[Milsurplus] Radio rang, real vs estimated

[W7QHO at aol.com]

Ray,

Had a pair of TBYs at an MRCG meet a few years ago.   Planned to have a 
distance shoot-out between them and a pair of BC-611s.   Unfortunately, one of the 
TBYs had problems and   we were unable to complete the test.   The 611s worked 
out to about a mile as I remember.   

In the summer of 2003 we took a 611 out on the SS Lane Victory (San Pedro, 
CA).   We didn't have an accurate means of determining distance on that trip, 
but two-way voice communication with a GRC-9 on the shore was solid out to 
something over a mile (est.).  Interesting thing, though, was that the GRC-9 was 
still coming in full quieting on the 611 up to 25 miles out, the furthest point 
the ship goes on these weekend outings.   At that distance the 611 carrier was 
still faintly detectable on the shore.   These results over a clear salt 
water path, 611 on it's whip over a steel deck and the GRC-9 on a high long-wire 
ant.

This last summer we took a BC-659 and a GPS receiver out on one of the 
cruses.   Had another 659 on the shore and achieved solid comms all the way out to 
25 miles, see above.   This with both rigs on the attached whip antennas.   
These FM sets were rated at 3-5 miles by the Signal Corps.

Hope to do a more definitive 611 to 611 test from the ship next summer.   
Maybe do another TBY to TBY run at the MRCG in May as well.

Dennis D. W7QHO
Glendale, CA