Walkie Talkies in the Abacos

[Alan]

On previous vacations, we have used short range walkie talkies for communication. Motorola, amongs many others, manufactures them, and they sell in pairs in most outdoor stores. Are these legal, or quitely tolerated, in Abaco? Will they be confiscated at the border? I would appreciate comments.

[yellowpages]

Given that most use VHF...handheld or base stations...you will pretty much have
more privacy using the walkie-talkies albeit not the range. As in the States you will find others on your channel from time to time as commercial and other interests can/do use the same frequencies but, as you know, you can just switch. We use them all the time in the States and have done same in Abaco.

[BahamaAngie]

My friend that is down the same time as I am uses walkie talkies all the time. It is a good way to contact the other person. She is disabled and really needs it. I do not know why they would be confiscated but I am sure someone on the board will be able to advise you. Good luck!http://coconuttelegraph.net/forums/images/icons/icon7.gif

[ncdd]

They are completely absolutely legal. They should not bother you at customs at all.

[Alan]

Thank you all for the comments. How wonderfully productive this message board is.

[steamboat]

We took a pair down in June and had no trouble at all. One piece of advice is to put all electronica in a clear bag, carry in your carry-on luggage and when you get to the airport screening station, let the x-ray tech know that there are electronics (radio's, GPS, walkie-talkies, etc) in the bag. The electronics shouldn't be hurt by the x-ray but it forewarns the tech that he will see a bunch of electronic stuff on the screen. We take a hand held GPS, hand held VHF and 2 walkie talkies down each year this way and have no trouble.

[panachecon]

Alan
You will find that ALMOST everything we visitors do in Abaco is "quietly tolerated" by the locals.

Have a great vacation. Jim

[snorkler]

Walkie talkies are a great way to stay off the vhf for just fun chats. And also work well for children. I think they should be encouraged !

[flyingdogs]

If your in the market for a new VHF this one also has bands that can communicate with the walkie talkies
http://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=85&encProdID=xOSYMLXDCyQ%3D&DivisionID=3&isArchived=0

[momshell]

We use the walkie-talkies each trip becuse the guys want to head out snorkeling or fishing, and I need to be able to contact them if I am sitting on a deserted beach waiting for their return( ie.- Pelican Cays). Also, the kids can hike around Lubbers and contact me, or the other way around, as needed.