Popular Wireless
Magazine

The Federal Communications Commission

The Federal Communications Commission or FCC has responsibility for the enforcement of the Rules and Regulations it has created to manage the public radio spectrum under the authority of Congress through the various Communications Acts. The FCC regulates GMRS and issues radio station licenses for families desiring a GMRS license.

• Federal Communications Commission Personal Radio Service Information
  • FCC Search Tools Page
  • Search the WTB Call Sign Database
  • FCC: Family Radio Service
  • FCC: General Mobile Radio Service
  • FCC: GMRS Fact Sheet
  • FCC: Download Form 605. The NEW license application for use after 2/12/99. No technical data required. As of October 2002, the cost of obtaining an FCC license in the GMRS is $75. This includes a $50 application fee, and a usage fee of $25 ($5 per year for the five-year GMRS license). This $75 fee total must be submitted along with the application. Do not use form 574. It has been officially retired.
    PDF File. Adobe Acrobat Reader required.To read and print the document you need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click here if you need to obtain the Adobe Acrobat Reader for your operating system.
  • Form 159, Remittance Advice, MUST be submitted with every license application.
    Print this PDF document too!
  • FCC: Wireless Telecommunications Bureau
  • Search the FCC WTB Database
  • Search for FCC Type Acceptance Certificates
  • Code of Federal Regulations
  • Harold Hallikainen's Hypertext FCC Rules Project

Applying for a GMRS License

You can apply for your GMRS license by regular mail or by using the Universal Licensing System. ULS has challenged and frustrated applicants during 1999. Many using the Bulletin board at GMRS Web suggest using regular mail. Ask those who have tried using ULS how it worked for them by using the GMRS Web BB. Those who have successfully used ULS have reported getting their licenses in two weeks. Share your experience with us.

There are two forms required with each application. One is the license application itself and the second is the Remittance Advice form. The Remittance Advice form was implemented by Congress to help the IRS locate delinquent tax payers and law enforcement to find deadbeat dads and moms.

Each Form comes with a lengthy set of instructions which won't be duplicated here. In it's zeal to reduce paper work the government created a monster. The entire PDF file for form 605 is a whopping 25 pages. Print pages 9 and 10 of the Form 605 for your GMRS application and read the instructions on your computer screen.

Last updated January 20, 2003