Walkie Talkies - GMRS vs. FRS
Nov 16th, 2004, 04:41 PM
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Walkie Talkies - GMRS vs. FRS
I've been reading on the forum about walkie talkies and from what I understand, GMRS types are acceptable for use in Europe but FRS types aren't? I have a set of Audiovox 2-way radios and on the back of one I read "FCC ID: PDHGMRS-1200L" I'm assuming this means I have the GMRS kind and can use them. Am I correct?
Nov 16th, 2004, 06:23 PM
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Only PMR446 is legal in Europe, because everything else (including both FRS and GMRS) interferes with one of their emergency services.
There is no European personal radio service that works in the US, either.
There is no European personal radio service that works in the US, either.
Nov 16th, 2004, 08:16 PM
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Take your radios with you, LisaMS. It's highly unlikely that the frequency you select on your radios will be the "one" that is being used by emergency services in "Europe".
We take our GMRS radios everywhere we go - the world over. No issues.
We take our GMRS radios everywhere we go - the world over. No issues.
Nov 17th, 2004, 05:29 AM
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Actually interfering with a frequency is one thing; actually being tracked down because of doing so is another; actually being apprehended is still another.
Sounds as if you've found another "cause" Robespierre....but why not ask THE question:
How DO all those people who go to Europe and don't use walkie-talkies ever SURVIVE without them????????
Sounds as if you've found another "cause" Robespierre....but why not ask THE question:
How DO all those people who go to Europe and don't use walkie-talkies ever SURVIVE without them????????
Nov 17th, 2004, 05:45 AM
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That is a distinction without a difference, mon ami.
<i>Malum in prohibitum</i> means something is illegal, such as running a stop sign. But if the sign is in the middle of the Mojave desert, where cross-traffic can be seen for 5 miles in either direction, running it isn't morally wrong.
<i>Malum in se</i> means that the society defines an act as intrinsically wrong, such as murder. Whether or not one should use American walkie-talkies in Europe is not a question of probability, either of interfering with a rescue or being apprehended and prosecuted.
It is a case of <i>malum in se</i>, plain and simple.
<i>Malum in prohibitum</i> means something is illegal, such as running a stop sign. But if the sign is in the middle of the Mojave desert, where cross-traffic can be seen for 5 miles in either direction, running it isn't morally wrong.
<i>Malum in se</i> means that the society defines an act as intrinsically wrong, such as murder. Whether or not one should use American walkie-talkies in Europe is not a question of probability, either of interfering with a rescue or being apprehended and prosecuted.
It is a case of <i>malum in se</i>, plain and simple.
Nov 17th, 2004, 07:38 AM
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Darn. And I was so excited that mine were GMRS instead of FRS, whatever that means! I thought I'd gotten lucky and wouldn't have to spend yet more money. LOL
My friends (in Germany that we are visiting) might have some walkie talkies themselves. I haven't even asked them yet. Since they go skiing quite often, it's possible.
Thanks everyone for all the info.
PMR446? Wish I understood what all these numbers meant! ;-)
My friends (in Germany that we are visiting) might have some walkie talkies themselves. I haven't even asked them yet. Since they go skiing quite often, it's possible.
Thanks everyone for all the info.
PMR446? Wish I understood what all these numbers meant! ;-)
Nov 17th, 2004, 07:48 AM
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Just can't spell *difference*! LOL! Okay, I'm not correcting myself anymore! Have packing and chores to do! (I think I like seeing myself post. ;-) )
(I'm goin' to Germany...I'm goin' to Germany...)
(I'm goin' to Germany...I'm goin' to Germany...)
Nov 17th, 2004, 12:30 PM
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FRS doesn't require a license, but cannot be used in Europe.
Maybe you can pick up a pair of PMR446s on eBay and use them only when traveling. You should get a model that has CTCSS (it's a way of sharing a channel in high-traffic areas).
Maybe you can pick up a pair of PMR446s on eBay and use them only when traveling. You should get a model that has CTCSS (it's a way of sharing a channel in high-traffic areas).
