Programming for best range

[helifreak]

Hi, this is more of a general question than specific to the Kenwood radios, but I'm trying to figure out the programming options for getting the best possible range from the TK-3402s. The easy options I believe are High power and Wide band (and use the whip antenna). The less obvious is whether to use QT/DQT and what squelch level. I believe that you would not use QT/DQT at least on Rx (no harm on Tx?) and then set squelch as low as possible. Any other settings to be concerned about? What have other's used that gives a good trade-off between range and least annoyance of false receives?

Thanks,
Nick.

 

[mmckenna]

Choosing wide or narrow band isn't something you do to affect range, you do it to match what your license allows.

Not sure where you are located, or what service you are using your radio on, but that directly affects what you can do.

Setting high power will give you the most transmission range, obviously. Setting carrier squelch might allow you to hear some things where QT or DQT can't decode, but again, it depends on how your system is set up.
Usually it's pretty common to us QT or DQT on many commercial systems. It's also pretty common to program one of the side buttons for "monitor" so you can easily open the squelch.

Squelch settings will depend on your radio. No one can really tell you where they need to be. Best option is to set it on the edge where it isn't constantly opening and closing, that gets really annoying after a while.

As for increasing range, find a suitable high gain antenna that is correct for the frequencies you are using. Speaker mics work well since you can hoist the radio up above your head and still talk/hear. Altitude is king when it comes to distance. Even holding the radio up above your head will make a difference in some cases.

 

[n5ims]

Altitude (specifically altitude with no obstructions) is key. I used to regularly communicate clearly through a repeater 75+ miles away using a 5 watt HT. This repeater was near the top of a 1500' TV tower and I was on the roof of the tallest building for several counties. From my car in the parking lot below, I was too noisy to communicate even with a gain antenna and 10 times the power.