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What is an FCC Part 90 radio license?

Part 90 is the part of the FCC rules used by many business, industrial, public-safety and other private land-mobile radio systems. The license tells you what the station is authorized to do.

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A license is more than a frequency list

Commercial two-way radio users often think of the FCC license as simply permission to use a frequency. In practice, the authorization can also identify operating locations, station classes, emission designators, mobile units and other technical conditions.

Items worth checking

  • What frequencies are authorized?
  • Is the authorization for a base, repeater, mobile or other station class?
  • Where may fixed equipment operate?
  • What emissions or bandwidths are authorized?
  • Does the configuration match analog or digital operation?
  • Does a proposed change require modification or coordination?
Programming and licensing are separate questionsA radio may be technically capable of transmitting on a frequency even when the customer is not authorized to operate there. Programming should be based on the actual authorization, not simply on what the radio can do.

When frequency coordination enters the process

Many Part 90 applications require review by a certified frequency coordinator. A radio service company can help gather system details, but formal coordination should be handled through the appropriate certified coordinator when required.

Need help reviewing an existing license?

Homestead Radio Systems can help translate the technical information into a practical radio plan and identify questions that should be resolved before programming equipment.