How far can you talk on ham radio?

For example, if you and a friend are using handheld transceivers (HTs) with a typical output power of 5 watts, you can expect your range to be about 5 miles maximum. If you’re using a repeater, however, you should be able to talk much farther.

How far can a 8w ham radio reach?

Most airband radios are 5 – 8 watts and typically have a range of around 200 miles.

Can Ham radio talk around the world?

They transmit on high-frequency wavelengths ranging from 80 meters to less than two meters with equipment powered by 12-volt batteries. McBroom said most ham radios can reach around the world using 100 watts of power on wave bands between 10 and 80 meters, though he sometimes uses an 800-watt amplifier just to be sure.

How far will a 10 meter radio transmit?

“SHORT SKIP” on ten meters is usually around 500 miles or less and normal skip propagation “Sky Wave” can vary from a thousand to several thousand miles and around the earth. During the height of a sun spot cycle, signals can be heard both near and far for a large part of the 24 hour day.

How far can you talk on a repeater?

The communications range for VHF and UHF FM simplex is usually limited to your local area (5-15 miles). If you live high on a mountain and use a high-gain directional antenna, you may be able to extend your range considerably.

Can you talk privately on ham radio?

Though you may intend one to one contact, you are always in fact broadcasting to anyone who is listening to that frequency. There is no private communication on amateur radio. In addition, encryption or encrypted messages are explicitly prohibited, as well as commercial use.

What is the range of a portable ham radio?

These mobile devices have a range of about 200 miles or so, with a capacity of up to 50 to 100 watts. Handheld ham radio transceivers are small and portable. These have a range of about five miles, which is short compared to the other types of transceivers.

What is ham radio frequency range?

Many ham bands are found in the frequency range that goes from above the AM radio band (1.6 MHz) to just above the citizens band (27 MHz). During daylight, 15 to 27 MHz is a good band for long-distance communications. At night, the band from 1.6 to 15 MHz is good for long-distance communications.

What is ham radio and how does it work?

How Ham Radio Works. Hams use a variety of frequencies for communications. Non-hams can “listen in” via their own receivers or radio scanners. Hams are able to use many frequency bands across the radio spectrum — these frequencies are allocated by the FCC for amateur use.

How far can I talk with my Radio?

So realistically, for two people carrying a handheld two-way radio, the maximum communication distance on flat ground with no obstructions is around 4 to 6 miles. So you may be wondering why you see radios that have range claims of 25 miles or higher. Technically they could communicate that far.