Can you use PMR446 in the United States?

Notice: I am not a lawyer and have never played one on TV, what follows is not legal advice but simply my interpretation of the laws as I have read them. Please consult an attorney for any real legal advice. “Some dude on the internet said…” is not a valid legal defense.

I’ve been exploring various radio communication options for years, and one question that frequently pops up among radio enthusiasts is about using PMR446 radios in the United States. If you’ve traveled to Europe or purchased radio equipment online, you might have encountered these devices and wondered if they’re legal to use stateside. Let me share what I’ve learned through my research and experience.

PMR446 (Private Mobile Radio, 446 MHz) is a license-exempt radio service widely used throughout Europe and parts of Asia. These handheld transceivers have become incredibly popular for recreational and light business use overseas, but their status in North America is quite different. Before you power up that European walkie-talkie on American soil, there are some critical legal and technical considerations you should understand.

PMR446 operates in the UHF radio frequency band between 446.0-446.2 MHz. It’s essentially Europe’s equivalent to America’s FRS (Family Radio Service) system, designed for short-range communication without requiring a license. I’ve used these radios while traveling in Europe, and they’re perfect for keeping in touch with companions during outdoor activities, at events, or for small business operations.

The system offers 16 analog channels and 16 digital channels (depending on the radio model), with a maximum transmission power of 500 mW ERP (Effective Radiated Power). This power limitation helps prevent interference with other services while still providing decent range for most applications. In optimal conditions with line-of-sight, these radios can reach several kilometers, though in urban environments, the range typically drops to a few hundred meters.

Here’s a breakdown of the analog PMR446 channels and their frequencies:

Here’s where things get complicated. In the United States, the frequency range used by PMR446 (446 MHz) is allocated to amateur radio operators and military radar systems. This creates a fundamental conflict that makes using these radios problematic in America.

According to FCC regulations, you cannot legally operate PMR446 radios in the US unless you hold a valid amateur radio license (commonly known as a ham license). Even with such a license, you’d still need to follow all amateur radio protocols, including proper station identification using your call sign.

I’ve researched the potential consequences of unauthorized use, and they’re not trivial. The FCC can impose substantial fines starting at $10,000 for unlicensed operation. Amateur radio operators take frequency protection seriously, and many actively monitor for unauthorized transmissions. Some even use direction-finding equipment to locate the source of illegal signals and report them to authorities.

Another potential issue is the Code of Federal Regulations seems to state that the radio itself has to have been type accepted by the FCC even if you have a license. Specifically, I am referring to this section:

(c) Unless specifically exempted, the operation or marketing of an intentional or unintentional radiator that is not in compliance with the administrative and technical provisions in this part, including prior Commission authorization or verification, as appropriate, is prohibited under section 302 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and subpart I of part 2 of this chapter. The equipment authorization and verification procedures are detailed in subpart J of part 2 of this chapter.

So it is possible that even if you have a valid Amateur Radio license in the United States, using equipment meant for the UK and not type accepted by the FCC may still be a violation of the law. While some people think that no one ever actually gets in trouble for this kind of thing, see my article on Do I Need a Radio License to Use a Two-Way Radio? For a fairly in-dept answer to that particular fallacy.

Beyond the amateur radio allocation, portions of the 446 MHz band in North America are used by military radar systems, particularly the PAVE PAWS installations that detect ballistic missiles. One such facility is located at Clear Air Force Station in Alaska. Interfering with these critical defense systems is obviously something you want to avoid.

Additionally, while PMR446 frequencies don’t directly overlap with emergency services in the US, unauthorized transmissions could potentially cause harmful interference to nearby frequencies used for public safety. As someone who values emergency preparedness, I’d never want my radio hobby to impact critical communications.

If you’re visiting the United States from Europe and brought your PMR446 radios, I strongly recommend leaving them turned off. The potential legal issues aren’t worth the risk, especially when FRS radios are inexpensive and readily available at most electronics retailers and even many supermarkets.

For travelers heading in the opposite direction, note that American FRS/GMRS radios cannot legally be used in Europe, as they operate on frequencies allocated to emergency services there. Radio regulations are reciprocal in this way – what works in one region often conflicts with allocations in another.

Some multi-band programmable radios can operate on both PMR446 and FRS/GMRS frequencies, so you may be tempted to reprogram a radio to operate on the free frequencies. Say for example you bought the ever popular Baofeng BF-888s radios and programmed them for the FRS frequencies as well as switching them to low power, that would make them legal in the US, right?

Not so fast. First, the radio was not type accepted by the FCC for this use, see Title 47, Chapter 1, Subchapter D, Part 95, Subpart B, § 95.561 FRS transmitter certification:

Each FRS unit (a transmitter that operates or is intended to operate in the FRS) must be certficated for use in the FRS in accordance with this subpart and subpart J of part 2 of this chapter.

That is strike one (yes, it really says certficated).

Second, in that same Part 95, Subpart B, Section § 95.587 FRS additional requirements:

(b) Antenna. The antenna of each FRS transmitter type must meet the following requirements.

(1) The antenna must be a non-removable integral part of the FRS transmitter type.

The Baofeng BF-888s has a removable antenna, strike two.

Third, in that same Part 95, Subpart B, Section § 95.591 Sales of FRS combination radios prohibited:

Effective September 30, 2019, no person shall sell or offer for sale hand-held portable radio equipment capable of operating under this subpart (FRS) and under any other licensed or licensed-by-rule radio services in this chapter (devices may be authorized under this subpart with part 15 unlicensed equipment authorizations).

Since GMRS is covered by Part 95 and requires a license, and since the Baofeng BF-888s can be programmed to transmit in that frequency range, that is strike three. Sorry.

While PMR446 radios serve their purpose well in Europe and other regions where they’re authorized, they simply aren’t compatible with the US frequency allocation system. Using them in the United States without proper amateur radio licensing is both illegal and potentially disruptive to important services.

I recommend either obtaining an amateur radio license if you’re serious about the hobby, or sticking with FRS, GMRS, or MURS radios that are designed for legal operation in the US. The peace of mind that comes from knowing you’re operating within regulations is well worth the small investment in appropriate equipment.

Have you had experiences with different radio services across international boundaries? I’d love to hear about your adventures and challenges navigating the complex world of radio regulations, leave a comment below!