Legal Basics for Beginners
Edit on GitHubA plain-language overview of what you may legally do with a 433 MHz transmitter, and where to check your local rules.
Legal Basics for Beginners
Radio transmitters are regulated in every country. This page gives the honest overview; the Frequencies & Regulation section has the details.
The core question
Aegis-Beacon transmits on 410-525 MHz, most commonly at 433.500 MHz. Whether that is legal without a license depends on:
- Your country’s ISM (industrial, scientific, medical) band allocations,
- The power limit for unlicensed use,
- Whether you hold an amateur radio license.
The 433 MHz ISM band
In Europe and much of the world, 433.05-434.79 MHz is an ISM band with a typical unlicensed limit of 10 mW ERP for general devices. The beacon transmits at 17-22 dBm (50-160 mW), which is above that limit. Transmitting at these levels generally requires a ham license in most jurisdictions, or a recognized emergency-use exception.
PMR446
PMR446 (446 MHz) is license-free in Europe at 500 mW ERP with a fixed antenna. The beacon firmware supports PMR446-compliant frequencies and power settings, which gives a legal path in the EU when configured within those limits.
What the wiki recommends
- Check the local frequency table in Frequency Compatibility before your first real transmission.
- For unlicensed operation, configure the beacon within your local ISM/PMR limits (power and duty cycle).
- For full-power operation, hold an amateur license and operate on licensed bands.
- Never transmit on frequencies used by emergency services or air traffic.
A note on emergency use
Some jurisdictions carve out exceptions for genuine life-threatening emergencies. This varies by country and is not a blanket permission; see the legal pages for the honest summary.