Portable PMR446 Walkie Talkie radios, commonly used in various situations such as leisure or work, have undergone significant changes thanks to the Simplification Decree.
In the past, the use of PMR446 required the payment of an annual fee, but for several months now, these costs have been removed, making the use of these devices completely free after purchase.
The removal of this fee has made the use of PMR446 walkie-talkies completely free, which makes PMR446 transceivers the most economical solution for communications, especially among businesses and organizations.
In fact, unlike mobile phones, walkie-talkie radios do not require any call costs and are therefore an economical and efficient solution.
What PMR446 are and how they work:
PMR446, an acronym for "Professional Mobile Radio", are license-free radios that operate in the UHF frequency band at 446 MHz. These devices can transmit radio signals with great efficiency even with small antennas, ensuring a significant communication range.
There are several advantages to using PMR446 transceivers over mobile phones:
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Direct communication: PMR446 communicate directly with each other without the need for complex radio infrastructures such as cells or repeaters. This makes them particularly useful in areas where mobile phones might lose connection, such as forests, open countryside, or enclosed and shielded locations.
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Free of charge: The use of PMR446 is completely free, as they do not depend on the infrastructure of any network operator. This means there are no costs associated with using these devices.
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Group communications: With PMR446, group communications are possible. By pressing the transmit button (PTT - Push To Talk), the voice message is simultaneously transmitted to all group members tuned to the same channel, facilitating effective group communication.
The range of PMR446 transceivers can vary significantly based on the surrounding environment, the type and number of obstacles present, as well as local interference. In unfavorable conditions, for example in a hollow among dense vegetation or in narrow city streets, the range can be limited to about 300-500 meters, while in more open areas (e.g., on plains and in mountains) it is possible to reach 10 km.
Previous Italian requirements
In the past, the use of PMR446 in Italy was subject to two legal obligations:
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Payment of an annual fee of €12: Regardless of the number of radios used, users had to pay an annual fee of €12 for each PMR446 device they owned.
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Declaration of commencement of activity to the MiSE: It was necessary to send a "declaration of commencement of activity" to the Ministry of Economic Development (MiSE) before PMR446 could be used.
These legislative and economic obligations were essentially a barrier in the past that discouraged people from relying on the world of PMR446 radios.
Finally free to use
Recently, thanks to Law no. 120 of 11 September 2020, the obligations to submit declarations to the Ministry, as well as the contributions foreseen for PMR446, have been abolished, freeing PMR446 from any cost after purchase.
Today, thanks to the EU RED directive 2014/53/EU, the use of walkie-talkies is harmonized at a European level. This means that anyone can freely use these devices throughout Europe, with few limitations. It is important to note that the equipment must be supplied with a Declaration of Conformity, user manuals, and safety instructions in Italian.
How to choose your model
The cheapest walkie-talkies, generally sold in pairs for about 25-30 euros, are often very fragile and allow communication within a limited range of a few meters. Moreover, very often these radios sold on websites like Amazon do not comply with the RED 2014/53/EU directive of the European Union and are therefore not compliant with the law.
If you are looking for better performance, greater resistance, and wish to communicate over longer distances, it is advisable to opt for higher-end products, sold individually. These high-end devices are more resistant to shocks and vibrations, and many of them boast certifications for waterproofing and resistance to atmospheric agents, such as IP and MIL STD810 certifications found in some professional radio equipment for industrial or military use.
More expensive and robust transceivers usually come with a better receiver, which translates into a greater range, although the transmission power is the same for all. Furthermore, the presence of a large and comprehensive display can make use more intuitive, allowing for easy monitoring of the radio's main parameters, such as battery charge and reception intensity.
The functions available on the radio must be checked according to your needs. In areas with high radio traffic, CTCSS tones/DCS codes can be indispensable to limit listening only to communications from your partner or group. In addition, the scrambler can be useful for making communications confidential.
In conclusion, the choice of PMR446 transceiver depends on the intended use and the specific needs of the user, considering criteria such as performance, resistance, included accessories, and available features.
Our online shop offers the best professional PMR446 radio models, including renowned brands such as Hytera, Entel, and Icom. Each radio meets the highest standards, including MIL-STD and RED, and all are currently available at a discounted price.
Choose the best professional license-free radio for your needs:
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