PMR446 walkie-talkies: no licence, no subscription
PMR446 is the walkie-talkie band anyone in the EU can use without a licence. Buy the radios, choose a channel and talk. Here is how to choose and what to expect from them.
- Authorised Motorola Solutions dealer
- Kirisun PoC distributor for Greece & Cyprus
- Programming and setup
- Support from Thessaloniki since 2001
What to look for
Licence-free, by design
PMR446 radios use 446.0–446.2 MHz at a maximum of 0.5 W ERP with a fixed antenna. Under these rules they can be used without a licence in every EU country, Greece and Cyprus included.
Realistic range
Box figures (4 km, 10 km) are measured in open terrain. In town or inside buildings expect a few hundred metres to a couple of kilometres. Height and line of sight matter more than the model.
Batteries for your use
AAA batteries are easy on holiday; a rechargeable Li-ion pack, as on the XT420 and XT460, is cheaper and simpler for daily shift work.
Leisure or business build
Talkabout radios suit families and outdoor trips. The XT series is built for daily work, with IP55 protection and simple controls.
Recommended radios
Motorola Talkabout T42 (twin pack)
Entry-level pair on AAA batteries. For families, kids and small events. PMR44616 channelsUp to 4 km* Price on request In stock
Motorola Talkabout T62 (twin pack)
Pair with 121 privacy codes and VOX, for families and small teams. PMR446121 codesUp to 8 km* Price on request In stock
Motorola Talkabout T82 Extreme (twin pack)
Outdoor pair with IPx4 splash protection and a built-in torch. IPx4LED torchUp to 10 km* Price on request In stock
Motorola Talkabout T92 H2O (twin pack)
Waterproof IP67 and floats: for boats, fishing and the beach. IP67 · floats121 codesUp to 10 km* Price on request In stock
Motorola XT420
Business radio, IP55, Li-ion, no display: simple for shift staff. IP5516 channelsLi-ion Price on request In stock
Motorola XT460
The XT420 with a display, for supervisors and multi-channel teams. IP55Display16 channels Price on request In stockSetup tips
- Set all radios to the same channel and the same privacy code (or none). A different code means you will not hear each other.
- If you hear other people, change channel or privacy code. A privacy code filters what you hear; it does not encrypt your speech.
- For the best range, hold the radio upright, away from your body, and talk from the highest point you can.
Good to know before you buy
- PMR446 is shared with everyone. Others can hear you on the same channel, so do not use it for confidential information.
- 0.5 W and a fixed antenna limit range. Repeaters and external antennas are not allowed on PMR446.
- For private channels, longer range or a fleet of dozens of radios, look at licensed DMR or PoC radios.
Questions people ask
Is PMR446 legal in Greece?
Yes. PMR446 is harmonised across the EU and can be used in Greece and Cyprus without a licence, as long as the radio is a type-approved PMR446 radio with its original fixed antenna.
Can PMR446 radios of different brands talk to each other?
Yes, on the same channel and with the same privacy code (or with privacy codes switched off). Channel numbering is usually the same for the 16 analogue PMR446 channels.
Do PMR446 walkie-talkies work abroad?
Inside the EU, yes. Outside the EU the 446 MHz band may be assigned to other services, so check the local rules before using them, for example in the USA.
Other guides
Not sure which radio to pick?
Tell us how many people need to talk, where, and how far apart. Our team in Thessaloniki replies with a recommendation and, for businesses, a written quote.