Originally Posted by
AussieExPat
You can take a two-way radio anywhere, and it will work, but often not legally. For example, the FRS/GMRS radios that are prevalent in the USA are not compatible with the European standard PMR446 and cannot legally be used. Technically a PMR446 compatible radio can be programmed to GMRS frequencies, but it would not be legal to use it as such in the USA. <snip>
You may find some crossover in amateur radio bands, with the associated licensing requirements.
Agree completely. Nevertheless if the OP wants to evaluate the risk, the "UV5R" (sold under a lot of brand names, but traditionally tied to Chinese manufacturer - Baofeng) transceiver will allow operation on a wide variety of VHF and UHF frequencies:
(four pack for $100 with some additional perks)
They typically run about $28, but on occasional are as low as $22 via some vendors on Amazon. Operating them can be a bit challenging at first, but there are tons of blogs and vlogs about setting them up.
I am not advocating operating these on frequencies not authorized in the country you are visiting, but they are quite flexible. Depending on the country bureaucrats could theoretically impound them upon crossing the frontier, but it is a risk you might evaluate. Do some research on the UV5R, because if this is a legally viable solution, they are cheap and reliable.