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THE FACTS ABOUT “PMR446”: LICENSE FREE TWO WAY WALKIE TALKIES MADE SIMPLE!
It’s official title is PMR446, which in brief means License Free Walkie Talkies. In spring of 1999 the Government with the European Union agreed to free up the frequency 446 MHz for non—licensed hand portable radio use. So you can use these radios in most of Europe but not in countries such as the USA. It is a short range voice only communication system which provides a basic, but very effective radio service for both the business and non-business user. The radios need no license and there are no call charges to pay. It can be used by anyone of any age.
The frequencies are shared which means you may get interference in heavily used areas. To reduce this there are up to 8 channels available, each with 38 different codes and a number of Digital Codes called (DCS) this gives a maximum of 304 analogue channel options and numerous DCS options. Changing channels, CTCSS or DCS tones should mean you can find a clear channel in your operating are, but this is not guaranteed.
To conform to PMR446 legislation radios must be hand portable and have no more than 0.5 Watts output.
Click here for more information regarding Ofcome & PMR446 Radio.
WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM PMR 446?
It can be used by any age group and is frequently used in the business community. License free radio is now basically being used in all walks of life. Existing users communicate in offices, leisure centres, factories, on building sites, airfields as well numerous others. Consumers can use them on the ski slopes, out cycling, walking or at the shopping centre. Others take advantage of the voice activated options available on some consumer models and use them as long range baby monitors.
WHAT IS THE RANGE?
In an open area License free radios can achieve a talk range of up to 3 Km, perhaps even more if the conditions are right. In built up areas the range can be restricted to perhaps 0.5 Km, but this is really dependent on how clear the path is between you and the other person to whom you are communicating.
ARE THEY DIFFICULT TO USE?
These radios are not difficult to use and they fall into two brackets
- Business PMR446 radios – Tough, high quality and designed for business environments
- Consumer PMR446 radios- Generally multi-coloured, smaller with shorter lifespans and more suited for light usage
To summarise PMR446 Walkie Talkies are ideal for short range communications for business or pleasure in most of Europe, they are fun and totally free to run. Call the experts for more information!
WHERE CAN I USE THE RADIO
These radios can be used throughout the UK for business or pleasure. It is also legal to use these radios on holiday abroad in most EU countries.
At the last count PMR446 radios are approved in 33 countries in Europe:-
| Country | PMR 446 introduced? | Deviations from ERC Decisions and other comments |
|
Austria |
Yes |
No deviations |
|
Belgium |
Yes |
No deviations |
|
Bulgaria |
Yes |
No deviations |
|
Croatia |
Yes |
Importing approval procedure to check that R&TTE Directive essential requirements are fulfilled and marking is correct. |
|
Cyprus |
Yes |
Implemented 30 April 2004. No further authorisation required for conformant transmitters/stations. |
|
Czech Republic |
Yes |
No deviations |
|
Denmark |
Yes |
No deviations |
|
Estonia |
Yes |
No deviations |
|
Finland |
Yes |
No deviations. More features than mentioned in these Decisions allowed |
|
France |
Yes |
No deviations |
|
Germany |
Yes |
Probably no deviations |
|
Greece |
Yes |
No deviations |
|
Hungary |
Yes |
No deviations |
|
Iceland |
Yes |
No deviations |
|
Ireland |
Yes |
No deviations |
|
Italy |
Yes |
ERC/DEC(98)25 implemented. Risk of interference from Fixed links until 31 December 2004. The use of the frequencies for fixed links will cease on 31.12.2004 |
|
Latvia |
Yes | |
|
Liechtenstein |
Yes |
No deviations |
|
Lithuania |
Yes |
No deviations |
|
Luxembourg |
Yes | |
|
The Netherlands |
Yes |
No deviations |
|
Monaco |
No |
Frequencies used by other, individually licensed networks |
|
Norway |
Yes |
The use of the frequencies for fixed links will cease 1.1.2005. Risk of interference from fixed links until 1.1.2005. |
|
Poland |
Yes |
National type approval, individual licensing |
|
Portugal |
Yes |
No deviations |
|
Romania |
Partly |
Two lowest and the highest channels not available. Individual licence, only for business use. National marking and type approval. |
|
Russian Federation |
Under study | |
|
Slovenia |
Yes |
No deviations |
|
Spain |
Yes |
No deviations |
|
Sweden |
Yes |
Licence exemption for equipment according to the relevant standards according to the requirements of the R&TTE directive Another similar use on 6 channels above 444 MHz on 25 kHz channel spacing is already licence exempt. |
|
Switzerland |
Yes |
No deviations. |
|
Turkey |
Yes |
Individual licence required (but licence exemption is being considered). Test reports recognised. |
|
United Kingdom |
Yes |
No deviations |
See below for the buyer’s guide to PMR446 Radio.
