Documentation
Onboarding
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Hardware & Components
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Build & Assembly
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Radio & RF Design
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Frequencies & Regulations
The 70 cm Amateur Band Amateur License Process Austria Radio Legal Callsign Identification Duty Cycle Rules Emergency Frequencies Emergency Use Legal ERP vs EIRP France Radio Legal Frequency Compatibility Frequency Planning Examples Frequency Table Reference Germany Radio Legal ISM Bands Explained Italy Radio Legal License Classes PMR446 Deep Dive Regulatory Compliance Safety and Liability Scanning the Band Switzerland Radio Legal UK Radio Legal US Radio Legal
Firmware & Software
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Morse & Communication
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Modes & Operation
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Field Operations & Rescue
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Docs Frequencies & Regulations France Radio Legal

France Radio Legal

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Using the 433 MHz beacon legally in France: ANFR rules, ISM limits, PMR446 and the emergency exception.

France Radio Legal

France regulates radio under ANFR, following the same CEPT framework as its neighbors. The beacon’s 433 MHz ISM operation is license-free within the standard limits.

ISM operation

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

French specifics

  • The ARCEP/ANFR framework tracks the CEPT decisions closely; there is no additional French license for compliant SRD use.
  • PMR446 (446 MHz) is separately licensed-free with a 500 mW ERP limit and fixed integrated antennas: the beacon can receive PMR446 channels with an SDR or a PMR446 handheld, but it does not transmit there (see PMR446 Deep Dive).

The power ceiling

Above the 10 mW ERP ISM ceiling, operation moves outside the license-free envelope. The wiki’s standing guidance applies: routine beaconing at the legal floor, higher settings only for genuine emergencies (EMERGENCY mode), testing with a dummy load.

Duty cycle and emergency

France applies the harmonized duty-cycle limits, and the same distress exception as the rest of CEPT: in a genuine emergency, the limits do not prevent you from calling for help. See Duty Cycle Rule and Emergency Use Legal.

Amateur alternative

The French amateur license (F callsigns) opens the 70 cm band for the same hardware with full privileges and mandatory identification.