The range of walkie-talkie radios can vary depending on the environment in which they are used. In open areas such as countryside, the range can be a few hundred meters to a couple of miles or more. However, when used in urban areas with buildings and other obstacles, the range is significantly reduced. For example, a radio that can reach a range of 2 or 3 miles in open countryside may only work up to 500 meters in a city.
It is important to note that all brands of walkie-talkies have similar power output and therefore, approximately the same range. There is no brand that offers a significantly better range than others because they all follow the same laws of physics.
However, there is a new type of "radio" available that uses mobile phone data networks instead of direct transmission. These radios contain a SIM card like a mobile phone and can transmit signals over any distance, as long as there is a mobile phone signal at both ends. This eliminates the range limitation of conventional walkie-talkies and is particularly useful in areas with dense buildings where the range of normal walkie-talkies is affected.
When it comes to choosing between VHF and UHF radios, it depends on the intended use. VHF signals (136 - 174MHz) generally work better outdoors and have a longer range for the same power output compared to UHF signals (400 - 470MHz). However, VHF signals do not perform well in areas with obstructions like buildings. For most users who want versatile radios, UHF is the better choice. But if the radios will mainly be used in open countryside or at sea (maritime radio is VHF), then VHF is better for maximum range.
In conclusion, the range of walkie-talkie radios can vary depending on the environment, with urban areas and buildings reducing the range significantly. However, the introduction of mobile data network walkie-talkies has overcome this limitation by allowing transmission over any distance as long as there is a mobile phone signal. The choice between VHF and UHF radios depends on the intended use, with VHF offering better range in open areas and UHF being more versatile for general use.