DesignGuy wrote:
I'm getting read to take the exam for a ham ticket next month. I was curious
to know if having a ham radio license precludes one from the GMRS license
requirement, so paying the $75 for the GMRS license is no longer necessary
for ham license holders?

No Sir...You are still requied to apply for the GMRS license if
you intend to operate on GMRS frequencies. Your Amateur license will
not be sufficient there.

Also, how long does it take to get the actual paper license from the FCC
with your callsign?

Can't answer that, but Amateur items are running around 2-4
weeks...The Good thing is that the FCC says you may operate as soon as
a callsign with your name on it appears in teh database.

BTW...Another poster suggests that "no one is bothering to apply
for GMRS licenses"...If you plan on doing nothing but using the simplex
channels on low power, you might get away with that...But operate on
someone's licensed repeater and you're likely to find that $75 was a
small price to pay for the legal trouble you could manifest.

Good luck.

Steve Robeson, LPN
Amateur Station K4YZ

Thanks in advance.