The short version
If you want an ordinary local radio chat, this is simple: use a handheld radio sold as PMR446 for the UK or Europe, and use it as supplied. The service operates between 446.0 and 446.2 MHz, with a maximum effective radiated power of 500 mW e.r.p. A radio that can be programmed to show 446 MHz is not automatically a compliant PMR446 handset; the model and its antenna arrangement matter too.
“e.r.p.” means effective radiated power: a way of describing how much radio energy is sent out, taking the antenna system into account. A label showing transmitter output power is not, by itself, proof that the complete radio meets the PMR446 conditions. The easiest route for most people is to buy a clearly identified UK/EU PMR446 model from a seller who can confirm the exact version.
Hearing farther does not change the power limit
Sometimes an open-squelch or monitor setting lets you hear a distant or weak signal through the speaker. That changes what the receiver plays; it does not increase your transmitter power. A clear path, high ground or unusually quiet channel may make a call travel farther than usual. You can enjoy hearing a distant voice without changing anything: for ordinary PMR446 use, leave the radio with its built-in antenna and factory settings.
You do not need to learn the technical wording by heart to get started. If you are comparing a particular model or have a radio with unusual settings, check the manufacturer’s UK information and Ofcom’s current short-range device guidance. This is a plain-English guide to the usual handheld setup.
Buying without overthinking it
For most people, the practical check is simply that the radio is clearly sold as a UK PMR446 model and that you are buying the right version. Leave its power and antenna settings as supplied. If a listing promises performance through a modification or an unusual antenna, pause and ask the seller what exact model it is. Our radio suggestions focus on familiar handheld FM sets for everyday local use.