About PMR446
PMR446 is the licence-exempt short-range radio service used in the UK and many CEPT countries. Analogue PMR446 is harmonised across most of Europe. Digital PMR446 (DMR Tier I / dPMR) is not fully harmonised — UK equipment meeting Ofcom rules may not be licence-exempt in every other European country, and vice versa. It is the closest European equivalent to US FRS.
Frequency446.0 – 446.2 MHz
Channels16 analogue (+ digital options)
Power0.5 W ERP maximum
LicenceExempt (compliant gear only)
AntennaIntegral / non-removable only
RangeHundreds of m urban → few km open (highly variable)
Analogue & Digital
- Classic analogue FM with 16 channels — widely usable across Europe
- Digital versions (DMR Tier I / dPMR) offer more channels and clearer audio; check local rules
- Equipment must be type-approved; external antennas and higher power are illegal for licence-exempt use
- For UK use: maximum 0.5 W ERP, mobile-only, non-interference basis (Ofcom IR 2030)