I noticed a recent answer regarding a GPS question mentioned that two way walkie talkies are illegal in Europe. Is that true? I've used them on all my trips and they don't pick up any police broadcasts. No one has ever questioned them. Thanks for your answers!
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9110 posts
European walkie talkies use a different set of frequencies, thus the US models are indeed illegal. You may not have caused any harmful interference at the locations you went to, but in another region of Europe you could jam other services using the same channels.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
I have used American ones in Ireland (before I knew the law) and it wasn't a problem, but I won't do it again. You can purchase radios that are acceptable there (can't remember the name of the ones that are legal, but I trust that someone will chime in with that information). Cell phones aren't really a good substitute because calls cost money -- radios don't, after the initial purchase.
Posted by
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
180 posts
Yes, the FRS and GMRS radios (the little ones you get from Costco, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, etc) are illegal to use outside of North America. While the risk of getting caught is low, it's not worth taking the chance. According to my last research, the fines can be high. 2000 euros in Germany for example - more if you end up interfering with an actual emergency band.
The only way you can legally use a walkie talkie in both North America and Europe is to get an Amateur radio license and use a VHF/UHF.
Pete
Posted by
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
180 posts
To add to Nancy's point, you can buy similar radios in Europe (size & price). But you can only use those ones in Europe - once you bring them back home they are illegal to use here.
Pete
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23642 posts
Given that most Europeans are running around with a cell stuck on their ear, I don't see how anyone could get caught. Not suggesting you should try but the risk seems very low for those who have accidentially use these type of radios.
Posted by
Manchester
497 posts
Not suggesting you should try but the risk seems very low for those who have accidentially use these type of radios.
The risk is that your illegal radio transmitter may end up interfering with the emergency services' radios. Is that risk worth it to to save $30 on buying a set of legal PMR446 radios?
Posted by
cambridge, ma
28 posts
462 MHZ is what the fire departments in Europe use. Chances are that they wouldn't be able to track you down, but it's a pretty nasty thing to interfere with. The 446 MHZ radios are cheap and available at lots of department stores locally, though.