Two-way radio range isn't precise and can even vary with each use of the radio or a change in location. The range will be affected by factors like radio power, environmental factors and obstructions. In ideal conditions, with clear line of sight, you may expect to get up to the following ranges:
- 0.5 WATT - 1 Km
- 1 WATT - 2 Km
- 2 WATT - 10 Km
- 5 WATT - 17 Km
RADIO POWER
Two-way radios change sound into radio waves that travel through the air. Radios on the other end pick up these waves and turn them back into sound. Most hand held radios are 1 to 5 Watts. The higher the Wattage, the stronger the signal and the longer the range you will expect to get. The downside of higher Wattage is that it uses more battery power, so many radios that are higher capacity, have a lower power mode, so if your radio is a 2 Watt for example and you are not pushing the range to it's extreme, you can select a 1 Watt mode, which will give longer battery life as the higher power is not required.
LINE OF SIGHT OR OBSTRUCTIONS
Range is usually talked about as "Clear line of sight". Uninterrupted space between the radios will allow the longest possible range. Obstructions like hills, trees & buildings etc. interrupt the radio waves and reduce the distance they can travel.
Examples of obstructions:
- Hills & Mountains
- Valleys
- Trees
- Buildings
- Vehicles
WEATHER
Atmospheric conditions can also affect radio range.
Best conditions:
- Clear sky
- Dry air (low humidity)
- Cool temperatures
- High Pressure
Worst conditions
- Heavy rain or snow
- Fog
- High humidity
- Electrical storms
Even in ideal environmental conditions, electrical or radio interference may affect radio range. This can sometimes be overcome by changing radio channels or keeping a distance from the source of the interference where possible.