FCC Simplifies Rules for Personal Radio Services Devices

May 19, 2017 by Howard Buskirk|Industry Notes

The FCC approved making broad changes to the Part 95 personal radio services rules for Citizens Band radios; walkie-talkies; radio-controlled toy cars, boats and planes; hearing assistance devices; and more sophisticated apparatus including medical implants and personal locator beacons, said a news release. Most of the devices use low-power levels and don’t require a license. The Thursday vote was 3-0. The FCC modernizes the rules to “remove outdated requirements, and reorganize them to make it easier to find information,” it said. “The FCC addressed more than two dozen proposals submitted by interested parties. Today’s action will result in a more consistent, clear, and concise set of rules that will better serve the needs of the public.” Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Mike O’Rielly said they support simplifying the rules. O’Rielly asked what took so long. “I’m fairly certain ... when the notice for this item was released back in June 2010, no one ever imagined it would be presented at a commission meeting in May 2017,” he said. “Seven years later and no one has a great reason for the delay, though it’s clearly not the fault of the staff.” Over “the decades, CB radio slang has changed, but the FCC’s rules in this area have not,” Chairman Ajit Pai said. The FCC has a requirement that CB makers engrave the serial number into the transmitter chassis of each CB radio. “Whatever the merits of this rule when it was adopted 40 years ago, those merits have faded into memory, just like B.J. and the Bear,” Pai said. “And the costs of complying with it today greatly exceed any benefit from theft prevention and the like.” B.J. and the Bear was 1970s TV show featuring the adventures of a trucker and his monkey sidekick. On a day when the FCC approved the net neutrality NPRM 2-1 (see 1705180029), the rule changes got little respect. “I know you’re all dying to ask about the Part 95 item, so I will promise to make this brief,” Pai joked at the start of a news conference.