Effective on April 19, 2022, GMRS license price has dropped

[Tom]

But it’s official. Effective on April 19, 2022, GMRS radios working at or over 2 watts require licensure, but it just got more affordable.


https://the-gadgeteer.com/2022/04/20/the-fcc-gmrs-license-fee-has-finally-dropped/

[TDash]

that's what I get for NOT procrastinating this one time

[Jim]

Thanks!

edit....

Me poking through the process that might assist others:

https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/universal-licensing-system
1) Create an account (new user registration)
2) File online - when selecting a service it's the last in the list "za General Mobile Radio (GMRS)"

[Jim]

Tom, is there an authorization (or certificate) that is at some point available to download? I'd think they would give some registration number or such vs. send us money and that's it.

[Tom]

Tom, is there an authorization (or certificate) that is at some point available to download? I'd think they would give some registration number or such vs. send us money and that's it.
There is a way to download one’s license once it has been issued. For ham licenses one gets an email saying its ready. I assume the same with GMRS.

There is a navigation issue on the fcc website. Images below are a work around.
Image 1 . Start a new license app. Select the za gmrs then quit the application, see arrow.
Image 2. Once application is quit it comes to this screen. Notice there two applications and one is submitted.
Image 3. Clicking on the submitted link Shows the fcc has received the license app.

Notice as well on image two near the top in green the download authorizations. This will have ones license once the fcc has processed your submitted app.

[Steve-O]

that's what I get for NOT procrastinating this one time

Same *facepalm*

[Jim]

`email arrived with a link to download a PDF of the license info - done!

[Tom]

`email arrived with a link to download a PDF of the license info - done!
Lucky you. Mine is under review. I am guessing likely because I have an expired (by 12 years) gmrs license.

Either that or because I screwed up my application, had to cancel it, and try again.

[Tom]

Just downloaded mine: WRQG578

[Jim]

You had'm work'n late on a Friday night...

[Tom]

You had'm work'n late on a Friday night...
Unfortunately they haven’t refunded my 1st payment for the cancelled application. I emailed them Friday pm so maybe they haven’t had time, but I am definitely contacting my credit card company on Tues if I haven’t heard back.

[Tom]

Unfortunately they haven’t refunded my 1st payment for the cancelled application. I emailed them Friday pm so maybe they haven’t had time, but I am definitely contacting my credit card company on Tues if I haven’t heard back.
They still haven’t issued my refund, but my support case status now says “refund response”, whatever than means. I am hoping it means I get my refund. Hoping the other possibility would be a “ refund denied response”.

[Tom]

They still haven’t issued my refund, but my support case status now says “refund response”, whatever than means. I am hoping it means I get my refund. Hoping the other possibility would be a “ refund denied response”.
Notified my credit card company. Still nothing official from the fcc. Its been longer than they said it would take.

[Tom]

Called FCC about refund. They are issuing one. Guess thats what “Refund Response” means.

[Jim]

How long was the phone call / hold time?

[Tom]

How long was the phone call / hold time?
3-4 min was all.

[Max]

So are we using GMRS radios now or what? It seemed like nobody was using the CB radios on our last run. It would be great if everyone can have the right equipment. I could be persuaded into getting a mobile GMRS radio and antenna and installing it in my Jeep, for better power and range than a handheld. Handhelds work like **** in the cab.

[open_circuit]

So are we using GMRS radios now or what? It seemed like nobody was using the CB radios on our last run. It would be great if everyone can have the right equipment. I could be persuaded into getting a mobile GMRS radio and antenna and installing it in my Jeep, for better power and range than a handheld. Handhelds work like **** in the cab.

It seems so. We've had a few long-running threads on the topic such as this one https://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?28409-Jeep-Jamboree-replacing-CB-with-GMRS-for-2021/page3

I'm surprised to hear you have trouble with a handheld GMRS radio in the cab. These radios are very popular because the wavelength of the frequencies used for GMRS and FRS are short enough to pass through the typical windshield and window-sized openings on vehicles. I had some issues with mine when I was setting it low in the cab, such as in a cup holder between the seats so I now strap my radio to the roll bar next to my head and driver's window and get excellent performance from it.

[Jim]

Handhelds work like **** in the cab.

I agree with Trent - range seems reasonable. My issue is volume (Trent and Tom have gone headset to help / resolve this issue).

/ramble on/

I find myself preferring the mounted style over handheld (the handheld is all too free floating around the jeep). Trent has a 3D-print option to resolve this, I just didn't bother as I'm biased against battery radio. While the CB has volume issues I went with external speaker for the GMRS in hopes that the volume (clarity too!) will be improved. I realize I won't have access to the FRS channels unless I bring along a handheld so in that case I see the general radio moving to GMRS (I plan to keep the CB mounted though).

[Max]

Radio transmissions from inside a metal cage are suboptimal.

[Mad Maxx]

I realize I won't have access to the FRS channels unless I bring along a handheld

FRS and GMRS mostly share frequencies - I think you might be referring to how many GMRS mobile units exclude the low power channels (8-14 if you're counting all GMRS/FRS frequencies) but that's solved by just not using those channels - the group has plenty of other channels to choose from usable by any FRS/GMRS radio.

[Trevor?]

The reason GMRS mobiles do not have channels 8-14 is because the way the FCC's GMRS rules are written. I don't think its a particularly direct statement if I remember correctly, but effectively those channels are for handheld radios only. They can be used with FRS or GMRS handhelds... but it's gotta be a handheld. Any part 95 accepted GMRS mobile would have to comply to get accepted.