The 16 analogue channels
UK analogue PMR446 radios use sixteen channels between 446.0 and 446.2 MHz. If you have two analogue handsets, choose the same channel on both. Here is the channel plan:
| Channel | Frequency (MHz) | Channel | Frequency (MHz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 446.00625 | 9 | 446.10625 |
| 2 | 446.01875 | 10 | 446.11875 |
| 3 | 446.03125 | 11 | 446.13125 |
| 4 | 446.04375 | 12 | 446.14375 |
| 5 | 446.05625 | 13 | 446.15625 |
| 6 | 446.06875 | 14 | 446.16875 |
| 7 | 446.08125 | 15 | 446.18125 |
| 8 | 446.09375 | 16 | 446.19375 |
You can also keep the PMR446 frequency chart open while setting up a radio.
The numbers are simply a convenient way for people to select a frequency. On the analogue plan above, channels are spaced 12.5 kHz apart. Most handsets hide the frequency and show only the channel number, which is perfectly fine for ordinary use. If your radio has a frequency display, use the channel chart to check that you and your group mean the same setting.
Channel number first, tone second
The channel is the frequency you transmit on. A CTCSS tone or DCS code is an extra receiver setting. Matching codes can help a group hear its own calls without the speaker opening for every other conversation, but they do not make the transmission private and do not give you a separate frequency. If you are not sure what code the other person uses, set the tone to off on both radios.
A quick channel checklist
Before making a call, check that both radios are in analogue FM mode, on the same channel, and using compatible tone settings. Turn scan off while you are having a conversation; otherwise the handset may move away from the channel between calls. If you hear someone else already talking, give them room and wait for a pause. A channel that is quiet at lunchtime may be busy in the evening, so listen again when you are about to use it.
Some digital PMR446 models use their own channel arrangement and digital settings. A matching channel number alone does not guarantee that a digital handset will understand an analogue one. If you are joining an existing group, ask what make, mode and settings they use before buying a radio with unfamiliar features.
Which channel should I try?
There is no single channel that is always quiet across the UK. Listen briefly before calling. If another conversation is underway, wait for a pause or agree another channel with your group. Some local operators arrange calls on Channels 6 or 8, but that is a local habit rather than a nationwide booking. Our Channel 6 and Channel 8 guide explains how to find out what is happening in your area.
A quick setup check
If one handset hears nothing, check that both use the same channel, the same analogue mode and compatible tone settings. Turn the volume up, check the battery, and try from a more open spot. A digital PMR446 handset and an analogue FM handset may not understand one another’s voice, even when the channel number looks similar.
For everyday use, keep a note of the channel and code your group has agreed. That small step saves a lot of button pressing when everyone is ready to call.