Two-Way Radio Licensing - Buy UK 2 Way Radio Licences Online Two-Way Radio

Radio Licensing

Private mobile radios (licenced PMR) operate on one of 2 frequency bands. The UK licensed radio bands consist of VHF and UHF radio frequencies. Both UHF and VHF radio frequencies (exceopt those which fall into the licence free UHF PMR446 band) are are issued and managed by the UK office of communications - Ofcom. In order to use licensed equipment, and/or transmit on licensed two way radio frequencies, you will need to hold a licence that has been issued by Ofcom.

What are the benefits of having a radio licence?

- Ability to encrypt your radio communications
- No interference from other users
- Far increased power; better range and penetration.

These frequencies are allocated to individuals, groups and business on an indiviudal basis.

Types of 2 way radio licenses

There are many types of two-way radio licences available, how many channels you need, where you use the equipment and the power you wish to operate on. We can advise on specialist radio licences for bespoke requirements, however many of our customers opt to take the more popular 'Simple' OFCOM licences...

The table below provides a simplified overview of the licences available. The descriptive names do not relate to the actual OFCOM terms for each licence. Some areas may need to operate on reduced power and prices can also vary based on area.


	Simple Site Licence	Simple UK Licence	System Licence
Use:	On A Specific Site	Anywhere In The UK	Within A Specific Geogrpahic Area
Frequencies:	1 High Band VHF or 1 Mid-Band VHF or 1 Low Band VHF or 1 UHF	3 High Band VHF, 3 Mid-Band VHF, 3 Low Band VHF & 3 UHF	1 High Band VHF or 1 Mid-Band VHF or 1 Low Band VHF or 1 UHF
Tones per Frequency:	1 CTCSS, 1 DCS	37 CTCSS, 20 DCS	1 CTCSS, 1 DCS
Choose Own Tones?:	NO	YES	NO
Allocated Tones Per Frequency:	1	N/A	1
Frequencies Shared With Other Users?:	NO	YES	NO
Total Number of Channels:	1	3	1
More Channels/Tones Available At Cost:	YES	YES	YES
Total Authorised Power Output:	up to 5w	up to 5w	up to 25w
Cost:	£75.00	£75.00	from £150

Digital 2 way radio licenses

2 way radio licence notes can be used for both digital equipment and analogue equipment. If you have an existing licence, or order a new 2 way radio licence, then you can choose between using digital 2 way radio or analogue 2 way radio, without having to make any changes to your licence. Digital 2 way radios can operate 2 digital channels in the same channel spacing that 1 analogue channel would use. As such if you have a licence for 2 way radio then by migrating to digital 2 way radio you would potentially get double the number of usable channels.

Radio licences - online ordering & free arangement

Delcom can take care of arrranging the radio licence on your behalf and completing all the paperwork. Once submitted you will recieve your licence direct from Ofcom. Please contact us for more information.

Costs: UK 2 way radio licence fees

Typical annual fees are charged per frequency or channel, and can vary dependant on the demand in the area that the licence is registered to is as follows; (these may vary).

- Rural Areas (low existing users) - £85 per annum
- Lightly Populated Urban Towns/Cities (more users) - £110 per annum.
- Highly Populated Areas - £190 per annum.

For all information on licensing, please feel free to give us a call. Alternatively, you can visit the Ofcom website at: www.ofcom.org.uk.

If you already have frequencies but are unsure of what they are then please contact us. We offer a free 2 way radio frequency reading service, so if you have lost your licence we can read the frequencies on your existing equipment and match them up.

Do I need a licence, or do Delcom need a copy of my licence?

It is illegal to operate a 2 way radio in the UK, operating in a UK licensed band, without the correct licence. We do not encourage anyone to operate a radio illegally and there is a high probability that if you do and are caught then you will face criminal charges! That said we are not required by law to see your licence before we programme your radio onto your requested frequency. Likewise If you are using your radio equipment abroad (local legislation still applies) then even if you are using licensed equipment there is a possibility that you will not need a licence at all (we are happy to offer advice on using 2 way radios abroad). If you do not send us any licensing or frequency information, and purchase a licensed 2 way radio, then we will send the equipment on it's default frequency - this is normally the same within a particular model/range. Otherwise, simply send us an e-mail or give our office a call with the frequencies you would like programmed and we'll set them up free of charge!