Private Mobile Radio (PMR 446)

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0><script> (function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){ (i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o), m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m) })(window,document,'script','//www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga'); ga('create', 'UA-47423994-1', 'fortunecity.ws'); ga('send', 'pageview'); </script> <center> <br> <div> <script language="javascript" type="text/javascript" src="http://ad.broadcaststation.net/ads/show_ad.php?width=728&height=90"></script> </div> </center> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#CCFF99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="04078671esnimw.gif"> <div> <B>The Personal Communications Library</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#333399" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>     |     </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#333399" FACE="Times New Roman" ><A HREF="home.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Personal Communications Library"><U><B>HOME</B></U></A></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="frs.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Family Radio Service (FRS)"><U>Family Radio Service (FRS)</U></A>   |   <B>Private Mobile Radio (PMR 446)</B>   |   <A HREF="murs.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="MultiUse Radio Service (MURS)"><U>Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS)</U></A>   |   <A HREF="pr_ww.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Personal Radio World Wide"><U>Personal Radio - World Wide</U></A>   |   <A HREF="wireless_privacy.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Wireless Telephone Privacy"><U>Wireless Telephone Privacy</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#336699" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="041c83b3.gif"> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#CCFF99" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I><B>Private Mobile Radio (PMR 446)</B></I></div> <bR> <div> 1. <A HREF="#1__what_is_the_private_mobile_radio" TITLE="Private Mobile Radio (PMR 446)"><U>What is the Private Mobile Radio service?</U></A> </div> <div> 2. <A HREF="#2__who_can_use_pmr_radios__can_they_be" TITLE="Private Mobile Radio (PMR 446)"><U>Who can use PMR radios?</U></A> </div> <div> 3. <A HREF="#4__what_are_privacy_codes__" TITLE="Private Mobile Radio (PMR 446)"><U>What are "privacy-codes"?</U></A> </div> <div> 4. <A HREF="#3__are_different_brands_of_pmr_radios" TITLE="Private Mobile Radio (PMR 446)"><U>Are different brands of PMR radios compatible with each other?</U></A> </div> <div> 5. <A HREF="#5__are_my_conversations_private__" TITLE="Private Mobile Radio (PMR 446)"><U>Are my conversations private?</U></A> </div> <div> 6. <A HREF="#6__what_range_can_i_expect__" TITLE="Private Mobile Radio (PMR 446)"><U>What range can I expect?</U></A> </div> <div> 7. <A HREF="#7__what_frequencies_are_used__" TITLE="Private Mobile Radio (PMR 446)"><U>What frequencies are used?</U></A> </div> <div> 8. <A HREF="#8__what_are_the_common_ctcss_tone" TITLE="Private Mobile Radio (PMR 446)"><U>What are the common CTCSS tone frequencies?</U></A> </div> <div> 9. <A HREF="#9__general_buying_advice__" TITLE="Private Mobile Radio (PMR 446)"><U>General buying advice.</U></A> </div> <div> 10. <A HREF="#10__things_to_keep_in_mind__" TITLE="Private Mobile Radio (PMR 446)"><U>Things to keep in mind.</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="1__what_is_the_private_mobile_radio"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>1. <B>What is the Private Mobile Radio service?</B> </div> <div>    The Private Mobile Radio service (PMR 446) is an 8-channel, simplex mode, license-free, "citizen's band", introduced by the European Communications Committee.  It is designed for short-range communication between individuals, family members, friends, and business associates.  Power output is a maximum allowable 500mW, which is generally good enough for high quality, short distance, communication.  Placing telephone calls over a PMR radio ("telephone auto-patch") is not permitted. </div> <div>    The majority of models available are 8-channel handheld "walkie-talkies". However, there are also a few "base-station" models available.</div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="2__who_can_use_pmr_radios__can_they_be"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>2.<B> </B><B>Who can use PMR radios? Can they be used anywhere?</B> </div> <div>    Citizens in Finland, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom are permitted to use a PMR radio.  They can be used within these countries except where specifically prohibited by local laws or regulations.</div> <div>    [All PMR frequencies have been "harmonised (but not necessarily authorised)" for use across Europe.  PMR equipment can be used in CEPT member countries that have implemented the ERC/DEC/(98) 25, 26 and 27.]</div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="4__what_are_privacy_codes__"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>3. <B>What are "privacy-codes"?</B> </div> <div>    The "privacy-code" (aka: "sub-channels", "CTCSS", "digital sub-codes", "talk-groups", "pl") itself is a low frequency tone, or a digital code, sent along with your voice transmission. Using "privacy-codes" does <B><U>not</U></B> make your conversation private; in fact "privacy-codes" have little to do with privacy in the traditional sense. "Privacy-codes" act as a selective filter, allowing you and your associates to have a conversation without being interrupted by either other PMR users or radio interference caused by other radio services.</div> <div> <U>How to use "privacy-codes"</U>: </div> <div>    Set your radio, and the radios of those in your group, to (1) the same channel/frequency and (2) the same "privacy-code" tone.  When you push the talk button, pause just a moment <I>before</I> speaking (other radios in your group will take about 1/3 of a second to detect the privacy-code being sent by your radio).  When setup properly, you should only hear the members of your own group.  If you have trouble, read about compatibility issues below.</div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="3__are_different_brands_of_pmr_radios"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>4. <B>Are different brands of PMR radios compatible with each other?</B> </div> <div>    Yes, for the most part. Compatibility problems may arise when you are using "privacy-codes". There are two incompatible systems.  The most widely used "privacy-code" system is Coded-Tone-Controlled-Squelch-System or CTCSS.  The other is Digital-Coded-Squelch or DCS, which is an improved and digital form of CTCSS. All 8-channel PMR radios will be able to communicate with all other 14-channel FRS radios tuned to the same channel AND the same CTCSS or DCS code.  However, not all radios make use of the same "privacy-codes", nor do they use the codes in the same order.  You may have to do a little experimenting. </div> <div> If you find that your radio is incompatible with a friends radio, you can simply turn the "privacy-code" feature off (aka: 00 or --).  Doing so will allow all PMR 8-channel radios to be interoperable with each other.</div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="5__are_my_conversations_private__"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>5. <B>Are my conversations private?</B> </div> <div>    Conversations held on a PMR radio are <B><U>not</U></B> private.  Some PMR radios include a "voice scramble" privacy function.  However even models such as this provide little privacy, as the type of voice-scrambling used is extremely simple to decode. The voice-scramble setting can be used to double the effective number of available "privacy-codes" (sort of).</div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="6__what_range_can_i_expect__"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>6. <B>What range can I expect?</B> </div> <div>    In a flat open area you can expect up to 3.2 km. Over water you may get as much as double this range. However, in general use you can expect a range of about 1.2 km.</div> <div>    To obtain the best range possible, hold your FRS radio upright with the antenna in a vertical position; the antenna should not be in contact with your hand or fingers.  Do not hold your radio upside down with the antenna against your forearm; this may seriously reduce range.</div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="7__what_frequencies_are_used__"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>7. <B>What frequencies are used?</B> </div> <div>    The chart below shows the standard PMR band plan of 8 frequencies in MHz.  In the U.K., some of these frequencies are (and will be until 2004) shared with SRBR radio service.</div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="273" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#BF0000" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 ><NOBR><div> (1) 446.00625 </div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (2) 446.01875 </div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 ><NOBR><div> (3) 446.03125 </div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (4) 446.04375 </div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 ><NOBR><div> (5) 446.05625 </div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (6) 446.06875 </div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 ><NOBR><div> (7) 446.08125 </div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (8) 446.09375 </div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="8__what_are_the_common_ctcss_tone"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>8. <B>What are the common CTCSS tone frequencies?</B> </div> <div>    The chart below shows the commonly used CTCSS tone frequencies in Hz (alpha-ID's are in parenthesis). There are 38 standard tones and 4 nonstandard tones (in red).</div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="597" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#BF0000" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="94"><div> (XZ) 67.0</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> (YA) 85.4</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (1B) 107.2</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> (4Z)136.5</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (6A) 173.8</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (M3) 218.1</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="94"><div> (WZ) 69.3</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> (YB) 88.5</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> (2Z) 110.9</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> (4A)141.3</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (6B) 179.9</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (M4) 225.7</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="94"><div> (XA) 71.9</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> (ZZ) 91.5</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (2A) 114.8</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (4B) 146.2</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (7Z) 186.2</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (9Z) 229.1</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="94"><div> (WA) 74.4</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> (ZA) 94.8</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (2B) 118.8</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (5Z) 151.4</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (7A) 192.8</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (M5) 233.6</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="94"><div> (XB) 77.0</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> (ZB) 97.4</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (3Z) 123.0</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (5A) 156.7</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (M1) 203.5</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (M6) 241.8</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="94"><div> (WB) 79.7</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (1Z) 100.0</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (3A) 127.3</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> (5B)162.2</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (8Z) 206.5</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (M7) 250.3</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="94"><div> (YZ) 82.5</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (1A) 103.5</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (3B) 131.8</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (6Z) 167.9</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (M2) 210.7</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> (0Z) 254.1</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="9__general_buying_advice__"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>9. <B>General buying advice.</B><B> </B></div> <div>    Stay with established brands such as Maxon and Motorola.  Avoid inexpensive electronics brands. </div> <div>    Be more concerned with quality, rather than with power output. A good quality radio with a 350mW output will very likely outperform a poor quality radio with a 500mW output. </div> <div>    Do not buy a single or dual channel PMR radio, as it is quite possible to experience significant interference from other radio users on a particular channel or two in any given area.  This could possibly render a dual or single channel model useless. </div> <div>    Do select a PMR radio with "privacy-codes".  For maximum compatibility with other radios, choose CTCSS equipped models (any model claiming 38 privacy-codes is almost certainly CTCSS equipped). Without "privacy-codes" you may find that your radio is constantly picking up stray transmissions or interference, especially if you live in an urban area.</div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="10__things_to_keep_in_mind__"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>10. <B>Things to keep in mind.</B> </div> <div>    Always remember that what you say on a PMR radio is not private.  In other words, don't discuss personal information unless you want it to become public knowledge.  Discuss this concept with your children before letting them use a PMR radio.</div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>