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Make sure you buy from licensed dealers who would provide the necessary documentation regarding the type approval.

The cheap ones are not 500 mW either.
Do we need to have the type approval certificate to use these? My thinking was that just being compliant is good enough as long as you are not caught with one in sensitive areas.

Yes, it is not cheap (relatively). More than the power, the type approval make sure that the frequency is not programmable and cannot "wander" outside the license free band. I think the cheap ones advertised as license free are in fact programmable.
Kenwood has a lineup in india
https://www.kenwood.com/india/com/lfr/

Contact their distributor directly. Contact is in the site above.

Yes the cheap ones are programable. Some are 500mW and below.

The idea is to get proper ones to use freely and have all the correct documentation if questioned.

I have been using portable VHF and UHF devices for more than 20 years. They are far more convenient than mobile phones in the field. The 'broadcast' nature of a radio actually contributes to safety as it keeps all parties informed.

I recently used a set between two cars on a road trip. Although holding and communicating on a radio is second nature to me, even the other passengers found it more convenient that picking up a phone and making a call. Each car was able to keep track of the other car and in a traffic jam we communicated which lane was the fastest to clear the jam quickly.

Hello BHPians,

I am absolutely new to this wireless walkie talkie thing and i do not know much about licensing. I've come to know through google search that 446 mhz is license free walkie talkie and i would not be bothered by authorities if I use the 446 mhz walkie-talkie(?).

I have selected the Motorola T82 and the Kenwood PKT-23E, both of which are available on Amazon. Which of the two should I go for?
I intend to use these license free walkie talkie during safari drives in big National Parks/ Tiger Reserves and in remote forest/hill areas during vacation drives. I am aware of it's effective working radius of max 2 kms.

Kindly guide on the pros and cons of using the two walkie talkie sets above.

Thanks and regards.

Same query as Sushil. If anybody could share their recent experience, it will be great

I have shared my purchase and use/utility experience of Motorola T82 446 MHz license-free radio handsets in the link below :

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/shift...ml#post5309189

Regards,

Sushil.

Re-igniting this thread. Which is a legal walkie talkie, that we can buy off lets say Amazon? Most reviews say they do not need license, but we know how it works! I have shorted listed Motorola T260 (3 sets in 1 pack) but want to be doubly sure.

The intended purpose is only for long drives on when we go trekking in the hills or forest trails.

Walkie-talkies are classified into two types: licensed walkie-talkies and license-free walkie-talkies.

The operating license for licensed walkie-talkies must be obtained from the appropriate agencies. However, there is no requirement from any government authority to use license-free walkie-talkies.

There are four basic types of two-way radio's (walkie talkie):
1. FRS
2. CB
3. GMRS
4. HAM (Amateur Radio)



The above image is based on the rules & regulations in the USA. However, using a GMRS/HAM radio will require a license in India as well. The CB (citizens band) radio is a safe & hassle free choice, it can work up to a distance of 1km under ideal conditions and it operates within the legal frequency range in India.

The local Thar owners group that I'm a part of, uses the Baofeng BF-888S walkie talkie set, so I ended up buying the same. Even though Baofeng is a Chinese company, it is well known worldwide. These don't require a license, priced under INR 3.5k they offer great value for money and it comes as a set of two devices. This is a great option for beginners. Sharing the amazon link below if anyone is interested to purchase this:
https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B07...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

GMRS is not allowed in India, period. HAM requires license.

The Baofeng 888S doesn't work in the license free frequency allowed in India and therefore it is not legal. However it can be programmed to the legal frequency if you have the proper cable and software.

We in the Bangalore Thar group use Brutforce radios that are truly license free.

Thanks for pointing this out, good to know that the Baofeng can be programmed to work in a legal range.

BrutForce BFR002.
These are the ONLY Walkies in India which are presently considered legal.
Details attached here.
I have a pair lying around in their original boxes. Bought them when I thought I would join trail drives regularly. Never ended up doing Trail Drives in groups hence never used them.

I have multiple sets of President CB radios. Works extremely well and have a super range. I have both handheld versions as well as the car installed unit. All work very well.

Oh and they are very much legal. Infact almost all of the serious offroading groups in North use President CB radios.

Exactly, there are various legal license-free walkie options in India. Here is the range from Kenwood India.
BrutForce is just a new non-Chinese entrant which is easily available, cheaper than CBs, and works OK for short distances.

Does this mean GOI is relaxing the rules a bit?

Or is this whole stance on ‘legality’ motivated by the ‘anti-policy’ on ‘Chinese and other Covered Telecommunications’ devices.

Or is it about the transmission frequency?