THE purpose of CB radios as a communications device hasn’t really changed much over the years, but the radios themselves have evolved. The two radios in my old LandCruiser partly shows this evolution, as one was an old AM/477meg dual-band jobby and the other an older 40-channel GME GX3200. Neither were working particularly well on a recent trip in convoy, so it was time for a more modern replacement.
AM CB radios are pretty well redundant now and the common 477meg units have advanced to 80 channels. Compact units have become the norm and allow you to mount the main body away from the fascia, and some are even controlled by Bluetooth.
I like to keep things simple with a basic radio and never thought I would use a unit with Bluetooth connection or the ability to locate you and other users with similar tech on-board. I also didn’t like the idea of UHF radios with the speaker, microphone and all of the main controls in the handpiece, as I didn’t imagine the sound quality of the speaker would be all that good.
This opinion changed when I used the GME XRS 330-CTP combination in the 4X4 Australia Ranger. It features the all-in-the handpiece design, with the main body mounted behind the dash; and the revelation that the sound from the inbuilt speaker was excellent and changed my mind on such UHF units.
This story is from the November 2020 edition of 4x4 Magazine Australia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 2020 edition of 4x4 Magazine Australia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
TRAVEL BULLETIN
ALL THE LATEST 4X4 NEWS AND EVENTS. Now is the time to get out and about to enjoy this great land and support the communities. Experienced adventurer Ron Moon has listed a few upcoming highlights, as well as essential track info. As always, check with event organisers before locking in your plans.
MICK GRAHAM
OLD MORISSET MENTAL HOME, NSW CENTRAL COAST
REAR VIEW
4X4 AUSTRALIA LOOKS BACK AT THE CHANGES IN THE INDUSTRY, THE RISE IN . OUTBACK TOURING, THE EVOLUTIONARY SOPHISTICATION OF 4X4S, AND MORE
READERS RIGS
WANT TO SEE YOUR 4x4 PUBLISHED IN THE MAG? SEND US A PIC VIA OUR FACEBOOK PAGE!
FIRST-CLASS TRAVEL
A HOLIDAY TRIP WITH THE FORD RANGER PLATINUM RAISED A FEW EYEBROWS WHEN COMPARING IT TO OUR RANGER SPORT
ENGINE CHECK
THE ULTRAGAUGE PROVIDES YOUR VEHICLE'S VITAL STATS AND WARNINGS IN A TAILORABLE PACKAGE
RAZR RUBBER
AFTER A 50,000KM TRIP THROUGH WESTERN AUSTRALIA, THESE MAXXIS RAZR ATS HAVE PROVIDED RELIABLE PERFORMANCE ON AND OFF THE ROAD
PORTABLE POWER
FOR THOSE WHO DON'T WANT TO FIT A DEDICATED DUAL-BATTERY SYSTEM TO THEIR VEHICLE, THE PORTABLE BLUETTI AC200L POWER STATION COULD BE JUST THE TICKET
A BETTER BRAKE
EVERYONE KNOWS HOW DODGY LANDCRUISER HANDBRAKES CAN BE. TERRAIN TAMER HAS THE FIX …
GOING FOR GOLD
THE FOUR-WHEEL DRIVING MIGHT NOT MATCH THE NEARBY HIGH COUNTRY, BUT THANKS TO ITS GOLD MINING HISTORY THERE IS PLENTY TO SEE AND DO AROUND THE WIDER CASTLEMAINE AREA AND YOU MAY EVEN STRIKE IT RICH!