PMR446 Frequencies in the UK: Channels, Rules and When You Need a Licensed Radio
PMR446 radios are the licence-free walkie-talkies used on building sites, at events, in warehouses and on farms across the UK. They are cheap, simple and need no paperwork. They also have firm limits, and knowing where those limits sit can save a business from spending money on the wrong kit. Here are the UK PMR446 frequencies, the rules that come with them, and the signs it is time to move up to licensed radio.
UK PMR446 Frequencies
PMR446 uses 16 analogue channels between 446.0 and 446.2 MHz, spaced 12.5 kHz apart:
- Channel 1: 446.00625 MHz
- Channel 2: 446.01875 MHz
- Channel 3: 446.03125 MHz
- Channel 4: 446.04375 MHz
- Channel 5: 446.05625 MHz
- Channel 6: 446.06875 MHz
- Channel 7: 446.08125 MHz
- Channel 8: 446.09375 MHz
- Channel 9: 446.10625 MHz
- Channel 10: 446.11875 MHz
- Channel 11: 446.13125 MHz
- Channel 12: 446.14375 MHz
- Channel 13: 446.15625 MHz
- Channel 14: 446.16875 MHz
- Channel 15: 446.18125 MHz
- Channel 16: 446.19375 MHz
Older radios may only support channels 1 to 8. Most radios also offer CTCSS or DCS sub-tones, often called privacy codes. These filter out other users on the same channel, but they do not make your conversation private: anyone on that channel without a code can still hear you.
The Licence-Free Rules
PMR446 is licence-exempt in the UK on three conditions:
- Maximum output of 0.5 W effective radiated power
- Handheld radios only, with a fixed, integral antenna
- No external antennas, base stations or repeaters
That last point matters. Fitting a better antenna to a PMR446 radio, or mounting one on a roof, is not permitted. The power and antenna limits are what allow thousands of users to share the same 16 channels without a licence.
When PMR446 Stops Being Good Enough
- Range. Typical range is a few hundred metres among buildings and perhaps 1 to 2 km in open country.
- Congestion. In towns, at events and near busy sites, the channels can be crowded.
- Reliability. There is no protection from interference, so you cannot rely on it for safety-critical work.
- Coverage across a large site. Without a base station or repeater, there is no way to extend it.
Moving Up to Licensed Business Radio
Ofcom's Business Radio licences give you access to higher power, external antennas, base stations and repeaters, with fees that are modest for most organisations. That is where antenna choice starts to make a real difference to coverage.
- A vehicle or rooftop antenna such as the UHF43X, a UHF fibreglass antenna for DMR, TETRA, P25 and LMR systems
- A wideband FOLDED DIPOLE - UHF for base station and repeater sites
- A 3 ELEMENT YAGI - UHF to link a remote yard or outbuilding back to the main site. See our guide to how Yagi antennas work.
Outgrown PMR446? Tell us about your site and we will help you plan a licensed UHF antenna system: renair.co.uk/contact-us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a licence for PMR446 radios in the UK?
No. PMR446 radios are licence-exempt, provided they meet the 0.5 W power limit and use a fixed antenna.
Can I fit an external antenna to a PMR446 radio?
No. PMR446 equipment must use an integral antenna. If you need an external or base station antenna, you need licensed business radio.
What is the range of a PMR446 radio?
It depends on terrain and buildings. Expect a few hundred metres in built-up areas and up to around 1 to 2 km over open ground.
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