what is the range of the radios by themselves not connected to a big antenna
1263679
With the stock antenna, I was able to get reasonable voice quality up to about 5 miles. This was flat suburban terrain. There were trees and buildings between the two radios, so you will likely get more range in a desert. This was on a GMRS frequency at full output power. The other radio was a high-end Cobra with a similar factory antenna and transmit power. As the others said, range will vary widely based on terrain, antenna.
1263680
It depends on city and County they have close to a five mile range in city I love my radio
1263681
With the rubber duck antenna thats with the radio is limited.however if you can pick up a repeater you can go several hundred miles
1263682
Kind of impossible to say. Most quotes for range by manufacturers are theoretical based on max distance in a vacuum. If you are licensed to use this radio, you will understand its limitations based on the type of antenna and it's transmit power.For listening in, a dedicated scanner would be best. For transmitting, don't do it without a license!
1926175
I have not used these for outdoors, just for warehouse communication among my employees and the office. A good rule of estimation for mobile radios is 1/2 the stated distance. For this model it would be 18 miles, which is still a long distance. This allows for any obstructions which may block the radio waves. Midland does make good communication equipment.
532929
My daughter has gotten up to 1/8 mile in distance. Being a 2.4ghz system you get no interference and a better distance than the old am and fm radios .
1625727
The range depends on obstructions such as buildings and trees. Consider it mostly line of sight. In town you can get a few blocks or more. In open country you might go over a mile or more. USA - license required. Range, pretty good for this type of 2-way radio. If you want better range get a HAM radio.
2059789
I don't know, but can tell you that our broadcast towers are about 25 miles away..tho they are up high on a ridge with nothing in the way. It works fine at this distance.
1295195
Hi I think you will be fine with these radios, it works great and easy to use. Also saves last channel. do invest in longer antennas tho. Hope this helpsCheers
1422918
I use the antenna to pull in weak local FM stations, which it does amazingly well, but I don't know the maximum range. However, customer service has always responded quickly to my questions -- you can send them a query at service@tunetrapper.com.
51922
If you have a Ham license, you know they are line of sight. Mine will easily go 100 miles if I'm hitting someone or a repeater on a mountain top.They are 5 watts and they behave like any other 5 watt radio. I have a 50 watt transmitter I can hook it up to in the car.They are great radios.
1926173
Theres actually no rule of thumb for radios. Line of sight with a good antenna a 500mW radio like this one will get quite far, specially if you're high up compared to the ground and outside the city. You'll get 36 miles that way. In the forest, no line of sight, near city, you'd be lucky get even get a mile... but if you have a very good radio you wouldn't get much more! Doubling the power output will give you 1.6x theoretical range (not 2x!) and not even that in reality if its not line of sight. That means if you get 1 mile with 1 watt you certainly never get 2 miles on 2 watts. For short range tho, its a good/cheap radio for sure. More expensive radios wont get you a lot further without having proper antennas and placement.
136537
The frequencies used by these radios are reserved for amateur radio use by the FCC. Unauthorized use can result in seizure of equipment and thousands of dollars a day in fines.There are radios you can use for short range communications though. Look for radios that use the FRS (Family radio service) frequencies. They have a similar range (~30 miles). Just search for FRS radio on Amazon. CB radios are another option that does not require a license.
1010876
If you're planning on using the 'rubber duckie' antenna that comes with the unit then no you can't get that range. However, with an outside antenna with at least 3 decibel gain that 1 km range is possible. Mount the antenna as high as possible and away from obstructions. You should possibly check with the FCC (if you're transmitting in the U.S.) for their regulations concerning these FM transmitters.
1821317
This is a small device with a short antenna. It wouldn't pick up a station 50 miles away. Like any radio it would need an elevated external antenna to receive distant stations and there is no provision for attaching such to this device.
1159978
The radios are good for line of site. If there are obstacles in the way there will be interference. Once I was on a high hill and picked up a conversation almost 50 miles away. Other times when we are riding our ATV's on the trail and I go around a hill in front of my friends (only a couple hundred yards back) they can't understand me until they are back in sight or close to it. Other times when we are separated in the hills and trying to hook up, I've been able to talk to them miles away. No way to know when you'll have reception or not. I love my radios and have bought 3 sets of them. I get better, more reliable reception than with any others I have tried.
1672419
Tom, I believe it can be connected to an external antenna. I looked at one at "The GPS Store" and on Amazon, I think, but I communicated with a friend on a ship about 20 miles away this morning and it was like he was standing next to me...although his radio was an Icom with an antenna about 70 feet in the air. I was standing in my kitchen. So, to make a short story long, I think there is an external antenna that will fit on the handheld.
1885311
I have had it at least 30-40 ft out at the most. Had small area. Have not tried to lose contact. Antenna extends about 2-3-ft. Very cool! I like it a lot. Battery only lasts ~10min though. May want to upgrade battery pack.
1062790
In urban areas, don't count on more than a couple of blocks. These are line of sight, if you cannot "see" the person, your range will degrade significantly. The 36-mile claim assumes you are using the GMRS frequencies over a perfectly clear terrain (such as calm water) and under perfect atmospheric conditions. You will never realistically achieve this range or anywhere close to it. Plus, the antennas on these radios are not that good nor were they designed to be. People expect more out of these radios than was designed. They are useful for somewhat limited purposes and in relatively close-in situations. In urban areas, don't count on more than a couple of blocks. These are line of sight, if you cannot "see" the person, your range will degrade significantly. The 36-mile claim assumes you are using the GMRS frequencies over a perfectly clear terrain (such as calm water) and under perfect atmospheric conditions. You will never realistically achieve this range or anywhere close to it. Plus, the antennas on these radios are not that good nor were they designed to be. People expect more out of these radios than was designed. They are useful for somewhat limited purposes and in... » Read More In urban areas, don't count on more than a couple of blocks. These are line of sight, if you cannot "see" the person, your range will degrade significantly. The 36-mile claim assumes you are using the GMRS frequencies over a perfectly clear terrain (such as calm water) and under perfect atmospheric conditions. You will never realistically achieve this range or anywhere close to it. Plus, the antennas on these radios are not that good nor were they designed to be. People expect more out of these radios than was designed. They are useful for somewhat limited purposes and in relatively close-in situations. « Show Less
237726
if you get close enough to them. this radio does not have the power to bounce signals around the globe. that would be a 50 watt or bigger unit.