We know. But that’s not the point. No one is saying Amazon is selling them illegally. It’s about misrepresenting the product. Unless the seller states clearly that a radio licence is required, most consumers aren’t going to know that, and would be using the radio illegally.
BTW: I’m not bothered about the term ‘walkie talkie’. I used it twice this morning on G/LD-041 about my 2m FM HT to two groups of curious walkers.
…here is a link for most issues of Practical Wireless in pdf format and can be down-loaded -
enjoy.
Geoff vk3sq
I don’t recall any car dealer stating clearly that I needed a driving licence to buy a car. You may say everybody knows that you do and I could say but I’ve just got off a dinghy in Kent and know nothing of the UK other than its streets are paved with gold.
Ha, that’s the comparison I instantly thought of. Also, there’s no mention of the need for a license on the ML&S website, so perhaps report them too.
I then got curious and checked out the Marine Superstore. They have a comprehensive page on choosing a marine radio, and yes, they mention licensing! So, thet are off the hook.
https://www.marinesuperstore.com/handheld-vhf-guide
Now you’re showing your age! 
I think the subtlety here is that whether we think the general public would be expected to know whether they require a license or not for these handhelds. For a car, I think it could be agreed that the public in general would be expected to understand that a license is required. But would we expect the public to understand the need for a license for one of these handhelds, especially as the product information/description implies anyone can use them (similar description and sales patter for PMR radios).
With respect to ML&S and other similar shops, how likely is it that a random member of the general public would buy from such a website, especially as many are branded as HAM radio equipment suppliers.
Cheeky! I used the same joke on Chris @M0RSF when he shared that same photo on facebook last week. 
Great minds think alike 
At least I now know what the abbreviation HT stands for…
A fatuous comparison, Andy. Knowledge of having to learn to drive and pass a formal driving test before driving a vehicle [unsupervised] on public roads is engrained in our culture. Spotting that these are amateur-band radios and not license-free PMR or citizen-band radios requires specialist knowledge.
To be fair to the dealers, every time I have bought radio equipment, I have been asked for my callsign, even way back in 1983 when first licenced, but we know not every one is that bothered when making a sale ?
I believe the legal principle you are missing is “ignorantia legis neminem excusat”
I’m not a Part P approved electrician. But there is nothing stopping me buying consumer units, twin-and-earth wire, earth sleeving, RCBOs, SPDs etc. etc. There’s nothing in the many electrical equipment websites saying I need to be Part P approved to buy such items. In fact I only commit an offence should I install that equipment in a property and commission its use without inspection by a Part P approved sparky. That’s been the law for 20 years now but there are many who do not know it’s an offence.
q.v. buying Crudsheng ™ handies from Amazon. Or eBay. Or Temu/AliExpress Buying them is legal. Using them without a licence isn’t.
I’ll suggest that people who do their own domestic installation of ring mains and lighting circuits without part-P training or other professional or technical qualifications will be self-limiting and provide the fire brigade with first hand experience for their trainees…
In all seriousness, isn’t the point that Amazon or their third parties shouldn’t misrepresent their products in such a way that leaves the end user open to prosecution? I’m sure there are many examples of this on a platform as large as Amazon, but this sort of issue with the product in question is not likely to be identified by any other group than HAM radio licensees. On top of this, the likely outcome of this issue (as originally pointed out) would be nuisance operation within our bands, but that would be the thin end of the wedge.
They are not controlled products in the same way that alcohol, knives and guns are. No-one is going to prison for buying a Baofeng.
Anyway, you lot, between you, have just killed SWL and deterred any newcomers to the hobby to buy a radio and play with it. Well done.
You might be slightly over-egging the power of the Reflector Fraser!
Quoting your previous post, “Calm down “. Wow, what an over the top reaction. If only SOTA reflector threads had such a readership and power of persuasion.
All we are suggesting is that the Amazon advert product description should have included a line saying “amateur radio license needed” or similar.
True. Do you need a license to be on here? 
No idea. But if I didn’t have a licence (and an interest in SOTA) I’m pretty certain that I’d have better things to do than read the Reflector. I postulate that there is a fairly niche audience here and we are effectively preaching to the converted. it keeps us entertained, but I question whether it drives behaviour outside our community.
No, but it helps if you do.
So does the uk not have the concept of type certification? It would be illegal for anyone but a ham or certified importer to import those non type-certified radios to NZ. Only those type certified for the license free bands could be imported by anyone (e.g. CB/PRS). And all advertisers (e.g. on TradeMe - the NZ ebay/Amazon equivalent) require the ‘you must provide proof you have a ham license to purchase this product …’ warning to be included.
Of course anyone can buy from overseas and hope customs fail to notice… but at least the theory is there.