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pmr446 radio emergency channel

pmr446 radio emergency channel


Postby Big Wull » Tue Mar 28, 2017 1:15 am

hi all

I have just got myself a new set of 2 way radios for doing the kayaking and has got me thinking they would be good for the hillwalking for emergency use and general chit chat.
My question is ..... is there a recognised channel that people/mountain rescue use/listen for emergency traffic I have see channel 8 getting mentioned a few times ....anyone got thoughts or info on this ?
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Re: pmr446 radio emergency channel

Postby Border Reiver » Tue Mar 28, 2017 2:01 pm

Maybe I'm being a bit naïve, but I would have thought that last thing MRT would want when carrying out a major operation would be someone other than themselves & police etc. getting involved on the airwaves.
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Re: pmr446 radio emergency channel

Postby gaffr » Tue Mar 28, 2017 3:36 pm

You have got it spot on previous replier.
The rescue services have dedicated channels....able to communicate with each other, other rescue groups , Police and helicopters etc. and of course the folks are dealing with difficult and sensitive information when searches and recoveries are on-going.
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Re: pmr446 radio emergency channel

Postby basscadet » Tue Mar 28, 2017 3:46 pm

I've never heard of hillwalkers carrying radios for contacting emergency services, although have seen climbers use them instead of the usual shouting. You would maybe have some success with coastguard channels? As MRT are volunteers with jobs and lives, I wouldn't of thought they are listening to the radio 24/7 either :lol:
I have a PLB for contacting folk in an emergency - runs on satelite signals so works worldwide. I can send predefined texts to various friends and family, or ask for assistance from emergency services and thats possibly more than anyone needs :D
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Re: pmr446 radio emergency channel

Postby GillSte » Tue Mar 28, 2017 7:13 pm

Big Wull wrote:hi all

I have just got myself a new set of 2 way radios for doing the kayaking and has got me thinking they would be good for the hillwalking for emergency use and general chit chat.
My question is ..... is there a recognised channel that people/mountain rescue use/listen for emergency traffic I have see channel 8 getting mentioned a few times ....anyone got thoughts or info on this ?

The emergency channel for you (and other members of the public) is a simple 999 call on your mobile phone, and ask for Mountain Rescue. It will patch through to the nearest available mobile network free of charge. If you are lost, mountain rescue can use Sarloc to locate you. There are still some places where there is absolutely no signal of any kind, but in general you can get a signal if one of the party goes uphill. As mentioned by others, no-one will be listening out for your radio comms, but the Emergency Telephone Operators will be listening out for you if you are in trouble.
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Re: pmr446 radio emergency channel

Postby Skyelines » Tue Mar 28, 2017 10:03 pm

pmr446 is UHF, Mountain Rescue and Coastguard are VHF, the system frequencies are incompatible.
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Re: pmr446 radio emergency channel

Postby Big Wull » Wed Mar 29, 2017 3:27 am

ohhh a bit of a flame there ehh.
I think you guys are missing my point...im not an idiot I know what frequencies the rescue services use .
All I was asking was if you don't have reception on your mobile to call 999 or have 4g to Facebook/Tweet or WhatsApp the mrt :lol: is anyone using or listening to the 446 frequencies a simple yes or know would be good ...

// INSULTS TO OTHER POSTERS DELETED BY MODERATOR - BOARD WARNING SENT //
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Re: pmr446 radio emergency channel

Postby gaffr » Wed Mar 29, 2017 7:35 am

I am a very light user of any tech stuff when on the hills....only a very simple phone. Not tried this but if no reception is available on my mobile I am informed that doing the 999 thing I will get switched to another provider....if available?
I guess this will by-pass the SIM card so no reply will be possible? But information of my problem will get through to the Police.
So is it Walkie-Talkies that you are talking about and maybe you can explain what the 446 channel does?
However I don't see that bending over backwards and looking into dark places will be helpful though. :)
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Re: pmr446 radio emergency channel

Postby GillSte » Wed Mar 29, 2017 7:42 am

Big Wull wrote:ohhh a bit of a flame there ehh.
I think you guys are missing my point...im not an idiot I know what frequencies the rescue services use .
All I was asking was if you don't have reception on your mobile to call 999 or have 4g to Facebook/Tweet or WhatsApp the mrt :lol: is anyone using or listening to the 446 frequencies a simple yes or know would be good ... // POSTER INSULTS TEXT DELETED BY MODERATOR // :clap:

No. And there's no need to be rude, when you have been given polite, clear, correct answers previously.
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Re: pmr446 radio emergency channel

Postby Skyelines » Wed Mar 29, 2017 9:08 am

No.
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Re: pmr446 radio emergency channel

Postby Caberfeidh » Wed Mar 29, 2017 9:21 am

The emergency number 112 is better from a mobile phone, as the services can then home in on your signal to get a fairly exact fix on your position. I have used walkie-talkies when hillwalking and climbing. Their usefulness is dependent on the intelligence of the people you are with. One idiot kept on shouting into the radio, despite me explaining that the earpiece of my radio was actually in my ear and his shouting was not only unnecessary but painful. In the end I just had to take the radio off him. And beat him to death with it. :shock:
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Re: pmr446 radio emergency channel

Postby Skyelines » Wed Mar 29, 2017 9:41 am

112 and 999 work exactly the same, there is no difference in performance.
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Re: pmr446 radio emergency channel

Postby Jaxter » Wed Mar 29, 2017 10:21 am

Worth doing this as often a text can get through when a phone call won't
http://www.emergencysms.org.uk/
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Re: pmr446 radio emergency channel

Postby basscadet » Wed Mar 29, 2017 11:43 am

Jaxter wrote:Worth doing this as often a text can get through when a phone call won't
http://www.emergencysms.org.uk/


So I have heard many times, and yet when I broke my ankle, my 999 call got through no problem, but I couldn't send or receive a text.. :crazy:
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Re: pmr446 radio emergency channel

Postby Caberfeidh » Wed Mar 29, 2017 11:59 am

Skyelines wrote:112 and 999 work exactly the same, there is no difference in performance.


basscadet wrote:
Jaxter wrote:Worth doing this as often a text can get through when a phone call won't
<span class="skimlinks-unlinked">http://www.emergencysms.org.uk</span>/

So I have heard many times, and yet when I broke my ankle, my 999 call got through no problem, but I couldn't send or receive a text.. :crazy:


Ah ~ this is worth a read : http://www.mountainsafety.co.uk/EP-999- ... -Best-aspx
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