What's New?

Last Updated: September 21, 2010

This page will post what's new in GMRS, FRS and MURS, what's new with PRSG, and (especially) what's new on the PRSG web site.

September 22, 2010:

The periods for public comments and replies on the important FCC Docket 10-119 have now closed. There were 240 comments filed, and (so far) 9 replies.
To view a list of the comments and the replies which others have filed, go to http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs/. In the “ECFS Main Links” menu box, click on “Search for Filings”. Then, in the “Proceeding Number” box, enter: "10-119". Finally, click on the "Search for Comments" box at the bottom of that menu. (That will produce a list of both comments and reply comments, in reverse chronological filing order.)
We recommend that you look at filings from PRSG and from Randy Knowles. In the PRSG reply comments, we criticize Uniden for failing to understand the need for "plain language" monitoring. We also criticize Garmin for openly marketing (and then bragging about selling) GMRS transceivers to the U.S. Secret Service and for use by state and local police for surveillance communications.

September 4, 2010:

The period for public comments on the important FCC Docket 10-119 has now closed. There were about 220 comments filed.
People may reply to what others have submitted. The period for replies ends Monday, September 20, 2010.

August 4, 2010:

On August 4, 2010, the Federal Register (finally) published the Notice of Proposed Rule Making in this important FCC Docket WT-10-119. That started the formal 30-day period for the submision of public comments, which will now be due by September 3, 2010, unless the FCC were to grant an extension. (None is considered likely at this time.)
The close of the period to file replies to what others have submitted is tentatively set for September 20, 2010, unless the FCC were to grant an extension. (There will likely be such a request for extension, given the considerable volume of comments anticipated.)
Get a synopsis the NPRM directly from the Federal Register.
- Download a synopsis of the NPRM in PDF format for use with Adobe Reader or other PDF viewing application.
- Or, download a synopsis of the NPRM in a simple TXT format for use with a conventional text reader.
You can get the complete NPRM (not just a synopsis) directly from the FCC. (This is actually the more easily readable and complete version!)
- Download the complete NPRM in PDF format for use with Adobe Reader or other PDF viewing application.
- Download the complete NPRM in other formats: .DOC .TXT

June 25, 2010:

PRSG has prepared "The Fee Conundrum in FCC Docket WT-10-119." The author is Corwin Moore, PRSG Administrative Coordinator.
In this article, we discuss the public confusion surrounding the issues of GMRS license term limits and GMRS licensing fees. Adoption of a 10-year GMRS licensing term (which the FCC proposed in the NPRM) without a change in the fee structure (the FCC proposed no such change!) would bring the cost of a new or renewed GMRS to more than $100!
Click here to download a copy of this discussion.

June 21, 2010:

PRSG has prepared "A Guideline to Issues Raised in FCC Docket WT-10-119 (GMRS)." The author is P. Randall Knowles, a Chicago-area attorney and long-time GMRS licensee and historian.
Click here to download a copy of this Guideline.

June 9, 2010:

On June 8, 2010, the FCC released a "Notice of Proposed Rulemaking" that proposes to make major (and many will consider to be harmful) modifications to the GMRS. It has not yet been published in the Federal Register. That publication date will start a 30-day period during which people may comment on the proposal.
Click here for a copy in a *.PDF format (using Adobe Acrobat Reader).

August 21, 2004:

On August 10, 2004, the FCC increased the "application fee" for a new or renewed GMRS license from $50 to $55. With the $25 usage fee ($5/year for a 5-year license), this brought the total cost to $80.

April 21, 2004:

In October 2002, the Industrial Telecommunications Association (ITA) petitioned the FCC to prohibit routine daily business communications on FRS (Family Radio Service) channels. (ITA is a frequency coordinator for certain radio services, and derives income from "selling" coordinations.) See our earlier announcement .
On April 21, 2004, the FCC denied ITA's request and dismissed the Petition.
PRSG supported the concept that businesses should use channels in radio services explicitly reserved just for business communications. However, we opposed the ITA request because it would be essentially unenforceable in the unlicensed FRS. Click here to view the PRSG comments opposing the ITA request.

July 25, 2003:

The public comment and reply periods for the PRSG's second Petition for Reconsideration in MURS has now closed. Four parties filed comments, and the PRSG filed its own Reply Comments.
We expect an FCC decision on this second Petition later this year. Click here for the latest information about MURS.

June 28, 2003:

FCC has opened a public comment period for the second PRSG Petition for Reconsideration in MURS.
The FCC has now acknowledged receipt of the second PRSG Petition, and has established a time period for public comment (in support or opposition). The public now has until July 10, 2003, to file comments. Click here for the latest information about MURS.

March 9, 2003:

On March 3, 2003, the Federal Register published the new FRS rules, which will now go into effect On April 2, 2003.
See the next item below (dated February 16, 2003) for a discussion of these new FRS rules.

February 16, 2003:

On February 10, 2003, the FCC released the Report and Order in WTB Docket 01-339. In this R&O, the FCC amends the FRS rules to permit the transmission of data pertaining to the location of the FRS radio, and of data communicating other brief text messages. The maximum transmission time for such data is 1 second, and the minimum time before the next data transmission from that radio is 30 seconds.
Only those FRS radio specifically certified by the FCC for such data transmissions will be permitted these new communications. Retrofitting older or other FRS radios for data transmissions will not be permitted.
Click here for further information about these changes in the FRS rules. These rules will go into effect 30 days after publication in the Federal Register, now expected in late February 2003. We will announce the date of effect of these changes here as soon as we have that information.
Such data transmissions are already permitted in MURS, and without the one-second maximum on-time, 30-second minimum off-time limitations, or the other FRS limitations regarding transmitter power and detachable antennas.

November 24, 2002:

PRSG has petitioned the FCC to reconsider certain aspects of the recently implemented MURS rules. Click here for further information.
We have also revised our MURS Frequently Asked Questions and MURS Annotated Rules to reflect the changes in the MURS rules which the FCC has recently implemented.

November 10, 2002:

We have revised our most popular Web page, General Mobile Radio Service, A More Detailed Description, to reflect new technologies and marketing practices in GMRS.

October 19, 2002:

The Industrial Telecommunications Association (ITA) has petitioned the FCC to prohibit routine daily business communications on FRS (Family Radio Service) channels. (ITA is a frequency coordinator for certain radio services, and derives income from "selling" coordinations.)
PRSG supports the concept that businesses should use channels in radio services explicitly reserved just for business communications. However, we oppose the ITA request because it would be essentially unenforceable in the unlicensed FRS. Click here to view the PRSG comments opposing the ITA request.

October 13, 2002:

The date of implementation of the "new" MURS Rules will be November 12, 2002. On October 11, 2002, the Federal Register finally published the Memorandum Opinion and Order adopted by the FCC last Spring. This FR publication establishes the implementation date. Click here to go to the MURS home page for more information.

July 7, 2002:

PRSG has prepared an annotated version of the FCC's recently released MO&O making changes in the MURS Rules. In the PRSG version, we have commented on the significance of certain sections of the MO&O. We have also identified certain points of confusion that remain, and we propose certain additional requirements for automated operating protocols that would encourage greater operator compliance with the new rules.

June 17, 2002:

The FCC places a restriction on most GMRS licenses that prohibits transmitting on certain GMRS frequencies "north of Line A or east of Line C." These are treaty-defined lines near the US/Canadian borders.
We have added a technical description of these "prohibited areas," and provided links to FCC sites that have a map and that contain more technical information. Our Web page also includes the counties and the major highways in the prohibited areas. Click here for more information.

June 16, 2002:

We have posted a copy of the new MURS rules, annotated to explain the significance of the recent changes, and to discuss certain rules where we believe that additional changes are needed.
We have also posted a revision of our MURS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) reflecting the changes that will likely become effective sometime in late July 2002.

May 23, 2002:

The FCC today released a Memorandum Opinion and Order (MO&O) that will soon modify the MURS Rules. These modifications are the FCC's response to the Petitions for Reconsideration filed in Fall 2000, and to the comments, oppositions and replies filed in response to those Petitions.
Many of these changes will significantly alter the MURS Service as it has become popular in the past two years. Click here to go to the MURS Home Page on the PRSG Web site for more information.

September 2, 2001:

Effective September 10, 2001, the cost of a new or renewed GMRS license will drop for $85 to $75. The is the result of a reduction of the annual "regulatory fee" from $7/year to $5/year. (We had announced this reduction in our April PRE newsletter, but the FCC has only recently announced the date of effect.)
Although this is a welcomed reduction, a much better action would be for the FCC to reduce the $50 application fee.

July 4, 2001:

In a stunning reversal of its earlier position, Motorola Inc. has submitted "supplemental comments" in the MURS docket now supporting use of MURS for personal and family communications. Motorola specifically cites and now largely supports the PRSG position in our own Petition for Reconsideration. For further information, click here.

June 25, 2001:

The FCC has still not taken any action on the three Petitions for Reconsideration of the rules now in effect for the MURS (Multi-Use Radio Service). Several dozen parties also filed comments and reply comments to these Petitions. PRSG still expects final FCC action on this matter by the end of this Summer 2001. Click here for the latest information about this situation.
We have also posted largely minor editorial corrections and updates about the Guide, about our on-line cumulative bibliography, and about other general information topics.

January 24, 2001 (amended June 25, 2001):

The time periods for submitting comments and replies to the three Petitions for Reconsideration in the MURS docket have expired. There was an excellent turnout from those supporting MURS, but also some surprising opposition. Click here to go the MURS Home Page for more information.
We have updated our on-line version of the FRS rules (at 95.401) and our FRS FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) to include reference to several new Citizens Band services. Except for MURS, these new services are for specialized uses and are not available for general voice communications.

December 28, 2000:

We have posted instructions on how to file comments to the Petitions for Reconsideration in the MURS docket (98-182). If you are interested in seeing MURS remain available for personal and family communications, it is urgent that you comment opposing Motorola's attempt to take away MURS as personal-plus-business radio service. There is a very real risk that the FCC could change its mind and cancel MURS altogether!
You have only until January 3, 2001, to file your comments.

December 19, 2000:

On December 11, 2000, the FCC issued a Public Notice that announced receipt of the Petitions for Reconsideration that request changes in the rules governing the new Multi Use Radio Service (MURS). Today (December 19), the Federal Register published a notice of that announcement, thus beginning the formal fifteen-day period during which others may submit comments in support of or in opposition to the arguments and requests presented in those petitions.
Other parties now have until January 3 to file their comments.
Click here to go to a separate page with the latest information about MURS, and about how to comment on these Petitions for Reconsideration.

December 13, 2000:

Oops. Our announcement yesterday that the comment period had begun for comments to the petitions for reconsideration in the MURS docket was incorrect. That period will begin only upon publication of this information in the Federal Register, not merely by publication of the FCC "Public Notice." We expect that the FR will publish this information in the next few days. Once that happens, we will post the revised deadline date for filing comments.

December 12, 2000:

On December 11, 2000, the FCC issued a Public Notice that formally announced receipt of the Petitions for Reconsideration that request changes in the rules governing the new Multi Use Radio Service (MURS). Other parties now have until December 26 to file comments in opposition to or support of those three Petitions.
Click here to go to a separate page with the latest information about MURS, and about how to comment on these Petitions for Reconsideration.

November 14, 2000:

Motorola has filed a Petition for Reconsideration asking the FCC to return the five frequencies in the recently created MURS (Multi Use Radio Service, an unlicensed, 150 MHz personal radio service) back to the licensed Business Radio Service. There will be an opportunity later this Fall for public comment on this Petition. (We will announce further details here later.)
PRSG has also filed a Petition for Reconsideration. Ours seeks certain additional changes in the rules governing MURS, including a clarification of the maximum permissible transmitter output power, and certain other changes intended to retain the mobile-oriented nature of the use of the five MURS frequencies.

Click here to go to a separate page with the latest information about MURS.

November 4, 2000:

With only a little more than a week before the deadline for filing petitions for reconsideration, there are solid indications of communications industry opposition to the new MURS (Multi Use Radio Service) rules. We now expect a major effort to get those rules overturned in their entirety, and an effort to keep what would have been the MURS frequencies only within the Business Radio Service.
For the latest information, click here to go to a page where we update this continually changing situation.

October 24, 2000:

Industry rumblings of dissatisfaction with the FCC's handling of the MURS docket continue. Certain communications industry interests are likely to file one or more "petitions for reconsideration" seeking to substantially limit, or even to prohibit altogether, citizens' access to MURS frequencies for non-business uses.
There is more information on our MURS home page. We have also created an entirely new information page about these latest developments.

October 13, 2000:

The Federal Register today published the final version of the rules governing the new Multi Use Radio Service (MURS). Unless there are further delays (which we do not now anticipate), these rules will now go into effect on November 13, 2000. Click here to go to our MURS Home Page for further information.
PRSG intends to file a Petition For Reconsideration to request (among other issues) a clarification or change in the rule regarding maximum permissible transmitter power, now specified in the rules in terms of "effective radiated power" (ERP). We feel that using a power limitation based solely on ERP is confusing, and that a specific maximum transmitter output power level should be specified in addition or instead.

September 30, 2000:

We have made minor editorial amendments to our pages on links and rules, and to our FRS home page. Thanks to those who made caught errors or who made suggestions for improvements.
Thanks also to those who have sent us their E-mail addresses. Our October E-mail version of the PRE newsletter is about ready to be sent out. If you are a subscriber and if haven't sent us your E-mail address yet, please do so ASAP.

September 29, 2000:

We had earlier expected that the Federal Register would publish the final version of the rules for the new Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS) in late September 2000. As of this date, the FR has not yet published those rules. We do expect this publication now in early October. Unless there are further delays, the new rules will actually go into effect 30 days after publication in the FR.
We have modified the various pages on this Web site that discuss the MURS to reflect this delay in publication/implementation.
Click here for further information about the new MURS (unlicensed VHF-FM CB).

September 19, 2000:

To answer inquiries about the current (tenth) edition of the GMRS National Repeater Guide, we have prepared a list of "frequently asked questions" (FAQ). We have also updated the page of information about the Guide itself.
We have updated the Web page describing our history and current activities.

September 14, 2000:

We have made minor update edits to our pages on links to other sites and on the new Multi Use Radio Service (MURS).
We have created a new listserv (automatic message remailing service) to serve as a registry of stolen radio equipment. There is already such a registry for stolen ham radio equipment, but none that we could find for GMRS, FRS, MURS and other PLMRS radios. Click here to send an E-mail to subscribe to this new service. (You can also easily drop your subscription to this later.)

September 11, 2000:

We have set a revision schedule for the venerable GMRS National Repeater Guide, our flagship publication. We plan to publish a supplement in Spring 2001. Later this Fall, we will have an online questionaire which you can use to add new listings, or to update or delete existing ones. We also plan to add new information fields, for instance to provide E-mail addresses. Click here for more information.

September 10, 2000:

We have updated our pages on GMRS licensing and on links elsewhere.

September 7, 2000:

We have begun the process of migrating our newsletter (the Personal Radio Exchange, or PRE) and our various other publications from the traditional paper versions over to new electronic versions. We plan to complete this process by the end of this year (2000). We will continue to publish limited paper versions of our newsletter and our other publications after that date, to accommodate those who do not have E-mail or Internet access.
Implementation of the electronic version will also enable us to substantially reduce the cost of a newsletter subscription.
We have recently sent an electronic announcement about this migration (to an electronic format) to all PRE subscribers for whom we have E-mail addresses. If you are a PRE subscriber but did not receive this recent E-mail message from us, please click here to send us a message with the E-mail address that you wish us to use for you.
For more information about our PRE newsletter (including subscription rates), please click here.
A national hobbyist-oriented communications magazine has recently criticized the PRSG for our efforts (during creation of the FRS) to protect GMRS licensees from the interference which has come to afflict GMRS repeaters. We are proud of our efforts to advocate on behalf of GMRS licensees and repeater users, and we make no apologies.
We also note that our efforts help persuade the FCC to limit the deviation level and modulation bandwidth of FRS units. Without these limits, the interference which an increasing number of GMRS repeaters are suffering would be substantially worse.

September 1, 2000:

Click here to go to our new "home page" for the new Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS). Other pages about MURS rules and its date of implementation can be found on or will soon be announced on this new MURS home page. We have also just posted a new page of "frequently asked questions" (FAQ) about MURS.

August 29, 2000:

FCC personnel have confirmed that work continues to correct some minor typographical errors in the Report and Order in the new Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS) docket. The work should be completed by the end of this week, and the final version submitted to the Government Printing Office for publication in the Federal Register. It is that publication in the FR that will create the date of effect (30 days later) of the new MURS rules. Based on typical delays at the GPO, we now expect that the FR will publish that final version sometime between September 5 and 15, 2000. For more information and a copy of the most recent version of the MURS rules, click here. [Previous news items about MURS are shown below for August 14, August 10, August 9 and January 20, 2000.]
We also note that the most recent Radio Shack sales flyer (at page 11, bottom) shows a sale on two handheld radios on 150 MHz business band frequencies. The transmit frequencies and the other technical specifications for these two models will make them suitable for MURS operation, once the new rules come into effect.

August 14, 2000:

The rules creating and authorizing operations in the Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS) (see our announcement of August 9 below) will go into effect thirty days after their publication in the Federal Register. As of this date, this has not yet happened. However, a tentative version of the new MURS Rules was published with the Report and Order. For more information and a copy, click here.

August 10, 2000:

The "application fee" for a new, renewal, or modified GMRS license will increase from the current $45 to $50 as of September 11, 2000. The "user fee" is $8/year, or $40 for a five-year license. This brings the total for a new or renewal license application to $85 for an application received by the FCC before September 9, 2000, or $90 if received by the FCC on or after September 9, 2000. An application only to modify a license (which will not extend its current term before expiration) requires only the application fee, not the user fee.

August 9, 2000:

The FCC has adopted a Report and Order creating the Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS), a new kind of "citizens band radio" that will permit the unlicensed operation of low power radios on certain specific VHF "highband" (150 MHz) business band frequencies. For more information, click here to view an abstract of the relevant portions of the FCC's recent R&O. The final rules will take effect thirty days after their publication in the Federal Register, expected in the next few days.

March 4, 2000:

The formal period for submitting comments to the Notice of Proposed Rule Making in the FCC's docket WT 99-366 has now closed. This docket considers permitting the use of "personal locator beacons," signaling devices transmitting in the 406 MHz band to summon assistance from search and rescue (SAR) personnel. (Click here to download a ZIP-compressed copy of this NPRM.) The FCC's proposal is somewhat controversial, since not all SAR groups want the additional obligation of responding to these PLB requests. PRSG has filed comments supporting this FCC proposal, and requesting certain enhancements that should encourage greater participation by SAR groups and agencies in this program. Click here to download a ZIP-compressed copy of the PRSG comments and a request to clarify the comment and reply comment dates.

February 21, 2000:

We have updated our Links Elsewhere page.

February 8, 2000:

We have updated a number of pages on and files available through the PRSG Web site, and removed others (such as those about the old FCC Form 574) that are no longer current. If you find any links that still point to deleted pages or files, please let us know. Thanks.

February 2, 2000:

The Federal Register has now published the NPRM proposing to create a Subpart H of Part 95, to authorize PLBs (Personal Locator Beacons). (This is also discussed briefly in the next news bulletin below.) Click here to download a ZIP-compressed copy of this NPRM.

January 20, 2000:

The FCC appears about to create a new Citizens Band Radio Service, probably to be known as the "Multi-Use Radio Service" (or MURS). It will be in Subpart H of Part 95 (the Personal Radio Services). The service will be classified as a form of "Citizens Band Radio" so that it will be exempt from licensing requirements. The frequencies authorized will likely be certain "color dot" VHF frequencies (in the 150 MHz band) currently requiring licensing and coordination. For more (if still speculative) information, click here to see a quote from an earlier FCC inquiry.
The FCC has just announced a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) to amend certain Part 95 rules to authorize the use of 406.025 MHz for "Personal Locator Beacons". Comments will tentatively be due February 24, 2000, and reply comments on March 10. The actual text of the NPRM will be posted on the PRSG Web site shortly. Personal locator beacons (PLBs) are the equivalents of EPIRBs (emergency position-indicating radio beacons, carried aboard maritime vessels) and ELTs (emergency location transmitters, carried aboard aircraft) when used by individuals on land. For background information, click here to view a US Coasst Guard "media advisory" issued last November.

December 15, 1999:

The FCC has created the "Medical Implant Communications Service" (or MICS), with implementation on January 14, 2000. It will operate in the 402-405 MHz band. The rules for the MICS are in Part 95. The MICS will be a form of "Citizens Band Radio" to qualify it as an unlicensed radio service. However, eligibility to operate in this very low-power service is strictly limited to certain medical situations. The changes to Part 95 that involve the same paragraphs that control GMRS have been incorporated into FCC Rules available online through this site.

November 20, 1999:

We have added a ZIP-compressed file with the plain-text version of the GMRS Rules (current to November 14, 1999). For more information, go to our Rules section. Also, we made some minor editorial amendments to reflect a change in terminology, to replace "type acceptance" with "certification."

November 13, 1999:

We have updated our version of the FCC Rules governing the GMRS to reflect the changes adopted by the Report and Order in the ULS docket, and by the Memorandum Opinion and Order on Reconsideration which made further changes in those Rules. The FCC issued this MO&O in response to petitions filed by PRSG and others requesting further changes in the GMRS rules.

September 2, 1999:

The annual "user fee," which the FCC assesses at the time of licensing, will increase $1/year (from $6/year to $7/year) for applications for new or renewal GMRS licenses received on or after September 13, 1999. This will increase the total fee for new or renewed GMRS licenses from $75 to $80 ($45 application fee, plus $35 for the user fee for a 5-year license). Click here to see an overview of the licensing process.

June 13, 1999:

We currently expect that the FCC will release its MO&O (Memorandum Opinion and Order) adopting further changes in the GMRS rules later this month. As soon as additional information is available, it will be posted on a related DC-area site.

June 10, 1999:

In their meeting this morning, the FCC Commissioners adopted changes in the GMRS rules that appear to remove some or all the restrictions on the use of the GMRS 675 channel pair by personal licensees. The full text of the action this morning is expected to be released sometime in the next two weeks, accord to FCC staff members.

June 4, 1999:

On Thursday, June 10, the FCC Commissioners will meet to consider a number of outstanding docket items pertaining to the various private land mobile radio services. Among these considerations will be adoption of a Memorandum Opinion and Order (MO&O) that responds to the various Petitions for Reconsideration and Stay filed by the GMRS user community. These Petitions requested further changes in the GMRS Rules adopted in the Universal Licensing System (ULS) docket (98-20). See our "What's New" discussion of February 21, 1999.

April 5, 1999:

The FCC has implemented electronic licensing for GMRS under the ULS (Universal Licensing System). Applicants can now apply for a new, renewal or modified GMRS license from their own home computers. The FCC will also retain the conventional paper-based licensing process. We have modifed our licensing instructions to include the revised FCC instructions.

March 17, 1999:

We have begun a review of the various publications available from our Web site, especially those affected by the recent (and on-going) changes in the licensing process. The page of general information about GMRS ("What Is the GMRS") and about the history and purpose of the PRSG have been updated.

March 11, 1999:

Minor edits made to our Links Elsewhere page to correct link addresses. If you find other links that don't work properly, please let us know.

February 21, 1999:

A PRSG officer met with FCC staff to discuss our Petitions for Reconsideration and Stay. On the basis of these and subsequent discussions, we expect that the FCC will further modify its recently adopted rules, especially with regard to use of the GMRS 675 channel.

February 5, 1999:

The FCC has just today acknowledged that there was a mistake in the announcement, published in the Federal Register originally on January 27, 1999, about the petitions for reconsideration filed in the ULS docket. It is this publication in the FR that triggers the 15-day period for public comments to the various petitions for reconsideration. A corrected announcement will be published in the FR not sooner than Monday, February 8. Assuming that this February 8 publication date holds, the time period for submitting public comments to the various petitions for reconsideration (four of which pertain to GMRS: PRSG, Trahos/Region 20, Riechel, and Leef) will be extended to Tuesday, February 23, 1999. However, unless the FCC grants the PRSG Petition for Stay (to delay implementation of the new rules; the FCC rarely grants such stays!), the controversial new GMRS rules will still go into effect on Friday, February 12, 1999.

February 2, 1999:

We made minor editorial changes to correct improper links in HOW2COMP.HTM and ULS-DISC.HTM. Sorry for any inconvenience.

February 1, 1999:

Want to help us convince the FCC to delay implementation of the new GMRS Rules until they make further changes? We have prepared a description of how you could help.

January 30, 1999:

The Report and Order in the Universal Licensing System (ULS) docket contains some subtle and disturbing surprises. Certain rules changes reflect an obvious FCC confusion about the content and intent of the current rules. Several changes reflect a radical FCC policy shift. Of particular concern is the apparent (if perhaps unintended) prohibition of the use of the "675 channel" for any communications except those pertaining to emergencies and traveler assistance. A paragraph-by-paragraph comparison of the old (current) rules and the new ones is available on this Web site.

December 18, 1998:

The Federal Register has finally (Monday, December 14) published the Report and Order in the Universal Licensing System (ULS) docket. This triggers the period for reconsideration and establishes the final date of effect (February 12, 1999) of the new rules, unless there are further reconsiderations (which are expected). There are no significant changes from the version of the Order that the FCC released in late October 1998. However, the paragraphs in the Report section that discuss the GMRS have been shortened.
Our ISP had an apparent system crash earlier this week that deleted or corrupted numerous pages and files linked from other PRSG pages. We have reloaded all files, and they should again be fully accessible. If you find more problems, please let us know right away!

November 12, 1998:

More than two years ago, PRSG requested that the FCC reconsider certain FRS rules, and to implement certain additional rules reflecting requirements that already exist in the CBRS and GMRS. The requested clarifications also concerned the operation of FRS radios as repeaters. Today, the FCC published a Memorandum Opinion and Order in which it declined to implement these new rules, but did reaffirm its intent to prohibit the operation of any FRS radio to which some apparatus had been attached, if that FRS unit had not been approved for use with that apparatus.
In the same MO&O, the FCC did agree with a request from Motorola to clarify the issue of removable FRS antennas. The FCC reaffirmed the intent of its rules to require that the antenna on an FRS radio must not be detachable. This leaves uncertain the fate of those thousands of FRS radios already sold that have such a feature, and presumably can no longer be lawfully used.

November 1, 1998:

PRSG has discovered a number of additional changes in GMRS rule language adopted by the R&O in the FCC's ULS (Universal Licensing System) docket. These are changes that the FCC had not previously proposed or announced, and which we had not anticipated in this docket. Some of these changes will have yet additional significant NEGATIVE impact on current and future GMRS operations.

October 22, 1998:

The date of effect of the new GMRS rules will be 60 days after publication in the Federal Register, not the 30 days that we had earlier understood.
Information about the PRSG bi-monthly newsletter, the Personal Radio Exchange, was updated. Click here for more information.

October 21, 1998:

The FCC has released the Report and Order in the Universal Licensing System (ULS) docket. As anticipated, the FCC has adopted the rules in pretty much the same form as it had proposed in the NPRM last spring. The one notable exception is that the FCC has retained the current limitation on the use of the GMRS 467 MHz frequencies. These frequencies will continue to be permissible to use only for repeater input and control.

September 23, 1998:

The PRSG literature list and the annotated bibliography have been updated to include reference to publications about the FCC's NPRM on the Universal Licensing System (ULS).

September 22, 1998:

The page describing the PRSG newsletter has been updated. Copies of the most recent newsletter edition (the August/September issue) were posted on September 8 and 9 for subscriptions sent by first-class mail, and on September 14 through 17 for subscriptions sent by third-class mail.

September 17, 1998:

The FCC Commissioners met this morning in an open meeting and adopted a Report and Order in the Universal Licensing System (ULS) docket (WT-98-20). In conversations with PRSG volunteers in Washington, DC, FCC staff members subsequently confirmed that the new GMRS rules will essentially reflect what the FCC proposed in the NPRM.

September 14, 1998:

The FCC has scheduled for its meeting this Thursday, September 17, a consideration of staff recommendations for a Report and Order in the Universal Licensing System (ULS) docket. Earlier this year, the FCC proposed changes in this docket that would emasculate many of the protections for GMRS weak-signal (mobile) and repeater operations that exist in the current rules. We will post more information about the FCC decision later this week.
We have discontinued the telephone line (734.995.0228) for our FAX-on-Demand (FoD) operations. There has been very little use of this service in the past six months.

September 9, 1998:

The annual "user fee," which the FCC assesses at the time of licensing, will increase $1/year (from $5/year to $6/year) for applications for new or renewal GMRS licenses received on or after September 14, 1998. This will increase the total fee for new or renewed GMRS licenses from $70 to $75 ($45 application fee, plus $30 for the user fee for a 5-year license). Click here to see an overview of the licensing process.

July 14, 1998:

A summary of all comments and reply comments pertaining to GMRS filed in response to the FCC's NPRM in the Universal Licensing System docket is available.

May 5, 1998:

On a motion by the Federal Communications Bar Association, the FCC has extended the comment period for the ULS NPRM (that would radically alter GMRS regulations) until May 22 (the original reply comment deadline). (There is more information immediately following below.) The new period for filing replies has been extended to June 8. This buys another 15 days for those who wish to comment on this important FCC proposal.

May 1, 1998:

A paragraph-by-paragraph comparison of the current GMRS rules and the changes proposed by the FCC, plus a PRSG commentary on the significance of those changes, is now available on a [deleted] page. (This FCC proposal would impose radical changes on GMRS that would be harmful to many current GMRS users. See the description immediately below for more information.) This publication is now complete.

April 28, 1998:

A discussion of the background, impact and implications of the FCC's NPRM to implement a new "Universal Licensing System" (ULS) is now available on a [deleted] page. These proposed changes, if adopted, would have a radical impact on virtually all current GMRS operations.

March 19, 1998:

The FCC today released its massive Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to implement a new "Universal Licensing System" (ULS). The NPRM proposes substantive policy changes for GMRS beyond merely licensing, including the elimination of restriction on the number of GMRS channels on which licensees may operate. The FCC has previously proposed but rejected this kind of "all-channel" licensing. The GMRS user community is mixed in its opinion about this concept, and the NPRM is likely to become the source of heated controversy.

March 16, 1998:

REACT International has completed its recent move from Kansas to a Maryland suburb of Washington, DC. REACT International's home page reports on this news and provides E-mail contact information about many local REACT teams.

March 12, 1998 (aka April 1, 1998):

Speculation abounds in Washington, DC, and elsewhere regarding the possible impact on the FCC of the just announced mile-wide asteroid projected to cross the earth's orbit in 2028. Unidentified sources inside the FCC report that the agency will not respond to this impending warning until they have had a chance to evaluate the potential damage from Comet Kouhoutek, now expected in the vicinity possibly as soon as the early 1970s. However, no change in the current GMRS applications-processing delay should be expected. In light of the FCC's callous non-responsiveness to GMRS licensees' legitimate complaints about the creation of the FRS, there is widespread support for there to be impact on the FCC, directly. The period for comets and replies will be announced later.

March 1, 1998:

The FCC has begun the inquiry required by Congress in the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996. The Commission has mailed (or will shortly mail) a request (FCC Form 606) to each licensee to supply it with information about the licensee's TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number) or (for non-personal licensees) Employer Identification Number (EIN, also known as the Federal Identification Number, or FIN). If you are a GMRS licensee, you should receive one of these inquiry letters shortly, if you haven't already received it. Click here to go to the "Licensing Page" for further information.

February 20, 1998:

The FCC is proposing to incorporate GMRS into its "Universal Licensing System," a computer-based automated licensing system now under development. Click here to go to the "Licensing Page" for further information.

January 29, 1998:

The PRSG offices have phone numbers that are in Area Code 734, one of the new ones needed for expansion. The old (and currently still functioning) area code for the Ann Arbor (and Detroit) area is 313. We have heard from several people that the new code (734) cannot be accessed through some RBOCs (Regional Bell Operating Companies), probably because those local companies haven't yet modified their own networks to recognize the new (734) code. The old code (313) can still be used through at least early July 1998. If you attempt to call the PRSG Michigan office using the 734 area code, and if the call doesn't go through, try the old 313 one instead.

January 28, 1998:

We have reconfirmed that the FCC does still accept the older FCC Form 574 versions (any version dated since and including August 1989). We had received reports that the FCC has returned GMRS applications filed on the older (pre-September 1995) FCC Form 574 version (14 inches long, printed green-on-white). Applicants thought that the FCC would now accept only the September 1995 version of the 574 (11 inches long, printed black-on-white). Our inquiry to the FCC indicates that they will continue to accept the older version, and that this is unlikely to change in the immediate future. Applications are being returned if they are not accompanied by an FCC Form 159. The FCC will also return applications filed by ineligible entities, along with a copy of the FCC Form 600 and instructions that these entities are not eligible to license in GMRS, and must instead license in one of the Part 90 services.

January 13, 1998:

After accepting application information in both English and metric values for several years, the FCC has now apparently decided to accept only metric values. (The change, believed effective January 1, 1998, was inevitable. Only the timetable was under consideration.) This means that even applications filed on the older (pre-9/95) versions of the FCC Form 574 must now express all required measurements (where applicable - which is not for the most simple applications!) in metric units. The new (September 1995 and later) versions of the FCC Form 574 have always required metric units of measure, according to their instructions. We will modify all of our online instructions here to reflect this change within the next couple of days.

January 12, 1998:

We have created a list of links to selected other Web sites. This is not a comprehensive list, but one based on unique and innovative contribution.

January 8, 1998:

A new topic on Repeater Management and an additional Web page have been added to our Web site. This will probably be the fastest growing page on our site. (There are numerous controversial issues facing the GMRS user community, and we can anticipate FCC rulemaking on repeater operations later in 1998.) Initially, this new Web page includes samples of two repeater-usage contracts.
The PRSG BBS (bulletin board system), operating for more than a decade at (313) 995-2100, was terminated January 31, 1998. Most of the frequently requested materials on our BBS have been moved over to our Web site.
The PRSG "FAX-on-Demand" (FoD) service (734/995-0228) has been terminated.
As of December 15, 1997, the FCC requires that each applicant for a new GMRS license, or for a renewal or modification to an existing GMRS license, must also submit an FCC Form 159 with that application. Click here for more information about the licensing process.