Message #218786

[Circle C]

Antenna needs to be tuned to 152.5 mhz for best overall signal.   If I recall, the Garmin runs between 151-154 mhz, if your collars are running in the higher freq, then you can get by with tuning closer to 154.   Best way to have the antenna tuned is to carry it to a two way radio shop.

My external antenna is a 3db gain, tuned to 152.5mz. I have had signal as far as 7 miles, but still drop them occasionally in the woods when the dogs are in deep cover or crossing creeks.   Typically my dogs are within a couple miles and I can pretty well maintain connectivity with them.

outside of tuning... atmosphere, line of sight, and elevation are your biggest influences on range.  In theory you and your dogs could be on separate peaks in the high desert and get say, 10 miles, whereas you take the same system to the hill country, and you are both in canyons with on hill between you and you might only get 800 yards.   I think some of the hunters in wide open country are able to report much better ranges than the guys in the thickets and hills.