How far does an FM transmitter reach?

The range of a VHF transmitter in amateur radio depends on various factors, including, in particular, the transmission power, the antenna characteristics, the height of the antenna above the ground and the ambient conditions. Under favorable conditions and with a good antenna, a VHF transmitter (in the VHF range of around 144 MHz) can usually provide ranges of up to 100 kilometers. Simple handheld radios, often with limited transmission power, can usually only be reached for a few kilometers. Additionally, atmospheric conditions such as tropospheric ducts can carry the signals over much greater distances.