GPS Repeaters – Current Legislation (USA)

In the United States, the spectrum used to support GPS operations is allocated to the Radio Navigation Satellite Service (RNSS) on a shared basis for Government and non-Government use and is thus managed jointly by FCC and NTIA.

The NTIA has placed restrictions on the use of GPS repeaters out of concern for interference to critical Federal RNSS applications (e.g., aviation).

There is a process for obtaining NTIA approval to operate GPS repeaters in certain situations which is described in Chapter 8 (8.3.28 to 8.3.30) of the “Red Book” NTIA Manual of Regulations and Procedures for Federal Radio Frequency Management.

Click here to link to the “Red Book”

Operation of a GPS repeater system requires an FCC experimental license, which can be obtained through the FCC Experimental Licensing website.

Three-step process to obtain a license:

Step 1 – Obtain an FCC Registration Number (FRN) that is used in all future communication with the FCC here
Register yourself or your business at the FCC Commission Registration System (CORES)

The FRN is generated when the form is submitted.

Step 2 – Obtain an experimental license here
Use Form 442 for initial filings and Form 405 to renew an existing license.

Step 3 – Enter technical data relating to the antenna application; as soon as the application has been submitted in Step 2 click on the “Technical Data” button.
This part of the process must be completed within 30 calendar days of filing for an experimental license.