Does Power Really Matter On GMRS & Ham Radio, Or Is A Good Antenna Better?

Many people assume that to get more transmission range and to talk farther on a GMRS or ham-radio you need to increase your power - but is this true? Will a bigger or better antenna on your GMRS or ham radio let you talk longer-distance than simply increasing your power output?
In this video I test which is better for talking farther on a GMRS or ham radio (70cm) - more power/a power amplifier or a bigger and better antenna in a good location. Note: Some people have commented that UHF frequencies go much higher than 500Mhz - but, nobody cares.
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[andybonneau]

I can do without the stud muffin pics, thanks. Stepping babes, okay.

[NYTA]

Another important thing to remember is that communication is a two way thing; increasing your power doesn’t improve your ability to hear the other station, however improving your antenna affects both transmit and receive.

[imheretolearn]

Im very glad a youtube superstar like yourself takes the time to explain the complexities to us commonfolk. Since watching this channel, I've obtained my gmrs permit, and I'm studying to be a sad ham.

[NWO_KNOW_IT_ALL]

Wow! Is that the very famous Klaus Schwab on the background monitor? I'm pretty sure his message to Randy is: "You shall own NO RADIOS and be happy". Ready to give up all those radios Randy 😉

[wired-up]

Spot On! Improving the antenna is usually better than increasing power. But just as important: Improving the antenna helps you Receive better as well.

[leoingless]

Congratulations! Very clarifying episode! I praise the NotaRubicon Institute for all this research! There is nothing better than the practical experiment.

[WildCaptures]

Klaus Schwab is trying to look like Dr. Evil but is much more sinister.
Chris was very accurate 👍

[davidgreen]

Love your stuff man. I'm a complete noob, learning so I can enjoy this hobby with my son who asked if he could speak to the space station! Thanks man

[MisterEmoto]

Thank you for doing what you do. I absolutely love your videos even though I'm not really into GMRS, You have a way of conveying information in a entertaining way that says screw the haters and I love that.

[itsapittie]

I really like these real-life demonstrations instead of people just arguing about their opinions.

[michaeleber]

Great video. Learning more and more from you every day! Nice to finally see Chris. Much better than the pictures I had in my head.

[curtchase]

Beautiful, well done! Pretty much the same in the world of home Hi-Fi music reproduction. 5 watts into a small bookshelf speaker gets background music. 50 watts in gets cleaner punchy background music. 5 watts into a huge refrigerator size corner horn speaker gets 2 ear bleeds. 50 watts into same speaker gets a visit from the local men in blue + the side effect of hearing loss! 🤪

[stupidkid]

Love this guy’s content. It’s amazing and hilarious at the same time.

[johnkeo]

I'd have to agree, I was hitting a repeater almost 70 miles away on a mountain with 2 watts of power while on UHF digital mode. I was having a full blown clear conversation inside a building and it blew me away

[DavidMitchell]

The 9dB increase is actually 8 times the signal. Each 3dB is a doubling of signal. Thanks you for the video. Excellent illustration of watts vs good antenna in attaining the more fars.

[stevenemert]

"Penetration" at 3:55 reminds me of one of Mike Rowe's Dirty Jobs episodes. The one where he was helping with calves being born.

[TheChico]

I love both more power and nice antenna

[AntonioClaudioMichael]

What a great demonstration video Randy and Chris 9:38 @NotaRubicon Productions

[Mr.Modulation.StatenIslandMic]

Lol the squirt your the best bro keep me laughing

[ordyy]

The WEF lizard in the background is hilarious.
I just built a Jpole gmrs antenna out of 1/2” copper pipe. I’m new to all this and discovered that rg58 isn’t very good. I tuned to 465 and at 465 was getting 1.5 SWR and around 2.0 at 462 and 467. I had a 50’ run of rg58 while doing this test. I lopped of 40’ of the coax and now get 1.086 at 465 and 1.25 at both 462 and 467. Works for me.

And yes….Lets Go Brandon👍