Two Way Radio Range Guidelines Terrain 1/2 Watt FRS Family Radios Motorola TallkAbout FRS 1 Watt UHF GMRS Radios FreeTalk XLS ProTalk XLS 2 Watt UHF GMRS Radios FreeTalk XL TK3101 ProTalk TK3100 Motorola TalkAbout Distance 2 Watt VHF Radios ProTalk TK2100 2 Watt MURS Outside Clear Flat Terrain 1.5 to 2 miles 2 to 3 miles 3 to 4 miles 3 to 5 miles Suburban Neighborhoods 1 to 1.5 miles 1 to 2 miles 1.5 to 2 miles 1.5 to 3 miles Urban Areas 1/2 to 1 mile 1/2 to 1.5 miles 1 to 1.5 miles 1 to 1.5 miles Inside Buildings or Malls 1/2 mile or 5 floors 1/2 to 3/4 mile 15 floors 1 mile 20 floors 1/2 mile 10 Floors Between Buildings or Houses 1/8 to 1/2 mile 1/2 to 1 mile 1/2 to 2 miles 1 to 3 miles Woodlands, Moderate Vegetation 1 to 1.5 miles 1 to 2 miles 1.5 to 2 miles 2 to 3 miles Woodlands, Thick Vegetation 1/2 to 1 mile 1/2 to 1.5 miles 1 to 1.5 miles 1.5 to 2 miles These figures are averages based upon our tests and customer feedback. Your results will vary depending upon obstructions, elevation, terrain, vegetation and building construction. FRS Radios FRS radios like the Motorola TalkAbout use "Family Radio Service" UHF frequencies and do not require a FCC license. FRS radios are required to have a maximum 1/2 watt power output. Their range is normally 1/2 of the GMRS 2 watt radios. GMRS Radios Kenwood FreeTalk XL and the TalkAbout Distance and DPS radios use GMRS - "General Mobile Radio Service" UHF frequencies with 2 watts of output power. Channels 1 - 7 on the FreeTalk XL and Motorola Distance and DPS radios are compatible with channels 1 - 7 on all Motorola FRS radios. In most circumstances, with the exception of mountainous and ski environments, 2 Kenwood FreeTalk XL radios will talk twice as far as 2 Motorola TalkAbout FRS radios. When used from inside a lodge or condo, because the obstructions, there is usually a significant increase in range using these radios. We have not seen large increases in range when used skiing on the same slope. This has been in situations where the radios have been used from the top of the slope to the bottom with a clear line of sight path. The benefit of the 2 watts of power output shows best when they are used in very thick woodlands or dense steel and/or concrete buildings. The extra power of the Kenwood FreeTalk XL really pays off for campers, hikers, and hunters. 2 Watt UHF Business Radios On site business radios such as the Kenwood ProTalk T3100 or Motorola Spirit use UHF frequencies very similar to UHF GMRS frequencies. Performance of these radios will be identical to the UHF GMRS radios listed above. Kenwood ProTalk TK3100 radios can be dealer programmed for use on commercial UHF repeater systems. 2 Watt VHF Business and MURS Radios VHF frequencies are better suited for outdoor applications requiring maximum coverage areas. The VHF signals penetrate natural foliage and vegetation much better than the higher UHF frequencies. VHF frequencies are more susceptable to man made objects like steel, steel reinforced concrete buildings. In most cases, outdoors in rural environments a 2 watt VHF radio will have 50% more range than a 2 watt UHF radio. Other Factors Many other factors can affect the range of these radios: Terrain - flat land, hills, or mountains Foliage - woodlands, jungle, plains, or urban areas Weather Buildings and Structures Battery Condition The range you can expect will vary depending upon the conditions and terrain you use the radios in. General "Rule of Thumb" for Radio Range All other factors being equal: To achieve twice the range, 4 times the output power is necessary. If the antenna height is tripled then you have the potential to double your range. These concepts are very broad "rules of thumb" and your results may vary. fly fishing gear and equipment