# Restricted radio frequencies in Italy
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restricted-radio-frequencies-in-italy/148961
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [January 16, 2003, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restricted-radio-frequencies-in-italy/148961 "2003-01-16T13:17:54Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)
#### Post date: [January 16, 2003, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restricted-radio-frequencies-in-italy/148961/1 "2003-01-16T13:17:54Z")
I have a Sony shortwave travel radio ([ICF-SW100E](http://www.techtronics.com/uk/shop/614-sony-icf-sw100e-world-receivers.html)), and reading the manual last night, I found that the Italian version of the radio has a much smaller range of wavebands than the rest of the world, in the LW and FM frequency ranges. Further [research](http://www.cvni.net/radio/e2k/e2k09review.html) reveals:
> [@](#):
>
> The Italian version, ICF-SW100S tuning between 150 and 26100kHz, missing 285 to 530kHz and 1620 to 3850 kHz also. The VHF freqs are likewise modified to cover just 87.5 to 108MHz, to keep within the Italian regulations.
Anyone know the reason for these regulations? Would I be in trouble if I brought my full waveband version into Italy? Is this just a silly legacy law and if so, legacy of what?
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### Author:  [@happyheathen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/happyheathen)
#### Post date: [January 16, 2003, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restricted-radio-frequencies-in-italy/148961/2 "2003-01-16T15:39:03Z")
Well, the 109-136 Mhz band is civil aviation. Don’t know what is in the other bands - there are international agreements allocating radio frequencies - I’m too lazy to google, but you might give it a shot.
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### Author:  [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)
#### Post date: [January 16, 2003, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restricted-radio-frequencies-in-italy/148961/3 "2003-01-16T15:50:12Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by happyheathen \*
> \*\*Well, the 109-136 Mhz band is civil aviation. Don’t know what is in the other bands - there are international agreements allocating radio frequencies - I’m too lazy to google, but you might give it a shot. \*\*
I did, and drew a blank.