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Docs Frequencies & Regulations Austria Radio Legal

Austria Radio Legal

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Using the 433 MHz beacon legally in Austria: RTR rules, ISM limits, mountain rescue context and the emergency exception.

Austria Radio Legal

Austria’s regulator RTR applies the CEPT harmonized framework. The beacon’s 433 MHz ISM operation is license-free within the standard limits, and Austrian mountain rescue (Bergrettung) is among the most active users of coordination radio in the Alps.

ISM operation

The 433.050 - 434.790 MHz band is license-free for short-range devices under the harmonized SRD rules, with the standard 10 mW ERP ceiling for general use. CE-marked modules satisfy the equipment side.

The power ceiling and duty cycle

As across CEPT: routine operation at or below the ERP ceiling, duty-cycle limits for continuous use, and higher settings reserved for genuine emergencies. The Duty Cycle Rule and ERP vs EIRP pages give the full reasoning.

Bergrettung context

Austrian mountain rescue operates its own coordination channels, which the beacon does not transmit on and must not interfere with. If a rescue is in progress near you, the practical rule is: listen first (SEARCH mode costs nothing), transmit only if you are the one in need. The Rescue Communication Basics page covers the etiquette.

The emergency exception

Austrian law, like the rest of the CEPT framework, recognizes distress: a person in danger may use whatever means are necessary to summon help. EMERGENCY mode is the beacon’s implementation of this principle.

Amateur alternative

Austrian amateur licensing (OE callsigns) opens the 70 cm band with full privileges and mandatory identification (see Callsign Identification).