What is PMR446?

Saturday 28th January 2023

PMR446 is a range of frequencies that can be used for radio communications without the need for a licence to use the equipment. Most radio frequencies require a licence to use them but, within the European Union, the PMR446 range can be used by anyone without the need for a license

PMR446 is licence exempt, which means that any equipment made to operate on the 16 PMR frequencies (channels) can be used by anyone without the need to contact their local licencing authority.

What does PMR stand for?
PMR stands for Private Mobile Radio.

Why do some radios need a licence to use them?
The radio spectrum is very large but there are also many services and technologies that need to use it. Television, mobile phones, satellite communications, baby monitors, WiFi, and Bluetooth are just some of the technologies that are using the radio spectrum. If any manufacturer was able to choose any frequency they liked then many of these technologies would interfere with each other and systems would not work.

To ensure all technologies have their own frequencies, each country has a body to regulate the allocation and licensing of frequencies. Licensed frequencies can be rented by individuals and companies to provide their own services without interference from other users.

What are PMR Channels?
Since 2018, there are sixteen PMR446 channels (frequencies) that can be used without a licence. These 16 channels are in the range of 446.0MHz to 446.2MHz. This means that there is a space of 12.5KHz between the channels.

When using a PMR446 radio, you may occasionally find that someone else is transmitting on one or more of the 16 channels. You are free to change your equipment to any of the other channels provided by the device to allow your group to communicate clearly without hearing other people's conversations.

PMR446 frequencies list
The sixteen PMR446 frequencies (channels) are spaced at xt600d_series_manufacturing-1280x1280.jpeg12.5KHz (12,500 Hz) between 446.0MHz and 446.2MHz (446,000,000 and 446,200,000 Hz). To discuss your PMR opportunities or to learn more, please contact