WALKIE-TALKIES IN MEXICO

Q: Can I use walkie-talkies in Mexico?

A: No. The walkie-talkies you purchase in the U.S. or Canada, operate on assigned frequencies established by the U.S. & Canada FCC. The problem is that Mexico has assigned these frequencies for other usage and therefore your walkies could possibly interrupt local communications [this is the official version of the story - read The Grey Area below].

People who use them can be subject to a fine and confiscation by both the police and military.

That said... walkie-talkies operate at quite low power and the chances of being stopped and having them confiscated are correspondingly small.

If you get a red light at customs then your bag may be inspected. If the agent finds your walkie-talkies they may be confiscated.

Follow these guidelines if you take walkie-talkies to Mexico:

• Pay close attention to whether they receive any broadcasts from local agencies before actually transmitting.
• If you hear anything over, perhaps, a half-hour of just listening, don't transmit on them.
• Do not openly use them in public [your hotel/resort is okay].

THE GREY AREA

Many people do get their walki-talkies through customs, even with getting their bags checked. We have also used walki-talkies in front of the military without having them confiscated.

The Mexican government does not confiscate walki-talkies because they interfere with official radio channels, so we have been told. They confiscate them when there is unrest with the EZLN [Zapatista - Freedom Fighters]. Basically they do not want modern communication devices in the hands of the EZLN.

For example, if you go through a military check-point wearing a Che T-shirt, and they find walki-talkies on you, you will get hassled and they may get confiscated.

If you are on vacation to an All-Inclusive resort with your children you usually will not get hassled, but, you never know. Mexican military and police are totally unpredictable.

For more comprehensive info see: Mexico's Family Radio Service (FRS)

Related Info

• Mexican ham-radio regulations (PDF in Spanish, link to English summary)
• Mexico's states/territories amateur call areas
• CoFeTelComision Federal de Telecomunicaciones (Federal Telecommunications Commission, or )
• Information regarding amateur radio in Mexico (in Spanish)
• Information for obtaining a permit in Mexico (in Spanish)
• Secretaria de Comunicaciones y Transportes SCT (Secretariat of Communications and Transport)
• Locations where the permit applications can be filed in Mexico, outside of Mexico City (in Spanish)
• N9VIU's web site with additional information on this topic
• Federacion Mexicana de Radioexperimentadores (FMRE) - Mexico's national organization for amateur radio (in Spanish)

If you enjoyed this article you might like to read:

Behind The Scenes At A 5 Star Resort   A candid expose.

What's New? - The Hotel Butler   Every guest should have one!

Montezuma's Revenge   Yuck!

Taking Gifts And Tipping   The ins & outs on tipping.

MAYAN RIVIERA HOTELS

  Cancun Airport to Hotel Shuttle see:
Transfer Information

Mayan Riviera Vacation Info Mayan Riviera F.A.Q. Things To Do

Overview Weather Choosing a Hotel All Inclusive Beaches Getting Around Cozumel Ferry Golf Ruin Sites Snorkeling Popular Mayan Riviera Destinations: Playa del Carmen Playacar Tulum Akumal Puerto Aventuras Puerto Morelos Map of Mayan Riviera Hotels