GME's range runs well past one or two UHF CB radios. Across handhelds, fixed-mount units, the XRS Connect smart platform, marine VHF, marine entertainment and emergency beacons, it's easy to land on the wrong model. Founded in 1959, GME remains Australia's only manufacturer of UHF CB radios, and that heritage shows in how the gear holds up in rural, agricultural and on-water work. This guide breaks the range down by what actually matters, so you can pick the right model without wading through spec sheets.
01
UHF CB, or something else?
UHF CB, marine VHF and emergency beacons are three different families. They 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 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 on the shared 476 to 477MHz UHF CB band.
| Model | Power | Format | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TX667 | 1W | Ultra-compact | Casual use, short range, light packing | from $109.00 |
| TX677 | 2W | Compact | Recreational and light commercial use | from $157.00 |
| TX6165 | 5W | IP67, GME's flagship handheld | Commercial, construction, touring | from $399.00 |
| TX6600S | 5W | IP67, industrial-grade build | Fleets and industrial sites wanting maximum durability | from $529.00 |
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, and TX6600S trades a little more cost for extra industrial toughness. The harder the radio is going to work, the further up this ladder you'll want to go. Most come in multi-packs too: TX667TP, TX677TP, TX677QP, TX6165TP and TX6600STP.
Fixed-Mount UHF & AM CB Radios
Vehicle radios running off vehicle power, for a bigger speaker, an external antenna and clearer range than a handheld.
UHF CB (476 to 477MHz)AM CB (26MHz)
| Model | Power | Format | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TX3100-DP | 5W | Super compact | Tight dash space, simplest fit | from $305.00 |
| TX3120S | 5W | Super compact, ScanSuite scanning | Compact installs that want scanning | from $365.00 |
| TX3125S | 5W | Super compact, ScanSuite, speaker microphone | Compact installs with controls on the mic | from $365.00 |
| TX3500S | 5W | Compact, ScanSuite, dynamic volume control | Compact installs wanting the full feature set | from $509.00 |
| TX3350 | 5W | Hideaway unit, LCD speaker microphone | Drivers who want channel control without reaching for the radio | from $629.00 |
| TX4500S | 5W | DIN-mount, large LCD, rotary controls | Fleet standard fitment, full-size installs | from $659.00 |
| TX2720N | 4W | DIN-mount, 26MHz AM CB | Fleets already running 26MHz AM CB | from $299.00 |
Don't mix bands: the TX2720N runs the older 26MHz AM CB band, not UHF CB. It won't talk to any other radio in this guide, only to other AM CB radios. Unless you're joining an existing AM CB network, a UHF CB model is the better starting point.
Range comes from the antenna, not the radio: every UHF 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, high-gain antennas suit flat, open ground. Value packs bundle a matched antenna and bracket, worth checking before buying separately: TX3100VP, TX3120SPNP (Plug'n'Play, no permanent wiring), TX3125SVP, TX3350UVP and TX3500SVP.
XRS Connect: Smart, App-Controlled Radios
Bluetooth pairing and app control layered on top of standard UHF CB, across two hardware generations plus a heavy-duty model and a handheld.
| Model | Generation | Standout | Packs | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XRS-335C | Gen 2, super compact | 3W speaker, IP67 speaker mic, colour TFT screen, GPS, Bluetooth audio | Outback (335COB), Touring (335CTP) | from $749.00 |
| XRS-375C | Gen 2, compact with built-in speaker | As 335C, in the larger compact chassis | 4WD (375C4P), Tractor (375CTR) | from $799.00 |
| XRS-390C | Heavy duty | IP67, die-cast chassis, built-in GPS | UTV (390CAG) | from $719.00 |
| XRS-330 / 370 | Gen 1 | Bluetooth pairing and app control, the original platform | Outback (330COB), Touring (330CTP), 4WD with GPS (370C4PG) | from $799.00 |
| XRS-660 | Handheld | The same smart platform, fully portable, no vehicle install | Standalone | from $639.00 |
Choose the generation, then the pack: the pack code (COB, CTP, C4P, CTR) only changes what's in the box, antenna, mount or kit, not the radio itself. Gen 2 (335C and 375C) has replaced the original 330C and 370C, and the remaining Gen 1 stock is in pack form only while it lasts. Every XRS model connects to the free XRS Connect app for scan list sharing, mapping, location sharing between connected units and firmware updates.
Marine VHF Radios
Handheld and fixed-mount VHF radios for boats, a completely separate band and licensing regime from anything on land.
| Model | Format | Standout | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| GX625 | 5W handheld | IP66, straightforward essential marine comms | from $249.00 |
| GX865 | 5W handheld, floats | IPX8, float and flash, built-in torch, USB-C charging | from $359.00 |
| GX875 | 5W handheld, floats | Adds 60-second channel recording, dual and triple watch, 4000mAh battery | from $529.00 |
| GX700 | Fixed mount, compact | IPX7, dual speakers, suits limited dash space | from $369.00 |
| GX710D | Fixed mount | Digital Selective Calling (DSC) | from $439.00 |
| GX750 | Black box | Hideaway main unit, LCD controller mic, IPX7 | from $475.00 |
| GX720AD | Fixed mount, 25W | Class D DSC, built-in AIS receiver and GPS | from $689.00 |
Marine VHF is its own world: a UHF CB radio won't tune into marine channels, however far up this guide's ladder it sits. DSC sends an automated distress alert carrying your vessel's MMSI and GPS position at the press of one button, but it only works once your MMSI is programmed in. The GX720AD adds an AIS receiver, so you can see nearby vessel traffic on the same unit.
Marine Entertainment & Emergency Beacons
Not two-way radio, but part of the same fit-out for many boats and remote operators.
For the helm, the GR300BT marine stereo streams Bluetooth audio, and the GR300BTWEP2 entertainment pack bundles in a pair of marine speakers. Upgrade the speakers with the IP54-rated GS520 (110W) or GS620 (140W) for a larger vessel.
Emergency beacons are a third category again: a one-way distress signal, not day-to-day communication. A radio coordinates your team, a beacon is for genuine life-or-death emergencies, and neither replaces the other. GME's MT610G GPS PLB is in our catalogue, our PLB comparison chart sets it against the other brands we stock, and we can source GME EPIRBs to order.
Why Order GME Through MSL
GME has built UHF CB radios and marine safety equipment in Australia for over 60 years. We set up every radio to your channel plan before it leaves our Mount Maunganui workshop, so it works alongside the rest of your fleet, whatever the brand.
We install directly across the Bay of Plenty, Coromandel, Rotorua, Taupō and Waikato. Outside that area, we coordinate with trusted installers nationwide, or supply a fully configured radio if you'd rather arrange your own fit-out.
We're brand-independent. We stock and support GME, Tait, Hytera, Motorola and more, so our recommendation is built around what suits your operation, not what's easiest to sell.
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 to 477MHz band under a general user licence, unlike commercial DMR business radios, which need an individual licence. Marine VHF is different: you'll need a Maritime VHF Operator Certificate, and DSC models also need your vessel's MMSI.
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 talk on the same channel. One common myth worth correcting: channels 5 and 35 aren't designated emergency channels in New Zealand, that's an Australian convention. Here they're a repeater pair like the others on the 80-channel band.
Do you have GME radios in stock?
Most of the GME range in this guide is listed in our online catalogue, with stock varying by model. We can also source GME's wider range, including EPIRBs and AIS transceivers, to order. Get in touch to confirm current stock or lead time for the model you need.
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 XRS-330C/370C and the XRS-335C/375C?
The XRS-335C and XRS-375C are GME's second-generation XRS Connect radios, replacing the original 330C and 370C. They add a 3W speaker, an IP67-rated speaker microphone, a colour TFT screen, built-in GPS, Bluetooth audio and noise reduction. Remaining first-generation stock is available in pack form while it lasts.
What's the difference between GME's XRS Connect and TX-series radios?
XRS Connect adds Bluetooth smartphone control through the XRS Connect app, useful for scan list sharing, firmware updates and location sharing. The TX series is GME's more straightforward UHF and AM CB range, built for reliable voice communication without the smartphone integration.
Are GME radios waterproof?
It depends on the model. The TX6165, TX6600S and XRS-390C carry an IP67 rating, and the GX865 and GX875 marine handhelds are IPX8 and float. Entry handhelds like the TX667 and TX677 are more basic, so check the rating against how the radio will be used.
Do you install GME radios outside the Bay of Plenty?
Yes. We install directly within the Bay of Plenty, Coromandel, Rotorua, Taupō and Waikato. Elsewhere in New Zealand, we coordinate with trusted installers in your region, or supply a configured radio for your own installer to fit.
Not sure which one fits?
Tell us the job, the vehicle or the vessel, and we'll match the GME model to it.
Shop GME Two-Way Radios
View all 41 products
XRS-375C XRS™ Connect Heavy Duty Compact UHF CB Radio
$799.00 NZD
($694.78 exc GST)
XRS-335C XRS™ Connect Super Compact UHF CB Radio
$748.99 NZD
($651.30 exc GST)
GME XRS-390C XRS Connect IP67 UHF CB Radio with Bluetooth & GPS
$719.00 NZD
($625.22 exc GST)
GME TX3500S 5-Watt Compact UHF CB Radio with Scansuite
$508.30 NZD
($442.00 exc GST)
GME TX4500S 5-Watt DIN-Mount UHF CB Radio with Scansuite
$659.00 NZD
($573.04 exc GST)
GME TX6165 5W IP67 UHF CB Handheld Radio, Full Accessory Kit
$399.00 NZD
($346.96 exc GST)
GME TX677 2W UHF CB Handheld Radio
$157.00 NZD
($136.52 exc GST)
GME GX865 VHF Marine Handheld Radio
$359.00 NZD
($312.17 exc GST)