My GMRS License Application is Pending and Requires Examiner Intervention

[JrsRaptor1]

Does anyone know if the FCC has a maximum time limit for considering a paid and submitted (12/04/2023) application request for a GMRS license that has gone into an "Offlined for Basic Qualification Review" holding pattern?

Please note that I checked YES to the "Basic Qualifications" question on the GMRS application.

I continue to log on to my FCC's ULS account and check to see if my new call-sign is showing. Unfortunately, there has been no change in my application status yet.

Going on 48 days and counting.

I've called the FCC's customer service line several times regarding my application status. The best they can respond is to tell me what I already know from my FCC's ULS account and suggest that I continue checking.

Description	Details
Radio Service	ZA - General Mobile Radio (GMRS)
Application Status	2 - Pending

Date	Status
12/06/2023	Offlined for Basic Qualification Review
12/06/2023	Redlight Review Completed
12/04/2023	Payment Confirmed
12/04/2023	New Application Received

I continue to check and hope for the best in Phoenix, AZ.

As soon as I receive any updates, I will let you know.

_________

 

[hill]

The only issue I could see if someone checked yes for a felony or other abuse of radios wihich had FCC action which could require a review.

Most GMRS license are issued within 24 hours.

 

[prcguy]

Did you piss off a politician?

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

The FCC has very limited staff for reviewing the many applications they receive. Being that GMRS is sort of running on automatic, I doubt there are dedicated analysts for GMRS.

In 2022 I submitted a telemetry application for some NOAA frequencies and even though it had prior coordination, once it came back from IRAC it went to the back of the queue. Took an additional 3 months, for basically a rubber stamp.

 

[RaleighGuy]

Please note that I checked YES to the "Basic Qualifications" question on the GMRS application.

If you clicked yes to the basic qualifications question you admitted to having a felony conviction and needed to submit documentation of the arrest and conviction.

 

[JrsRaptor1]

RFI-EMI-GUY,​

Thank you for sharing your experience. Makes complete sense

-Jose

 

[alcahuete]

@RaleighGuy nailed it. If you selected Yes, you are checking that you are a convicted felon, and you are required to "attach an exhibit explaining the circumstances."

If you haven't done that, your application is never going to be approved. If you did, there is going to be a manual verification process involved.

 

[a417]

@RaleighGuy nailed it. If you selected Yes, you are checking that you are a convicted felon, and you are required to "attach an exhibit explaining the circumstances."

If you haven't done that, your application is never going to be approved. If you did, there is going to be a manual verification process involved.

plot twist, maybe the OP answered the question truthfully, and hasn't provided the information required?

 

[madrabbitt]

Item 28 This item enables the FCC to determine whether an Applicant is eligible under §§ 310(d) and 308(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, to hold or have ownership interest in a station license. Applicants are required to answer this questions only if 1) they are filing FCC Form 605 for one of the following purposes indicated in Item 2: New, Amendment, Modification, Renewal Only or Renewal/Modification; and 2) the answers have changed from those previously provided. Applicants using FCC Form 605 for any other purpose are not required to answer this question. [B]If the answer to item 28 ‘Y’, attach as an exhibit a statement explaining the circumstances and a statement giving the reasons why the Applicant believes that grant of the application would be in the public interest notwithstanding the actual or alleged misconduct.[/B]

From the form 605 instructions.

So, answering YES to #28 REQUIRES additional actions on the applicant's behalf (attach an exhibit) which then requires additional actions on the FCC's behalf (an actual government human to review.)

 

[JrsRaptor1]

Item 28 This item enables the FCC to determine whether an Applicant is eligible under §§ 310(d) and 308(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, to hold or have ownership interest in a station license. Applicants are required to answer this questions only if 1) they are filing FCC Form 605 for one of the following purposes indicated in Item 2: New, Amendment, Modification, Renewal Only or Renewal/Modification; and 2) the answers have changed from those previously provided. Applicants using FCC Form 605 for any other purpose are not required to answer this question. [B]If the answer to item 28 ‘Y’, attach as an exhibit a statement explaining the circumstances and a statement giving the reasons why the Applicant believes that grant of the application would be in the public interest notwithstanding the actual or alleged misconduct.[/B]

From the form 605 instructions.

So, answering YES to #28 REQUIRES additional actions on the applicant's behalf (attach an exhibit) which then requires additional actions on the FCC's behalf (an actual government human to review.)

Thank you for sharing this information.

I will consider that a government review carried out by a human being is a very time-consuming process.

With that being said, I shall continue to patiently wait.

 

[merlin]

Item 28 This item enables the FCC to determine whether an Applicant is eligible under §§ 310(d) and 308(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, to hold or have ownership interest in a station license. Applicants are required to answer this questions only if 1) they are filing FCC Form 605 for one of the following purposes indicated in Item 2: New, Amendment, Modification, Renewal Only or Renewal/Modification; and 2) the answers have changed from those previously provided. Applicants using FCC Form 605 for any other purpose are not required to answer this question. [B]If the answer to item 28 ‘Y’, attach as an exhibit a statement explaining the circumstances and a statement giving the reasons why the Applicant believes that grant of the application would be in the public interest notwithstanding the actual or alleged misconduct.[/B]

From the form 605 instructions.

So, answering YES to #28 REQUIRES additional actions on the applicant's behalf (attach an exhibit) which then requires additional actions on the FCC's behalf (an actual government human to review.)

I can't seem to find this specific document in the 605 instructions, can you give a link ?

 

[JrsRaptor1]

I can't seem to find this specific document in the 605 instructions, can you give a link ?

FCC Form 605 + Instructions ==> FCC Form 605

 

[madrabbitt]

Thank you for sharing this information.

I will consider that a government review carried out by a human being is a very time-consuming process.

With that being said, I shall continue to patiently wait.

you did do YOUR portion first, right? Uploading an exhibit document?

 

[steve9570]

Got mine last week. applied on Saturday got it Monday morning no problem.

WSAG457 Steve

 

[JrsRaptor1]

you did do YOUR portion first, right? Uploading an exhibit document?

Yes, of course. The upload of the documents they required was successful.

I spoke with the FCC on the phone today. All they said was to confirm that my application is still undergoing review by there team and to continue checking from time to time.

 

[madrabbitt]

then you are moving at the speed of government.

hope you brought snacks.

 

[mmckenna]

I spoke with the FCC on the phone today. All they said was to confirm that my application is still undergoing review by there team and to continue checking from time to time.

I applied for 2 new VHF frequencies for work back in early December. Took over a month for the FCC to finally issue the license, even with all the paperwork in order.

GMRS, as pointed out by others, is usually quick. It'll often fly through the system.

But if there is something that requires a more in depth look, it slows way down.
Sounds like you've done everything you need to. Now it's "hurry up and wait".

 

[JrsRaptor1]

I thought this FCC form I downloaded from their website was interesting.

FCC FORM 605 Schedule F

Temporary Operator Permit for the Ship, Aircraft, Restricted Radiotelephone, Restricted Radiotelephone-Limited Use, and GMRS Radio Services

https://transition.fcc.gov/Forms/Form605/605f.pdf

______

 

[vagrant]

That is interesting…and a very long callsign.

 

[Coffeemug]

There are sometimes that I wished that I had applied for a GMRS license sooner than I did. I should have applied back in 1994 or 1995, since I was the age where I acquire a GMRS license without having my parents sign. I already had access to a GMRS repeater, but it was used for Town Watch operations, so I probably couldn't really use it other for Town Watch. The first radio I bought was a YAESU FTH7008 UHF, which was good radio, but don't talk too long, it heated up quick.
Speaking of Call-Signs, I sort of wish the FCC would allow vanity call like with the Amateur Radio Service, but they don't. Anyway, I'm happy with the Call-Sign that I was issued.