What is the range of a typical 5 watt handheld vhf radio?

Alise Rutgers: We have a vintage Sitex HH-300 handheld aboard our vessel at all times, as well as our base-mounted Uniden. The Sitex does extremely well using the "rubber-ducky" antenna to a distance of about 5 to 7 miles over open water talking to other sailboats and marinas. If you're communicating handheld-to-handheld, about three miles is the the range you can expect.I echo the opinions above, I wouldn't depend on a handheld as our sole means of radio communication.Hope this helps!...Show more

Saran Stealy: You can expect 10 miles on a perfect day with perfect conditions. You could be 10 miles out and 20 miles from the nearest radio!

Willa Holte: Depends on height of antenna. Standing in a small boat, probably, 5-10 miles. Only works, "line of sight", radio to radio.

Hans Sachetti: For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/awh9Vfrom the top floor of a high rise, a couple miles.... from the canyon with building all around, maybe a! mile. VHF is "line if sight", buildings attenuate the signals.

Irma Poiter: Be very careful about the quality of the rubber ducky antenna that comes with the radio. Some of them are so poor that even over the open ocean, they may only reach two miles or so. With a good antenna, you should expect 5 miles or more. Even a simple home-brew j-pole external antenna strung up on a structure on your boat will dramatically expand the range to better than 10 miles especially if the land station also strings a similar antenna up in a tree.

Freddy Shutler: the technical answer is : a vhf marine radio transmits on what is called line of sight .... meaning as the earth curves the radio wave still transmits straight.... wattage is important to some degree but you can talk to someone on the moon with 5 watts of power..... i would say that a handheld using 5 watts is only good for about 2-5 miles at best.... at my base station i broadcast at 25 watts with an antenna that ! is 60 feet in the air and i can talk approx 30 miles out to se! a but about 15 miles inland ..........Show more

Rachal Osaki: i wouldnt trust a handheld any farther than your willing to swim. you can get a proper mounted setup for around the same price as a handheld.

Gertrude Darke: For all practical purposes, about 10 feet. Ever hear of Murphy? How about O'Toole's Corollary? (Murphy is an optimist!)If you want to communicate off-shore, then get a REAL radio with a REAL antenna, one that might save your live one day, not a toy.Regards,Dan...Show more

Dalila Yoon: This Site Might Help You.RE:What is the range of a typical 5 watt handheld vhf radio?I'm wondering how far off shore I can go in my boat and still be able to talk to someone on land using a 5 watt handheld vhf radio. All the ones I'm looking to buy have no indication of this. Thanks for any input.......Show more

August Hubbard: I use GME Electrophone mostly. I also have Icom and my sailing clubs use uniden as well. They are all equally good - invest in! the waterproof pouches, we regularly get 6 or 7 hours straight. We recharge after every use, and maintain charge at least every six weeks in the off season. The batteries are original and at least four years old with this treatment.. I have not used the other two.