When it comes to Walkie Talkies, many people get confused by the manufacturers’ claims about the range. It would probably help if someone cleared the air on this, to help those trying to solve the ridiculously high range claims on many Walkie Talkies. Be aware that challenging radio environments will quickly reduce your range to a minimum of about 300 yards, or about a mile or so in somewhat better conditions. Buildings block or reflect signals, like a mirror. Steel cars are even worse, and tinted windows are only slightly better. Only a great height will get you to the maximums claimed by the manufacturers. In any case, manufacturers test their radios under decidedly unrealistic conditions, using facilities in the unobstructed plains of Florida, using elevated test platforms.
Two-way radio power discussion:
First of all, always buy a radio that says GMRS or General Mobile Radio Service. This service is licensed for the maximum amount of energy allowed by the government; about 4 watts. FRS or Family Radio Service radios are automatically limited to just 1/2 watt; barely enough to go down the street. So stay away from FRS, unless you want to buy toys and don’t need them for actual communication and safety. Most of the best radios are billed as GMRS / FRS combo, but the walkie talkie automatically cuts power to 1/2 watt on GMRS channels.
Walkie talkies are not cell phones
A GMRS radio (on a GMRS channel) can do a lot with 4 watts. This is a lot of power, considering that most digital cell phones these days run on around 500 milliwatts or less, most of the time. However, cell phones use an almost invisible network of “cell” sites around us, in the corners of tall buildings, hills and mountain tops, so they rarely have to extend beyond a few hundred yards. Cell sites use height and power to increase the range of your cell phone’s small signal. A walkie talkie has to do things the hard way, without the help of a cell site. However, four watts will drain a battery quickly and require slightly more expensive, larger, and heavier internal components to handle the extra power.
With that being said, anyone who has spent time in the field with these things knows that reliable communications is the key. Some settings, such as using car-to-car radios, on urban streets or in heavily forested areas, will reduce the range of even the most powerful radius from miles to a few hundred yards. The “line of site” is the rule of thumb for radios like this, so if you have height, your reach will be greatly expanded. With obstructions, signals can be absorbed or reflected.
The general rule of thumb, even for someone who has fun with these radios, is that the more power the better. That’s why I always recommend spending the extra $ 20 or so and getting something that uses the legal maximum. These are found on radios that claim ranges of “25 miles” or more. And they all put out around 4 watts on GMRS channels. Those extra watts will help pierce your signal through metal-tinted car windows, through wood-frame homes, and around concrete structures. In nature, trees and rocks form barriers similar to radio signals, but as an outdoor safety device, radios really need to work reliably for maximum power to provide more peace of mind when tracking children and children. fellow hikers. You can always reduce the power to save battery for when you need it.
So unless you really need the small size of the 5.5-inch Cobra LI5600 radio, you might want to go for the increased power of the seven-inch Cobra LI7020 or LI7200 (including antenna).
Radios are inexpensive fun for the whole family. However, when it comes to range, keep your expectations realistic. Read your instruction manual, keep your setup as simple as possible, and get it done in the real, urban jungle!