Is GMRS a solution for my needs

[Guest TimeOutside]

Thank you for the guest forum.

I'm wondering if GMRS might be a solution to what I'd like or if I should just abandon investigating the idea further.

I often fish and hunt in areas with sketchy cell phone coverage, but I'd like to stay in touch with my wife.  The areas I frequent are shown on the topographical map that I've linked to below.  There are hills between my home and where I go, which are about 25 miles or less away (as the crow flies).  I don't fully understand how much hills interfere with the signals.  I'm wondering if I could stay in touch (without a repeater) with my wife if I were to use 50 watt mobile units.  Can it be determined from the topo, or is there another way to find out?

Thanks in advance,
Andrew

https://timeoutside.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Topo-300x187.jpg

[WRUE951]

10 minutes ago, Guest TimeOutside said:

Thank you for the guest forum.

I'm wondering if GMRS might be a solution to what I'd like or if I should just abandon investigating the idea further.

I often fish and hunt in areas with sketchy cell phone coverage, but I'd like to stay in touch with my wife.  The areas I frequent are shown on the topographical map that I've linked to below.  There are hills between my home and where I go, which are about 25 miles or less away (as the crow flies).  I don't fully understand how much hills interfere with the signals.  I'm wondering if I could stay in touch (without a repeater) with my wife if I were to use 50 watt mobile units.  Can it be determined from the topo, or is there another way to find out?

Thanks in advance,
Andrew

https://timeoutside.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Topo-300x187.jpg

you'll never know until you try..  GMRS is a perfect communications tool for hunting, fishing, hiking and camping in general..  I use it for that purpose all the time and although I'm happy with GMRS

[radioruck]

The topo image isn't loading for me but this is a really good tool to get an understanding "line of sight" for the area, which is needed for GMRS signals. If you put the rough coordinates of where you'll be hunting and where your house is, you'll see the path between them and how the hills might effect signal.

https://www.scadacore.com/tools/rf-path/rf-line-of-sight/

[BoxCar]

Chances are you will not be able to maintain contact. GMRS requires line-of-sight or a clear path between the stations. Hills will block all radio signals in the unlicensed frequencies.

[Northcutt114]

Outside of a significant difference in elevation between the two radios, simplex comms at 25 miles isn't really something I would rely on.

 

[LeoG]

So no one is going to mention the possibility that there might be a repeater between them to complete the communication?

[WRXB215]

7 minutes ago, LeoG said:

So no one is going to mention the possibility that there might be a repeater between them to complete the communication?

That was your job and you performed it magnificently.

[WSJW650]

There are times when being outside of wife cell phone and GMRS coverage may be desirable…..just sayin’

[WRUE951]

10 minutes ago, WSJW650 said:

There are times when being outside of wife cell phone and GMRS coverage may be desirable…..just sayin’

thats why God invented 'fishing and hunting'

[SteveShannon]

21 hours ago, Guest TimeOutside said:

I'm wondering if I could stay in touch (without a repeater) with my wife if I were to use 50 watt mobile units.

 

20 hours ago, LeoG said:

So no one is going to mention the possibility that there might be a repeater between them to complete the communication?

He said “without a repeater” so I think it’s safe to say he understands that.

[LeoG]

Then no.

[Destro]

On 9/26/2025 at 11:00 AM, Northcutt114 said:

Outside of a significant difference in elevation between the two radios, simplex comms at 25 miles isn't really something I would rely on.

 

He did say that if both him and his wife had 50w mobile units. So, with a decent antenna, that is definitely possible, with good line of sight.

[RoadApple]

On 9/26/2025 at 8:59 AM, Guest TimeOutside said:

are about 25 miles or less away (as the crow flies).  I don't fully understand how much hills interfere with the signals.  I'm wondering if I could stay in touch (without a repeater) with my wife if I were to use 50 watt mobile units.  

Not very likely.  Hills and foliage absorb higher frequency radio signals.  Even with 50 watts, 25 miles can be a lot to expect, unless either you or your wife's location has significant elevation and can get that line of sight signal over the top of the terrain.  The only way to know for sure is to try it, but if you have not already purchased the equipment, and these fishing trips are the ONLY reason you would be purchasing the radios, I'd recommend that you save your money. 

[WRKC935]

Here's the whole truth about radios.

They are going to work where they work... it might NOT be everywhere you trek, but it could be, there are too many variables to sit here and give a 100% definitive answer.

But what radio brings to the table that cell phones and other means of communication doesn't is simplicity.  You don't dial it, you don't have voice mail, it's basic.  

And you and your wife are NOT always going to be the only ones on the radio. So if there is an issue, someone else that might be able to assist in a situation may or may not be right there at the other end of the radio.  

Not having a radio means that you have no coverage from the radio 100% of the time.  Because you just don't have it. But radios are a tool.  Like any other tool, they are going to have use in certain situations and not so much in others.  

Radio, GMRS or otherwise, is never going to be a 100% all the time from anywhere and everywhere means of communications.  And while the commercials for rapid radio and other similar systems SOUND like they will work everywhere all the time.  Those are cellular system based.  If your phone coverage sucks, chances are the coverage will be poor or non-existent for those radios as well.

 

[WRZK526]

On 9/26/2025 at 8:59 AM, Guest TimeOutside said:

Thank you for the guest forum.

I'm wondering if GMRS might be a solution to what I'd like or if I should just abandon investigating the idea further.

I often fish and hunt in areas with sketchy cell phone coverage, but I'd like to stay in touch with my wife.  The areas I frequent are shown on the topographical map that I've linked to below.  There are hills between my home and where I go, which are about 25 miles or less away (as the crow flies).  I don't fully understand how much hills interfere with the signals.  I'm wondering if I could stay in touch (without a repeater) with my wife if I were to use 50 watt mobile units.  Can it be determined from the topo, or is there another way to find out?

Thanks in advance,
Andrew

https://timeoutside.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Topo-300x187.jpg

Antennae and line of sight are more important than watts. Put a really tall antennae on the top of your house and a good one on your mobile. Take the time to map out where you can and can't get communication before it is an emergency. Sometimes you can hear but they can't hear you. At least you will know where to go to respond.