Understanding FCC Radio Service Codes: A Complete Reference

Every FCC license is categorized by a radio service code. Here's what the most common codes mean and how to use them to filter license searches.

The FCC Universal Licensing System categorizes every license by a radio service code — a one- or two-letter abbreviation that identifies the type of radio service authorized. Understanding these codes is essential for anyone doing serious research with FCC license data.

Amateur Radio Service Codes

HA — Amateur Radio (the main amateur radio service code)
HV — Amateur Radio Vanity (used for vanity call sign applications)

Personal Radio Service Codes (Part 95)

ZA — General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)
ZB — Family Radio Service (FRS — though FRS is unlicensed, some records exist)
ZC — 218–219 MHz Service
ZP — Personal Locator Beacons (PLB)

Maritime Service Codes

MA — Maritime Mobile (ship stations)
MP — Maritime Mobile (public correspondence/coast stations)
MX — Maritime Mobile (ship earth stations)
MY — Maritime Mobile (land earth stations)
WX — AMTS (Automated Maritime Telecommunications System)

Aviation Service Codes

AA — Aircraft Radio Station
AF — Aviation Fixed Service
AI — Aviation Instructional Communications
AX — Aviation Support Services
AC — Aeronautical and Fixed

Land Mobile Service Codes (Part 90)

GE — General Mobile Radio (not GMRS)
GO — Government Land Mobile
IG — Educational Broadband Service (EBS)
LP — Local Government
MG — Microwave
PA — Public Safety Pool
PW — Public Safety Pool — Nationwide
YK — Industrial/Business Pool
YM — Industrial/Business Pool — Nationwide

Using Service Codes in Searches

In the FCC ULS License Search, you can filter by radio service code to narrow results to a specific service type. This is essential when searching by licensee name, as a common name might return results across dozens of service categories. Filtering to HA returns only amateur radio licenses; filtering to ZA returns only GMRS licenses.