Hi Wayne,
I'd noticed that you had repeated your posting about your European trip on the forum and merged them together here. This is just to ensure the forum rules are complied with as regards 'cross-posting' but also to prevent any confusion with possible replies.
As I said before I hope you have a great trip with some radio fun but also be aware of any legalities in the countries you will be visiting. We forget that we're lucky here in having our old UK FM CB frequencies as well as the EU CB frequencies with their added AM/SSB privileges but this isn't a reciprocal agreement so technically they'd be illegal for use in Europe.
Yes, I know many 'illegal' frequencies such as 'free-banding' are in common usage around the world but always best to be in the know and you're bound to find many European operators will be on their main frequencies so better chances of contacts to be made.
Might also be worth checking on local laws with regards hand-held microphone use as although we have a technical 'loophole' here in the UK that may not be so in European countries. Getting a ticket here is one thing but having to pay on the spot fines in Europe with a gun toting officer of the law is quite another!
Again, have fun and enjoy your radio with all the best luck for your trip.
Might be worth keeping a log of contacts made as you travel if not just for your own pleasure but maybe also to share back here on the forum. Would be of great interest I'm sure to some of the CB operations around Europe and especially if you contact any of the Charlie Tango members on the continent.
All the best,
Victor