Vehicle Communications
Mounting a radio in a vehicle rather than carrying a handheld generally gets you more range and reliability, thanks to a larger antenna and the vehicle's electrical system — at the cost of losing portability once you step outside the car.
What to look for
- Installation complexity: a permanently mounted radio usually requires running power and antenna cable, unlike a handheld.
- Antenna height and placement: roof-mounted antennas generally outperform ones mounted lower on the vehicle.
- Portability tradeoff: a vehicle-mounted setup is more capable in the car but useless once you're on foot.