Family Radio Service (FRS):
Additional Information Resources

PRSG has additional information about the controversial history of the Family Radio Service. They are available in one or two media:

1. In a ZIP-compressed ASCII text format available through this Web site. The size of each ZIP-compressed file is shown below. You can initiate the download by clicking on the following symbol:

2. In print available from the PRSG. (Most of these printed items were originally distributed with earlier issues of the Personal Radio Exchange, or PRE, the PRSG's bi-monthly printed newsletter (now replaced by the electronic version of this newsletter). You can order by sending the indicated amount (or where not marked, an amount of $1 per page and a minimum of $3 per item) with a minimum of $10 per order. Send your request and payment to: PRSG, PO Box 2851, Ann Arbor, MI 48106.

   The list below is organized by docket action and chronology of the original date of composition, publication, submission or official release. Please note that some items contain materials that are also duplicated in other nearby items.

   Docket Actions:

     >  FCC Docket PR 87-265 (adopted the current GMRS Rules in 1988)
     >  RM 8499 (Tandy's petition to create the Family Radio Service)
     >  FCC Docket WT 95-102 (the FCC's proposal to create the Family Radio Service)

   FRS Home Page | PRSG Home Page

   ---

   FCC Docket PR 87-265

   • Report and Order (R&O) in FCC Docket 87-265, October 1988. This important FCC document established that GMRS was intended for personal and family communications, and that GMRS should not become "the other Business Radio Service." (Existing GMRS non-personal licensees were grandfathered.) FRS use of GMRS spectrum for business and commercial purposes (as is now permitted by the FCC on FRS channels within the GMRS spectrum) directly violates this policy, but the FCC made no proposal to change this earlier policy or even to acknowledge that allocating GMRS spectrum to the FRS violates this long-standing policy. Printed version (PRSG publication code C.A.6, which also includes the GMRS rules current only to March 1993): 36 pages, $7. Electronic version (R&O only): 87265RO.ZIP (22 KB):
   Top of Page | List of Contents | FRS Home Page | PRSG Home Page

   ---

   RM 8499
   (Tandy's Petition)

   • Petition RM-8499, "Amendment of the Commission's rules to establish a new radio service." This is Tandy's original petition, as was filed with the FCC on July 20, 1994. Printed version (PRSG publication code E.36.a): 17 pages, $5. Electronic version: available by special request.

   • "Radio Shack seeks to put unlicensed service in GMRS band." August 1994. This publication, originally distributed with PRSG's July/August 1994 PRE newsletter, summarized the Tandy petition (RM-8499). Printed version (PRSG publication code E.36.b): 2 pages, $2.

   • PRSG comments filed in opposition to Tandy's petition, August 1994 (PRSG publication code E.36.aa). 25 pages, $10. Electronic version: available by special request.

   • Copy of all comments (including PRSG comments) filed to Tandy's petition, August 1994. This is a ZIP-compiled collection of all comments supporting and opposing Tandy's petition. Electronic version: available by special request.

   • PRSG reply comments responding to others' comments to Tandy's petition. Electronic version: available by special request.

   • Copy of all reply comments (including PRSG reply) filed to Tandy's petition. This is a ZIP-compiled collection of all replies to others' comments. Electronic version: available by special request.

   • "Summary and editorial discussion; comments and replies to the petition to create a new Family Radio Service." October 1994. Originally distributed with PRSG's October 1994 PRE newsletter, this publication summarized the various comments filed to Tandy's petition. Printed version (PRSG publication code E.36.c): 6 pages, $3.

   • Compilation of all text files (Tandy's petition, all comments, all replies) associated with the Tandy petition. Electronic version: available by special request.

   Top of Page | List of Contents | FRS Home Page | PRSG Home Page

   ---

   FCC Docket WT 95-102
   (the FCC proposal and rules)

   • "FCC proposes to create the Family Radio Service." August 1995. Originally distributed with PRSG's August/September 1995 PRE newsletter, this publication reprinted the entire FCC NPRM and added PRSG annotations about the implications and potential impact of each section. Printed version (PRSG publication code E.36.e): 8 pages, $4. Electronic version of the NPRM alone (without PRSG annotations and editorial comment): available by special request.

   • "The Family Radio Service and the politics of misinformation." August 1995. Originally distributed with PRSG's August/September 1995 PRE newsletter, this publication discussed the politics of the FRS proposal, and the "hidden agendas" that some parties brought to this FRS docket. Printed version (PRSG publication code E.36.h): 2 pages, $2. Electronic version: available by special request.

   • PRSG Comments to the FRS NPRM. October 1995. PRSG commented at length about the various problems with the FRS proposal. FAX version: code 1/04 (25 pages). Electronic version: available by special request.

   • Compilation of all comments (including PRSG comments) submitted to the FRS NPRM, October 1995. Electronic version: available by special request.

   • PRSG Reply Comments to the FRS NPRM. October 1995. PRSG listed and replied to each of the comments filed in the FRS docket. Electronic version: available by special request.

   • "Summary of comments and replies filed in response to an NPRM to create the Family Radio Service." April 1996. Originally distributed with PRSG's March/April 1996 PRE newsletter, this publication summarized all comments and replies filed to this NPRM. Printed version (PRSG publication code E.36.j): 4 pages, $3. Electronic version: available by special request.

   • Report and Order (R&O) adopting the FRS rules. May 1996, 12 pages, $6. Originally distributed with PRSG's March/April 1996 PRE newsletter, this publication includes PRSG annotations and editorial commentary. This publication is also available on this Web site for your on-line review.
   • PRSG news release in response to the FCC's R&O on the FRS. May 1996. Printed version (PRSG publication code E.36.m): 2 pages, $2.
   • PRSG petition for reconsideration of a report and order, July 5, 1996, 18 pages, $9. The PRSG petition requesting that the FCC change or add certain rules to those recently adopted for the FRS. Electronic version: available by special request.

   • Petition for stay of the FRS rules, July 8, 1996, 3 pages, $2. The PRSG request for delay of implementation of the FRS rules. PRSG publication code E.36.n.

   • PRSG news release announcing PRSG's petition for reconsideration of the FRS rules, July 8, 1996. 2 pages, $2. PRSG publication code E.36.o.

   • Petition for partial reconsideration, July 3, 1996, 7 pages, $4. Petition by Dr. Michael Trahos for partial reconsideration clarifying the permissibility of GMRS/FRS interservice communications. PRSG publication code: E.36.q.

   • Opposition to petition to stay, July 9, 1996, 4 pages, $2. Tandy's opposition to the PRSG petition for stay. PRSG publication code: E.36.r.

   • Opposition to petitions for reconsideration, July 15, 1996, 10 pages, $5. Tandy's opposition to the PRSG petition for reconsideration. PRSG publication code: E.36.s.

   • Opposition of Motorola to petition for reconsideration, August 8, 1996, 4 pages, $2. Motorola's opposition to the PRSG petition for reconsideration. PRSG publication code: E.36.t.

   • PRSG reply to oppositions to a petition for reconsideration of a report and order, August 17, 1996, 9 pages. $5. PRSG's reply to the Tandy and Motorola oppositions. PRSG publication code: E.36.u. Electronic version: available on special request.

   • Reply comments in response to petition for partial reconsideration, August 16, 1996, 12 pages, $6. Reply comments by Dr. Michael Trahos to the Tandy and Motorola oppositions. PRSG publication code: E.36.q2.

   • Motion to strike portions of reply to opposition to petition for reconsideration, August 28, 1996. 4 pages, $2. Tandy's highly extraordinary request that the FCC delete certain language from the PRSG's Reply to oppositions, particularly with reference to Tandy's apparent intention to use FRS for "baby monitors." PRSG publication code: E.36.v. [NOTE: As of Spring 2001, Tandy now sells an FRS "room monitor" that performs this very function!)

   • PRSG opposition to a motion to strike portions of a reply to oppositions to a petition for reconsideration, September 9, 1996, 7 pages, $4. PRSG publication code: E.36.w.

   • Reconsideration of the FCC's "family radio service" rules, September 1996, 4 pages, $2. Discusses the PRSG petition for reconsideration and the subsequent docket filings shown above. PRSG publication code: E.36.x. Originally distributed with PRSG's September/October 1996 PRE newsletter. Electronic version: available on special request.

   • FCC Memorandum Opinion and Order denying PRSG's request for reconsideration of certain FRS rules, but (in response to a request from Motorola) reaffirming the FCC's intent that FRS radios must use non-detachable antennas. Electronic version: available on special request.
   Top of Page | List of Contents | FRS Home Page | PRSG Home Page

   ---