Guide to Electrical Equipment for Travelers/Other considerations

Radio and television receivers use different bands of frequencies in different parts of the world. For example, a North American NTSC receiver will not operate in countries using the PAL television standard or on the different channel assignments for Japanese NTSC television. AM (medium-wave) broadcast stations are on 10 kHz frequency spacing in North America and 9 kHZ in other parts of the world; some digital tuners may have a switch to allow for different spacing of the assigned frequencies.

Operation of receivers may require a licence or permit or tax to be paid, even if the receiver is technically capable of operating with local standards. Some governments restrict traveller's use of GPS satellite receivers.

Personal radio transmitter devices, such as amateur radio equipment, FRS, GMRS, MURS, or Citizen's band transmitters may not be permitted in different countries. Frequency assignments dedicated to these services vary by country and an FRS transmitter may interfere with local public safety or business communications.

Power frequency is 50 Hz in much of the world and 60 Hz in North America and certain other regions. Some motor-operated devices may work at different speeds even if a transformer is used to change the voltage. For example, very old tape players and record players may not work properly as the pitch of reproduced sound will be off. As a rule of thumb, if the equipment also operates on internal batteries, it will not be sensitive to power system frequency.