You may have noticed that most of the consumer two-way radios you see around advertise a range of up to 30 miles. The truth is, consumer FRS and GMRS radios will not even provide close to the advertised "maximum range".
The range that a two-way radio advertises is the range that the radio should get in "ideal" conditions. Ideal conditions are line of sight, such as from a mountaintop to a valley below -- no interference at all. Most likely, you will not be using the radios in these circumstances! You will probably want two-way radios for things such as hunting, skiing, malls, car trips or vacations. Under these normal conditions, the range of the radio will be limited because of obstructions, such as trees, hills, or buildings. These obstructions block the signal and dramatically reduce the range of a two-way radio.
So what type of range can you expect from your radio? Usually half a mile up to two miles, depending upon your terrain and the power of your radio. In the same environment, a 2 watt radio with a long antenna would provide considerably more range than a half watt radio with a short antenna.
When choosing a radio, it is very important to consider both the amount of range that you need and the environment in which you will be using the radios. Naturally, you wouldn't have as many obstructions in a football stadium as being in the middle of a heavily wooded area. For use in a stadium you would likely be fine with a small, one watt radio. In a wooded area, however, that same radio may not provide sufficient range. These are things that you need to take into consideration when choosing which two-way radio is right for you.
Related Resources
GMRS Radio Range Chart
Getting The Most Range From Your Radio
The Two Way Radio Show TWRS-05 - Radios in Range
The Two Way Radio Show TWRS-45 - The Truth About GMRS Radio Range
Radio 101 - The truth about FRS / GMRS two way radio range
How To Optimize Range for Motorola Talkabout Two Way Radios
I would suggest getting your ham radio license. Radio to radio what hams
Call "simplex" I have talked 10 miles max 60 miles. And using the extensive ham radio repeater network you can talk world wide. The most popular is the 2 meter band 144 MHz to 148 MHz. This would be your permanent solution to your radio Comunication needs. This license is for personal hobby use and cannot be used for business. The entry level license is easy to study for. A little effort will be worth the time. Each radio operator will need a ham radio license however. Well worth the time investment. The license is about $25.00 for ten years. Google
"arrl" on the Internet for more info.....
Lyndon.
Ham call sign K7XV
A lot of factors determine range. We actually addressed your specific question in The Two Way Radio Show Episode 5 - Radios In Range. It is a very interesting discussion. If you want to know what really determines range, I highly recommend this episode.
All the manufacturers have a "line" of radios that advertise a range from 10 miles up to 36 miles. Most of the radios advertise "maximum allowed power." So what is it about the radios that warrant advertising 36 miles vs. 27 miles, vs. 22 miles, etc.? Is it the antenna? The internal circuits? In practical use is it closer to 3 miles, 2.5 miles and 2 miles for each of these?
Or is "miles" just hype and the only real difference might be just some of the features, e.g. "waterproof" or something else?
As with all portable hand held radios, your mileage may vary. Whether it's a business or consumer radio, your range will depend on a number of factors, including the antenna, terrain, obstructions, power and even the weather.
For a more in-depth discussion on range, listen to .
Hi I purchased 2 way Weierwei vev3288s what is the range of this radio in a mile? is this same with the range of motorola mr350? tnx.
Ok call me a dip stick but I'm trying to figure out if my 2 way radio's are strong enough to take with me on my cruise. I have the HYT TC-1600. All it gives me is its frequency and its 460-470MHz. Can you help me?
so after cruising through some of the Q&A I still have a question. My gf I live on opposite sides of SF Bay, probably a distance of no more than 20 miles (line of sight) perhaps less. In case of an emergency (earthquake) we would need to connect. So what to buy to insure we do connect? something durable and possibly waterproof. Are there radios available to the general populace to meet those details?
Kenneth, there are several options available. Some key considerations when choosing radios for a cruise are range, battery life and weather proofing.
Cruise ships are quite large with a number of decks and a lot of steel to get in the way, so you want a radio that can give you optimal performance in those areas. There are a lot of activities on cruise ships so chances are you will be out and about a lot more than in your cabin, so it's a good idea to choose radios that work with both rechargeable and displosable batteries and to bring along extras. You will be surrounded by water and it can be humid. Salt water can also be corrosive, so radios that can weather a cruise is a wise choice.
Before making a purchase, you may want to listen to The Two Way Radio Show Episode 19 - Cruising With Radios first. We went into great detail on this very topic and made some recommendations on specific radios, such as the Midland GXT1000VP4 and the Motorola MR350R.
I want to buy a two way radio for comunicating with my kids on a cruise ship.what do you recomend?
While the other neighborhood parents let their toddlers (2-4) roam the neighborhood freely, we've told our son he may not leave the house or yard without one of us. We've decided for his 5th birthday, he'll be old enough to go a few houses down to a friends house to play, but only if he'll take a 2-way radio with him. We live in a VERY safe neighborhood, but psychos are everywhere. I'd feel better knowing all he has to do it click a button to get my attention. What do you recommend? Do any radios include some kind of distress call, noise, siren, etc? Given nicely spaced houses in a neighborhood with relatively large yards (1/4 - 1/2 acre), I'd like it to have at least 1/2 mile range. Thanks!
Hello I have feild work in north west Africa I need a two way radio with a range of 10 miles. The terrain is flat with 20' tall trees no buildings. Can you help
How do the trisquare radios measure up to the FRS/GMRS radios as far as city distances? I like the privacy behind these radios and am hoping they can get at least 2 miles in a city setting
For twice to three times a year and needing Two radios spending the money for VHF or UHF Radios seems like a waste. I can think of 2 ideas for you 1.The old 27 MHZ CB work great if you needed batteries no big deal nearest 7-11. Need to add another radio no problem. Not that easy with business band radios. 2. Nextel or Boost mobile cost $50.00 a month 2way plus Phone. Verizon also offers this service but you are still got the cost if you can use cell service try Tmobile prepaid plan unless you are going to use a lot of min get the phones set them up with a $100 that will give you a 1000 min. and 1 year of service. Once the min. are used up you can add more and you can add as little as $10 and your number is good for 1 year or until you use all your mins. up. Remaining mins. will roll over when you add them to your account. So if you only use 35 min. a year buy a $10 card or just add $10 via your phone if your account is set up for that.
3. If you are doing point to point like a Generator shed to the Main building can not beat the old military field phones 2 wires pick up the phone turn the crank and alert the other phone no batteries sound powered hand sets! Hope this helps, Tom
The problem with this scenario is that marine radios are intended for use on open water only. I am not sure what the laws are in Canada, but in the US it is illegal to use marine radios for land based communications.
The real question is what we are comparing the marine radios to. Are we comparing them to FRS/GMRS radios or business radios? If we are talking about consumer FRS/GMRS radios, a marine radio will provide greater range, since consumer radios offer well below one watt on the low end and max out at 5 watts on the high end.
While mobile marine radios usually offer higher wattage, handheld portable marine radios are typically around 5 watts, about the same wattage as a typical business VHF or UHF handheld radio.
I recently bought and returned a motorola 2 way that stated the range as being 30 miles (under ideal circumstances). When I needed to communicate with our headquarters less than 1/2 a mile away and down a hill (not direct line of site, lots of trees) I was surprised how poorly this unit worked. Voice was inaudable and broken at best. Any suggestions. I need two units for times when we lose power and phone lines (happens once or twice a year).
Thanks,
Joe
Outdoor range in the back woods- My inquiries over they years have led me to believe that where life threatening circumstances are involved, at least in "the Great North Woods' , hunters have found the marine radios are the best, perhaps only choice. The range is great enough to be a problem with a distant water-way if the radio does not have power selections and is not used only sparingly. This may need an update but this option used to be the only choice.
Hi,
I am looking for a set of good two -way radios to use for regatta management, on an inland river. Ideal range would be 5 miles, assuming conditions similar to a wooded area, without line of site for more than a mile at any given distance. Any suggestions? I was looking at the Midland or Motorola product lines. Thank you!
Ellen
what is a site license or license for a two way radio?
my husband is on the road alot and i wanted a cb for home and one for him in the truck and then walkie talkies for the kids when they are out. is this possible? can someone tell me a list of equipment i will need to buy?
2 way radios are good to go to the park with childrens,the best are the cellulars phones.