FCC license duration from application to license

Addressing your last question first, yes, you definitely should hire a professional to handle your initial application for an FCC license.?ÿ

I cannot guarantee the current policy, but in the past the FCC would grant a temporary authority to broadcast when frequency coordination was completed.?ÿ For RTK GPS/GNSS users, who typically are assigned the same 13 frequencies and do not go through the typical frequency-coordination process, this meant the temporary authority was effective when the license application was properly submitted to the FCC.

While operating under temporary authority, the licensee-to-be is required to broadcast (in Morse code) their telephone number instead of their still unissued call sign.?ÿ Then if there is an interference issue the affected parties have a way of contacting the offending party in the course of correcting the problem.?ÿ

You should (as in mandatory) have and use a radio scanner to make sure there is no traffic on the frequency on which you intend to broadcast before starting your transmitter.

My recommendation for licensing assistance is Atlas License Company & Data Services at www.alcds.com.?ÿ You can expedite the process by providing the information needed for application on their web page.

GB

Last modification I went through was about eight weeks from submittal to grant date. I am unclear about the temporary license, I would ask whoever you hire. I can also recommend National License ( http://nationalicense.com/), also in Indiana not far from Atlas. I did have a Motorola dealer do this once, but not impressed with results, later found a few errors whereby I was actually operating outside of my emissions designation. I think it best to work with a professional that specializes in that task (imagine that)!

SHG

I have used Atlas and would recommend them again.

One word of caution. For the next ten years, there will be unscrupulous companies that scour the FCC records and send you letters that imply you are not in compliance / your license is about to expire / recent rule changes make your immediate attention a requirement / whatever else they can come up with. They use a name that implies THEY ARE THE GOVERNMENT.

Don't fall for it. Read thru the BS and throw it away.?ÿ

James

When we purchased our first radio (20 years or so ago) the dealer temporarily put in their frequencies til we got our license.?ÿ Not sure if that can still be fine but couldn't hurt to ask.

Hang on. Since when does operating a 1 watt radio require an FCC license? Did I miss something? I thought that's why 1 watt radios were an option.?ÿ Why else would you want a 1 Watt radio??ÿ

Posted by: linebender

Hang on. Since when does operating a 1 watt radio require an FCC license? Did I miss something? I thought that's why 1 watt radios were an option.?ÿ Why else would you want a 1 Watt radio??ÿ

Since always, if you are in spectrum that requires licensing, there is no lower limit on power that exempts you from the FCC license if you are operating in a frequency that requires the license.

There are frequencies such as CB, FRS, MURS and spread spectrum in the 900Mhz range, etc. for example that DO NOT require licensing, BUT I believe ALL UHF/VHF frequencies in the commercial area require a FCC license regardless of power output.

SHG

Well, you learn something new every day. I'm glad we have a number of frequencies licensed. Maybe I got it mixed up with spread spectrum but somehow that seed got planted.?ÿ Probably a sales pitch.?ÿ

Posted by: Shelby H. Griggs PLS

.... BUT I believe ALL UHF/VHF frequencies in the commercial area require a FCC license regardless of power output.

SHG

FRS and GMRS are still in the UHF band.

FRS is family radio service and is not intended for business or commercial and that may have been your point. Just clarifying. Carry on!

James

I put together instructions on how to do it yourself for my JAVAD customers.?ÿ If your interested trying it yourself send me a private message or email.

Posted by: JaRo

Posted by: Shelby H. Griggs PLS

.... BUT I believe ALL UHF/VHF frequencies in the commercial area require a FCC license regardless of power output.

SHG

FRS and GMRS are still in the UHF band.

FRS is family radio service and is not intended for business or commercial and that may have been your point. Just clarifying. Carry on!

James

Yes, if you are in the UHF/VHF business bands licensing is required, not to say other services as you mentioned couldn't operate in those frequencies if you are using the radios for the appropriate use and on the appropriate frequencies.

I have a mobile VHF radio in my work truck that is capable of 136-172Mhz (of course getting a resonant antenna across such a wide range is about impossible, BUT receiver works OK). I have two licensed frequencies for business use in the 151.*** range, and I am a licensed amateur which allows me to operate with the same physical radio in the 144-148 Mhz range, plus I have the five MURS frequencies programmed in for emergency use (radio can ONLY be used on low power for those, 2W maximum), plus I am involved with local SAR/EMCOM activities and have a number of those frequencies programmed into the radio, (some with transmit inhibited so I don't do something stupid on a law enforcement frequency, like key down a mic inadvertently), others I am allowed to transmit on during missions. On top of all that, I can scan the NOAA weather channels. I think I have used up around 70-80 channels out of 512 on that radio, always adding and tweaking the setup. I can cable the radio to my laptop and change all the channels at any time, you just have to know what you can and can't legally do.

Radio isn't dead and in fact is quite a bit of fun and adds a lot of functionality to my tool box. I wish I knew what I now know about 20 years ago about radio, would of made the early days of RTK less of a mystery. As it turns out, I am now only using 900Mhz SS radio gear for RTK, but radio is radio whether licensed or unlicensed spectrum.

SHG