Communication · Emergency · Radio
Sending an emergency call by radio
Mayday · Pan-Pan
When the mobile network is gone, a radio emergency call can save lives. Whoever transmits in a real emergency may do so even without a licence – the decisive thing is that the message is clear and complete.
RangeDepending on the means
LicenceFree in an emergency
MeansRadio
How to send an emergency call
- Begin on the appropriate frequency/channel: PMR446 channel 8 (sub-tone 16), CB channel 9, amateur radio 2 m 145.500 MHz.
- Distress word three times: "Mayday, Mayday, Mayday" (danger to life) or "Pan-Pan" (urgent, no acute danger to life).
- Who (name/call sign), Where (location as precise as possible), What (emergency situation), How many affected/injured.
- Speak slowly and clearly, repeat, wait for a reply, keep the frequency clear.
Good to know
- The official emergency call still runs via 112/117/118/144/1414 – radio is the fallback level when these are not reachable.
- Transmitting without a concession is prohibited in everyday life; the emergency call is the recognised exception.
Further sources
- Alertswiss Personal emergency plan
- OFCOM Concession & radio