What is PMR446?
PMR446 was introduced about 3 year ago as a licence free radio service operating at 0.5W output on the UHF 446 mHz frequency.
As the system is licence free, there is no need to obtain a frequency allocation from the Radio Communications Agency. You simply buy the radio, turn it on and talk!

Who can use it?
Anyone can use PMR446 whether its for leisure or business use

How far will it go?
VHF & UHF radio waves travel in straight lines, so the radio will work best in line of sight. If buildings, hills, trees, etc are in the way then it will cut the range of the unit. Weather and geological conditions can also affect the range of a two-way radio. The maximum range you can expect though is about 5 km (line of site).

Can I use Alan 446 radios with other brand 446 radios?
As all PMR446 radios operate on the same 8 basic 446 Mhz channels, you can use Midland Alan PMR446 radios with all other manufacturers models.

How does CTCSS and DCS Signaling help?
Any radio channel is subject to interference, these CTCSS/DCS tones allow most of this interference (be it from atmospheric interference or other users) to be kept from your radio and therefore make communication more useful.

Why do the radios operate on UHF?
UHF radio waves are much better at penetrating through walls and obstructions and is thus more effective in built up areas.

What is Voice Scrambling?
This is the ability of a radio to convert normal speech in radio messages into a non understandable speech message (encryption) to prevent others listening in on the conversation. This is fine in a larger system employing a good quality encryption module. Unfortunately in PMR446, all like makes use the same encryption system and therefore in most cases, anyone using the same model of radio who can lock into the CTCSS/DCS tone frequency will be able to monitor your conversation.

If the antenna is longer, will I get better range?
Usually the answer is “no”. The antenna is cut to the frequency of the radio, where 446 radios are concerned it is actually illegal to try to change the antenna. If you need more range from a professional radio, then contact your supplier as there are alternative products, which may help.
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