why does my signal fade away after around 1/2mil or so?

I own a 2 meter Icom IC V8 & a Yaesu FT 270 E. Being new to 2 meter radio I am upset that I cannot get out furher then around 1/2 a mile or so. I live in the Falkland Islands and NEED my radios to work wherever I go in case of emergency. Am i missing something in the set up? Do I need to access a repeater? The Islands here are covered with radio repeaters and People on West falkland call ppl on East falkland every day? My Callsign is VP8- DNC Thank you if you can help.

callsign radio repeater

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asked Jun 07 '10 at 16:59

phil reed
1●3

edited Jun 07 '10 at 17:10

3 Answers:

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A factor which I don't see mentioned is typically the stock "rubber duck" antennas provided with HT's are poor performers. I'm not sure why they provide such crummy antennas, but if you looked at replacing each with a more functional 2m or dual-band or tri-band antenna you could see a pretty significant improvement.

Without being biased to any specific antenna manufacturer or retailer, here are some links that take you directly to antennas. Any similar antenna purchased from whichever retailer you are comfortable with is fine. Just make sure you get the appropriate connector which is typically BNC or SMA for HT's.

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamantht.html for many options. http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamantht/0132.html and http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamantht/3937.html for a dual band with some additional gain.

K2DSL

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answered Jun 08 '10 at 02:16

K2DSL - David
201●3

At full power, the HTs should be able to communicate over several miles over flat terrain (LOS). Once you get into your vehicle, that range will go way down as the metal body acts like a shield. Definitely get some external antenna for your vehicle, even a simple mag-mount model. The fixed antenna will also stay vertical, unlike your HT antenna, further helping you.

Repeaters were made to extend your range, especially over mountains and other obstacles. Use them.

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answered Jun 07 '10 at 20:57

AJ4UQ
116●3

Phil, the Meter Band you use determines the type propagation that you will have.

For the Medium Frequency (MF) and High Frequency (HF) bands of 160 Meters through 10 Meters, both Sky-wave and Ground-wave propagation Simplex communications are used. sky-wave propagation for Simplex is usually used for most medium and long distance communications, and ground-wave propogation for Simplex communications distance is usually limited to the transmitting and receiving antennas height above ground, antenna polarization and transmitter power used.

For the Very High Frequency (VHF) bands of 6 Meters through 1.25 Meters and the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) bands of 70 Centimeters through 23 Centimeters most of the Simplex communications is by 'Ground-Wave'. The 6 Meter band depending on the Solar Flux Indexes and weather conditions sometimes will allow Simplex sky-wave propagation. The 2 Meter band sometimes will have Simplex sky-wave propagation during atmospheric 'Sporadic-E' layer when appropriately inoized.

For 2 Meter Simplex communications With your two Handie Talkies (HT's) the Icom IC8V and Yaesu FT-270E both with a tranmitting power level of 5.5 watts and 5.0 watts respectfully you would need to use an external antenna placed high above the ground at your fixed (base) station location or an external antenna placed as high as possible on your mobile (vehicle) station for a better communications distance range.

The important thing to remember about the wavelength of the frequency you use is that the higher the frequency the shorter the wavelength and the more 'Line-of-Sight (SOL)' is the communications. In other words if you can see it you can communicate with it. Since the absorbtion of RF signals is greater the higher you go in frequency, the higher the antenna above ground the better for reduction of this.

Until you can install better antennas at your home and on your vehicle, If you must communicate, I recommend that you program your HT's for use with any of the local Amateur Radio Repeaters in your area for an increased communications range.

Best Regards, K4RFE Larry

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answered Jun 07 '10 at 18:22

K4RFE
914●1●1●6

K4RFE, Larry, thank you for this info. I didn't really understand para's 1,2, or 3, but I did get Para's 4 onwards. I have already now reduced my operating freq's to within 144.ooo -148.ooo and have improved my range drasticaly. the mount Kent repeater here is monitored by the fuzz so i gotta go carefull and by the book whilst using it. You seem very clued up on this subjust and would like to know your opinion of the 2 radios i have. thanks again. Phil Reed VP8 DNC - FalklandIslands

(Jun 07 '10 at 20:45) phil reed

Oh I forgot to mention, I have been using freq. 171.ooo !!!!!!

(Jun 07 '10 at 20:47) phil reed

Phil, I only know about your two transceivers from specifications pages of their respective instruction manuals, however they are transceivers specifically designed from the Amateur Radio Service. That being the case they will operate at maximum efficiency within the Amateur Radio Service Band of 2 Meters (144 - 148Mhz). So as these transceivers might be able to receive a broadband of frequencies, they will not transmit as efficient as they would on the frequencies they are designed for, and especially when using an antenna not designed for the frequencies that you want to use them for. Larry

(Jun 07 '10 at 23:54) K4RFE

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Asked: Jun 07 '10 at 16:59

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Last updated: Jun 08 '10 at 02:16

why does my signal fade away after around 1/2mil or so?

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