Do
- Use type-approved equipment within the rules for that service (PMR446, UK CB, amateur, marine…).
- Keep Marine Channel 16 clear of casual chatter — distress, safety and calling only.
- Identify as required on licensed services (amateur callsign practice).
- Prefer hands-free / mounted gear when driving; follow road law on handheld use.
Don’t
- Transmit on frequencies you are not authorised to use (including freeband and public-safety channels).
- Assume CTCSS/DCS “privacy codes” encrypt speech — others can still listen without the tone.
- Treat the virtual radio’s online voice as a substitute for licensed RF where a licence is required.
Regulators
Ofcom (UK) · RSGB (amateur) · FCC for US services discussed in the knowledge base.
Glossary
- PTT — Push-to-Talk; hold to transmit, release to receive.
- Half-duplex — Only one station talks at a time on the channel.
- Repeater — Station that retransmits to extend range (common on GMRS/ham).
- CTCSS / DCS — Tone/code squelch so you only hear matching radios; not encryption.
- PoC — Push-to-Talk over Cellular (internet/data PTT).
- ERP / EIRP — Effective radiated power measures; legal limits may use these terms.
- Skip — Occasional long-distance HF/CB propagation via the ionosphere.
- PMR446 — Licence-free European UHF handheld allocation (0.5 W).
- GB3PN — Local 2 m amateur repeater of interest to Fylde operators (confirm current status/freqs before use).
