Range Of GMRS Radios

[dksac2]

I see a lot of posts saying GMRS radios will usually talk 1/4 to 1/2 mile. I'm sure this is true in urban areas, but we talk 5 plus miles in our rural valley. It slopes between two mountains on either side.
One person talks from the middle of a small town to another who is higher, but not on the mountain, just higher in the vallery about 6 miles.

I have talked 3.5 miles with Trisquares, but have not tried further.

So much depends on where you are transmitting. If you are rural, with scattered homes, no tall buildings and some varience in height, you can talk far more than most people post.

Where you live and the make up of the area makes a huge difference, so if you live in a rural area, fairly flat or one side higher than the other, don't let the reports of 1/4 mile scare you from getting a GMRS.
If you live in a Urban area, then maybe the 1/4 mile is more accurate.

John

 

[miamimd1]

There are so many variables with VHF and UHF comms that range estimates are too complex to accurately guess. I have 2 MURS handheld radios that can communicate 23 miles on 2 watts with my home base station (J-pole antenna) very easy on a 14th floor balcony. My GMRS 5 watt commercial radio can duplicate this as well just not as clear. On the ground ive gotten from 1/2 mile to 4 miles, 1/2 mile in the miami beach metropolitan area and 4 miles on GMRS on a long stretch of road.

 

[k8krh]

Murs is alot better, with my beam 27 to 30 miles average. GMRS UHF 3 or 4 miles, not for me.
doctor/795

 

[miamimd1]

Yeah out in the open nothing beats VHF, however around many buildings i.e (concrete jungle) UHF is definitely superior, VHF attenuates quickly inside building not so much for UHF. 900mhz frequencies are great too for short distance concrete and steel, LOS sucks though due to path-loss.

 

[b7spectra]

The post are also for PORTABLE (handheld) type radios. I get the same as everyone else on my portables, but on my mobile unit (GE Orion) I get quite a bit further on simplex at 40 watts. Elevation at 40 watts and I could probably talk a long, long way!