What is PMR446

PMR446 (Personal Mobile Radio, 446 MHz) is a radio frequency part of the UHF range that is open without licensing for usage in most countries of the European Union. Depending on surrounding terrain range can vary from a few hundred meters (in a city) to a few kilometers (flat countryside).

Range
The range of PMR446, is dependent on many factors like environment, your height above surrounding obstructions and to a very much lesser extent weather conditions. The antenna type and location, transmit power and receive sensitivity also affect range. However with PMR446 most of these variables are fixed at manufacturing to comply with the PMR446 specifications.

Range may be many kilometres e.g. from hilltop to hilltop, or only a few hundred meters if for example a hilltop or large metal construction are in the transmission path i.e. between radios.

Technical information
There are eight FM channels separated by 12.5kHz from each other. Per regulation, maximum power, like FRS, is 500mW EIRP and equipment must be handheld with a fixed antenna. CTCSS is usually used, with more upmarket models also featuring DCS.

Channel Frequency (MHz)
1 446.00625

2 446.01875

3 446.03125

4 446.04375

5 446.05625

6 446.06875

7 446.08125

8 446.09375