Kind of a rookie at this site radio stuff. What kind of range do you get with a radio like this and is it a good application for mountain areas?
1882311
I have several of these at work we get about 1 mile range in the open and for mtn. app. it should do better than that. Great Radios to have..
1882312
The range on these is supposed to be up to 250,000 square feet. They say that if it is going to be used mostly outdoors with little obstructions, go with the VHF model (RDV2020). But if it will be used outdoor & indoor, you are best to go with this radio. I've used mine indoor and outdoor, and a combination of the two. It's a great, durable radio.
1882313
if there are no obstructions between users they can work for a couple miles or more. Mountains, concrete or metal buildings or interference from a nearby electrical room can significantly reduce range. We have very few issues at our facility where the max distance between users is 800 yards with metal buildings, offices and a 300' industrial production line (the exception being inside an electrical panel room).
832301
I suspect that you would get pretty good reception depending upon how open the area is around it. I'm mounted around 9 feet off the ground with houses and trees all around, but still get amazing reception (picking up stations from all major markets within 50 miles).
197466
Yes, it does work well in the mountains. When you're in the higher places like mountains, you get quicker and better receptions.
508356
Stephanie, the Rino 120 have a very good radio range. We use ours all the time while hiking in Utah. I would never leave my vehicle without one in the desert.
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.
381651
I use my radio on a large lake in northern Minnesota. I think it has good sound ad pretty good reception. It's the best portable radio I have found for my use. This is the second one I have had. They take a beating in the boat and I don't think the moisture does them any good but I have been satisfied with my radio.
118361
All I know it works well on 2 meters,what are you useing the antenna for? What kind of radio?
530330
If there is a mountain in the way, you won't be able to talk to someone on the other side since VHF is essentially line-of-sight. Weather and solar activity can significantly affect range. Since it is a handheld, and I believe only 5 watts, the higher up you are the better range you will get (line of sight). This one is special since it has a built in GPS which is now required for offshore racing.
724472
I use one connected to a homemade 1/4 wave, ground plane antenna mounted on a 20 foot tower. I can consistently communicate on the 2 meter band on repeaters up to 80 miles away.
2025995
if the repeater is in the back yard, so to speak, a mile is good. Usually repeaters can be any distance as long as line-of-sight is clear-no mountains in the way. My Baofeng gets repeaters about 20 miles in one direction and about 12 miles in the other direction and up a canyon. So does my HTX202! I can make direct contact with the Baofeng without a repeater over 20 miles-weak but clear. The Baofeng is good-go for it. You'll get all the repeaters in Indianapolis without a problem.73's, Happyham
1044424
I bear hunt in the mountains of Pennsylvania, these are the best for mountains and wooded terrain. I've owned other radios that SUPPOSEDLY had great range. You need to buy them in pairs. Don't work as good with other brands of radios
2144092
Pete, I used my new 610 with my brother in laws 500 series hunting this last year. We had good voice reception over 3+ miles in hilly terrain. We really did not get to try them in longer ranges than that. My experience with the mapping was spotty. It may have been because of the model differences (610 vs 500 series) but I was not getting good location marks from my Bro in laws radio.
392748
I have to use a magnetic mounted anntenna on top my truck. The repeater is about 25 miles away from my house. I can hear but not transmit. It's a great radio I like mine.
1531176
I sit on top of a hill in a hilly area about 10 miles from the transmitter. So I have no experience with being in a valley. My neighborhood has a lot of large old trees. I put the antenna up in the fall on the back side of my house and got good reception. When the leaves came out in the spring the reception deteriorated so I moved it to the front of the house where there were fewer trees in my line of sight to the transmitter and it has worked fine ever since. I give it a top rating.
274455
I maintain around 40 of these radios. They seem to be good for that distance outside with minimal obstruction. But once you have them in a building or a car the range is reduced. I think you would have better performance with the Baofeng BF-A5 model. It has more than twice the output power of the BF-666. I have been able to find the BF-A5 for around $30 on Amazon and Ebay.
364442
I returned my unit for a refund. The range of any radio will basically depend on the terrain in which you use it. Hilly/mountains etc. about a mile or less. Flat or low-rolling land about 1-3 miles. This radio just didn't perform as I had expected. I bvought a Midland unit which was three times better.
1167067
I hooked mine up in my motorhome so I have a small antenna I use to boost reception...I just use it to get the local channels (no cable/satellite) wherever we camp at, and so far it has performed well at each campsite provided there are available local channels...you just have to scan for open channels which takes a short while, then you're set....