Just invested in some 2-way radios to help me & my pals when metal detecting as we often end up opposite sides of a very large field. I had no idea about the 446 network! Very cool. I may well give it a go. Very informative & helpful video, well presented Lewis! All the best, Marcus

Hello from Ireland just purchased a pair of pmr446 radios very informative thanks bud 👍

You nailed it Lewis!! Great explainer video! Loved the graphics and presentation. Top quality stuff. I suspect some people calling or listening on ch8 might have pre installed or incorrect ctcss/dcs codes in their walkie talkie and are calling out but not hearing replies because either nobody is using the ctcss/dcs or different codes being used by people trying to reply. I would just switch them off personally. Plus as you say, sitting in your front room shouting into a radio putting out 500mw into a tiny antenna is not going to yield many contacts. Since its legal to use tones on PMR it might be good to try APRS or something similar with a pmr handie. As long as you key up for less than 180 seconds iirc. Anyway great video. Hopefully it encourages more people to get into radio and maybe take their ticket eventually.

Brilliantly informative video. And particularly happy you covered etiquette. Been using the CB since 1980, and even with the splattering of users today, swearing seems to be common making it unusable by my children.

Great video Lewis. I will have to see if there is a 446 net around my QTH.

You could use an external antenna on your roof with some gain (to overcome co-ax and connector loss) and still stay within the erp limit. The bonus being improved receive too.

I loved the vid Lewis, just like all the other vids you have done, your very inspirational even to the younger generation, keep up the good work, also your new Facebook group is going amazingly 👍

I’m in a 13th floor flat and my PMR446 reception is amazing. I’m in Southend on Sea and I can see the local repeater which is 25 miles away from me. I’ve been able to contact people in Devon and in Yorkshire.

Great video yet again Lewis. Keep up the great work. Motters 73

Thank you for this video it’s helped me learn.

Brilliant video. Ill be tuning in on Sunday @ 08:00. Not on FB. In the Ashfield area.

That’s great if you can use pmr446 in your area, some of us have idiots that use 25k width and openly admit to using a “200w linear amplifier” in my area. Even the businesses using pmr are having to move to the simple business licence and have made multiple complaints to ofcom. So yeah it’s great to have a net and move people Over to ham as much as possible, but there are rules on 446 for a reason and these people running silly power amps on 446 using base station equipment are ruining a lot of people’s chances of getting to speak or even listen. Channel 8 (also 7 and 9 are wiped out by a specific station too) is completely unusable in my area and for around 10 miles radius ( likely further). Luckily I have a ham licence so doesn’t affect me personally, other than not being able to join in any channel 8 net but as a known ham operator in the area I do get asked a massive amount of radio based questions and this has been a hot topic for a good few months now. Sadly in radio it only takes a couple of these idiots to ruin it for everyone. I’d say they should get licenced, but do we really want these people in that community. It’s such as shame as in my area so many people want to join the channel 8 weekend fun but can’t, business can’t use their radios and it’s frustrating everyone as they can’t hear people telling them they are disturbing everyone else. Oh and if the guy from my area who said this “ at the end of my road is a farm” , “I run 200w of power on a linear amp as no one cares” and “ my antenna is hidden on the roof of my house where it can’t be seen from the road, also the antenna on my mobile station on my car runs 100w and the antenna is hidden round the back window”, “ if anyone comes knocking on my door I’ll just say I didn’t know I was doing anything wrong”, “ I wanted to be in echo link and allstar but they won’t accept pmr08 as a genuine call sign” and finally “ only idiots would go for a ham licence as you can do it on pmr 446 free” this was then followed by a few well known shop names of shops that have helped him modify equipment to achieve his 200w home “station” and has also stated the area he lives in too, I hope he realises he may have a lot of angry people on his doorstep and complaints are definitely being made by businesses in the area mostly. Also, pmr08 is not your call sign dude, it’s a channel and you really shouldn’t be telling other people to get off “your channel” especially when you’re running 200w. Why spend so much time and money on something illegal that annoys everyone, CB is totally dead round here and no one would care how you use your 4w on CB! Sorry to have to be so negative about this, but I’m supporting the cause and these issues are blocking people enjoying pmr for having a chat etc, which sounds like a really fun use to get locals involved in radio, just a shame some people have to ruin it for everyone.

Thanks Lewis! Keep it up! 73

We use a couple of radios to help when reversing the big van! Hadn't appreciated some of the stuff you talked about, so thank you!

Great explanation Lewis 👍

Thanks Lewis

Just one bit missing, I often see people asking about ctcss and how to set it, the experienced out there know not to set such privacy codes but it may be worth a quick note to say not to set them. 🙂

I’ll get try on Sunday 8pm this week.

Hello Lewis a big thumbs up 👍 for sharing another great video as always. I’ll try from my qth next Sunday on ch8 at 8 and put out a few calls. I doubt I will be able to get a qso over to Manchester from my location in Derbyshire there is higher ground to the west. The Pennines hills are also in the way blocking my path to Manchester over 30 miles so I don’t think I would copy you Lewis. 73s M3SNU.

I might here you on my Baofeng

Excellent advice lewis. I really hope we get a good group of people on pmr 446 channel 8. I'm going to thunderpole this Friday to buy myself some pmr radios. Hopefully speak to you Sunday. Cheers. Mark

Excellent video. I really do think you will increase the numbers on there.

Great video. I learned stuff, thanks. M0XMX

Just ordered some Retevis RB615's as was impressed by your vid on them. Of the 16 channels is any one of them stronger than another, Or are they all the same?

I’ve recently got a Simple Uk radio license, could you possibly do a video on how you program baofeng radios to those frequencies as I’m not sure if I’ve done it right, I’m going to use the UHF 1 frequencies on the 888s and the vhf on my baofeng uv 5R and 6R , a video would be great so I can double check if I’ve programmed the frequencies correct on chirp etc. Many thanks.

with my B-feng GT-3TP am i allowed to try and join in , seen your posts they look great sadly im stuck in a built up area in Huyton Liverpool but if im allowed next sunday i would give it a try

there are now 447 Likes buddy !!

3:21 take a shot every time a KZfaqr says "link is in the description" when in fact it isn't 🤣

Hi lewis, Please can I have some help. I have looked at lots of videos and even more confused now! I am starting a metal detecting tour company in the country of Georgia and PMRs are allowed, I need to buy 10 units(8 for detectorists and 2 admin) and will use in open country/mountainous locations. Please which unit will give the best range to about 1 mile or so, looking for clarity and 16 channels. Looking to spend about £120 for ten units. Much appreciated for your help. confused Rich!!

Hi There, I have been trying to work out whether you need a license to listen on a scanner? Without talking or using any frequencies!

Comrade Wingray. 0:52 "it spans 16 channels spaced 6.25khz apart" My mate down the pub in Pyongyang said in the UK it's a 12.5khz spacing on analogue and DMR(T1), and 6.25khz for 32Ch on dPMR446. I''m developing a 128ch PMR446Ghz licence free radio built in to a hat. Please send me £873.57 and I'll send you one.

The airwaves are dead in the BH22 area, unless I'm mistaken :-/

Hi Lewis. Can you tell me, do pmr446 radios have to have a fixed antenna? Lots of radios on Amazon etc show pmr446 but have detachable antenna. Thanks 🙏 for the video. Eamonn.

thought the were 12.5 apart.

M11 Man City ground.

if i buy a set of 2 of these walkie talkies will other pmr 446 radios be able to comunicate with me?

In sweden

Do you use ctcss, dcs or not for ch8?

Does your country have a radio frequency of 245 MHz?

hello could i post your video on our irish net facebook as a good beginners guide ? we are PMR 446 IRELAND

Let's see if I can pick you up from London🤪

I thought the channel spacing was 12.5KHz for NFM analog, 6.25KHz for dPMR?

Interesting, has channel 8 become a default calling channel?

I have wakie takie pmr 446mhz. Topcom 9100

Is PMR ch 8 still going on.. March 21. Thanks. 👍👍

My radios came pre installed with PMR446 channels🤭 Because I asked if they could program them, also they meet the wattage and they was modified to not remove the antenna🙃 Also my repeater was pre programmed and also meets the wattage and can’t remove the antenna🙃 I love my set up 🥵🥵

My user manual says "Channel Spacing 12.5Khz" 🤔

No link to 446 net face book page? 2W0 FRW

I keep trying Lewis... but no signals heard. TBC.!

Can I join this I’m in glasgow In scotland

Informative video. I am new to radio, I have a Baofeng UV 5R is it compatible with PMR 446 or will I need to buy a different radio? Many Thanks

can i still use this

as i write this there are 446 lies for this video so i wont add my like to it yet lol

Breaker on the Side BLEEP

first

Pmr radio signals are rubbish