General Mobile Radio Service

Overview
The General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) is in the 462-467 MHz spectrum range. The most common use of GMRS spectrum is short-distance, two-way communications using small, portable hand-held devices that function similar to walkie-talkies. Similar services include the Family Radio Service (FRS) and the Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS).

The GMRS dates back to the 1940s when the FCC established the service for individuals and entities that were not eligible to hold "land mobile" licenses in public safety or industrial and land transportation services. The general rules for GMRS remained the same until 1988, when the FCC adopted rules to limit eligibility for new GMRS systems to individuals, in order to make the service more available to personal users who, unlike businesses, are not eligible to operate in other private land mobile radio services.

In 2010, the FCC proposed to remove the individual licensing requirement for GMRS and instead license GMRS "by rule" (meaning that an individual license would not be required to operate a GMRS device). This proposal is still pending.

An FCC license is required to operate a General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) system. Licenses are issued for a five-year term and can be renewed between 90 days prior to the expiration date and up to the actual expiration date of the license. A GMRS system licensed to a non-individual prior to July 31, 1987, is also eligible for renewal, but the licensee may not make any major modification to the system.

You can apply for a GMRS license if you are 18 years or older and not a representative of a foreign government. If you receive a license, any family member, regardless of age, can operate GMRS stations and units within the licensed system.

The FCC service rules for the GMRS are located in 47 C.F.R. Part 95.