446 Radio NET

  Morning All, Charlie Tango 3533 (Airfixpilot) here.  I was watching an youtube video by Ringway Manchester, who was using an 446 radio in a radio net contact.  Now I know most people think that these radios are just toys, but they are NOT.  As we know range in clear open space is considerable even on 0.5 watts.  Lewis (Ringway Manchester) was using an Retevis RB615, small handheld, and on hills above Manchester.  He was getting contacts from all around Manchester and Salford, (Watch video).  He was using channel 8 as a calling channel, then Moving to a spare channel, for a clear contact.  There are 16 channels to choose from on most of these radios.

I Myself have two Retevis RT24 446 radios, which come in as a pair, and at a great price of £22, (£10 each), so price is not a issue to get into 446.  I seem to be drawn to Retevis radios as they are robust and professional looking.

I do believe that 446 as a usable system is overlooked by most radio users, as they race towards CB (10 meters), or Ham radios.  The pros for 446, are they have come a long way from kids toys, and moved into robust handhelds. 446 is a clear band, with hardly no one on at the moment. And lastly the price is Very affordable, and even though most sets are Chinese, they are well built, and to a high standard.

I would like to try a radio Net sometime to just see who are using 446, seriously.  
using channel 8 as a calling channel, and your CT callsign.  I am in the Immingham,North Lincolnshire area, but portable to Grimsby.

If anyone is interested in this radio net,  please leave comments and CT Callsign + first name.

I hope this works.

Have a good day  David CT3533  (listening  out on channel 8,  446mhz)   73s

pss I will put a call out every 15-20mins on ch 8, if I remember

Great Response so far Thanks. carn't wait for sunday 8pm

Hello David, sorry mate I'm in London so can't help on this one but I hope you manage to get something going.

73's Gary.

Hello David,have tried many times calling on 8 for dx but nothing heared since a few years ago.Have quite a good setup here in Huntingdon Cambs using homebrew biquad antennas and various handsets. Always use standard 500mw.Wish you success,all the best,John 26CT710

Interest adam 26-CT-3806

Hi David,

PMR446 can be a little hit and miss,

Have you tried some high ground at the weekend to try and make the most of your 0.5w?
or even 4w if your feeling your efforts are struggling.

T.