Which GME Is Right For The Job?
GME's current range runs to more than thirty two-way radio models, before you even get to marine VHF sets or emergency beacons. Founded in 1959, GME remains Australia's only manufacturer of UHF CB radios, a heritage that shows in the durability across the range. This guide breaks the whole line-up down by what actually matters, category, form factor, features, and budget, so you can find the right model without wading through spec sheets.
01
UHF CB, or something else?
GME sells three different families under one brand. UHF CB, marine VHF, and emergency beacons don't do each other's job.
02
Handheld, or fixed-mount?
Handhelds go with the person. Fixed-mount units wire into a vehicle for a bigger speaker and better range.
03
Standard, or XRS Connect?
Bluetooth and app control sit on a separate smart platform, not an upgrade tier within the standard range.
04
On land, or on the water?
UHF CB needs a general user licence and covers the paddock or the site. Marine VHF is a different band entirely, for boat-to-boat and coastguard.
Handheld UHF CB Radios
From ultra-compact entry units to GME's flagship, all sharing the same licence-free 476–477MHz band.
UHF CB (476–477MHz)
| Model | Power | Standout | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| TX667 | 1W | Ultra-compact, simplest entry point, twin and quad packs available | Casual use, short range, light packing |
| TX677 | 2W | Compact step up in range, also available as twin and quad packs | Recreational and light commercial use |
| TX6165 | 5W | IP67, GME's flagship handheld, black/yellow/blaze orange plus twin pack | Serious commercial, construction, touring |
| TX6600S | 5W | Industrial-grade build for the toughest daily use | Fleets and industrial sites wanting maximum durability |
Ladder logic: TX667 is the value entry point. TX677 steps up to 2W for a bit more range. TX6165 is the 5W IP67 flagship most commercial buyers land on. TX6600S trades a touch of price for extra industrial-grade toughness. The harder the radio is going to work, the further up this ladder you'll want to go.
CTCSS and DCS codes: these filter out unwanted chatter on a shared channel so you mostly hear your own team. They don't encrypt anything, all UHF CB traffic remains public under the General User Radio Licence, but they meaningfully cut down noise on busy channels.
Fixed-Mount UHF CB Radios
Vehicle radios drawing vehicle power, for a bigger speaker, an external antenna, and clearer range than a handheld. Most are also available as value packs bundling a matching antenna and mounting bracket, worth checking before buying the radio and antenna separately.
| Model | Power | Standout | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| TX2720N | 4W | 26MHz AM CB, DIN-mount, a different band to the UHF models below | Legacy CB fleets, heavy vehicles already running 26MHz |
| TX3100 / TX3120S | 5W | Super compact, smallest footprint for tight dash space | Vehicles with limited mounting room |
| TX3350 | 5W | LCD speaker microphone for on-the-fly channel control | Drivers who want control without reaching for the radio |
| TX3500S | 5W | Full ScanSuite scanning in the compact form factor | Compact installs wanting the full feature set |
| TX4500S | 5W | GME's DIN-mount flagship, full ScanSuite, traditional in-dash size | Fleet standard fitment, full-size installs |
TX2720N is not UHF: it runs the older 26MHz AM CB band, not the 476–477MHz UHF CB band the rest of this guide covers. It won't talk to any UHF model here, only to other 26MHz AM CB radios.
Range comes from the antenna, not the radio: every model here transmits at the same legal maximum, so real-world range is set mostly by antenna gain, mounting height, and terrain. Low-gain antennas suit hilly or bush country (roughly 2-8km); high-gain antennas suit flat, open ground (15km or more). A fixed unit paired with a handheld, for example a TX4500S in the vehicle and a TX6165 on the belt, gives coverage both in the cab and on foot once you've parked up.
XRS Connect: Smart, App-Controlled Radios
Bluetooth pairing and app control layered on top of standard UHF CB, currently sold across two hardware generations.
| Series | Generation | Standout | Pack options | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 330 / 370 series | Gen 1 | Bluetooth pairing, app control, wireless PTT | Outback (COB), Portable (CP), Touring (CTP), 4WD (C4P/C4PG) | $619 |
| 335 / 375 series | Gen 2 | Adds 3W speaker, IP67 mic, colour TFT display, ScanSuite | Outback (COB), 4WD (C4P), Tractor (CTR) | $749 |
| XRS-660 | Handheld | The same smart platform, fully portable, no vehicle install needed | Standalone handheld | $639 |
Two generations, same electronics per generation: the pack code (COB, CP, CTP, C4P, CTR) just changes what's bundled in the box, antenna, mount, kit, not the radio itself. Choose the generation first, then the pack that matches the vehicle. Both generations connect to the same free XRS Connect app for offline mapping, live location sharing between connected units, custom scan lists, and over-the-air firmware updates, none of which require mobile signal to work.
Marine VHF and Emergency Beacons
Different band, different job, and outside the scope of a UHF CB decision entirely.
GME's GX series (GX625, GX700, GX750, GX865, GX875) covers marine VHF, built for boat-to-boat and boat-to-shore communication and monitoring the maritime distress channel. A UHF CB radio, however far up this guide's ladder, will not do that job.
Emergency beacons are a third category again, a one-way distress signal rather than two-way communication. A UHF radio is your day-to-day coordination tool; a PLB or EPIRB is for genuine life-or-death emergencies, the two serve different purposes and neither replaces the other. Our PLB comparison chart covers GME's MT610G alongside the other brands we stock.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a licence to use a GME UHF CB radio in New Zealand?
No individual licence application is needed. GME's UHF CB radios operate on the shared 476–477MHz band under a general user licence, unlike commercial DMR business radios, which do require an individual RSM licence.
Can a GME UHF CB radio talk to a radio from a different brand?
Yes. UHF CB is a shared public band, so any compliant UHF CB radio from any brand can communicate on the same channel. This is different to licensed commercial DMR radios, which need matching programming to talk to each other. One common myth worth correcting: channels 5 and 35 are not designated emergency channels in New Zealand, that's an Australian convention. Here they're simply a repeater pair like the other seven on the 80-channel band.
What's the real difference between the TX667, TX677 and TX6165?
Power output and durability climb together. The TX667 is a 1W entry handheld, the TX677 steps up to 2W, and the TX6165 is GME's 5W IP67-rated flagship, built for daily commercial and construction use rather than occasional use.
What's the difference between the two generations of XRS Connect radios?
The newer 335 and 375 series add a 3W speaker, an IP67-rated microphone, a colour TFT display, and ScanSuite scanning over the earlier 330 and 370 series, which remains available and still performs well for straightforward use.
Are GME UHF CB radios waterproof?
Most of GME's current flagship and XRS models carry an IP67 rating, built to handle rain, dust, and the odd dunking. Entry-level handhelds like the TX667 and TX677 are more basic, so check the specific model's rating against how it'll be used.
Not sure which one fits?
Every model in this guide is available to order in through our regular GME supply channel. Tell us the job and we'll match the spec.
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