The PMR 446 standard walkie talkies are the only walkie talkie that you can use legally, license free in UAE.
UAE’s Telecommunication Regulatory has recently approved the use of license-free radios in the UAE. These Personal Mobile Radios in the 446 MHz band (known as PMR-446) can be legally used without a TRA license. However, they do require class authorization and type approval. This is a very good advantage for UAE hikers and outdoor adventures as cellphone coverage in mountains are very very weak.
This is a good opportunity to make use of the best of this blessing.
Kindly note that PMR 446 MHz is in the regulation for class authorization short range device. Please check the attached regulation. And please note that the most important things that the device should have type approval and the output power not more than 0.5 W to use it otherwise it will be considered PMR service
– TRA Customer support
License Free Private Mobile Radio standard, PMR446
PMR446 ( PMR = Personal Mobile Radio, 446= 446MHz) is a European standard. The Standard was defined by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). Its intention is to stimulate the free circulation of radio communication products and the provision of such equipment in Europe for radio communications.
The Telecommunication Regulatory Authority of the United Arab Emirates has , in May 2016, amended their regulatory framework which does now allow the use and operation of PMR446 radios in the Emirates. The TRA regulation, which covers also PMR446, is the “Ultra wide-band and Short Range Device “ regulation.
PMR446 radios do not require a UAE TRA spectrum licenses! The radios can therefore be used right after purchase.
Please note that not all proclaimed “license free ” radios can be use in the UAE! The US standard FSR and GMRS, which radios are sometimes offered as license free in for instance online stores, do operate in the 462 MHz and 467 MHz frequency range. That frequency ranges are reserved for government use in the UAE and are not available for public use! Hence, FSR and GMRS equipment does therefore not fulfill the UAE (TRA) “License Free” requirements!
You have to ask for walkie talkies which is PMR-446 compatible.
Types of PMR-446 Radios
There are basically two types. Analog and Digital.
The analog version comes with 8 or 16 channels. And the Digital ones (dPMR) comes with 16 / 32 Channels.
Mostly all the Analog PMR-446 Radios are capable to communicating to each other as the signls are analog and no security features are applied to it.
But the digital version are much more complicated and might use digital keys to limit the number of listeners on a busy network
Where to buy PMR 446 walkie talkies.
You can buy PMR 446 walkie talkies from major brands all over uae. Ignore the one in the dragon-mart and Chinese shops. they are not legal. You can buy legal ones from many shops around UAE. Always look for PMR type Authorization. I will add More direct links to suppliers for getting this product into your hand in future.
How to use PMR 446 walkie talkies.
PMR 446 radio equipment is intended to be used on collective frequencies shared by multiple users without coordination. The PMR 446 band, harmonised throughout Europe, meets these criteria and its use is not subject to licensing. There is a wide range of “PMR 446” equipment on the market which is intended exclusively to use the PMR 446 frequency band. Although the PMR 446 frequency band can be used without a licence, some rules are nevertheless required so that all users enjoy the same conditions and they do not interfere with each other excessively. These rules have been concretised in the harmonized EN 300 296, EN 300 113-2, EN 301 166 Standards and in the RIR0507-35 Interface Regulations.
That means the basic rules of communication applies here. Even though channels are license free doesn’t mean you are free to do what ever you want. It will be considered as a public road. Use it wisely. Do not overload the channel. Do not swear shout or do hate-speech. Everything is monitored and any miss use will be heftily fined by authorities.
Walkie talkie usage ettiqute
Be prepared
When you have the talk button pressed, no one else in your group can speak or be heard – two way radios are mostly a one-at-a-time system of communication, unlike telephones where you can interrupt and talk over each other. So it’s important to think about your message beforehand.
If you leave the talk button pressed while you compose your thoughts, not only are you preventing anyone else joining in the conversation, you might be blocking someone on your frequency with an emergency message to transmit.
Don’t hold the PTT(push to talk) button unnecessarily.
Make yourself a callsign.
Since there will be a lot of users on the open frequency, you might need to have a callsign to identify yourself with your peers without reveling you real name. If you are in an unknown territory, you can make a identification request call like this “This is FoxOne, is there anyone listening to PMR Channel 2, please respond. Over”
If you are the person who is receiving a respond request, you can reply like “FoxOne, this is TigerNine responding from the trail view point One. Over.”
Now you know there is Two people listening on the same frequency and keep check on each other during the hike.
There may be a group of users all sharing the same radio channel, so it’s important (and good manners) to identify yourself immediately when you initiate a transmission. It’s also polite to get the attention of the person to whom your message is directed before relaying your message.
For example: “FoxOne, this is FoxTwo, OVER”.
“OVER” is common radio lingo and lets the other person know you’ve finished speaking. There’s no point doing much more than identifying yourself and the recipient at this point. When you know you have the other person’s attention and they’re able to join the conversation, you can transmit the rest of your message.
Be patient
The other person may not be able to respond immediately – be patient and give them time to reply before re-sending your call.
Tips to Increase Your Range
The Maximum range of PMR Devices are limited to 0.5 Watts of dissipated power, that means 2 to 3 Km plain line of sight. In the mountains, Its really less. So if you need to get more range in mountains, follow the tips.
- If you are at the edge of your communication range and your signal is weak, open up the ‘Monitor’ function on your radio to listen for weak signals.
- One of the easiest ways to increase your range is to increase your height. If you are near the edge of your range and experiencing a weak signal try getting to a higher location. Walk up a hill, or simply stand on something to make yourself taller if possible. Remember, just a foot or two can make a big difference in range.
- The key factors affecting communication range are: antenna, obstructions, signal strength (wattage), and signal type.
- The distance to the horizon is the maximum communication range for most two-way radios.
- The higher your antenna, the farther your signal can reach before hitting the horizon, therefore the longer your communication range.
- Radio waves generally won’t pass through metal or hills at all.
- Each successive object a radio signal passes through reduces its range.
Use short, clear and concise messages
As two way radios only allow one person to speak at a time, it’s best to keep your transmissions short, clear and to the point. This gives other users an opportunity to acknowledge your message or request further clarification before you carry on with your next point.
Radio users often repeat a message to make it clear that they’ve heard and understood the information. For example:
FoxtOne: “FoxTwo, this is FoxOne, assistance required at meetup point, OVER”.
FoxTwo: “This is FoxTwo, confirming assistance required at meetup point. On my way, OVER”.
Learn the radio lingo
It helps two way radio communication when everyone understands and uses similar language and etiquette, especially when there are more than two people using the channel.
- Over – I’ve finished speaking
- Say Again – Repeat your last message
- Stand-by – I acknowledge your transmission, but can’t respond right now
- Go ahead – I can respond, go ahead with your message
- Roger – message received and understood
- Affirmative / Negative – Yes / No
- Out – Conversation is finished, the channel is clear for other users
The phonetic alphabet
It’s often necessary to clarify an important part of your message by spelling it out – literally. On two way radios, the common protocol to spell out critical words is to use NATO’s phonetic alphabet.
| A – Alpha | J – Juliet | S – Sierra |
| B – Bravo | K – Kilo | T – Tango |
| C – Charlie | L – Lima | U – Uniform |
| D – Delta | M – Mike | V – Victor |
| E – Echo | N – November | W – Whiskey |
| F – Foxtrot | O – Oscar | X – X-ray |
| G – Golf | P – Papa | Y – Yankee |
| H – Hotel | Q – Quebec | Z – Zulu |
| I – India | R – Romeo |
Incase of emergency.
It will be in the best interest of everyone to stay out of the channel which ever if there is any emergency is being handled. You may listen and support. But stay the channel free for those who are handling the emergency.
PMR 446 frequency and channel allocations
Frequencies now range from 446.0 to 446.2MHz, with a channel plan based on 6.25 kHz (for digital equipment) and 12.5 kHz (for analogue equipment) spacing. If you have a programmable or configurable radio transceiver you could make use of this table to set frequency and channels. Remember the Max transmitter power is 500mW or 0.5W
| Channel no | Analogue (12.5 kHz Channel Spacing) | Channel No | Digital dPMR446 (6.25kHz Channel Spacing) |
| CH1 | 446.00625MHz | CH1 | 446.003125MHz |
| CH2 | 446.01875MHz | CH2 | 446.009375MHz |
| CH3 | 446.03125MHz | CH3 | 446.015625MHz |
| CH4 | 446.04375MHz | CH4 | 446.021875MHz |
| CH5 | 446.05625MHz | CH5 | 446.028125MHz |
| CH6 | 446.06875MHz | CH6 | 446.034375MHz |
| CH7 | 446.08125MHz | CH7 | 446.040625MHz |
| CH8 | 446.09375MHz | CH8 | 446.046875MHz |
| CH9 | 446.10625MHz | CH9 | 446.053125MHz |
| CH10 | 446.11875MHz | CH10 | 446.059375MHz |
| CH11 | 446.13125MHz | CH11 | 446.065625MHz |
| CH12 | 446.14375MHz | CH12 | 446.071875MHz |
| CH13 | 446.15625MHz | CH13 | 446.078125MHz |
| CH14 | 446.16875MHz | CH14 | 446.084375MHz |
| CH15 | 446.18125MHz | CH15 | 446.090625MHz |
| CH16 | 446.19375MHz | CH16 | 446.096875Mhz |
| CH17 | 446.103125MHz | ||
| CH18 | 446.109375MHz | ||
| CH19 | 446.115625MHz | ||
| CH20 | 446.121875MHz | ||
| CH21 | 446.128125MHz | ||
| CH22 | 446.134375MHz | ||
| CH23 | 446.140625MHz | ||
| CH24 | 446.146875MHz | ||
| CH25 | 446.153125MHz | ||
| CH26 | 446.159375MHz | ||
| CH27 | 446.165625MHz | ||
| CH28 | 446.171875MHz | ||
| CH29 | 446.178125MHz | ||
| CH30 | 446.184373MHz | ||
| CH31 | 446.190625MHz | ||
| CH32 | 446.196875MHz |
Some of the OFF ROADERS in Emirates are still using the FRS standard frequencies out there in the ‘desert’, which is not a good idea as it is not license free to use in UAE. The are basically using the cheap Chinese versions of walkie talkies on the FRS standard frequencies. But may be helpful in crisis or emergency situations. List if those frequencies are listed below for reference. You can feed them into your device of you have a programmable device.
Channel – Frequency (MHz)
1- 462.5625
2- 462.5875
3- 462.6125
4- 462.6375
5- 462.6625
6- 462.6875
7- 462.7125
8- 467.5625
9- 467.5875
10- 467.6125
11- 467.6375
12- 467.6625
13- 467.6875
14- 467.7125
In Europe and the US, some frequencies are reserved for Family Radio Service (FRS). Normally countries utilize frequencies ranging from 462 to 467 MHz in the UHF band for this. In the UAE these frequencies are not free to use – you need to apply and pay fees in order to use them.
Regulations For Amateur Radio Service – http://www.tra.gov.ae/assets/Le2rh2VP.pdf.aspx Very first paragraph reads: No Person in the United Arab Emirates shall posses or operate Wireless Equipment for Amateur Service or engage in Amateur Service without obtaining and / or having a valid Authorization issued by the Authority.
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