Matching Gear to Your Operation
The right radio, GPS tracker, and charger setup depends entirely on what you're doing. A commercial fishing operation on the water needs a very different system to a 4WD enthusiast heading into remote high country.
Matching Radios to the Job
For people on the move, a rugged IP67-rated handheld like the GME TX6165 handles being caught in a downpour or dropped. For vehicle-based use where you need maximum range, a fixed-mount unit like the GME XRS series, paired with a properly matched antenna, gives you serious reach across hilly or forested terrain. For marine use, GME's GX700 and GX750 VHF radios are the appropriate legal option, not a UHF CB unit.
Where GPS Tracking Fits
Many GME radios include basic location-sharing between users in a group. A dedicated GPS tracker goes further, giving you precise location data that can be monitored remotely, particularly valuable for managing a fleet or keeping tabs on workers in isolated areas.
Why a Dedicated GPS Tracker Adds Real Value
A radio's GPS function is built for one thing: quickly sharing your current position with someone else in your group. For genuinely tracking vehicles, machinery, or staff over time, a separate integrated GPS unit is the right tool.
- Live monitoring through a web portal, not just a shared pin on a map.
- Historical route playback, useful for reviewing how a job actually went.
- Geofencing alerts that notify you when a vehicle or asset enters or leaves a defined area.
- Detailed, customisable reporting for fleet management and compliance.
Installing for Peak Performance
A top-tier radio and GPS system is only as good as its installation. Getting this right isn't just about tidiness, it directly affects signal range, electrical interference, and how well your gear survives NZ conditions.
Positioning
Your radio's control head or microphone needs to sit somewhere reachable without becoming a distraction, typically the dash or centre console. A GPS unit needs a clear view of the sky for a strong satellite lock, so avoid mounting it deep within the vehicle's frame.
Antenna Placement
- Height matters most: the higher the antenna, the better its line-of-sight and overall range. A roof or bullbar mount is prime real estate.
- Keep it clear: mount away from other metal objects like roof racks or light bars, which interfere with the radiation pattern.
- Ground plane: most whip antennas need a flat metal surface beneath them to perform properly, a vehicle's metal roof works well.
Power and Cable Management
Wire both the radio and GPS tracker directly to the vehicle's battery through a fused line, never off an accessory circuit like a cigarette lighter, which introduces electrical noise and voltage drops. Route cables away from hot engine components, sharp edges, and areas where they could get pinched.
For teams running multiple handhelds, a multi-bay charging station keeps every unit ready to go, useful in a site office or workshop.
Keeping Your Gear in Shape
Treat a regular check-up like a pre-trip check on your vehicle. A quick once-over before heading out flags small issues before they become failures in the field.
- Antenna connections: check for tightness and corrosion at the base, a common cause of poor reception.
- Cable health: look for chafing, cracking, or pinching, especially where cables pass through the firewall.
- Mounting security: give cradles and mounts a gentle shake, vibration works fixings loose over time.
- Firmware updates: check with GME or Mobile Systems periodically for updates that improve performance.
- Battery health: for handhelds, occasionally run the battery flat and fully recharge to gauge its true condition before it fails on a job.
Common Issues and Quick Fixes
Poor Radio Reception
Crackly audio or a sudden drop in range is most often an antenna problem, not the radio itself. Check the antenna is screwed on tight with no kinks or damage, trace the coaxial cable for wear, and check the ground plane connection for corrosion.
GPS Tracking Failures
If a tracker goes offline, check power first (a blown fuse is common), then whether the satellite view is blocked (underground parking, dense forest). For cellular-based trackers, a temporary loss of mobile coverage in a remote area is normal, the device stores data and uploads it once reconnected.
Charger and Battery Problems
Test the battery in a different charger or radio to rule it out. Check the charger's power cable and contact points are clean. For vehicle-mounted chargers, a multimeter check on the voltage supplied can reveal a wiring issue in the vehicle rather than a fault with the GME gear.
Getting the Right System in Place
Mobile Systems Limited is 100% New Zealand owned and based in Mount Maunganui, with over 25 years supplying and installing GME radio and GPS systems. We handle equipment selection, professional installation, and ongoing servicing, with mobile technicians covering the Bay of Plenty, Coromandel, Rotorua, TaupΕ, South Waikato, the Volcanic Plateau and Eastern Waikato, and nationwide equipment supply.
