PRS is short for the Public Radio Service.

As the name would suggest the service is publicly available for all to use as long as the RSM regulations are followed.

This is a UHF service that can be used by all without the hassle to having to purchase a license. The full PRS regulations can be found here.

The core points of these regulations can be found below;

  1. 5 watts maximum transmitted power
  2. All equipment must be type approved or certified and accepted by RSM (Radio Spectrum Management) NZ
  3. Must stick within the PRS channel allocation. (Click Here to See a list)
  4. No bad language may be used on PRS. (or any transmitting device)

A question that we get repeatedly asked: I have some Chinese radios and if I program them to the correct fhz (Channels) and make sure they don’t have any more than 5 watts can i use them?

Unfortunately not, all radios used on the PRS bands must be type approved. To be approved equipment must comply with either the ASNZ-4365 or EN 300 085 V1.4.1 standard/certifications.

From my own experience, the low cost Chinese (Beofeng) type radios cannot pass these standards (and I have tired!). These radios are unable to produce a “clean enough” transmission to comply with the above standards.

Please do not fall into the trap, just because you did not to purchase a license to use the PRS, all equipment must still comply with the RSM NZ regulations and you as the operator still liable for prosecution should you fail to comply with the regulations.