I'm not sure how this works... with all the different frequencies and FCC license requirements... will these (bought in USA) work in Europe? Has anyone used some type of 2-way radio that will work in Europe without the need of a license? Should I buy in Europe so we can use them there?

You will get a lot of goofy looks if you use 2-way radios at museums and other tourist spots!

They may work but US radios are illegal in Europe. I know that people have used them, but getting into trouble with the law or even worrying about it is not my idea of a vacation.

Bottom line: Don't do it.

I bought some British Telecom (B.T.) radios on Ebay. I have used them in the USA and Europe (Britain & Italy) and no problems. On saying that I was in the airport and picked up the security chanel. I quickly changed chanel! Better to switch off in sensitive areas.

Not knowing your situation I probably shouldn't say this, but do you really need "constant contact"? with your traveling companion? If you are splitting up just pick and place and time to meet and make sure each group has a map and the address of your hotel incase someone is lost and needs to take a cab back. I would also think that the 2-way could annoy people around you.

Seahatch, as was said above - just b/c you CAN use does not mean it is legal to do so. The frequencies used by emergency systems are opposites for American-freq radios and Europe-freq radios.
You must (legally and ethically) use the appropriate radio/frequency in each destination.

i saw at FNAC (valencia spain), french huge chain book and small appliance store (found across europe), some two way, obviously legal, motorola radios?/walkie talkies? for about 80 euros the other day.

looked like a good idea to me when travelling with kids, skiing, hiking, etc, instead of mobile phones.

Travelnut. Point taken! I know the B.T. radios are legal in U.K. but don`t know about rest. As margie says constant contact is not necessary and these radios are only good for about 2 to 3 miles.
Still can be handy!

You can buy legal walkie talkies in the UK for £30-40.(try Maplins)Dont use the US ones unless you know for a fact you aren't jamming the emergenct channels.

American FRS walkie-talkies are illegal anywhere in Europe. Europe has its own standard called PMR446, which is legal throughout EU and EEA, plus a few others. This website gives an overview of different systems and their legality: http://www.walkie-talkie-radio.co.uk...nal-issues.htm

I have bought (in Germany) and used them extensively there (and a little bit in Austria and in Alsace and in the south of France. Primarily (and in fact, immensely) useful for two cars traveling together - - helpful for communicating between the two vehicles, and also frees you up to not feel like you have to stay within direct eyesight of each other. If the car in front starts to get poorer reception, then you know you are getting too far apart! Probably makes for safer driving that way (used by the navigators, of course, not the driver).

Many other positive experiences reported here in past years by others. Search walkie talkie (here on this forum).

Best wishes,

Rex

Great info as usual, Fodorites.
I don't care if we'd look silly with it (of course I'm not telling my husband), but I want him off my back when I go shopping!!! ;-)

Used a US-bought pair once while travelling in Italy. We used it exactly for the same reason stated above - I didn't see any good reason for me to tag along with my wife while she went shopping. They came in very handy, especially when I ended if in some un-scheduled local watering hole and she needed to find me ; or, whatever shop she's in and I needed to locate and meet up with her. Sometimes, advance scheduling of meeting times and places doesn't work so well when on is travelling and the partners doesn't need to do the exact same chores/activities .

However, we never brought them, again, as we realized that it's better to play on the safe side of any legality issues about using them in Europe - especially nowadays with the tighter security measures post-9/11.