Licence Free (PMR446) Two-Way Radios in Sheffield

License Free Radios in Sheffield

Two-way radios, or ‘Walkie Talkies’, as they are sometimes referred to, can be divided into 2 main types: Licence Free and Licensed. Licence Free radios are the entry level product to the world of communications and they are entirely suitable for use in certain environments in Sheffield. They are low cost, simple to use and do not require the purchase of an Ofcom licence to use them in Sheffield or the UK.

All licence free radios in Sheffield operate on the PMR446 (Personal Mobile Radio) analogue (UHF) frequencies, of which there are 8 specific designated ones for use in Sheffield, the UK and EU:

These frequencies come pre-programmed into the radios and any PMR446 radio used in Sheffield can communicate with any other PMR446 radio in Sheffield, regardless of make, as long as they have selected the same frequency or channel and are within range.

Power & Coverage

All licence free radios are generally lower powered and transmit at 0.5W, which means they have limited range compared to licensed two-way radios, which transmit at up to 5W.

Power sources for the radios can vary between standard AA batteries to the more advanced rechargeable Li-ion versions.

Licence Free PMR radios in Sheffield are ideal for providing communications over a small area, or within buildings. The range can vary from a few hundred metres to a few kilometres depending upon the terrain, geography, line of sight, buildings and building materials.

Users

For the general private consumer in Sheffield, PMR446 licence free radios are ideal for the leisure purposes for which they are normally used: walking, hiking, skiing, festivals, road trips, etc. The handheld units are usually quite small, lightweight and simple to use.

For many professional users, more advanced licence free radios may be required. These are tougher and more durable and may also be resistant to dust and water ingress. They are especially suitable for use in small warehouses, manufacturing units or building sites, where the coverage area is not very large.

As there are a limited number of channels available in Sheffield and the UK, interference from other users can be quite common and therefore this method of communication should not be used where the information being transmitted is of a sensitive or confidential nature.