How does the radio compare with one's car radio in the mountains or other wilderness areas? My car got 6 channls at one spot, my battery radio, none
488682
Car reception is better. I had to fine tune the dial to a frequency that I knew existed in that area then left it there while I played with the antenna and walked around to pick up the signal and only then did the station come through.
488683
Well, since we have satellite radio in our vehicles, we can't compare that way.We get different reception depending on the terrain. So far, our reception has been acceptable.
488684
I use this radio in the village and jungle in central America and as I stated, I use a copper wire piece as added antenna and I get 2 channels out of 6 stations. I would say, it compares good, because when I rent a car, it also only gets 2 stations in the village. As a side note, I'm going to cut the antenna to the last/thickest section of the antenna and add a car antenna to the top of that. This should be perfect as it would give me a 3 foot antenna, instead of the OEM 12 inch antenna.
488685
I use this radio in the village and jungle in central America and as I stated, I use a copper wire piece as added antenna and I get 2 channels out of 6 stations. I would say, it compares good, because when I rent a car, it also only gets 2 stations in the village.As a side note, I'm going to cut the antenna to the last/thickest section of the antenna and add a car antenna to the top of that. This should be perfect as it would give me a 3 foot antenna, instead of the OEM 12 inch antenna.
1125288
I have XM radio. However we used to it in some pretty remote areas of the Northwoods. The weather band was already used. There were a couple that came in pretty clear the rest were pretty staticky but I could still hear the forecast and I could still prepare for any income at weather. They work great for 18 bucks.
1420722
I bought this radio several days before. It works very well:good sound, world receiver, and cheap. The only disadvantage maybe 3 not 2 aaa batteries required. Who mind this disadvantage? I don't mind, and I am thinking about buy another one for my parents. I live in CT and I can receive radio station from China, and Japan. I don't know if it receives station from central america but I did received some stations speaking Spanish though I don't understand. Good radio!
93137
Good responses from other owners. Also consider whether the radio is getting the signal at all. In my case, it didn't work except on a wall facing Colorado --in my case, west -- and had a nearby window. Now it updates consistently withno problems. If I have it in any other location, it does't receive the signal and doesn't update.
803038
I have exactly the same problem with my radio, which basically renders it USELESS in my area. They should warn customers before hand that this is the situation. Send it back for a refund if you can.
209450
Environment is everything. If you have a lot of metal or tree interference it tends to drag your range to nothing, on any radio. Short antennas work best for these area. I know that's counter intuitive but that's the way it works.
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....
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.
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.
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
591239
I have the lower end DB8 (not this "e" version) which gets all the VHF stations 20 miles distant, much thru forested terrain. 40 stations if you include the UHF. I am using an amp but even prior to the amp I still got most of them. I think for shorter distances like my 20 miles, these antennas are underrated.
381653
When we can pick up a signal, the sound quality is excellent. There are certain times of the day when the radio cannot pick up or hold a signal. I don't know if it's the radio or how far we are from the radio towers. We are in rural, South Central Alaska. This is the second of the radio type we have owned. The first one was definitely better at holding a signal but again, that was in Analog signal days.
651253
I found the sound clarity very good if reception was line of sight while I was on a mountain ridge talking to someone in the valley below and a few miles away. Sound quality will degrade as obstructions between the transmitter and the receiver are present, such as buildings etc. All radios would have the same results. This unit has performed well for me transmitting / receiving in a very dense jungle & mountainous areas as well. I do recommend it.
314713
None of them work to what they are advertised as. 36 miles would be no trees, no buildings, no interference, nothing and I doubt it would work then. I did a number of tests with the GXT1000VP4 one was left one talkie at the house and drove with the car...not a mile and it was not transmitting. Next was outside...woody area but not too much...we could only do a 1/2 and it worked great. Outside in the woods I would thing around 2 miles would be about it.
1589116
Hi. I have a British friend I met backpacking on the US west coast. We were on the Pacific Crest Trail, extremely remote and 4 to 7 days between towns. She listened to the BBC every night on a very small radio powered by one AAA cell and having a 4' wire antenna. Whatever it was she used was almost primative and it still functioned very well all the time. She used one ear bud.
2025994
It all depends on the repeater and location, it is also possible to buy a better antenna for the unit (need an adaptor) - I am able to hit a mountain repeaters 20+ miles away so terrain is more important in this instance. UHF and VHF seem to both work reasonably well - a lot of radio for a few $$ - I find I'm using it more than my expensive Kenwood or Yaseu do to low cost and small size - no biggy if I drop it or it gets stolen - be sure and get the programming cable to make life much easier - 73 KC0OH
2056549
Sorry to hijack your question but read all of the negative reviews and take them to heart. This radio is a disappointment, has glitches, and is unreliable. It also eats batteries.