If I bring a regular AM/FM raido from America to France/Spain, will it work there?

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Sophia S

It depends, but one thing you will need for it to operate is to buy a converter and adapter, which you can find at your local Radio Shack or Amazon.com. Remember electrical power is different in the U.S. as opposed to Europe. We use 110 or 120volts and a frequency of 60hz here in the States, while there it's up to 220v and a frequency of 50hz. Some radios can normally operate with a 50watt transformer, which is pretty heavy. First, you can check to make sure what hz your radio is marked at. If it's higher than 50, I honestly wouldn't consider taking it. Also, in terms of the adapters, they use a two and three pronged system that isn't used here in the States.

sotires

Radios in France/Spain have three bands not two (or rather used to, until their markets were inundated by cheap imports designed for the US market).
So you will miss out on the Long Wave band (in French it's called Grandes Ondes, or GO on the radios). There are not many stations on it and those that are are also duplicated on the FM band. However, they have the characteristic of covering the whole country. So, you can get France Inter (the main French national radio station) throughout France on GO, but only in the main cities on FM.
Also, one of the BBC stations, Radio 4, is on this band and can be picked up throughout the northern half of France. No way of getting that on FM.
As for the voltage and frequency, that's not too much of a problem. Many radios have a switch for 110/220 volts. If the worse comes to the worse, you can buy a cheap transformer (but don't try and use it with your hairdryer - the cheap transforemrs are fine for radios but do not have the stamina to handle a hairdrier).

Bruce T

In western Europe, radio is broadcast in AM (MW or medium wave is a commonly used term there, but it's AM) and FM. There is also LW (long wave which is not used in the US). If it's battery operated, it will work great and will pick up radio stations. If it's plug in, you will need a convertor and adaptor as previous ppl have stated.If it's a clock radio, the clock won't run properly on house current even if you have a convertor. When I was in Europe, I had an old transistor radio from the 1960s and it was very convenient-- light weight, but it only got am. Batteries in Europe are VERY expensive so if you can, buy em in the US.Radios in Europe are also more expensive than in the US.If you want to listen to American radio, a lot of US radio stations broadcast on the internet.

maisnonmaisnon

yes, but only spanish and french radio..

Cabal

It will but as stated above you'll need a transformer if you're not running on batteries. Better buy a cheap radio on site in that case.
If you want a list of the local / national radios you can look them up on the internet.

Rosebud

Hi, Use batteries, you will be quiet, of course your radio will be working, France and Spain are modern countries, Welcome in Europe, have a fun trip.

Vladimir ILL

If you don't stay too long, batteries are the solution

Marc

Yea sure it will

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