Whether you’re travelling to remote regions or just cruising on the bitumen, the need to communicate with other drivers should never be underestimated. Keep reading to learn more about GME’s newest UHF radios.
Every seasoned tourer knows that having the right gear on board your vehicle is just as important as the vehicle itself — especially when travelling in remote areas.
Whether you’re heading to the deep outback in South Australia or driving the Great Ocean Road to find the Twelve Apostles, effective communication with other drivers on the road is crucial and potentially lifesaving.
Now, if you’re used to travelling off the beaten track on rugged terrain, you’ll know that a UHF (ultra-high frequency) radio is an essential piece of kit onboard your vehicle. And if you’ve traversed some famous 4WD tracks such as the Oodnadatta Track or Gibb River Road, you’ll know how important it is to be able to talk to other road uses about potential hazards.
Visibility on the road can be reduced due to several reasons — dust or dirt, accidents, wandering stock and wildlife, changed road conditions, breakdowns and people in need of help are all situations which can be communicated to other road users via UHF radio. We had the pleasure of using and evaluating two UHF radios which were provided from leading manufacturer, GME. GME is a family-owned private company that is proudly 100 per cent Australian and has been in operation for more than 60 years. They are the only Aussie manufacturer of UHF CB radios and emergency beacon locators and have a history of manufacturing reliable products.
GME TX6165 5W Handheld UHF CB radio
GME launched its newest range of 5W Handheld UHF CB radios, the TX6165, late last year, and we’ve tested them on a few road trips.
The TX6165 features 5W transmission power, an IP67 ingress-protection rating for outstanding performance and years of reliable use, up to 30 hours of battery life, VOX hands-free mode and a built-in LED torch.
It also has a user-friendly interface (a large, clear LCD display), 2W speaker and a user-programmable button. This radio is not complicated to use but it’s a serious bit of equipment for users who need rugged and reliable UHF CB communication, for both work and play.
It comes in orange and yellow, as well as black. The TX6165TP twin pack comes in a rugged carry case with a full range of professional-grade accessories or there’s the standard TX6165X for those who just need the basics. No matter where your outdoor adventures take you, you won’t regret having one of these on board your rig.
The TX6165 is available now with a recommended retail price of $349.
GME XRS-660 5W Handheld UHF Radio
We also had the pleasure of trying out an XRS-660 — the most powerful radio GME has ever made. Whether you’re doing a Big Lap of Australia or just heading off on a quick camping weekend to Wilsons Prom, the XRS-660 will cover almost all your communications needs with excellent sound quality.
All the usual CB features as we know them are there, but the XRS-660 steps it up with a range of extra features.
A built-in GPS function ensures true location awareness. Road users can now have peace of mind knowing they can communicate with fellow travellers, while their live location is visible without needing a mobile phone.
Along with IP67 protections from dust and water, there is a colour screen providing a display for all environments, even in harsh conditions and that glaring direct sunlight.
Other features include Bluetooth, allowing you to connect to an extensive range of audio devices. And through the GME App, you can update, control and customise the XRS-660 to suit you and your needs.
Scanning is now twice as fast using the Scansuite digital scanning technology, so you won’t miss a transmission. There are also multiple power-saving modes so the unit will ‘sleep’ during periods of inactivity, so extra battery life — always good when camping.
The XRS-660 retails from $549.
The wrap
Both the TX6165 or the more advanced XRS-660 are quality pieces of gear to carry in your vehicle — no matter your travel destination and style. For more information on either of these radios, or any other GME product, head to their website here. For our full range of UHF radios, head here.
