The MRA communications committee offers a service to the MRA website to help member teams with their Radio communications. To ensure seamless radio operations during normal operations and support mutual aid deployments as well as out-of-state missions, the Communications Committee is able to provide a Frequency Authorization Letter (FAL) to all recognized member teams. If your team does not have local authorization or license, this FAL can be used to cover transmissions on the national MRA channels (155.1600* MHz or 155.2350).

Signing the FAL grants your team formal permission to transmit on under the MRA’s FCC license (WPUA365) at no cost. This ensures legal authorization to transmit inside and outside of your local agency’s response area.

*Note: VSAR16 is listed in the NIFOG as a SAR common narrow-banded channel broadcasting on 155.1600 MHz. with a recommended tone of 127.3 Hz (CTCSS).

Inclusion of VSAR16 is recommended in your radio’s channels set. Follow the incident communications plan and applicable authorization requirements of your local region.

How to Obtain An Authorization Letter for Your Team

• Complete the brief MRA FAL Request Form LINK

• Once submitted, we will verify your membership status against the official MRA roster or with your regional representative.
• Once verified, an official document will be sent to you for e-signature.

Once completed you are covered under the MRA’s national license. Your team enters into a 3-year, non-transferable authorization to transmit on MRA1/VSAR16 (155.160 MHz) strictly for search and rescue operations, training, and official business under the MRA’s national FCC license. In exchange, your team agrees to operate in full compliance with FCC Part 90 regulations and MRA policies, use FCC-certified radio equipment, coordinate usage during mutual-aid responses, and provide basic annual administrative updates (such as updated contact details and radio counts).

You can view a sample copy of this agreement in our Google Drive folder before signing.

If you need assistance with this process or have any questions about the national frequency, please reach out to the MRA communications committee at comms@mra.org.