Handheld UHF 1 watt or 2 watt?

for the purposes you describe, reckon you could get by with 0.5W get a pair (cheap backup if you like) for around $50.

We lend out 0.5 watt to friends and they are usually a good 1-2km in range on the open road. We tell them to put the handheld up high so the aerial works better - on the dash or hanging off a grab handle, rather than between the seats.

Just remember that handheld uhf radios have their range greatly reduced when used within a vehicle due to not having an external aerial.They are really designed to be used outside a vehicle to get the full benefit of their limited power.

Hi David,

Go for the highest power output you can afford. Even though you say you only need the range of a few kms, in hilly country the 5W would be the only reliable radio.

Also there may be a need someday when the higher powered radio could help you in a predicament.

Regards
David

Hi David

Theres more to good communication than just the power , in another recent thread I reccomended a mid range unit and I think that applies in your case also.

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Their are some significant differences amongst UHF handhelds and some of these features are needed else the units can be a pain.

I would reccomend you consider buying The Uniden UH065sx.

This is a mid range unit that can be brought as a single or twin pack.

I have probably some 20 or so uhfs yet still brought a twin pack recently for our Simpson bike trip (Ebay $229)

It has a really nice set of features that make it very handy. These include a rotating volumne control (not up/down buttons) , and a 3 position settable mute control which makes it much easier to maintain comms with someone local.
It also has the ability to transmit only (not receive) on Vox.

I.E. It can be left in a car and transmit when a loud noise is heard and not give its presence away.

The twin pack comes with both earpiece Mike and speaker mike which is really valuable for bike work.
Leaving such a radio set up in a mobile phone holder on the dash such that the aerial can see other road users and using its external mike makes for better all around communications.

The CTCSS feature also works well - and we would never buy a unit without this.
It even has settable call tones, and a relatively easy to use menu structure.

Whilst power is settable up to 2 watts (we often use 5watt units) , this 2 watts is from their supplied rechargeable batteries.
When serious - as per recent trip - we use those expensive lithium
AA cells instead and this makes the radios deliver more power and last a very long time whilst also lowering their overall weight.

Bought 3 hand held 1 watt u-beauts from Aldi 70 odd dollars. With charger and vox (voice activated). Do the job. 3 km line of site (no hills). Shop around. Specials available nearly every week at various stores. Use the KISS principle. No need to go overboard. Advise received is sound. However, Common sense should prevail.
Cheers