Garmin International, Inc.

In this document the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) amends its rules to permit Family Radio Service (FRS) units to transmit global positioning system (GPS) location information using emission type F2D in a digital burst of not more than one second, and to permit brief text messaging between FRS units. With the exception of automatically responding to interrogation requests spaced less than 30 seconds apart, an FRS unit shall limit transmission of digital data containing location information, requesting location information from any other FRS unit, or containing any brief text message to another FRS unit, to no more than once within any thirty-second period. The amendment will better serve the public interest by allowing FRS units equipped to transmit location information utilizing GPS technology and permit communication between FRS units through the use of brief text messaging. Equipped with GPS, an enhanced unit can be used to locate a lost family or group member in the woods, or at an amusement park. FRS units capable of transmitting brief text messages will likely reduce channel congestion and increase the usefulness of the service.