We are out here in the US desert southwest, where there are some hills, but it’s mostly flat. Since VHF/UHF radio transmission is primarily line of sight, this can work in a radio operator’s favor, especially if the target radio or repeater is in the hills.
I’m set up with a Quansheng UV-K6 with F4HWN v3.3 firmware and programmed with CHIRP. I started out with a Nagoya UT-72 mag mount ground plane antenna that I use with my 25w mobile radio. I had to use the hood of my truck for the antenna because the fishing kayak on the roof racks blocked the roof. I’m aiming for a repeater in those hills about twenty miles off in the distance for a local ham club net.
According to net control, the signal was loud and clear. Not too bad for a 5w hand held radio. Then I tried the UV-K6 with a Nagoya NA-24J, a 16″ Ultra Whip super flexible antenna.
The Quansheng UV-K6 and NA-24J was able to reach the repeater with a bit of static at times on transmission, but very clear with reception. This is a small, light dual band ham radio setup that is great for people on the move with limited space. Of course it all depends on terrain and conditions, but pretty good performance from a small radio.