How to Register Walkie Talkie Radios

Walkie-talkies

You do not need a license to operate an FCC-certified ( (Federal Communications Commission)) Family Service Radio (FRS) walkie-talkie. The down side is FRS walkie-talkies are restricted to a range of about 1 to 2 miles. If you want a walkie-talkie with a broader broadcast range capacity, you can use a General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) radio. GMRS walkie-talkies have a 5- to 25-mile range. But because the broadcast capacity is greater, you need to obtain a license from the FCC in order to legally operate a GMRS walkie-talkie.

Things You'll Need

• Money for fees

Instructions

Obtaining a License to Operate a GMRS Walkie-Talkie

1. Print out FCC Form 605 from the FCC website.

2. Fill out the form and mail it back to the FCC along with the appropriate fee. As of March 2010, the new application fee for form 605 is $85. But the FCC frequently changes its application fees. Use the Fee Filing Guide link to make sure that this fee is still accurate.

3. Register with the FCC's "Universal Licensing System" if you prefer to apply for your GMRS license online. The Universal Licensing system supports only Windows 98, NT, 2000, ME, XP and Vista operating systems with Internet Explorer 8 and 6, Firefox 2 or Netscape 8.1 browsers. You will also need to download the Sun Microsystem's Java Plug-in at http://java.sun.com/products/archive/j2se/6u5/index.html.

Tips & Warnings

• A General Mobile Radio Service license is good for five years, and then must be renewed. The family member who is the GMRS licensee is responsible for the proper use of the GMRS radio system by all family members, at all times.

• The FCC has regulated that GMRS radios may only be used among family members--both immediate and extended. They can be used "over the general area of your residence or during recreational group outings, such as camping or hiking."

• If you want to engage in private two-way radio communication with a broadcast range above 5 miles for business operation purposes, you need an industrial-business radio license. Alternatively, you could also use a Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS) radio. You do not need a license to operate an FCC certified MURS radio. MURS walkie-talkies may be used for either "personal or business activities of the general public." MURS radios have a transmission power of 2 watts, compared to the half of a watt power of FRS walkie-talkies.

References

• FCC: General Mobile Radio Service
• FCC: Universal Licensing System
• USA Today: Walkie-talkies still fit in the dreams of little boys

Resources

• FCC Form 605
• FCC Fee Filing Guide