You won't get a five mile range with a FRS radio. Even the stated five mile range of the more powerful consumer grade GMRS radios is under ideal conditions and line of sight without any obstructions. While hunting, I get about 1/2 to 1 mile range in the forested mountains with my Motorola GMRS Distance radio. If my partner and I are both on open hilltops then the range is farther.

FRS radios are limitted to 0.5 watts of power for very short range communications (less than 1 mile). GMRS radios can be up to 50 watts although the hand held radios are usually 5 watts or less. GMRS radio users are required by the FCC to have a license ($75 for a five year license).

Check out this link to the Personal Radio Steering Group for more info on FRS and GMRS radios:

http://www.provide.net/~prsg/home.htm

HuntingNet Member since Spring 2001