PMR446 Deep Dive

PMR446 is the European license-free radio service at 446 MHz. It is the most legally straightforward band for a European beacon user.

The basics

• Frequency: 446.0-446.2 MHz (16 channels, 12.5 kHz spacing).
• Power: max 500 mW ERP.
• License: none required in most European countries (CEPT countries).
• Antenna: the rules historically required an integral (non-removable) antenna for PMR446 equipment. A removable SMA antenna is not compliant with the original spec, which is a real consideration for a beacon with an external antenna.

The 16 channels

Ch	MHz	Ch	MHz
1	446.00625	9	446.08125
2	446.01875	10	446.09375
3	446.03125	11	446.10625
4	446.04375	12	446.11875
5	446.05625	13	446.13125
6	446.06875	14	446.14375
7	446.01875	15	446.15625
8	446.04375	16	446.16875

Configuring the beacon for PMR446

1. Set the frequency to a PMR446 channel (e.g. 446.00625 MHz).
2. Set TX power to 500 mW ERP or less. The beacon’s +17 dBm (50 mW) is comfortably under the limit.
3. Keep the antenna compliant with local rules; a quarter-wave whip on 446 MHz is about 16.8 cm.

Why PMR446 matters for the beacon

• It is the legal path for unlicensed European use.
• Any PMR446 walkie-talkie can hear the beacon’s CW if it has an SSB/CW-capable mode, or via an SDR.
• The 500 mW ERP ceiling still gives useful range: a few kilometers line-of-sight.

The honest caveats

• A beacon transmitting Morse on a PMR446 channel is a legitimate use of the service for distress signaling, but check the specific national rules about non-voice emissions.
• The integral-antenna rule conflicts with the E22’s SMA; some operators interpret emergency use as overriding this. Know your local position.

Also see

The frequency planning examples page has a full EU configuration walkthrough with a PMR446-compliant setup.