So I just picked up a pair of Motorola Talkabout 5920 handhelds for talking between MINIs during outings, and in the documentation provided it states that I need a FCC GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) license to operate. Being the diligent rule follower that I am, I decided to apply for a license, and see what it's involved. A quick search on http://www.fcc.gov reveals the following to apply for a FCC GMRS license.

1)FCC Form 605 (main form)
2)FCC Form 159 (remittance advice)
3)FCC Form 1070y (descriptions of fees required)

All located on this page. You will also need to have a FRN Registration number, which can be obtained immediately at the FCC Universal Licensing System home page under Register CORESCall Sign.

So I'm putting all the required information into the mail tomorrow, and hoping for the best. Has anyone else tried applying for a GMRS license to operate their handheld radios? Anything else anyone wants to add if they've gone through this?

If you spot a LY/B Cooper S around the San Francisco bay area, don't hesitate to give a shout out on channel 7 sub 21!

 

When I was getting my radios I found that some MOTOROLA radios requier FCC lic., that is why I whent for the simpler option, they still have a mile range and are pretty cool, and with the extra $$$ I got the pouchs and the Hand Free Devices.

Julian

 

You will find that about 99% of GMRS owners do not register for a license.

 

You bought FRS radios. The GMRS radios have a more powerful transmitter and thus a longer range than FRS radios. That's why FCC requires a license.

That being said, unless your radio is causing interference on neighboring equipment (outside of your car) the FCC probably will never hunt you down becuase you didn't apply for your operator's license...

 

FCC license for the GMRS radios cost $75/year. The FRS radios (up to 2 mile distance under ideal conditions) does not require a license. I believe it has to do with FCC Rule 10. The penalty for not getting a license for the GMRS radio is a stiff fine, but, as someone else writes, most GMRS radio owners do not register their radios.