Why don't you see a 10 watt handheld?

[kid_couteau]

Hi All

Why is it most handhelds are only 5 watts and a few are 8 watts?

Why dont we see a 10 or 15 watt handheld VHF radio?

Kid

[idelphic]

Think of what 'HT' implies... Handi-talkie.

To be 'handie' you want to carry it....  more watts needs more power.  Sure,.. you could get 10 watts from a Yaesu VX-7, but likely for only 2-5 minutes of use, else you'd have have external power.

Also - more power means more - heat.    HT's have little in the means of expelling the heat generated for  transmit.

[SCWolverine]

** Sarcasm in Full-Effect  **

Congratulations, you're in Luck! 

https://www.amazon.com/TYT-Cross-band-Repeater-400-520MHz-Transceiver/dp/B01H3KZ1YO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1520357964&sr=8-3&keywords=TYT+10+radio

or here's pages full of 10w HT's

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=10w+walkie+talkie

And if you thought 10w was good, why not an incredible 25!!!!?

https://www.amazon.com/NKTECH-400-480MHz-Handheld-Transceiver-Antenna/dp/B01LHP90CA/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1520358351&sr=1-4&keywords=25w+walkie+talkie

BUT WAIT-There's More!!! just spend $140 additional to make your $29 HT a 25w transceiver!!!!

https://www.amazon.com/HYS-400-470Mhz-Amplifier-KENWOOD-Motorola/dp/B075QGY7M7/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1520358351&sr=1-2-spons&keywords=25w+walkie+talkie&psc=1

**Sarcasm off**

Remember 10w out of a Wet Noodle Antenna isn't gonna do much more than 5w out of the same Wet Noodle Antenna. 
**note that the higher power in this case will likely equal less time of use in addition to a hot Bao-tato!

A few months back I had a friend bring by some of the 8w Bao-sux for programming and I fiddled with them on High Power.  The radio chassis and Wet Noodle Antenna both got too hot for my personal comfort level.

Just like HF, it's the antenna that makes the most impact on a radios performance.  And unfortunately most see the higher wattage output and think that is equal to better performance--the marketing agents for these companies understand that and they're selling to the lowest common denominator

[armymars]

Lets not forget RF exposure. Check FFC rules.

[Carl]

 There is even a 25 watt UHF handy talky radio on AMAZON though power really helps so little with inefficient antenna and line of site ...extra power is often just wasted battery.