Navigating the Universal Licensing System: A Guide to GMRS Licensing

The FCC's Universal Licensing System (ULS) serves as a centralized online platform for managing FCC applications and licenses, including those for the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS). This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding the ULS and obtaining a GMRS license. We are providing this information as a benefit to our customers. If you have detailed questions concerning licensing, please give us a call.

Understanding GMRS

General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) is a land-mobile UHF radio service in the United States, operating near 462 and 467 MHz. It shares frequencies with the Family Radio Service (FRS), but offers increased capabilities.

GMRS vs. FRS

While GMRS shares frequencies with FRS, there are key differences:

Power: FRS output power is limited to 0.5 or 2 watts, depending on the channel, while GMRS allows up to 5 or 50 watts, also depending on the channel.
Licensing: GMRS requires a license, while FRS does not.
Repeaters: GMRS licenses grant permission to operate on repeater input frequencies, significantly extending range.
Range: The increased output power and repeater access of GMRS can dramatically increase the effective range compared to FRS radios.

GMRS is a more powerful service for individuals than FRS. Handheld radios can be up to 5 watts but must transmit in analog. Repeaters are allowed with some limitations.

Who Needs a GMRS License?

To use GRMS frequencies, the FCC requires you to obtain a license. GMRS is for individuals and their family members. One license covers the entire family. So, only small family run businesses qualify to use GMRS. The license covers the licensee and their immediate family members.

Obtaining an FRN

First, you must obtain an FRN number (FCC Registration Number). There is no charge to obtain an FRN. However, there is a fee when you apply for your license. To get your FRN, go to the FCC Universal Licensing System.

Registering in ULS

Select "Register" on the ULS Home page and complete the online questionnaire. You will receive your FRN immediately upon completing the one-page online form.

Applying for a GMRS License

Once you have your FRN (see "Obtaining an FRN" in the previous paragraph) from the main FCC screen choose "Online Filing, Log In". Follow the screen pages below. Answer the questions on the following screens to complete your GMRS license application. Complete your application by filling out the information.

Navigating the FCC Universal Licensing System (ULS)

The FCC’s Universal Licensing System (ULS) is an online portal to manage your FCC applications/licenses and pay any applicable fees via a single account. You may also view the status of pending licenses in the ULS.

Registering with the ULS

If you are a first time user, visit the Universal Licensing System homepage and click “New User Registration” or click this link . Skip this step if you have an existing ULS account.

FCC Registration Number (FRN)

Once registered with the ULS, you will receive an FCC Registration Number (FRN). This is a 10-digit number that is assigned to a business or individual registering with the FCC and is used to identify the registrant’s business dealings with the FCC.

The Application Process

Now you can apply for a GMRS license and pay the fee. The next step is to answer these applicant questions. Once this is complete, click Continue.

Reviewing and Submitting Your Application

The next step will show you a summary of the application. The final step before submitting application is reading all the certification statements, which summarize the rules you are agreeing to follow as a GMRS license holder. When you submit the application, you will be prompted to complete payment.

Post-Application

After that, all you can do is wait! Applications will appear in ULS Application Search in about one or two businesses days after the application is filed.

Amending Your Application

If you made an error in the application don’t worry! You can file an amendment to the application.

License Approval

Check back to the Universal Licensing System daily, and when you see the call sign under “My Licenses” you are ready to get on the air!

Important Considerations

Before continuing, there is one very important consideration that should be noted when dealing with FCC licenses. Your call sign and license information is public information and is easily searchable in FCC databases and other 3rd party records.

Privacy

Should you choose to register with your home address, this will be visible to anybody searching the FCC database. Exposing personal information on the internet is a concern now more than ever, so one approach to limiting the amount of personal information in FCC databases is to use a P.O. Box as your contact address. WRAA720 uses this P.O. Box address in the center of their local metro area as the primary contact location for all FCC forms and dealings.

GMRS Frequencies

GMRS frequencies are at the bottom of this page. The table below lists all the FRS and GMRS channels. FRS only radios have channels 1-14. Radios with both GMRS and FRS have channels 1-22.

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