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FCC Radio License Tutorial

The answer to your question "Do I need a License?" will depend on:

  • the type of communication (personal or business related),
  • and the type of equipment you use.

Licenses are granted to either individuals or businesses. Through the licensing process, you are assigned specific frequencies to use on approved equipment.

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Overview of FCC Licensing

Overview of FCC Licensing

The FCC has divided the frequency spectrum into pools called Services or Bands. Each pool is assigned a purpose such as public safety, business, marine, aviation, amateur, commercial broadcast stations, etc. Each frequency is assigned to a pool. So, for example; a frequency assigned to the public safety pool, will not be available to the business pool, or any other pool for that matter. Frequencies are not assigned to more than one pool.

Some pools, or service bands, contain a range of different frequency types such as HF, VHF, UHF, 700Mz, 800Mz, 900Mz, etc. For example, the business pool has HF, VHF, UHF, and 900Mz frequencies within its pool. Other service bands have only one type of frequency, such as GMRS has UHF only frequencies, or MURS has VHF only frequencies.

In addition, each pool also has it's own licensing requirements. The GMRS service band is open to almost anyone but does require a license. GMRS licensing requirements are simple; fill out a form and pay online. Some pools are open to everyone with no license requirement such as MURS, CB, or FRS. Other pools are very restrictive such as public safety or military.

The business pool of frequencies is only open to businesses or philanthropic organizations such as a schools, churches, or medical facilities.

The sections below outline the main features of each service band. Only service bands available to members of the general public are listed. Service bands such as public safety, military, or commercial broadcast, or others are not listed here.


Details About Each Radio Service

FRS   (Family Radio Service)

  • The FCC does not require a license to use the FRS service.
  • Intended to be used by family and friends to communicate within short distances. Now for both commercial & personal use.
  • Most consumer radios have both FRS and GMRS channels (see next section on GMRS).
  • If you purchase a FRS / GMRS radio you can avoid the need for a license by staying within the FRS channels (usually channels 8-14).
  • On May 18th 2017 the FCC adopted new rules:
    • FRS radios are now authorized to use up to 2 Watts ERP (Effective Radiated Power) on FRS 462 MHz frequencies (FRS ch. 1-7).
    • Frequencies within the 467 MHz range (ch. 8-14) now have the same technical limits that previously applied to FRS radios (½ watt with a built-in antenna).
    • Can be used for business as well as personal use.
  • All FRS radios must have a non-removable stubby antenna, so your range is greatly limited.

GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service)

  • GMRS is also for individuals and their friends and family. For non-commercial use only.
  • Is a more powerful service for individuals than FRS (handheld radios can be up to 5 watts).
  • GMRS does require a license. Refer to the chart for requirements.
  • Equipment must be certified for GMRS use.
  • See Getting a GMRS License for step-by-step instructions on obtaining a GMRS license.

LMR  (Land Mobile Radio), also PLMR for Private Land Mobile Radio, or Industrial/Business Pool

  • LMR is for use in business, government agencies, and non-profit institutions such as; education, healthcare, and religous organizations.
  • Most radios approved for LMR usage operate on either VHF (150-174 MHz), or UHF (421-512 MHz) frequencies.
  • Once obtained, the license is good for 10 years.
  • There are several different types of LMR licenses.  The 3 most common are:
    • Simplex License - Licenses a set of frequencies within a radius of a specified location.
    • Duplex License - When using a repeater this license includes a frequency pair, spaced for repeater use.
    • Itinerant License - Allows the use of radios at temporary locations within a state, set of states, or nation-wide.
  • Commercial applications usually require frequent use of channels with minimal interference by outsiders.  An FCC LMR license affords businesses relatively open communication with minimal interference.  CB and MURS channels are often crowded.

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MURS (Multi-Use Radio Service)

  • MURS is an unlicensed service for either business or personal use.
  • Equipment has pre-set frequencies on 5 channels in the VHF 151 & 154 MHz range.
  • Since it is open to everyone the lack of privacy and channel interference may be a problem in a business setting.
  • MURS radios are limited to 2 watts or less, so your talk range is limited.
  • Still, MURS can be a good option for some businesses such as small sites or temporary job sites.
  • Your radio must be MURS certified to use MURS.

CB (Citizens Band)

  • Does not require a license in the US.
  • Can be used for either commercial or personal communications.
  • Equipment has preset frequencies on 40 channels.
  • Operates on AM modulation with 4 watts of transmit power
  • Frequency range is 26.965 MHz (Ch 1) to 27.405 MHz (Ch 40).
  • Since it is open to everyone the lack of privacy and channel interference may be a problem in a business setting.

Ham Radio ( a.k.a Amateur Radio)

  • Ham Radio is a popular passion among many people world wide.
  • Is used by hobbyists and used in emergency situations by volunteers.
  • Requires a licensed to operate communications equipment on the "amateur bands" (or frequencies).
  • There are 3 types of licenses: Technician, General, Extra.
  • Each person wanting to use Ham radios must pass an examination for a one of the 3 types of Amateur radio license (requires knowledge of radios and electronics). There are many online aids to help you prepare for the tests.
  • Once you have a license you can operate on many frequencies that are not available to other users.

Marine Radio

  • Marine radios are specifically designed for communications on the waterways. 
  • The channels on Marine radios have preassigned frequencies, each channel/frequency is designated for a particular type of marine communication. For example, channel 16 is set at frequency 156.800HMz and is for distress calls only.
  • It is important that you only use two-way radios specifically approved for marine use when communicating between ships on the waterways. Other VHF radios should not be used because they will not have the proper frequency settings.
  • Today's marine radios have other features such as NOAA weather alert channels.
  • There are basically two types of marine radios: handheld and fixed-mount.
    • Handheld marine radios are more limited in range, but can be moved from one boat to another.
    • Fixed-Mount marine radios, just as the name implies are permanently mounted. They deliver more power as they are run off electrical connections on your boat.

AirBand Radios

  • Airband radios are used for both navigation and communication.
  • AirBand radios use VHF frequencies in the 108 MHz - 137 MHz range.
  • No license is required for individuals. However, aircraft stations do require a license. See the FCC for more details.
  • Use only airband radios for aviation.  Aviation radios are not like other VHF radios.  Airband radios have specific channel setups and functions used in aviation communications that land-based VHF radios do not have.
  • Since aviation transmissions primarily occur in the air, communication range is much greater for airband radios than for land-based VHF radios. So a 5 watt handheld airband radio used in-flight will have a much longer range than a similar 5 watt VHF land-based radio.  Panel mounted airband radios, usually 8 watts, have an even greater range. From the air, most airband radios typically have a range of around 200 miles.
  • Airband channels are divided into:

 Channels  
Channel Usage

COM
Used for voice communication, US assigned frequencies between 118.000 MHz to 136.975 MHz. These frequencies are split into 200 narrow-band channels of 50kHZ each.

NAV
For navigational assistance, assigned frequencies from 108.000 MHz to 117.95 MHz. The common navigation system used in the US is 'VHF Omnidirectional Range' (VOR). VOR is a system of short-range radio beacons that help pilots determine their position and stay on course. VOR has become a global standard for air navigation, with approximately 3,000 VOR stations worldwide.

NOAA
Today's airband radios typically have NOAA weather channels and provide NOAA weather alerts.

Distress    Airband radios also have an emergency communication frequency (known as International Air Distress or IAD). It is assigned to 121.5 MHz.

 

There are three basic types of airband radios:


 Handheld Looks much like a typical handheld land mobile radio.

Panel Mount Mounted in the cockpit panel of the aircraft.

Ground Base    Much like a land-based mobile radio, it operates on the ground, either mounted in a vehicle for ground crews, or sitting on a desk.