The regulatory framework
PMR446 (Private Mobile Radio, 446 MHz band) is harmonised at European level: it's free to use, with no licence or prior declaration, throughout the European Union, including France. The regulatory technical characteristics are strict:
| Characteristic | Regulatory value |
|---|---|
| Frequency band | 446.0 – 446.2 MHz |
| Maximum power | 500 mW ERP |
| Antenna | Fixed and integrated, non-removable |
| Number of channels | 16 |
These limits aren't arbitrary: they ensure the device stays in the "licence-free" category and doesn't interfere with other spectrum uses.
The real range, not the box's
Packaging sometimes advertises ranges of 10, 20, even 40 km. In practice, the power limited to 500 mW and the fixed antenna give much more modest results:
| Environment | Realistic range |
|---|---|
| Dense urban area | 500 m to 1 km |
| Suburban or wooded area | 1 to 3 km |
| Open ground (countryside, mountains, sea) | 5 to 10 km |
Buildings, terrain and vegetation greatly reduce range: a walkie-talkie "advertised at 20 km" tested in a city will rarely exceed 1 km.
Using it as a family
- Agree on a fixed channel in advance, written into your family plan, rather than searching for it on the day.
- Test the real range at home, between the places you'll need it (garden, house, camping).
- Charge or change batteries regularly, at the same pace as the rest of your emergency kit.
- One walkie-talkie per child once old enough to use it simply, for a meeting point or a hike.
Limits to know
PMR446 only works station to station, in direct link. Regulations explicitly forbid using it as part of an infrastructure network or via a repeater station: no amplifier, no external antenna. It's therefore not a solution for long-distance communication, but a reliable close-range tool.
Mistakes to avoid
- Believing the ranges advertised on packaging. They assume direct line of sight rarely encountered in real use.
- Adding an external antenna or amplifier. It's both illegal for licence-free PMR446 use and pointless if the device is to remain compliant.
- Never testing before you need it. Check the real range in your environment, not just in the shop.
- Not having spare batteries. A dead walkie-talkie is useless.
Your household's PMR446 channel, noted somewhere
LASTLINE can help you keep this information accessible:
- your family plan and meeting points, in the same place as the rest of your preparedness;
- your practical guides, viewable even without network.
LASTLINE doesn't directly manage PMR446 walkie-talkies: it's a hardware accessory independent of the app.
Note my family plan in LASTLINEFrequently asked questions
Do you need a licence to use a PMR446 walkie-talkie in Europe?
No. PMR446 is free to use, with no licence or declaration, throughout the European Union, provided the regulatory technical characteristics are respected: power limited to 500 mW, fixed non-removable antenna.
What's the real range of a PMR446 walkie-talkie?
In urban or wooded areas, expect more like 500 metres to 2-3 km. On open ground (countryside, mountains, sea), range can reach 5 to 10 km. Figures advertised by some manufacturers are often optimistic compared to real use.
Can several PMR446 walkie-talkies be linked via a repeater to extend range?
No. Regulations forbid using PMR446 as part of an infrastructure network or via a repeater station: it only works station to station, in direct link.
Sources
- CEPT/ECC European harmonisation decision on the PMR446 band (446.0–446.2 MHz), transposed into the French national frequency band allocation table (TNRBF) under the authority of ANFR (French national frequency agency).
The ranges given are orders of magnitude observed in real use, not values guaranteed by a regulatory text: they vary by equipment, terrain and obstacles.