We have a group going to Italy and were wanting to take hand held 2-way radio's to keep in contact. Has anyone used these and are they legal to use?
Posted by
Honolulu/Seattle, HI/WA, USA
2787 posts
The frequencies used in US purchased 2-way radios are the ones used by some emergency agencies in Europe. I found that out after taking a pair of US radios to Europe. We chose not to purchase European models since we do not use ours for
keeping in contact but only for emergencies which we have never had in the last 8 years. If you want to keep in touch with each other, buy European models.
Posted by
Carbondale, IL, USA
1201 posts
Probably not, the FRS frequencies used in the US are apparently used by fire and other emergency services in the EU.
You'll probably get replies from folks who have used them without problems, but you really should get radios that operate on the approved European frequencies to avoid difficulties.
Posted by
Jonesboro, Arkansas, USA
606 posts
We got by fine using text messages to each other's cell phones. Radios not needed (and not advisable for reasons mentioned above).