PMR

1. PMR 446 is a handportable, short-range, voice-only communication system. It provides a basic but effective radio service for both business and non-business users, and is ideal for providing communication over short distances (e.g. within office buildings, factories and building sites). Please note that it is for speech transmissions only
2. The PMR 446 service is licence-exempt; you do not require a licence to use PMR 446, as long as they comply with the requirements in Section 4 below

There are eight 12.5 kHz simplex frequencies, which you may use anywhere in the UK. These frequencies have been harmonised (but not necessarily authorised) for use across Europe. The channel centre frequencies are:

1. 446.00625 MHz
2. 446.01875 MHz
3. 446.03125 MHz
4. 446.04375 MHz
5. 446.05625 MHz
6. 446.06875 MHz
7. 446.08125 MHz
8. 446.09375 MHz

Because the frequencies are shared, you may experience interference and channel-sharing problems if there are many other PMR 446 users locally. You may be able to reduce these problems by changing your frequency, CTCSS tone and/or DCS code. PMR 446 is not suitable for safety-of-life use, or for users who need access to frequencies at particular locations and times.

As a licence-exempt service, PMR 446 is unprotected. Ofcom (the Office of Communications) will not get involved in interference or channel-sharing disputes between users.

PMR 446 Radio equipment must:

• Be handportable;
• Have an integral antenna;
• Have a maximum effective radiated power (ERP) of 500mW; and
• Comply with European standard ETS 300 296 if placed on the market before 8 April 2001, or the UK Interface Requirement 2009 after this date.