Deregulation; here’s your opportunity to make a difference!

[SteveShannon]

The FCC has released the following document inviting comments on where to deregulate.
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-25-219A1.pdf

Comments Due: Friday, April 11, 2025

Reply Comments Due: Monday, April 28, 2025

Through a series of Executive Orders, President Trump has called on administrative agencies to unleash prosperity through deregulation and ensure that they are efficiently delivering great results for the American people.1

By this Public Notice, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC) is taking action to promote the policies outlined by President Trump in those Executive Orders. Specifically, we are seeking public input on identifying FCC rules for the purpose of alleviating unnecessary regulatory burdens. We seek comment on deregulatory initiatives that would facilitate and encourage American firms’ investment in modernizing their networks, developing infrastructure, and offering innovative and advanced capabilities. The Communications Act directs the FCC to regularly review its rules to identify and eliminate those that are unnecessary in light of current circumstances,2 recognizing that in addition to imposing unnecessary burdens,3 unnecessary rules may stand in the way of deployment, expansion, competition, and technological innovation.

[WRYZ926]

That could be a really good thing or it can open up a can of worms that we don't want.

I say that because we all know some people want to turn GMRS into HAM Lite. We don't have enough frequencies/channels available for linking repeaters or different digital modes, etc, etc.

I would hate to see GMRS turn into what the Chicken Band (CB) has become.

[SteveShannon]

12 minutes ago, WRYZ926 said:

That could be a really good thing or it can open up a can of worms that we don't want.

I say that because we all know some people want to turn GMRS into HAM Lite. We don't have enough frequencies/channels available for linking repeaters or different digital modes, etc, etc.

I would hate to see GMRS turn into what the Chicken Band (CB) has become.

Yes, I am always concerned about unintended consequences when changes are made to satisfy people who don’t fully understand the history and context of rules.

[Socalgmrs]

We need to get FRS off of 15-22 for starters.  Then we need dedicated repeater frequency pairs that are not shared with simplex.   Then we need the fcc to enforce the rules that are already in place.  

[SteveShannon]

1 hour ago, Socalgmrs said:

We need to get FRS off of 15-22 for starters.  Then we need dedicated repeater frequency pairs that are not shared with simplex.   Then we need the fcc to enforce the rules that are already in place.  

Here’s your chance to make a difference!

[UncleYoda]

The notice doesn't give us much to go on regarding what they're looking for.  Would clarification of existing regs be relevant?  Or are they looking more for things like eliminating licensing for GMRS?  I could comment on things I care about but I am not likely to help them cut costs significantly.  I agree with SoCal's points and have a few of my own but I'm not convinced anything I suggest would receive serious consideration.

[MaxHeadroom]

2 hours ago, Socalgmrs said:

We need to get FRS off of 15-22 for starters.  Then we need dedicated repeater frequency pairs that are not shared with simplex.   Then we need the fcc to enforce the rules that are already in place.  

That rule will NEVER be rolled back from 2017 - the entire reason it was changed was because no one was getting their license for their 2W bubble pack radios as it was. There's literally zero way that Pandora's Box will ever be shut again at this point. 

As others have said - this is for DE-regulation. The FCC I guarantee will not be hearing stuff about GMRS and linking and other hand-wringing issues that could have been in their own NPRM/petition that no one has bothered doing until now anyway. This is not the "lazy way out" of doing your own due diligence as the GMRS community as before.

I am surprised that yet again I have to comment about how FCC rulemaking works, but I am sure a bunch of armchair experts that have never dealt with the FCC outside their amateur/family service licenses will come once more to say how I am wrong. I will be sure to pop come popcorn and come back in a month or two to see the hilarity that ensues as always.

[WRYZ926]

I bet the comments will range from sensible to totally hare brain/off the wall and everything in between. This can be a double edged sword for everyone. They might deregulate things for commercial users and broadcast services that greatly affect amateur and GMRS uses. Or the FCC could make changes that will help amateur/GMRS bands. We just don't know at this point.

I have to agree that the cat is out of the bag and long gone when it comes to separating FRS and GMRS. Too many of the FRS/GMRS blister pack radios were sold over the years. And the manufacturers never really mentioned the need for a license on the packages of those blister pack GMRS radios. The license requirements were in small print in the instructions that most people never read.

[WRUE951]

this is geared to de-regulate the big TV/telecom/internet industry and will have zero impact on GMRS..  So to the folks that think this is their gate to 'heaven' to loosen the rains on GMRS,,  think again, the FCC will not waste a second reading letters that we need Linking, etc..  

[GreggInFL]

Require one test and issue licenses based on the test score.

[WRYZ926]

15 minutes ago, GreggInFL said:

Require one test and issue licenses based on the test score.

That would really make the old curmudgeons mad, they are still belly aching about the removal of the CW code requirements.

I have to agree that any de-regulations will be geared towards the big TV/telecom/internet industry. I just hope that amateur radio and GMRS are not negatively affected. We already lost part of the 1.25m/220 MHz band to UPS and they have never used it. And we have at least one company trying to get a portion of the 900 MHz band that will basically wipe out Meshtastic.

[SteveShannon]

I would suggest that all language relating to Fixed Stations be stricken from the GMRS regulations. Incremental improvements still help.

[WSHH887]

Maybe out of line, but when an agency feels threatened they usually do something to punish the public. Happened here when voters drastically reduced property taxes in the 70's. 
Eliminating regs could chaos and that could be the punishment for having their power and numbers reduced. 
 

If this is unacceptable, mods please eliminate the post. 

[FishinGary]

What they're asking is awfully vague. Umm... maybe don't screw around with the amateur bands? I'd word it more politely than that obviously.

[GrouserPad]

People. It’s government. They aren’t ever going to make anything better. 

[nokones]

On 3/13/2025 at 7:44 AM, WRYZ926 said:

I would hate to see GMRS turn into what the Chicken Band (CB) has become.

If that does happen, you won't have to worry about any skip and hearing Bubba broadcasting from Oh My Gosh Kentucky unless they allow linking again.