Which Tait Is Right For The Job?
Tait's current range spans dozens of handheld, vehicle-mounted and infrastructure configurations, from a straightforward entry-level portable through to dual-band flagships and full trunked network infrastructure. This guide breaks the whole line-up down by what actually matters, band, form factor, feature tier, and environment, so you can find the right model without wading through spec sheets.
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01
Which band?
VHF, UHF1, UHF2, or does your operation genuinely need multiband or dual-band coverage in one radio?
02
Handheld, vehicle, or infrastructure?
Portables go with the person, TM-series mobiles live in the vehicle, TB-series base stations and repeaters build the network itself.
03
How much control at the radio?
Tait's ladder runs from 0-key basic models through 4-key to full 16-key control, more keys means more can be managed without a computer.
04
Standard, or hazardous area?
Fuel depots, gas plants and grain silos need an Intrinsically Safe rated radio, not a standard commercial model.
Handheld DMR Radios: The Core Range
Tait's everyday portable line-up, from the simplest value model through to the rugged, feature-rich 16-key units most commercial buyers land on.
VHF
UHF1/UHF2
| Model | Keys | Standout | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| TP3300 | 0 | Entry-level DMR + analogue, highly customisable, genuine value option | Small teams, simple voice-only use, tight budgets |
| TP9310 | 0 | Rugged, cost-effective standard, MIL-STD tested, best-seller configuration | Straightforward commercial fleets wanting reliability over features |
| TP9355 | 4 | IP68, GPS, Bluetooth, Man Down, dual mode DMR/analogue | Field teams needing location awareness and lone-worker safety |
| TP9360 | 16 | Full keypad control, GPS, Bluetooth, Man Down, IP67 | Supervisors and users needing full on-radio channel/menu control |
| TP9555 | 4 | Colour display, loud audio, WiFi, Bluetooth, GNSS, IP68 | Teams wanting a modern screen and smart connectivity in a 4-key form |
| TP9560 | 16 | Tri-mode digital, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, advanced safety features | Demanding sites wanting the full smart feature set with full keypad |
Ladder logic: TP3300 and TP9310 are the value and standard tiers, no keypad, straightforward voice and basic digital features. TP9355/TP9360 add GPS, Bluetooth and Man Down safety features, split by keypad size. TP9555/TP9560 step up again with colour displays and WiFi, aimed at teams wanting the most current smart features. Pick the lowest tier that covers your actual safety and feature needs, more keys and more connectivity cost more for a reason.
Multiband and Dual-Band Handhelds: The Premium Tier
For operations that need one radio covering VHF and UHF simultaneously, or genuinely wide multiband coverage, rather than carrying separate radios for separate bands.
Multiband / Dual-band
| Model | Keys | Band coverage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| TP9755 | 4 | VHF or UHF multiband (single band range, wide coverage within it) | Teams needing wide coverage within one band without full dual-band cost |
| TP9760 | 16 | VHF or UHF multiband, full keypad control | Supervisors needing wide single-band coverage plus full radio control |
| TP9765 | 4 | True dual-band, VHF and UHF in one radio | Operations genuinely spanning both VHF and UHF infrastructure |
| TP9770 | 16 | True dual-band with full 16-key control, Tait's flagship handheld | Mission-critical, multi-network operations wanting one radio for everything |
Multiband is not the same as dual-band: TP9755/TP9760 cover a wide range within a single band (VHF or UHF), useful where your network spans several frequencies in that one band. TP9765/TP9770 are genuinely dual-band, VHF and UHF at once, for operations that need to bridge both. Don't pay for dual-band if wide single-band coverage is all your network actually requires.
Intrinsically Safe: Hazardous Area Radios
For fuel depots, gas processing, grain storage and any site where a standard radio's internal spark risk is a genuine hazard.
| Model | Rating | Standout | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| TP9361 | IECEx / ATEX, IIA or IIC | Intrinsically Safe version of the TP9360 platform, VHF or UHF, 5W or 1W rated transmit power depending on zone rating | Fuel terminals, gas plants, grain silos, any IECEx/ATEX-classified zone |
IIA vs IIC: these are gas-group ratings, not a quality tier. IIC covers a wider range of hazardous gases (including hydrogen) at a lower rated transmit power, IIA suits less severe gas environments at full power. Match the rating to what your site's hazardous area classification actually requires, this isn't a spec to guess at, confirm it against your site's zone certification first.
Vehicle and Fixed-Mount Radios (TM Series)
Mobile radios drawing vehicle power, for a bigger speaker, external antenna, and control head options that scale from a simple microphone up to twin control heads for dual-cab vehicles.
| Model | Control head | Standout | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| TM9315 | Slide or U-cradle mic | Entry fixed-mount, straightforward and cost-effective | Basic fleet vehicles needing reliable voice communication |
| TM9355 | Standard, TCH3 graphical, or handheld (HHCH) | Mid-tier flexible mobile, multiple control head options to suit the vehicle | Most commercial fleet vehicles wanting genuine flexibility |
| TM9357 | Dual control head | Two control heads from one radio body | Dual-cab or dual-station vehicles needing control from two positions |
| TM9755 | Standard, TCH3, or HHCH | Multiband mobile for wide single-band coverage | Fleet vehicles operating across a wide frequency range in one band |
| TM9765 | Standard, TCH3, or HHCH | Dual-band mobile, VHF and UHF in one vehicle radio | Vehicles that need to bridge VHF and UHF infrastructure on the move |
Control head choice matters: a standard fixed control head suits a permanent dash install, TCH3 adds a graphical display for more on-the-move information, and HHCH (handheld control head) lets the driver detach and carry the control unit like a handheld mic, useful where cab space is tight or the same vehicle serves multiple drivers.
Infrastructure and Broadband
Beyond individual radios, the network itself, plus Tait's broadband push-to-talk option for teams that need cellular-backed reach.
| Model | Type | Standout | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| TB7310 | Base station / repeater | Multi-mode, supports analogue, DMR and P25 conventional networks | Sites needing flexible, future-adaptable repeater infrastructure |
| TB9300 | Trunked base station | Trunked IP-connected DMR digital infrastructure | Larger networks needing trunked, mission-critical infrastructure |
| TA3633 | Transportable repeater | Rugged, deployable repeater for emergency or temporary coverage | Disaster response, temporary sites, or events needing rapid coverage |
| AXIOM Wearable (TWX553) | Broadband PTT wearable | DMR plus broadband push-to-talk-over-cellular in one wearable device | Teams needing both radio and cellular-backed reach in one device |
When infrastructure is the actual answer: if your problem is coverage across a large or difficult site rather than which handset to buy, the radios above won't fix it on their own. A repeater or trunked base station addresses the network itself, talk to us about a coverage plan before assuming a different handheld will solve a range problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Tait DMR radios need an individual RSM licence in New Zealand?
Yes. Tait's commercial DMR range operates on licensed frequencies through Radio Spectrum Management, not the licence-free General User Radio Licence that covers UHF CB radios. A private, licensed channel is exactly what gives Tait users guaranteed, interference-free communication, and Mobile Systems can manage the licensing application as part of a deployment.
Can Tait radios talk to other brands, or to older Tait models?
Tait's DMR radios follow the open DMR standard, so they can interoperate with other DMR-compliant radios when programmed to matching frequencies and settings, unlike a closed proprietary digital system. Compatibility with older Tait models depends on the specific generation and firmware, worth confirming against your existing fleet before mixing generations.
What's the real difference between the TP9310, TP9355 and TP9360?
It's mainly keypad control and safety features. The TP9310 has no keypad and covers straightforward voice use. The TP9355 adds a 4-key layout with GPS, Bluetooth and Man Down safety features. The TP9360 steps up to a full 16-key layout for complete on-radio menu and channel control, on top of the same safety feature set.
What's different about the Intrinsically Safe TP9361 versus a standard TP9360?
The TP9361 is built to IECEx and ATEX standards so it can't produce a spark capable of igniting atmospheric gases or dust, a mandatory requirement in classified hazardous areas like fuel depots or grain silos. It comes in IIA and IIC gas-group ratings, with IIC covering a wider range of hazardous gases at a lower rated transmit power. A standard TP9360 is not rated for these environments and shouldn't be substituted in a classified zone.
What ruggedness rating do Tait radios carry?
Most of Tait's current portable range carries an IP67 or IP68 rating, meaning fully dust-tight and able to survive submersion in water, alongside MIL-STD-810 testing for shock, vibration and temperature extremes. The exact rating varies by model, check the specific radio's spec sheet against your site's actual conditions before assuming coverage.
Not sure which one fits?
Every model in this guide is available to order in through our regular Tait supply channel. Tell us the job and we'll match the spec.
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