Handheld VHF radios

[Marmot]

Anyone running handheld VHF radios? I am hoping to find a reasonably priced pair of handheld radios with an actual range of 5-miles.

I currently have a pair of Motorola Talkabout 250s. Their stated range is 2-miles. Realistically, their range is closer to 1-mile with perfect sight. If an island is obstructing line of sight, I think 1/2-mile is closer to the actual range of the Talkabout 250s.

This leads me to handheld VHF radios. I reviewed this topic. Per the linked topic, it is suggested the range of handheld VHF would not be much better than the range of handheld FRS radios.

How about GMRS radios? Are these a better option? They often have stated ranges of 12 to 18 miles.

I/we like to have 2-way radios on Minnesota and Canada waters such as Mille Lacs, Voyageurs National Park, Lac Seoul. I/we also like to use 2-way radios while canoeing in the BWCA to keep in contact with the other canoe(s) in our party.

I am thinking I am SOL for a handheld radio that actually transmits about 5-miles.

Why isn't my link working? I used the URL wizard to create it.

[PerchJerker]

Quote:

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I am thinking I am SOL for a handheld radio that actually transmits about 5-miles.

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Yep, I agree. You might occasionally get 5 miles with handheld VHF under ideal circumstances but I don't think you can count on it reliably.

I have used FRS and GMRS radios quite a bit while traveling, ice fishing, and hunting out west, and you often won't get that range with them either. Sometimes it will be quite a bit less.

There is no substitute for antenna height and line of sight.