Traveling to
the UK? leave GMRS and FRS in the States and buy or rent PMR-446.
Dean Elwood,
PopularWireless Magazine
UK Correspondent
Editor's note: Use of American and
Canadian GMRS and FRS radios is currently ILLEGAL in the UK.
What is PMR446?
PMR446 is a European standard
licence-free radio service with 8 channels at 12.5khz spacing in the 446mhz
band. Similar to the US FRS service, the Radio Agency (the UK regulating
authority) requires that radios have a maximum of 500mw (1/2 watt) ERP
(Effective Radiated Power) to an internal antenna. This limites range to,
realistically 1/2 to 1 mile around town and up to 2 miles in open
country.
CTCSS (continuous tone coded squelch
system) is incorporated in most radio sets as a means to prevent interference -
the radio ignores all incoming signals except those that are also transmitting
this sub-audible tone. Most PMR446 radios have 38 CTCSS codes available. This
gives users a total of 304 channel/code combinations.
If you're travelling to the UK and
require radio to keep in touch or for group activities you have two choices -
buy or hire.
Buying
PMR446 is illegal to use in the US, so
if you decide to buy, I would suggest you get something at the lower end of the
market to either sell on or give away at the end of your vacation. Prices here
start at around £40 a pair (about $65).
(Editor's Note: In the United States
PMR-446 radio frequencies fall into the 446 MHz US Amateur Radio band. If you
bring the radios home to use them you will be noticed so you don't want to do
it.)
Places to buy
Store Locator
Argos is a large chain of warehouse
style discount stores in the UK.
- Binatone
MR220
- Does not have CTCSS so not recommended
unless you feel you really don't need the selectivity and interference will not
be a problem.
- MR600
- A "quad pack" Good value at
£99 for 4. Has CTCSS.
Dixons are a large, by UK standards,
chain of electronics retail stores which again you should find in any major
town.
Choosing a radio
Get a radio with CTCSS if you can.
PMR446 is used in the UK by some businesses as an alternative to privately
licensed radio services. You may get interference from security companies or
motorcycle instruction schools for example, depending on where you stay.
Hiring
If you feel that you require something
a little more upmarket in terms of quality, and possibly also providing a
little more range, you may consider hiring. Most high quality PMR446 radios are
available to hire in the UK for about £12 per two-day period per radio
(not a pair), with discounts for longer periods.
Places to hire
WildTalk (England)
Watson Hire
(Scotland)
If hiring, do book in
advance
Article written and provided by
PMR446 Personal Mobile Radio
The Dixons logo is a registereed
trademark of DSG Retail Limited
The Argos logo is a registered trademark of Argos Limited
