Q Trey, WL7BG, asks, “What kind of simplex range would an average 2-meter mobile enjoy in a mountainous area like south central Alaska?”
A That is a difficult question to answer because it depends on the nature of the terrain, which can change from moment to moment as you drive. Keep in mind that 2 meters is, for FM applications, a line-of-sight band. Barring atmospheric conditions, or reflections, if you are in a deep valley surrounded on mountains, you’ll be limited to communicating within the immediate area of the valley—period. If you are in a long, straight valley you could realize a range of 10 to 20 miles depending on the antenna location of the other station. Of course, if you’re on top of a ridge or mountain, you could enjoy distances up to a hundred miles or more.
From QST March 2000
