PMR446 is a European standard.

Most European countries are involved, but to view the latest list of countries supporting PMR446 and their possible deviations go the the EU website.

Possibly the most asked question?

Radio waves at UHF (within which the 446mhz band lies) are not so hot at travelling through large objects. For this reason, communication using PMR446 is limited, generally, to line of sight.

UHF will travel through solid objects. However, each time a signal has to pass through a building, vegetation etc. the signal is deteriorated slightly.

Therefore, the best way to achieve long range communication o­n your PMR446 radio is with height, height and more height! At altitude, where a signal can be received line of sight from great distance, communications of over 100 miles are impossible (albeit rare).

Alternatively, jump o­n our eQSO repeater network where worldwide comms are possible using your radio.

Very easy. Please see the anouncement in the forum under Internet Gateway/Repeaters.

You need to install a small application on your PC.

If you like, you can download a gateway application and become a repeater "node" on our server.

As we maintain this server on our own bandwidth you must apply to us first for a callsign issue for your PMR446 gateway. This is the only way that we are able to maintain control over our bandwidth requirement.

There are a total of 8 channels with 12.5khz spacing as follows:-

Channel	Frequency (MHz)
1.	446.00625
2.	446.01875
3.	446.03125
4.	446.04375
5.	446.05625
6.	446.06875
7.	446.08125
8.	446.09375

Because of the shared nature of these PMR446 frequencies, you may experience interference. We suggest the use of CTCSS tones or DCS to avoid this.

CTCSS stands for "continuous tone code squelch system".

If a CTCSS tone is selected, a CTCSS sub-audible tone is transmittedalong with the regular voice audio by the transmitting radio.

The receiving radio, set to the same CTCSS tone, will only receive audio if it contains that sub-tone. Interference from other users on the same frequency is therefore rejected (unless they are also on the same sub-tone).

Due to the "capture effect" of FM, you may still suffer from interference, or a loss in range, if someone nearby you is transmitting on the same channel even if you are using CTCSS.

Most PMR446 radios adhere to the standard 38 tones as listed here. This is not always the case however. If your radio has a number of tones other than 38 we suggest you consult the documentation that came with your radio, or speak to the manufacturer, to ascertain the exact frequencies for your radio.

Tone No     CTCSS Tone in Hz (Hertz) 

1           67 

2           71.9 

3           74.4 

4           77 

5           79.7 

6           82.5 

7           85.4 

8           88.5 

9           91.5 

10          94.8 

11          97.4 

12          100 

13          103.5 

14          107.2 

15          110.9 

16          114.8 

17          118.8 

18          123 

19          127.3 

20          131.8 

21          136.5 

22          141.3 

23          146.2 

24          151.4 

25          156.7 

26          162.2 

27          167.9 

28          173.8 

29          179.9 

30          186.2 

31          192.8 

32          203.5 

33          210.7 

34          218.7 

35          225.7 

36          233.6 

37          241.8 

38          250.3 

DCS ("Digitally Coded Squelch") is a digital variation on CTCSS.

DCS consists of 83 different codings each created by a group of 23 bit encoded "words".

Speed is approximately the same as CTCSS with an "opening" time of about 200ms.

Not legally, no.

The law on PMR446 Licence-Free use (as set out by RA357) states a maximum permitted output of 500mw using an integral antenna.

Bizarrely, no. Not legally anyway.

But who's going to know?

You're probably talking too close to the microphone. Try to keep your mouth about 6 inches away from the radios built-in microphone, and don't shout!

Across Europe, quite possibly.

A list of European country PMR446 status is available here.

If you'll be using your radios a lot, you have to have rechargeable batteries. Dry cells will be the expensive option in the long run.

We recommend Ni-mH (Nickel-metal Hydride) rechargeable cells for the best performance. These are available in up to 800mAh (AAA) and 2000mAh (AA) capacities.

If you had no squelch, your radio would give out a constant hiss of noise when on receive (think of a broadcast receiving radio that's not tuned into a station).

Squelch gets rid of that noise by silencing the hiss and static noise and only allowing received audio to "break" through when it exceeds a certain level in volume. It's kinder on the ears not having to listen to constant hiss in between overs!

On ham radios, this is generally adjustable with a rotary control from zero to very high. The ideal setting is where you *just* get rid of the noise, but relatively quiet signals can still get through where they are genuine and not static hiss.

On PMR446 radios you usually get a setting from 1 to 3. 1, in general is the lowest (ideal) setting. That will vary from radio to radio though.

If you set your squelch too high, you won't hear distant weak signals.

If you set your squelch too low, you'll get constant hiss, or intermittent static noise breaking through (very annoying).

To create a radio signal with an audio component you need two things. A carrier wave, and the original audio signal. The carrier wave is a radio wave on the frequency of choice and the audio component consists obviously of audio frequencies.

To send the audio by radio, you need to superimpose the audio signal onto the RF carrier. That's modulation. The RF carrier is "modulated" with the audio signal.

There's several ways of doing this, the most common of which are probably FM (frequency modulation) and AM (amplitude modulation).

With FM, the frequency of the RF carrier is varied by the audio signal.

With AM, the amplitude of the RF signal is varied by the audio signal.

PMR446 uses FM.

If you have your modulation set too high with FM, it "pushes" the RF carrier into neighbouring frequency channels. This is sometimes called "bleed through" or "over-deviation", and anyone using that neighbouring channel won't be too happy about it!

For example if you're using your PMR446 on channel 4 and it's over-modulating, your signal (well, a distorted version of it) might be heard on channels 3 and 5 and cause interference.

If you have your modulation set too low, your signal will be very "quiet" and lack dynamic range.

The eQSO software has a timeout limit of 10 minutes.

Most of us on the eQSO system tend to like to take long overs, although they generally are far less than that!

If there is a problem with a gateway "jamming" and there is no admin to resolve the problem, please drop us a mail gateways@446user.co.uk and we'll try and get it resolved as quickly as possible.

It's been known to run o­n a 486(!) but I would recommend a Pentium 1 and upwards with a minimum of 32mb of RAM and Windows 98.

Al Gross

You don't need a callsign to connect to the server, just a callsign to run a gateway. Please check your settings as per the setting up a gateway documentation (note the port setting at 10024 especially). If you still have problems, probably best to email us info@446user.co.uk

It's up to each gateway keeper as to where they put their gateway. As the system expands, it's as well people are spread out a little as there is a finite amount of bandwidth.

Interconnecting all rooms or servers is possible, but the problem with that is, if the system does get busy, no-one will be able to get a word in edgeways as only one station can PTT at any moment. That's the idea with the different rooms and servers, it's a bit like channels on "real" radio.

At the moment of course, while the system is still in its infancy, it's better for the gateways to all "lump" together in 446ENGLISH.

What's then needed is a way via RF to jump around rooms/servers which is also something we're working on.

It's useful to have this feedback as we need to make some decisions now for the future, but the FAQ is more geared towards "How do I do this...." type questions so I'll copy all this over to the forum which is better for discussion.

This is from the RA website:

RECEIVE o­nLY - SCANNERS ETC INFORMATION SHEET

The purpose of this information sheet is to remove any confusion regarding the reception of personal or business radio transmissions by unauthorised persons or groups. It also gives guidance o­n the subject by setting out the legal position with regard to the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 (WT Act). How the legislation is applied will depend o­n the individual circumstances of the offence.

Anyone who intends to listen to radio transmissions should be aware of the following:

A licence is not required for a radio receiver as long as it is not capable of transmission as well (The Wireless Telegraphy Apparatus (Receivers) (Exemption) Regulations 1989 (SI 1989 No 123). The exception to this is that it is an offence to listen to unlicensed broadcasters (pirates) without a licence. Licences are not issued for this purpose.

Although it is not illegal to sell, buy or own a scanning or other receiver in the UK, it must o­nly be used to listen to transmissions meant for GENERAL RECEPTION. The services that you can listen to include Amateur and Citizens' Band transmissions, licensed broadcast radio and weather and navigation broadcasts.

It is an offence to listen to any other radio services unless you are authorised by the Secretary of State to do so.

There are two offences under law:

Under Section 5(b) of the WT Act 1949 it is an offence if a person "otherwise than under the authority of the Secretary of State or in his duty as a servant of the Crown", either:
i) uses any wireless telegraphy apparatus with intent to obtain
information as to the contents, sender or addressee of any
message whether sent by means of wireless telegraphy or not,
which neither the person using the apparatus nor any person
on whose behalf he is acting is authorised by the Secretary
of State to receive; This means that it is illegal to listen
to anything other than general reception transmissions unless
you are either a licensed user of the frequencies in question
or have been specifically authorised to do so by the Secretary
of State.
or:
ii) except in the course of legal proceedings or for the purpose
of any report thereof, discloses any information as to the
contents, sender or addressee of any such message, being
information which would not have come to his knowledge but for
the use of wireless telegraphy apparatus by him or by another
person." This means that it is also illegal to tell a third party
what you have heard.

With certain exceptions, it is an offence under Section 1 of the Interception of Communications Act 1985 if a person- "intentionally intercepts a communication in the course of its transmission by post or by means of a public telecommunications system." This means that it is illegal to listen to telephone calls, including mobile phone networks which are designated as forming part of the public telecommunications system.

COMMON QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Q. Am I breaking the law by owning a scanner?
A. No, but it is illegal to use o­ne to listen to frequencies other than general reception transmissions or those parts of the radio spectrum which your transmitting licence, if you have o­ne, allows you to use. You could be prosecuted for this.

Q. Can I get a licence to use a scanner?
A. No, there is no scanner licence.

Q. Could I get authority from the Secretary of State to listen to emergency service transmissions, for example? I am interested and might be able to help.
A. No, the Secretary of State's authority is usually reserved for people acting at his request and o­n his behalf. If you wish to listen in to messages, you should obtain the permission of the person sending them.

Q. Isn't it all right to listen as long as I don't pass o­n what I hear?
A. No, using radio equipment to listen in, except as provided by section 5(b) of the WT Act, is an offence, regardless of whether the information is passed o­n.

Q. Isn't this all a bit heavy?
A. No. No-one likes their private or business conversations to be listened to. Parliament has passed these laws to protect the privacy of radio users.

If you require more information o­n the law regarding receive-only radio and scanners, please write to :
RA3/Enforcement Policy Unit,
Wyndham House
189 Marsh Wall
London
E14 9SX

For further information o­n other radio matters contact the Agency's 24 hr Enquiry Point o­n 020 7211 0211 or e-mail o­n <FONT color=#4c5ea8>library.ra@gtnet.gov.uk</FONT> or visit the Agency website at <FONT color=#4c5ea8>www.radio.gov.uk</FONT>

RA 169 (REV 4)
May 1999


I think the point about GENERAL RECEPTION is important here - PMR446 is a public band and therfore for general reception.

Sorry it's a bit long

Mark.

This maybe an eQSO bug.

We've created an eQSO bug report forum where this question has been moved to. We'll look into it, but need to collect some info (like whether others have experienced the same problem).

It is pretty much explained in the gateway setup - we haven't done a seperate help for PC users. Just run the software and put in our domain and port (eqso.446user.co.uk port 10024). Use the PTT button to transmit. I'm sure the rest is very self-explanatory, but fire questions over in the forum if not.

The gateway client will disconnect if the server drops and there's not a lot you can do about that.

All I can really add is that Version 1.20 Build 10 has proved to be impeccably stable, so I would suggest the problem may be at your end, which would be hard to diagnose remotely.

Please post these kind of questions to the forum, where you'll get a much broader response.

Not really, scanning is a better bet.

Channel 8 CTCSS 8 has generally been adopted as the DX calling channel, and could also be used though.