PMR in the U.S. ?? Has anyone used it or gave it any thought ?

[rf_patriot200]

Hi, Hopefully this is the proper forum for this question, but not sure where else it would fit. PMR or Personal Mobile Radio is commonly used in the UK and is similar in structure to FRS here in the states. Here it falls between 446.0 and 446.100 mhz. in Analog and Digital tdma with 6.25 khz. steps. Of course, being licensed in the 70cm. band, I was curious if anyone has explored this band for hamfests, or events ? I've programmed this in portables and mobiles and only heard traffic maybe twice . Any discussion, or suggestions ? Happy Saturday !

 

[W9WSS]

In the United States, those frequencies are in the 70 cm Amateur Radio spectrum. You'd best have an Amateur Radio License before transmitting on those frequencies, at least in the USA.

 

[AB5ID]

Wrong frequencies for the US , why not use FRS or GMRS?

 

[prcguy]

He did post in the "Amateur" section, so what's wrong?

 

[AB5ID]

He did post in the "Amateur" section, so what's wrong?

My bad! Should be fine the US as long as it meets spectrum requirements.

 

[AK9R]

I think this suggestion may be dead on arrival.

We already have four personal radio services in the U.S.: CB, GMRS, FRS, MURS. Not sure there's a need for a fifth.

The suggested frequencies are in the U.S. amateur radio band. I don't think the amateur radio community would be very happy about a portion of their spectrum being allocated to a personal radio service. This would be akin to carving out 11 meters and allocating it to Citizens Band.

Either use CB/GMRS/FRS/MURS or get an amateur radio license.

 

[nd5y]

If you are a ham then what would be the point? You can already use the same frequencies with better equipment.

 

[AB5ID]

I think this suggestion may be dead on arrival.

We already have four personal radio services in the U.S.: CB, GMRS, FRS, MURS. Not sure there's a need for a fifth.

The suggested frequencies are in the U.S. amateur radio band. I don't think the amateur radio community would be very happy about a portion of their spectrum being allocated to a personal radio service. This would be akin to carving out 11 meters and allocating it to Citizens Band.

Either use CB/GMRS/FRS/MURS or get an amateur radio license.

I thought @rf_patriot200 was talking about using it on the amateur service with an amateur license?

 

[rf_patriot200]

If you are a ham then what would be the point? You can already use the same frequencies with better equipment.

My reason for doing this, is reducing the interference I would get on nearby frequencies at ham fests, and Yes I am licensed.

 

[Golay]

I thought @rf_patriot200 was talking about using it on the amateur service with an amateur license?

That's the way I read it too. I suppose it doable if the equipment meets whatever specs it should. How much do they cost? Like nd5y alluded, I'm sure it would be cheaper to just use Beofengs.

 

[rf_patriot200]

That's the way I read it too. I suppose it doable if the equipment meets whatever specs it should. How much do they cost? Like nd5y alluded, I'm sure it would be cheaper to just use Beofengs.

I have 3 Yaesu talkies , Ft 4X , FT65 and my FT70 D will do the 6.25 khz, steps which is really all that's needed for the 8 Analog, and many more frequencies that are Dpmr , tdma and fdma

 

[nd5y]

My reason for doing this, is reducing the interference I would get on nearby frequencies at ham fests, and Yes I am licensed.

How do you think using PMR446 frequencies is going to reduce interference?
Do you think if you are on 446.00625 then people on 446.0 won't be able to hear you?

 

[rf_patriot200]

How do you think using PMR446 frequencies is going to reduce interference?
Do you think if you are on 446.00625 then people on 446.0 won't be able to hear you?

You're right, but that's the only 0ne. the next 7 freqs up don't hear my other yaesu sitting right next to it on 446.0 not even anything on the bar display especially on low power. All 8 freqs are between 446.0 and 446.1

 

[AK9R]

I'm confused as to what you are getting at.

There's nothing stopping U.S. licensed amateur radio operators from using PMR446 radios on PMR446 frequencies in the U.S. The usual caveat about not interfering with others users on those frequencies applies. The usual caveat about not using a modulation method that otherwise is not allowed by Part 97 applies.

Why do you think that using PMR446 radios would be better or worse than using any amateur radio UHF handheld on the same frequencies?

 

[vagrant]

Being a licensed amateur in the U.S. I have never considered it. I can use tone squelch if needed, or roll the dial which is what I often do first.

When I want to have reduced “noise” in whatever form, I have some Motorola SL7550 radios for close work. Small and USB chargeable. Perfect for poor/sketchy cellular service locations.

 

[AB5ID]

I'm confused as to what you are getting at.

There's nothing stopping U.S. licensed amateur radio operators from using PMR446 radios on PMR446 frequencies in the U.S. The usual caveat about not interfering with others users on those frequencies applies. The usual caveat about not using a modulation method that otherwise is not allowed by Part 97 applies.

Why do you think that using PMR446 radios would be better or worse than using any amateur radio UHF handheld on the same frequencies?

Price? Not sure just guessing.

 

[nd5y]

. All 8 freqs are between 446.0 and 446.1

In most areas of the US the common 70 cm FM simplex channels recommended by the ARRL and many regional frequency coordinators are 446.0, 446.025, 446.05, 446.075 and sometimes 446.1. Operating in between those is not going to reduce interference.

If you wanted to avoid interference or desnese at a hamfest or event you might look for unused frequencies in the 420-430 MHz range.

 

[nd5y]

the next 7 freqs up don't hear my other yaesu sitting right next to it on 446.0 not even anything on the bar display especially on low power.

Not surprising. You are probably desensing it.

Some radios don't display signal strength unless the squelch is open.

 

[vagrant]

Avoid interference…in the 1.25m or 33cm range. The un-secret bands not often used by amateurs.

 

[kc8ldo]

I picked up a couple of Icom radios, IC-F3162DT and IC-F6162DT. Both can do FM and dPMR digital mode.
Is there a list of dPMR talk groups used on the Ham bands? This would likely be for the EU area since dPMR doesn't seem to be used in North America.

Also dPMR446 seems a bit different. Particularly with regards to radio ID's and talkgroups. Looks like they use "common ID's". Not sure how those map to radio ID's and talkgroups.