs (live or delayed) intended for radio or television station broadcast;
(12) Messages which are both conveyed by a wireline control link and transmitted by a GMRS station;
(13) Messages (except emergency messages) to any station in the Amateur Radio Service, to any unauthorized station, or to any foreign station;
(14) Continuous or uninterrupted transmissions, except for communications involving the immediate safety of life or property;
(15) Messages for public address systems;
(b) A station operator in a GMRS system licensed to a telephone answering service must not transmit any communications to customers of the telephone answering service.
PRSG Comments:
The new rule section incorporates language formerly in 95.181.
Current Rule:
Appendix A to Part 95 -- Making a Control Station Power Test.
(a) A unit of the mobile station is brought to the control station or to a point within 402 meters (1/4 mile) of the control station.
(b) The strength of the signal received at the terminals of the feedline to the antenna of the remotely controlled station produced by transmissions of the unit of your mobile station must be measured.
(c) The directional antenna of the control station must be aimed so that transmissions from it produce the greatest signal strength at the terminals of the feedline to the antenna of the remotely controlled station.
(d) The transmitter output power of the control station must be adjusted (see 95.135) so that the signal strength produced at the terminals of the feedline to the antenna of the remotely controlled station is no more than 6 decibels more than that produced by the unit of the mobile station. The maximum transmitter output power permitted any GMRS station must not be exceeded (see 95.135).
(e) A record must be made of each control station power test and kept as part of the GMRS system records.
New Rule:
Appendix A to Subpart A to Part 95 - Locations Where GMRS is Regulated by the FCC
In ITU Region 2, the GMRS is regulated by the Commission within the territorial limits of the 50 United States, District of Columbia, Caribbean Insular areas (Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, United States Virgin Islands (50 islets and cays) and Navassa Island), and Johnston Island (Islets East, Johnston, North and Sand) and Midway Island (Islets Eastern and Sand) in the Pacific Insular areas.
In ITU Region 3, the GMRS is regulated by the Commission within the Pacific Insular territorial limits of American Samoa (seven islands), Baker Island, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Guam Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Kingman Reef, Palmyra Island (more than 50 islets), and Wake Island (Islets Peale, Wake and Wilkes).
PRSG Comments: The ULS docket eliminates the requirement that a control station within a large urban area must reduce its power and use a directional antenna.
Current Rule:
City Latitude Longitude
Akron, OH 41 05 00 81 30 44 * * * San Juan, PR 18 28 00 66 07 00
NOTE 1: This Appendix lists the urbanized areas of 200,000 or more people as shown in the Bureau of Census News Release of July 27, 1981: "Provisional Population of Urbanized Areas, 1980." The geographical coordinates given are from the Department of Commerce publication of 1947: "Air-Line Distances Between Cities in the United States" and from data supplied by the National Geodetic Survey. The coordinates are determined by using the first city mentioned in the urbanized area as the center of the urbanized area.
New Rule: [Deleted.]
Part 95, SubPart E Technical Regulations (Excerpts Pertaining to the GMRS)
[PRSG Note: The ULS docket made no changes in the SubPart E rules.]
General Provisions These rules provide the technical standards to which each transmitter [apparatus that converts electrical energy received from a source into RF (radio frequency) energy capable of being radiated] used or intended to be used in a station authorized any of the Personal Radio Services must comply. This section also provides requirements for obtaining type acceptance or type certification for such transmitters. The Personal Radio Services are the GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) -- Subpart A, The Family Radio Service (FRS) -- Subpart B, the R/C (Radio Control Radio Service) -- Subpart C, the CB (Citizens Band Radio Service) -- Subpart D, and the Low Power Radio Service (LPRS) -- Subpart G.
95.603 Type acceptance required.
(a) Each GMRS transmitter (a transmitter that operates or is intended to operate at a station authorized in the GMRS) must be type accepted.
(b) [Pertains only to the Radio Control Radio Service.]
(c) [Pertains only to the Citizens Band Radio Service.]
(d) [Pertains only to the Family Radio Service.]
(e) [Pertains only to the Low Power Radio Service.]
95.605 Type acceptance and certification procedures.
Any entity may request type acceptance for its transmitter when the transmitter is used in the GMRS, R/C, CB, IVDS, or LPRS following the procedures in Part 2 of this chapter.
Any entity may request certification for its transmitter when the transmitter is used in the FRS following the procedures in Part 2 of this chapter.
95.607 CB transmitter modification.
[Pertains only to the Citizens Band Radio Service.]
Technical Standards. 95.621 GMRS transmitter channel frequencies.
(a) The GMRS transmitter channel frequencies (reference frequencies from which the carrier frequency, suppressed or otherwise, may not deviate by more than the specified frequency tolerance) are
462.5500, 462.5625, 462.5750, 462.5875, 462.6000, 462.6125, 462.6250, 462.6375, 462.6500, 462.6625, 462.6750, 462.6875, 462.7000, 462.7125, 462.7250, 467.5500, 467.5750, 467.6000, 467.6250, 467.6500, 467.6750, 467.7000 and 467.7250.
Note: Certain GMRS transmitter channel frequencies are authorized only for certain station classes and station locations. See Part 95, Subpart A.
(b) Each GMRS transmitter for mobile station, small base station and control station operation must be maintained within a frequency tolerance of 0.0005%. Each GMRS transmitter for base station (except small base), mobile relay station or fixed station operation must be maintained within a frequency tolerance of 0.00025%.
95.623 R/C transmitter channel frequencies.
[Pertains only to the Radio Control Radio Service.]
95.625 CB transmitter channel frequencies.
[Pertains only to the Citizens Band Radio Service.]
95.627 FRS unit channel frequencies.
[Pertains only to the Family Radio Service.]
95.629 LPRS transmitter frequencies.
[Pertains only to the Low Power Radio Service.]
(a) A GMRS transmitter must transmit only emission types A1D, F1D, G1D, H1D, J1D, R1D, A3E, F3E, G3E, H3E, J3E or R3E. A non-voice emission is limited to selective calling or tone-operated squelch tones to establish or continue voice communications. See 95.181(g) and (h).
(b) [Pertains only to the Radio Control Radio Service.]
(c) [Pertains only to the Citizens Band Radio Service.]
(d) [Pertains only to the Family Radio Service.]
(e) No GMRS or CB transmitter shall employ a digital modulation or emission.
(f) No GMRS, CB or R/C transmitter shall transmit non-voice data.
(g) [Pertains only to the Low Power Radio Service.]
(a) The authorized bandwidth (maximum permissible bandwidth of a transmission) for emission type H1D, J1D, R1D, H3E, J3E or R3E is 4 kHz. The authorized bandwidth for emission type AID or A3E is 8 kHz. The authorized bandwidth for emission type F1D, G1D, F3E or G3E is 20 kHz.
(b) [Pertains only to the Radio Control Radio Service.]
(c) [Pertains only to the Family Radio Service.]
(d) [Pertains only to the Low Power Radio Service.]
(a) In addition to the procedures in Part 2, the following requirements apply to each transmitter both with and without the connection of all attachments acceptable for use with the transmitter, such as an external speaker, microphone, power cord, antenna. etc.
(b) The power of each unwanted emission shall be less than TP as specified in the applicable paragraph:
Transmitter Emission type Applicable paragraphs
GMRS A1D, A3E, F1D, G1D, F3E, (1), (3), (7) G3E with filtering
A1D, A3E, F1D, G1D, F3E, (5), (6). (7) G3E without filtering
H1D, J1D, R1D, H3E, J3E, R3E (2), (4), (7)
NOTE: Filtering refers to the requirement in 95.635(b).
[Next pertains only to the Radio Control, Citizens Band, and Family Radio Services.]
(c) [Pertains only to the Low Power Radio Service.]
(a) A GMRS transmitter that transmits emission types F1D, G1D, or G3E
must not exceed a peak frequency deviation of plus or minus 5 kHz.
A GMRS transmitter than transmits emission type F3E must not exceed
a peak frequency deviation of plus or minus 5 KHz. A FRS unit that
transmits emission type F3E must not exceed a peak frequency
deviation of plus or minus 2.5 KHz, and the audio frequency response
must not exceed 3.125 KHz.
(b) Each GMRS transmitter, except a mobile station transmitter with a power
output of 2.5 W or less, must automatically prevent a greater than
normal audio level from causing overmodulation. The transmitter also
must include audio frequency low pass filtering, unless it complies
with the applicable paragraphs of 95.631 (without filtering). The
filter must be between the modulation limiter and the modulated stage
of the transmitter. At any frequency (f in kHz) between 3 and 20 kHz,
the filter must have an attenuation of at least 60 log10 (f/3) dB
greater than the attenuation at 1 kHz. Above 20 kHz, it must have an
attenuation of at least 50 dB greater than the attenuation at 1 kHz.
(c) When emission type A3E is transmitted, the modulation must be greater
than 85% but must not exceed 100%. Simultaneous amplitude modulation
and frequency or phase modulation of a transmitter are not permitted.
(d) [Pertains only to the Citizens Band Radio Service.]
(e) [Pertains only to the Citizens Band Radio Service.]
95.639 Maximum transmitter power.
(a) No GMRS transmitter, under any condition of modulation, shall exceed:
(1) 50 W carrier power (average TP during one unmodulated RF cycle) when transmitting emission type A1D, F1D, G1D, A3E, F3E or G3E.
(2) 50 W peak envelope TP when transmitting emission type H1D, JID, R1D, H3E, J3E or R3E.
(b) [Pertains only to the Radio Control Radio Service.]
(c) [Pertains only to the Citizens Band Radio Service.]
(d) [Pertains only to the Family Radio Service.]
(e) [Pertains only to the Low Power Radio Service.]
Type Acceptance Requirements (a) No control, switch or other type of adjustment which, when manipulated, can result in a violation of the rules shall be accessible from the transmitter operating panel or from the exterior of the transmitter enclosure.
(b) [Pertains only to the Radio Control Radio Service.]
95.647 FRS unit and R/C transmitter antenna.
[Pertains only to the Family Radio and Radio Control Radio Services.]
[Pertains only to the Radio Control, Citizens Band, and Family Radio Services.]
95.651 Crystal control required.
All transmitters used in the Personal Radio Services must be crystal controlled, except a R/C transmitter which transmits in the 26-27 MHz frequency band, a FRS unit, and a LPRS unit.
95.653 Instructions and warnings.
(a) A user's instruction manual must be supplied with each transmitter marketed, and one copy (a draft or preliminary copy is acceptable provided a final copy is provided when completed) must be forwarded to the FCC with each request for type acceptance.
(b) The instruction manual must contain all information necessary for the proper installation and operation of the transmitter including:
(1) Instructions concerning all controls, adjustments and switches that may be operated or adjusted without resulting in a violation of the rules.
(2) Warnings concerning any adjustment that could result in a violation of the rules or that is recommended to be performed by or under the immediate supervision and responsibility of a person certified as technically qualified to perform transmitter maintenance and repair duties in the private land mobile services and fixed services by an organization or committee representative of users of those servIces.
(3) Warnings concerning the replacement of any transmitter component (crystal, semiconductor, etc.) that could result in a violation of the rules.
(4) For a GMRS transmitter, warnings concerning licensing requirements and information concerning license application procedures.
(a) No transmitter will be type accepted for use in the CB service if it is equipped with a frequency capability not listed in 95.625, and no transmitter will be type accepted for use in the GMRS if it is equipped with a frequency capability not listed in 95.621, unless such transmitter is also type accepted for use in another radio service for which the frequency is authorized and for which type acceptance is also required. (Transmitters with frequency capability for the Amateur Radio Services, Military Affiliate Radio System and Civil Air Patrol will not be type accepted.)
(b) All frequency determining circuitry (including crystals) and programming controls in each CB transmitter and in each GMRS transmitter must be internal to the transmitter and must not be accessible from the exterior of the transmitter operating panel or from the exterior of the transmitter enclosure.
(c) [Pertains only to the Citizens Band Radio Service.]
Additional Type Acceptance Requirements for CB Transmitters [Pertains only to the Citizens Band Radio Service.]
Appendix 1 -- Glossary of Terms The definitions used in Part 95, Subpart E are:
Authorized bandwidth. Maximum permissible bandwidth of a transmission.
Carrier power. Average TP during one unmodulated RF cycle.
CB. Citizens Band Radio Service.
CB transmitter. A transmitter that operates or is intended to operate at a station authorized in the CB.
Channel frequencies. Reference frequencies from which the carrier frequency, suppressed or otherwise, may not deviate by more than the specified frequency tolerance.
Crystal. Quartz piezo-electric element.
Crystal controlled. Use of a crystal to establish the transmitted frequency.
dB. Decibels.
FCC. Federal Communications Commission.
Filtering. Refers to the requirement in 95.633 (b).
FRS. Family Radio Service.
GMRS. General Mobile Radio Service.
GMRS transmitter. A transmitter that operates or is intended to operate at a station authorized in the GMRS.
Harmful interference. Any transmission, radiation or induction that endangers the functioning of a radionavigation or other safety service or seriously degrades, obstructs or repeatedly interrupts a radiocommunication service operating in accordance with applicable laws, treaties and regulations.
Mean power. TP averaged over at least 30 cycles of the lowest modulating frequency, typically 0.1 seconds at maximum power.
Peak envelope power. TP averaged during 1 RF cycle at the highest crest of the modulation envelope.
R/C. Radio Control Radio Service.
R/C transmitter. A transmitter that operates or is intended to operate at a station authorized in the R/C.
RF. Radio frequency.
Transmitter. Apparatus that converts electrical energy received from a source into RF energy capable of being radiated.
TP. RF transmitter power expressed in W, either mean or peak envelope, as measured at the transmitter output antenna terminals.
W. Watts.