Effective range of an Astro Saber?

[Pyr8]

I live in a large city and am wondering what kind of range i can expect to get with a VHF Astro Saber III.

Thanks in advance.

 

[fineshot1]

I live in a large city and am wondering what kind of range i can expect to get with a VHF Astro Saber III.

Thanks in advance.

That is difficult to predict. Much depends on your area and the surrounding terrain, your HT's power output and antenna and many other factors also on the receiving end. However for simplex operation I would say about 1/2 mile to perhaps 3 miles under good conditions. If using a repeater that will also vary but much further range can be expected overall.

 

[chrismol1]

UHF is much better in a large city than VHF, if its 5 watts VHF in a large city I would say maybe 1 mile

 

[Pyr8]

UHF is much better in a large city than VHF, if its 5 watts VHF in a large city I would say maybe 1 mile

What is the difference in range would you say between VHF and UHF with the Astro?

 

[fineshot1]

What is the difference in range would you say between VHF and UHF with the Astro?

Again - same answer as my previous post. You keep asking questions that would require at best someones knowledge of the many conditions that you do not shed any light on.

 

[Pyr8]

Again - same answer as my previous post. You keep asking questions that would require at best someones knowledge of the many conditions that you do not shed any light on.

It's meant to be a general question...however the conditions are fairly simple. Large city, no repeater with two Astro Saber III's.

 

[fineshot1]

It's meant to be a general question...however the conditions are fairly simple. Large city, no repeater with two Astro Saber III's.

I'm not trying to be a wise guy but there is no general answer. There are just too many variables on both the transmitting and receiving ends to make an accurate prediction. You would have to try it and see in each case.

 

[Pyr8]

I'm not trying to be a wise guy but there is no general answer. There are just too many variables on both the transmitting and receiving ends to make an accurate prediction. You would have to try it and see in each case.

I would think that because VHF is lower down the spectrum (larger wave) that it would have better range/penetration than UHF?!

 

[chrismol1]

I'll give you an answer, in general, if thats what you want

1-2 miles in large city with VHF 5 watts and stock antenna, no guarentees though

THE ONLY WAY to find out is GO TEST IT ! GO TRY IT! SEE WHAT YOU GET!

 

[fineshot1]

I would think that because VHF is lower down the spectrum (larger wave) that it would have better range/penetration than UHF?!

Actually its the other way around in an urban environment. UHF has better building penetration than VHF and VHF has a bit better range over flat un-obstructed terrain given similar conditions.

 

[Pyr8]

i'll Give You An Answer, In General, If Thats What You Want

1-2 Miles In Large City With Vhf 5 Watts And Stock Antenna, No Guarentees Though

The Only Way To Find Out Is Go Test It ! Go Try It! See What You Get! :d

I'm Asking The Question So That I Don't Have To Buy Both And Waist Money In Order To Find Out Witch One I Want!

 

[Pyr8]

Actually its the other way around in an urban environment. UHF has better building penetration than VHF and VHF has a bit better range over flat terrain given similar conditions.

got ya! Would it be fair to say then that VHF would perform better in a forest area? The reason I'm asking is that i intend to use them for camping/skiing etc for the most part.

 

[fineshot1]

got ya! Would it be fair to say then that VHF would perform better in a forest area? The reason I'm asking is that i intend to use them for camping/skiing etc for the most part.

I would say that overall vhf hi would be your best bet but things like a very high hill or a mountain between you and your partner will be a problem vhf or uhf. Just my opinion

 

[chrismol1]

LOL!

Astro Sabers for camping/skiing? money to spend? lol

 

[JnglMassiv]

Would it be fair to say then that VHF would perform better in a forest area? The reason I'm asking is that i intend to use them for camping/skiing etc for the most part.

The first reply answered the first question. Urban range up to 3 miles. UHF will not offer any significant increase in range but you may notice better paths in basements, elevators, garages, etc.

I cannot recommend Astro Sabers for skiing. One would be hard pressed to select a larger, heavier radio.

I recently had an opportunity to do some testing on the west coast. We were able to maintain reliable communications during our road trip on hilly/mountainous terrain for about 3-4 miles (per highway milemarkers). During hikes, we were able to make intermittant contact, even after intentionally placing a mountain ridge and a few thousand vertical feet between parties. Not suprisingly, Astro SMS (text messages) was the best. Radios were XTS5000's at about 460MHz. Voice was both Astro and Securenet without noticible variation in range. Astro Sabers will exhibit similar results.

 

[mancow]

From our experience using Vhf and Uhf sabers in urban surveillance inside and out of vehicles UHF is MUCH better. I would say it will provide you generally 2 or 3 times the range of Vhf. If the comms are inside vehicle to inside vehicle the figures are even farther apart. Vhf from car to car portable is almost useless. Uhf is not all that bad but of course it's better outside.

We generally obtain 3-4 blocks of wood structure regular suburban distance using Uhf 4 watt sabers with DES (non XL). The same conditions with Vhf is a block or two at the very best.

800 Mhz simplex portable inside car to inside car using IMBE P25 fared only slightly better than Uhf analog Securenet, which surprised me.

If you are talking about dense urban areas like the downtown of an average metro area then Uhf will give you a block car to car at the very best. DEA often operates this way and it doesn't take long to lose them when you try to monitor them.

 

[chrismol1]

From our experience using Vhf and Uhf sabers in urban surveillance inside and out of vehicles UHF is MUCH better. I would say it will provide you generally 2 or 3 times the range of Vhf. If the comms are inside vehicle to inside vehicle the figures are even farther apart. Vhf from car to car portable is almost useless. Uhf is not all that bad but of course it's better outside.

We generally obtain 3-4 blocks of wood structure regular suburban distance using Uhf 4 watt sabers with DES (non XL). The same conditions with Vhf is a block or two at the very best.

800 Mhz simplex portable inside car to inside car using IMBE P25 fared only slightly better than Uhf analog Securenet, which surprised me.

If you are talking about dense urban areas like the downtown of an average metro area then Uhf will give you a block car to car at the very best. DEA often operates this way and it doesn't take long to lose them when you try to monitor them.

just curious, what about low band? what could the range be outside with low band?

 

[Astro25]

Well, if you want to carry around portables with 3-foot long antennas.....

It's going to suck major in a city, if that's where you want to use it.

 

[chrismol1]

Well, if you want to carry around portables with 3-foot long antennas.....

It's going to suck major in a city, if that's where you want to use it.

i dont mind a 3 ft antenna, just curious

 

[NeFire242]

Well you can probably go pretty far, heck even that RS FRS radio says 8 miles!

Radio service is subject to limitations, particularly near boundaries and in remote areas, and may vary based on system availability and capacity, equipment, terrain, signal strength, radio site availability, topography, weather, buildings, and other conditions, which may vary significantly.