What is the radio transmission distance for handheld and vehicle-mounted radios during a code 99?

• A. Handheld is 50 ft, mounted is 300 ft
• B. Handheld is 100 ft, mounted is 400 ft
• C. Handheld is 25 ft, mounted is 100 ft
• D. Handheld is 75 ft, mounted is 150 ft

Answer: (A)

Radio reach depends on transmit power, antenna quality, and environment. Handheld radios operate at lower power with smaller antennas, so their signal doesn’t travel far and can be easily blocked by walls or obstacles. Vehicle-mounted radios use higher power and better antennas, giving a much longer practical range. For a Code 99, the policy expects close, reliable communication with handheld units and a much wider, but still controlled, range with vehicle-mounted units. That combination is captured by 50 feet for handheld and 300 feet for mounted. The other options don’t reflect the real difference in performance between handheld and vehicle-mounted radios, or they push either value beyond typical operational limits.