PMR446

PMR446 (personal mobile radio, 446 MHz) is a part of the UHF radio frequency ran
ge that is open without licensing for business and personal use in most countrie
s of the European Union.[1] (It has roughly the same use as FRS or GMRS in the U
nited States and Canada.) Depending on surrounding terrain range can vary from a
few hundred metres (in a city) to a few kilometres (flat countryside) to many k
ilometres from high ground. It is ideal for small-site, same-building and line o
f sight outdoor activities. PMR446 is used in both professional and consumer-gra
de walkie-talkies (similar to those used for FRS/GMRS in the United States and C
anada).
Historically, analogue FM is used but a digital voice mode has been available in
radios conforming to digital private mobile radio (dPMR446) and digital mobile
radio (DMR Tier 1) standards designed by ETSI.
Radio Types[edit]
Commonly the definition of a PMR446 radio is a transceiver which transmits betwe
en 446.0 446.1 MHz and digital dPMR/DMR cover 446.1 446.2 MHz. Until recently, PMR446 ra
dios were handheld radios with fixed antennas (see Technical information). In No
vember 2015, Midland Radio announced the release of the GB1 mobile PMR446 radio
for vehicular use.[2][3][4]
History[edit]
The first steps towards creating licence-free short range radio communications w
ere taken in April 1997 when the European Radio Communications Committee decided
on a 446 MHz frequency band to be used for the new radios. In November 1998 ano
ther three decisions followed which designated the new frequency band for PMR446
, established licence exemption for PMR446 equipment and established free circul
ation of the PMR446 equipment. The first country which introduced these frequenc
ies for licence-free use was Ireland and it did so on 1 April 1998. The United K
ingdom introduced PMR446 service in April 1999. Since 2003, PMR446 has replaced
the former short-range business radio (SRBR) service. For an updated list of cur
rent status in different European countries, see the page of European Radiocommu
nications Office.
In addition to PMR446, some countries in the EU have begun to introduce LPD433 (
low power device 433 MHz) licence-free short range transceiver radios as part of
short range device regulations. These radios give an additional 69 channels (LP
D433) which can be used with CTCSS or DCS to improve co-operation on shared chan
nels. These extra channels have been introduced to reduce the burden on the 8 PM
R446 channels over shorter distances (<1 km).
Range[edit]
The range of PMR446, just like any VHF or UHF radio, is dependent on many factor
s like environment (in-city range is far less than in an open field), height abo
ve surrounding obstructions, and, to a lesser extent, weather conditions. The an
tenna type and location, transmit power and receive sensitivity also affect rang
e. However, with PMR446 most of these variables are fixed at manufacturing to co
mply with the PMR446 specifications. Most of the time the maximum range that a u
ser in a city can expect is a few hundred metres or less.
Range may be many kilometres, for example between hilltops, or only a few hundre
d metres, if for example a hill or large metal object is in the transmission pat
h between radios. The best known long distance record is 333 mi (535.8 km) from
Blyth in the United Kingdom to Almere, Netherlands.[5] This was the result of en
hanced propagation conditions, not a line-of-sight signal.
Usage worldwide[edit]
PMR446 radios use frequencies that in the U.S. and Canada are allocated to amate

ur radio operators. PMR446 radios can only be used in North America by licensed
amateur radio operators. The conflicting allocations have been something of a nu
isance to North American amateur operators due to use of the equipment by Europe
an tourists in the U.S. and Canada.[citation needed]
Instead, the U.S. and Canada uses the FRS system, which provides a similar servi
ce on slightly different frequencies. FRS frequencies are allocated to the emerg
ency services in Europe, notably the fire brigade in the UK, police in Russia.[6
] Interference with licensed radio services may result in prosecution.
PMR446 compliant equipment may be used anywhere throughout Europe except in Mont
enegro.[citation needed]
Technical information[edit]
Analogue PMR446 covers band 446.0 446.1 MHz and digital dPMR/DMR cover 446.1 446.2 MHz;
CEPT envisions that the digital band may be extended onto analogue band in the f
uture.
Radios may now have removable antennas as long as the ERP does not exceed 500 mW
.[7]
Analogue FM[edit]
Kenwood TK3301 and TK3501 PMR446 radios
Analogue PMR uses eight FM channels separated by 12.5 kHz from each other. Per r
egulation, maximum power, like FRS, is 500 mW ERP and equipment must be used on
a mobile basis. CTCSS is usually used, with more upmarket models also featuring
DCS.
PMR446 gateways[edit]
Recently some users have implemented the simplex repeater system, a cheap and ea
sy way to extend the radio range by using extra radios connected to a small repe
ater controller. This is also known as "Parrot", "ATX-2000" or just "Echo Repeat
er" after how it sounds repeating every transmission it receives.[10]
PMR446 gateways extend the range of PMR446. These gateways are connected through
internet using a client/server VoIP system such as eQSO or the Free Radio Netwo
rk