I Made Over 100 Contacts On This Licence Free Radio System!

[@jsa-z1722]

It’s great to see the face behind the voice! Love your channel.

[@redjohn20001]

PMR 446, amazingly useful. I have used it for years when in car convoys giving immediate communication. I have seen many emergency situations televised and thought to my self if only they had carried PMR radio, for example the numerous times people get lost hill or mountain walking. We had a holiday a few years on the Caledonian canal, part of which is on Lochness. Most of the boats sailing on it were hire boats from the handful of hire companies based there. During the week we're several situations would have been eased by being able to converse with another boat or a loch keeper. The Lock keepers and Bridge keepers had marine vhf but of course to be able to use that takes a license test and a more expense marine band radio. Their are many akward situations that could be helped by PMR radio but if find people in general have a reluctance to use it and yet they will happily spend hours chatting on a mobile phone.

[@ramairgt2]

I use GMRS and CB radio here in the US. I've made contacts all over the world, including Birmingham England, on my cb radio. I've gotten as far as a few states over on gmrs when conditions are just right. I hope this hobby keeps growing.

[@bak2bassix]

After starting on CB over 40 years ago, then dropping the hobby, it was PMR446 that got me back into radio. I’ve had a handful of Entel handhelds kicking around for years and during lockdown I heard some local folks in Sheffield UK chatting just for fun. From there on I dug into KZbin and came across this fantastic channel, notarubicon and others and got a UV5R. Now an intermediate licensed ham. A few weeks ago bought a pair of those Retevis waterproof legal PMR446 that Lewis reviewed some time ago and I have had surprisingly good results from them, around 7 miles in relatively built up area. Great work guys.

[@RobWhittlestone]

Hi Lewis! Nice to see you! I have a couple of PMR446 handheld transcievers - where I live it's as dead as a Dodo. All the best, Rob in Switzerland.

[@subarubrat]

Another great video.👍 I need to get back on the pmr446 vibe. I have not been on the Net for a couple of months now. 73s John.

[@xxmrrickxx]

It sounds like a nice gateway to getting some new hams into the hobby.

[@RayneYoruka]

I see a face. Nice seeing ya boss!

[@ainteasybeingwheezy]

After watching one of the previous videos you did on 446 I took the plunge and bought a cheap handheld watched a few more on how to set it up and mod it. I took the radio out on my usual Sunday journey made my first call talked to Max that was around 6 months ago now if possible I call in I did on Sunday and was pleased to hear so many people on the air

[@fsstickman1]

My old school used radios to talk between the car park and the classrooms. They apparently got interference from Luton airport (about 10 miles away)

[@johnsummers3876]

That evening we had another power cut in the Colwyn Bay area and, sitting in the dark in my living room, I switched on my Baofeng GT 3TP with a Retevis antenna, just in case there was anything useful going on. I heard a part on that net and heard many stations, one of which was in Bootle. That's 30 miles from me - very impressive.

[@garysharp293]

Thanks. Brilliant channel Lewis. Have a Xmas drink on us. All the best Gary MW0YAE

[@RingwayManchester]

Thank you so much!

[@nammo9460]

Took delivery of a pair of Retevis RT24's late yesterday afternoon. I certainly intend to try them on Sunday evening, from a high point about three miles from home, and maybe later today, thanks for all the info. I got these as a change from 20m, I usually operate with a G8 callsign.

[@soundman601]

I'm ready for Sunday night. My XYZ News features your video. Good to see the face behind the voice.

[@markbennett6818]

Will listen out this sunday

[@markharpen7417]

Congratulations Luis!! Amazing feat!!

[@stewilkins3898]

I'm planning putting up a Diamond X50 on Sunday weather and time permitting, been meaning to get on the 2 meter and 70cm bands for ages, but will also test it out on 446 and see how it goes.

[@glennchristie2316]

I Subscribed to your channel a very long time ago and I pictured you as someone more like 60 years old. I’m an Antenna Freak and get a big kick out of using the least power and more of Location. I live in S. Central Florida and can watch the Space Launches at Cape Canaveral over 100 miles away. Florida is very flat and has hundreds of small lakes everywhere to bounce the signal..

[@KeystoneInvestigations]

Well done Lewis! Next to Hedgehogs, your channel is my favorite thing from the British Isles! 🙂

[@nozhki-busha]

I am an amateur radio operator and I say roger, not having some stuffy old boy telling me not to use it. PMR sounds like good fun, highest I go is 4m, I might check this out in the future though.

[@jmr]

Those are good numbers. Even with relays, we've never come close on our equivalent systems.

[@riflesrigsandradios4636]

The Sunday 8@8 was a concept that was initially suggested by Simon Stuart amd Mark rider. Myself and a few others. down south pushed the launch in April 2020 and it then followed by others up and down the UK. We still have an active group partaking in the Sunday net most weeks. Was a great concept that has brought many into the world of amateur radio.

[@01cthompson]

This is great. A good way to get people excited about radio in general.

[@RobertoRubio-ij3ms]

Hi mate. Awesome to see this PMR Nets in the UK grow. I am trying to promote a similar movement here in Panama in the "free frequencies" we have (which overlap with GMRS and FRS), with a limit of 5 watts in 5 of the channels. The gov has not issued new ham licenses since 2018 so we have to do what we can to enjoy the hobby. Thanks for all your great content and the inspiration.

[@robertmeyer4744]

That was very good !We have some license free radios in the USA as well. FRS / MURS / CB And a 49 Mhz band with A few CH. Nice to get a bunch on PMR 446 . It is for everyone . This can be very helpful in a emergency like when cell networks go down, it did in part of Wales .With recent wind storm. Them radios are great to have with a mate when taking a walk in the park . Learning some basic radio skills just my save a life or 2. in fact it has. All over the world is is stories what radio can do. and what has done . The only downside is in parts of the US with the young kids using language that makes us adults wonder what kind of parents they have. Nice to see Lewis ! Normally only see him on Andy Kirby's channel. Cheers from NY, USA !!!

[@JamesMills-w1j]

Sounds interesting. Hope you have a great turn out. 🙂

[@Gomrath]

Nice work Lewis! Great videom shack looks awesome buddy.

[@garysharp293]

Great video. You cover some interesting topics. Keep it up. Compulsive viewing!

[@RingwayManchester]

I really appreciate that Gary

[@fedcall6618]

Should try pmr dublin repeater , 464.150 rec . Few uk boys get into dublin busy day time

[@6643bear]

That’s interesting frequently, ex met police channel

[@HarrySwettenham26]

Hit a few times from North Wales. Spoke to Keelan and a others multiple times over the years. Crossed the Irish Sea via ferries three times as well and always taken my handheld for the journey and made contacts through the repeater each time.

[@boilerroombob]

Great work lewis well done x

[@TheSpotify95]

That's brilliant! I might give a listen just to see what I can pick up, but I don't really have a great location. Maybe if I really got into this, a proper outdoor aerial for 446mhz might do it. Also there's no way I'd be able to pick up anything from the North West (including Manchester), I'm East Midlands based...

[@RogierYou]

Record the net and share it on your channel

[@rossjl]

OMG you look nothing like I expected!!! I mean that in a good way!

[@colmreilly8779]

During the summer there were several Sundays were propagation across the Irish Sea to Ireland was possible. The weather isn't great at moment though.

[@artempriadko6974]

Good to have something like this in Norwich. I'll try

[@christophersmith1155]

I wish FRS-GMRS here in the USA was as popular as your PMR.

[@IM1deadMONEY]

I live in US, so I will not have the pleasure of being able to join your net, But it's still exciting! I hope that you get a lot more check-ins the next time. Also, I'm surprised that you are not in front of the camera more often, you do not have " a face for radio" hahaha!

[@Roads_of_Europe]

Nice to see a face to the voice. I hope you do it more often 👍

[@barrieshepherd7694]

Lewis, you mentioned repeaters. I'm interested in how that works. I thought PMR446 was single frequency simplex so do you do repeater by cross banding?

[@RingwayManchester]

Relays barrie as in people relaying messages over. Not repeaters

[@barrieshepherd7694]

@@RingwayManchester🤣🤣🤣🤣My bad

[@KubedPixel]

Apologies for the probably dumb question. I'm still new to this. I've got a Baofeng UV-5R+ I can tune to 446.067, is that going to work or does it have to be specifically 466.068(75) as I can't get the exact frequency. Thanks in advance.

[@ANDREWB7360]

hi Lewis. I really enjoy your videos, especially yesterdays one on the pmr band. I've always been a keen shortwave listener and have always enjoyed listening to radio hams etc . i haven't yet decided as to whether to do a foundation or novice licence yet. i am really interested in the pmr frequency and would like to know what your thoughts are on the radios i am currently looking at. there about £ 30 mark. beofeng pmr 446 and the beofeng uv -9r plus 1p67. cheers. andrew

[@rickchapman9232]

Is that a c b under that speaker?

[@dataterminal]

The Kidsgrove stations did well. Honestly, there are just a few areas that overlook the northern area but the vast majority of kidsgrove is in a rather bad spot for even broadcast radio reception, and mobile phone coverage isn't great either. So props to those from Kidsgrove that managed to make the net work for them. It does help that, (I think it's) Mike at Mowcop is excellent at managing this side of the hill of staffs and cheshire on the daily outside of the net.

[@GreatBritain-ts3ok]

New to this so have questions but mainly one! I have a Quansheng UV-K6 (Thanks to you) and use it to listen to my local Airport (Hummber). I know this may sound dumb to some of you but, How do I tune to this channel you are talking about?

[@thomasrobinson8336]

Actually good to see you

[@Peakwanderer]

I have a listen via an online SDR radio, there's little point me trying from home though. It amuses me that licenced operators like Q-codes except QSK, perhaps it stems from its use on CB rather than break, so they use break instead, very strange.

[@jonfr]

In Denmark where I live. I often do not get anything. Sometimes there is just some minor activity. But I am not sure how to scan this properly, but most channels are quiet regardless.

[@60_Degrees_North]

I am so looking forward to that. However I now have to rewind and find out what time on Sunday Oh 6pm GMT

[@gtretroworld]

It’s good to see faces once in a while. I have to edit all the time when i show my face so don’t worry about that. The PMR Net sounds great but unfortunately it is very lacking over here.

[@pjohnwilliams6941]

What's the best pmr homebase antenna with good swr? Thanks

[@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt]

Many of us watching from outside the UK have absolutely zero clue what PMR 446 is. From what I can gather it's 446 MHz handheld walkie talkie only with irremovable antenna at 5w with (16? 32? 48?) channels yes?

[@sfralph70]

Yes but 500mW and 16 channels

[@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt]

@@sfralph70 Thanks 👍

[@mpol701]

And it no just uk it's European wide

[@skippy-yz4ci]

Going to tune in tonight from Derbyshire....do i need to set a Squelch tone to receive ?

[@RingwayManchester]

No squelch tone

[@ifell3]

This is great stuff!!

[@PJFunnyBunny-yl7co]

Awesome! 💯❤️👍

[@DimasFajar-ns4vb]

wow and peace be upon you sir from me

[@andyredleader28]

Cheers lewis 👍

[@Team-fabulous]

In my home town of Newtownards Northern Ireland there is never ever any traffic on PMR,,,,,,

[@chox2001]

If I remember I will dig out a radio later.

[@eliotmansfield]

just like zello, the hams seem to insist on turning everything into ham with callsigns etc. Stick to ham bands if you want give your call sign after every over and tell the world about your amps, aerials and ailments 😂

[@RingwayManchester]

Absolutely

[@JamesA42]

360 or 148 in the background ?

[@Mark418]

Can I join in using a quasheng radio?

[@MrToymod]

You can indeed as long as it will accept the frequency.

[@declanm2017]

it may be over that 0.5 Watt power limit . you can probably get away with 5 watts anyways since the Fcc or Faa done care enough (i always get them 2 confused)

[@CarolineFord1]

@@declanm2017 neither are in the UK - it's OFCOM

[@johnmilton7578]

@@declanm2017 The FCC & FAA are American, not UK/European. The UK conditions are governed by Ofcom and European ones by the ECO.

[@declanm2017]

@@johnmilton7578 thanks for the info. I thought they where the same since i got a operators id of the FCC and i live in the uk .

[@hanleypc]

Sounds good, would it be worth a video about connecting a homebrew antenna to a UV-5R to get better distance?

[@minibikemadman]

wow such a weird band lol what frequencys do they run..it is the cb band?

[@danielclarke4059]

Lancaster County palatine 🌹

[@thisandthat871]

I'll try to be there 😂

[@MikeOfKorea]

You don't look like Thoughty2 but sound exactly like him... freaky.

[@dazzybabie]

All this talk of high ground 😂. Say you don't live in Lincolnshire, without saying you don't live in Lincolnshire

[@makerofthingsunique]

Alas I do 😢

[@shh_you_are_wrong]

You'll have to get up The Stump!

[@theswiller85]

Hey man, i work a youtube stream, out of respect i will leave it nameless, unless u allow me to mention it. Though i upload some plane vids to my personal channel its not the stream I’m referencing We are American and we focus on HFGCS and ATC comms. What would be the best way to reach out to you? We would love to possibly collab or have you on as a guest. In the meantime time keep pumping the great content!!! Cheers!!

[@keijak1]

Sadly nothing like this in the South West.

[@Shanghai_Knife_Dude]

Southport 😢

[@RingwayManchester]

What about it?

[@kemi242]

Thumbed up for the face reveal. :)

[@Larri-b]

Must be a northern thing we got f all in London

[@RAZZ229]

@Larri-b There are 2 PMR nets that have had London stations call in. The South Coast net on Monday nights from 20:00 on channel 14 and the Stay Prepped net on a Sunday night from 19:00 on channel 8

[@Larri-b]

@ thanks mate I’ll try then

[@cam_o_style91]

Any thing on zello

[@VrillonAura2012]

I been listening to people on pmr analog on the higher dpmr channels like channel 20 for instance loll

[@joebadger]

Ofcom changed the rules years ago, there's no distinction between digital an analogue use on the channels anymore

[@TheCosmicGuy0111]

Woaah

[@iandstanley]

I’ve had a few PMR 446 radios in the past but have been disappointed with every model. The quality of the ones I’ve tried doesn’t come even close to a baofeng UV5R never mind another brand The last one I tired was a retevis b63s which lasted around a week before I refused to charge (the other one of the pair still works) If anyone has suggestions of good quality builds of PMR radios I’d appreciate it

[@johnmilton7578]

As long as you are willing to pay the price, around £140, some of the "big brands", Midland and Icom for example, make professional grade PMR radios,

[@LMGGPMG]

446 children's band 2.0.

[@johnbelcher7164]

Don't forget Skip

[@alhamilton7261]

Great work Lewis, now I have a face to the voice, best Al