Think about what is between the radios
PMR446 handsets work best when the signal has a reasonably clear path. Open ground, a park or a field may be easier than a street lined with buildings. A hill can help if both people are safely on open ground, but it can also block the signal when one person is on the far side of the slope.
Indoors, try standing near a window or moving to another floor. Reinforced walls, metal cladding, lifts and large appliances can weaken a signal. Move a short distance and try again; you do not need to find the highest point in town.
Cars and other metal surroundings
The body of a car can shield a handheld radio. If you are parked somewhere safe, compare a call from inside with one just outside the vehicle. Never handle a radio while driving or stop on an unsafe roadside to improve reception.
Compare positions fairly
At home, try a window, doorway or upstairs room before changing the radio settings. In a garden or park, stand clear of a fence, vehicle or large metal structure. A hill may give you a clearer view, but a ridge between the two handsets can still get in the way. In a car, compare the call while safely parked with the same call just outside; the bodywork can reduce the signal. Never handle a radio while driving.
For a fair test, ask the other person to stay in one safe place while you try two or three nearby positions. Keep the radio upright and its antenna clear of your hand. Change only one thing at a time so you know what helped. Then swap roles. A clear reply from one spot and a broken reply from another tells you more than repeatedly changing several settings at once.
Choose a place where you can stand comfortably and legally. Do not climb on roofs, fences or unstable structures. If you are setting up a group walk, test from the actual path and agree where people should wait if they become separated. The range guide explains why advertised distances vary so much.