DK bought a pair of Motorola T6222 PMR446 radios (PMR stands for Personal Mobile Radio, aka walkie talkies) for Apple's European Tour in June 2002.

The motivation for using 2-way radios while convoying about Europe was primarily one of cost, since, apart from the initial outlay for handsets and accessories, PMR446s have no running costs. Contrast this with mobile phones, which cost a fortune when used outside their base country.

DK did much research before choosing Motorola T6222s. The radio has many good features -- including sub-channels --, is robust, and has a wide range of accessories. Most importantly, they can be made truly hands-free by using VOX (Voice Activation) and a boom mike.

The radios have proven invaluable for MINI meetings and events.

Although their car-to-car range is only about half a mile, that is usually enough to maintain a small convoy of 15 to 20 cars since messages can be relayed between PMR446 users up and down the convoy.

Sub-channels are useful for meetings and events when the main channels are used by other people. Given a theoretical maximum of 304 (8 x 38) sub-channels, it is usually possible to find a private one.

There many makers of PMR446 radios, and radio prices range from under 40 GBP for a pair equipped with sub-channels. Remember though,  that quality tends to come at a price, and it is worth paying a little extra to get better-than-basic radios.

Motorola has been making PMR446s for some time, offers a range to suit everyone, and has a track record for excellence. During MINI meetings and events where PMR446s have been used to communicate with each other, the transmissions from Motorola PMR446s seemed distinctly clearer than those of other manufacturers, and their range seemed to be greater too. 

Although Motorola's T6222 model is no longer available, replaced by cheaper radios with fewer features, DK is pleased to see that it is still regarded as one of the best PMR446s more than 2 years after she bought hers.

DK found the following sites invaluable when she was sourcing her radios.

Delboy's PMR446

PMR446 enthusiast's site, great for radio reviews and general information on all things PMR446

446 User

Informative website dedicated to the subject of PMR446

Radios-UK

On-line store where DK bought her T6222s, fast and efficient services, informative, with a good range of radios and accessories to choose from

Amherst Walkie Talkie Information Centre

Useful FAQ page, including information with regard to compatibility of PMR446s and FRS/GMRS radios (they don't!)

Skywatcher.org

A very short but concise "idiots guide" FAQ page on PMR446

Department of Transport

FAQ Page on Mobile Phones and Driving, which includes information on 2-way radios

* * * Things to remember ! * * *

PMR446 is the European standard

Be sure to buy radios that are PMR446 if you intend to use them in Europe, and not FRS/GMRS which is the US standard. The two standards are not the same, which means the radios cannot communicate with each other. In fact, FRS/GMRS radios might interfere with frequencies already in use by European authorities, so you might get into serious trouble if you use such radios in Europe.

Driving while using PMR446

Once PMR446s have been successfully set to the right channel, one only needs to press the Push To Talk (PTT) button for them to communicate with each other. When driving, ALWAYS ALWAYS operate the radios hands-free by using VOX and boom mike.

Wishing you safe and happy MINI motoring!

DK is not an expert on PMR446, and her views and recommendations are purely personal, based upon her experience and research. The contents of this page should be used only as a guide, and DK cannot accept any responsibility for errors or omissions.