how well do these work in the mountains (AGPtek 16 channel 6km FRS/GMRS two Way Radios)?
1195124
I haven't tried them in the mountains but they are great I use them for my security company
1195125
These are relatively low power 2 way hand help radios. I get less than 5 watts out of them even on high power. They work well in conditions where there is direct line of sight between the two radios, or through a repeater. I have not tried them in mountainous terrain but in the city I have used them and had what I would call poor results over less than a mile without a repeater.
1159977
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. 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... » Read More 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. « Show Less
59766
If the question is how far two radios can be to still communicate it would depend on terrain and weather (lesser). Clearly the 36 miles claimed might only be direct line of sight, like between two high mountains, the curvature of the Earth would not permit it even over water. The signal does bounce around, which both reduces its ultimate range but then helps overcome shorter range communication where line of sight is not present. Based on my experience with it expect a couple of miles range, less if in hilly woods that are wet.Value for price is still good, and I recommend them unless you need long range communications. If so use cellular if available, or satellite if not. If the question is how far two radios can be to still communicate it would depend on terrain and weather (lesser). Clearly the 36 miles claimed might only be direct line of sight, like between two high mountains, the curvature of the Earth would not permit it even over water. The signal does bounce around, which both reduces its ultimate range but then helps overcome shorter range communication where line of sight is not present. Based on my experience with it expect a couple of miles range, less if in hilly woods that are wet.Value for price is still good, and I recommend them unless... » Read More If the question is how far two radios can be to still communicate it would depend on terrain and weather (lesser). Clearly the 36 miles claimed might only be direct line of sight, like between two high mountains, the curvature of the Earth would not permit it even over water. The signal does bounce around, which both reduces its ultimate range but then helps overcome shorter range communication where line of sight is not present. Based on my experience with it expect a couple of miles range, less if in hilly woods that are wet.Value for price is still good, and I recommend them unless you need long range communications. If so use cellular if available, or satellite if not. « Show Less
1087647
That's a great question! Something to ask the manufacturer for sure. I know they have been the best radios we have bought to this point. They are an inexpensive alternative to the big ones that do get that kind of range. We own an outdoor laser tag company, and use these for the employees in the field. Have never had a problem at all!
2250059
In suburban conditions, GMRS (if you are licensed on this frequency) could give you 1.5 miles (as the crow flies), but it's really stretching it. FRS will give you 500 yards, plus or minus. Out on rolling range, I have done better, but when you are out of the line of sight, it's not good no matter the conditions. I have used both Motorola and Midland and Midland has superior propagation, but these types of radios are by their nature a half step above a toy. If you want additional range, get an amateur license and operate on the 2 meter band, but that is a process and the equipment cost is is not $60 set for a set. In suburban conditions, GMRS (if you are licensed on this frequency) could give you 1.5 miles (as the crow flies), but it's really stretching it. FRS will give you 500 yards, plus or minus. Out on rolling range, I have done better, but when you are out of the line of sight, it's not good no matter the conditions. I have used both Motorola and Midland and Midland has superior propagation, but these types of radios are by their nature a half step above a toy. If you want additional range, get an amateur license and operate on the 2 meter band, but that is a process and the equipment cost is... » Read More In suburban conditions, GMRS (if you are licensed on this frequency) could give you 1.5 miles (as the crow flies), but it's really stretching it. FRS will give you 500 yards, plus or minus. Out on rolling range, I have done better, but when you are out of the line of sight, it's not good no matter the conditions. I have used both Motorola and Midland and Midland has superior propagation, but these types of radios are by their nature a half step above a toy. If you want additional range, get an amateur license and operate on the 2 meter band, but that is a process and the equipment cost is is not $60 set for a set. « Show Less
2202845
These are used in a hilly wooded area. I have not tried them past 2 miles and I have not used them in open areas.
508354
They are a very nice unit that wont break the bank. The GPS system has been very useful when looking for others, the radios are very reliable but as you move through gullies and around hills, the radio has trouble connecting to the other radios. This is a common occurrence with most radios
2250060
Be certain to use a GMRS, which is high power giving you at least five miles, whereas FRS, low power, gives you that two miles. The problem will always be obstruction. Over water you will get the 36 miles, up on a high building you will in all likely hood get 20 miles. The most frustration comes with mountainous terrain and hiking. That's when you need it the most and you have the most obstruction. Here is when you need fresh battery life and it to be on high power to get the most out of it. FYI: The charger red lights never go off. DO NOT LEAVE THEM IN THERE! It can damage your rechargable batteries and possibly your radios. Be certain to use a GMRS, which is high power giving you at least five miles, whereas FRS, low power, gives you that two miles. The problem will always be obstruction. Over water you will get the 36 miles, up on a high building you will in all likely hood get 20 miles. The most frustration comes with mountainous terrain and hiking. That's when you need it the most and you have the most obstruction. Here is when you need fresh battery life and it to be on high power to get the most out of it. FYI: The charger red lights never go off. DO NOT LEAVE THEM IN THERE! It can damage your... » Read More Be certain to use a GMRS, which is high power giving you at least five miles, whereas FRS, low power, gives you that two miles. The problem will always be obstruction. Over water you will get the 36 miles, up on a high building you will in all likely hood get 20 miles. The most frustration comes with mountainous terrain and hiking. That's when you need it the most and you have the most obstruction. Here is when you need fresh battery life and it to be on high power to get the most out of it. FYI: The charger red lights never go off. DO NOT LEAVE THEM IN THERE! It can damage your rechargable batteries and possibly your radios. « Show Less
1244006
They will work out of the box. But for full functionality you would need a programming cable and relevant software. Well worth getting if only for the voice scrambling facility. Great Radios
748075
Technically, to the horizon if you're on 2M, a little bit less if you're on 70cm. But that's with ideal conditions, one person on a high elevation, literally nothing in between, and ideal antennas. Realistically, with the antenna that comes with the radio, you're looking at a few miles. But again, it all depends. Are you in dense urban jungle? Then more like 1-2 miles. Are you in the forest? Maybe 3-4 miles. Are one of you on a mountain top overlooking a valley and the other in that valley? Are both of you on different mountain tops? The limiting factor here is the stock antenna on the HT, but this can be easily remedied. Many people make aftermarket antennae for HTs which, while less portable, will dramatically increase your range. So final answer is, it depends. All numbers quoted above are guesstimates. And if you don't know what 2M, 70cm, or HT means, or if you don't have a license from the FCC or equivalent regulatory body, please do not buy this radio. This is not a high power walker talkie, this is an amateur band radio, and as such requires a license to operate lawfully. If your interested in getting licensed, the process is pretty easy and very cheap, $15 to take the written test. Google "amateur radio license" for more on that.
33304
My husband uses them when hunting in the timber with his buddies. You can choose the same Freq. for all 4 radios.He can usually find a channel without a lot of static. Wouldn't be good when listening for Deer walking in leaves. Don't know if a steel building would make it act up or not. They talk over 200 acres worth of farm land and timber. Worth trying though for the price.
530329
The range depends on the terrain since VHF is line of sight transmission. Mountains and islands interfere with the range. It also won't reach as far as a built in VHF radios which are about 5 times as powerful as the handheld units. It's a good quality radio which has a range at least equal to the other handhelds on the market. In my experience, this one appears to reach at least 5-6 nautical miles, and farther in the right conditions. I'm very pleased with it.
907937
Thank you for sharing your experence. sounds good for VHF. I am more into UHF myself. The UHF repeaters in my area are within 12 miles of my location, So I think It should do an above average job. Terrain considering of course. Thanks again.
808486
Yes, they work just fine. You will only have to configure the controls before using them. Everything runs ok, the only thing i dont like of this radio is that GPS software is not included (it is ready for GPS, but you will have to find a compatible software to use it).
508355
We used ours in the mountains and the voices were crystal clear and the range was great. I can't really say how far away but we have used many other radios in the same area that didn't have the range or the clarity the Garmin does.
1073898
Well, if you live on the edge of a cliff on a very tall mountain and your friends are 15-20 miles away across the lake (with nothing between you but air), then yes you probably could have that conversation (I have on several occasions worked over 100 miles on UHF simplex with my handheld and the standard rubber duck antenna, but I was 9,500 feet up a mountain looking down at flat farm land in AZ). Otherwise, the other folks are correct. In "normal" conditions (and this is just a rough estimate), every watt on VHF/UHF FM equals approximately 1 mile in range, so your 1/2 watt FRS radios really only work about 1/2 mile, not the outlandish claim of 35 miles the manufacturers mark on their boxes. Well, if you live on the edge of a cliff on a very tall mountain and your friends are 15-20 miles away across the lake (with nothing between you but air), then yes you probably could have that conversation (I have on several occasions worked over 100 miles on UHF simplex with my handheld and the standard rubber duck antenna, but I was 9,500 feet up a mountain looking down at flat farm land in AZ). Otherwise, the other folks are correct. In "normal" conditions (and this is just a rough estimate), every watt on VHF/UHF FM equals approximately 1 mile in range, so your 1/2 watt FRS... » Read More Well, if you live on the edge of a cliff on a very tall mountain and your friends are 15-20 miles away across the lake (with nothing between you but air), then yes you probably could have that conversation (I have on several occasions worked over 100 miles on UHF simplex with my handheld and the standard rubber duck antenna, but I was 9,500 feet up a mountain looking down at flat farm land in AZ). Otherwise, the other folks are correct. In "normal" conditions (and this is just a rough estimate), every watt on VHF/UHF FM equals approximately 1 mile in range, so your 1/2 watt FRS radios really only work about 1/2 mile, not the outlandish claim of 35 miles the manufacturers mark on their boxes. « Show Less
627717
I installed mine in a lower level room and can pick up transmissions from 25 miles away. Our terrain is rolling hills and lots of trees.