Heavy vs Medium Duty UHF Communications Kits: Which One Should You Choose?

When setting up your 4WD with a proper UHF communication system, one of the most common questions we get is:

Should I go heavy duty or medium duty?

Both will give you reliable convoy communication. Both are vehicle-specific kits.
But they are built for different use cases.

If you're choosing between a heavy duty and medium duty UHF communications kit, here’s exactly what you need to know.

What’s the Difference Between Heavy and Medium Duty UHF Kits?

The difference comes down to three key factors:

1. Antenna size and gain
2. Radio model and speaker setup
3. Intended touring conditions

Let’s break that down properly.

Heavy Duty UHF Communications Kit

A heavy duty kit is designed for:

• Long-distance touring
• Remote travel
• Outback and regional highway use
• Maximum signal clarity in convoy

For example, our Mazda BT-50 (2021+) Heavy Duty UHF Communications Kit - GME XRS Connect 370C pairs:

• GME XRS Connect 370C
• Heavy duty antenna
• Vehicle-specific bonnet bracket

The 370C includes a built-in speaker in the handset, which means louder, clearer audio in noisy environments - ideal when you're running larger tyres, roof racks, drawers and highway wind noise.

The heavy duty antenna is physically larger and designed to provide improved range in open terrain.

Who Should Choose Heavy Duty?

Choose heavy duty if you:

• Regularly tour regional or remote Australia
• Travel long highway stretches between towns
• Run in convoy on open roads
• Want maximum clarity and range
• Prefer the integrated speaker handset

If you're setting up for serious touring, heavy duty is the safer long-term choice.

Medium Duty UHF Communications Kit

Medium duty kits are designed for:

• General touring
• Weekend trips
• Mixed terrain driving
• Drivers who want a more compact install

Using the Mazda BT-50 (2021+) Medium Duty UHF Communications Kit - GME XRS Connect 330C as an example, the main differences are:

• GME XRS Connect 330C (no speaker in handset)
• Medium duty antenna
• Smaller overall install footprint

The 330C relies on an external speaker (or vehicle audio integration), and the antenna is slightly more compact.

You still get excellent convoy communication - just without the extended range emphasis of the heavy duty setup.

Who Should Choose Medium Duty?

Choose medium duty if you:

• Mainly do local or moderate-distance touring
• Prefer a smaller antenna
• Want a slightly more compact radio setup
• Don’t require maximum highway range

For most casual 4WD drivers, medium duty is more than capable.

370C vs 330C: What’s the Real Difference?

Here’s the simple comparison:

Does Antenna Size Really Matter?

Yes - but only in the right conditions.

In wide open terrain (highways, desert, regional WA, NT touring), a heavier duty antenna will typically perform better due to its design and gain characteristics.

In hilly or mixed terrain, the difference is less noticeable.

If you mostly drive metro, coastal, or forest tracks, medium duty is often perfectly adequate.

What About Installation?

Both heavy and medium duty kits are supplied with vehicle-specific mounting solutions.

For example:

• Mazda BT-50 bonnet bracket
• No drilling required
• Clean OEM-style fitment

The medium duty radio unit is slightly easier to mount due to its more compact design, which some DIY installers prefer.

So Which One Should You Buy?

Here’s the practical answer:

• If you’re building a serious touring setup → go heavy duty.
• If you’re setting up a daily driver / weekend tourer → medium duty will be more than enough.

If you’re unsure, lean toward heavy duty. Most drivers regret under-spec’ing communications - almost nobody regrets having more clarity and range.

View Available UHF Communications Kits

We offer both heavy and medium duty UHF communications kits tailored to specific vehicles:

• Mazda BT-50 (2021+)
• Toyota Hilux
• Chevrolet Silverado

Browse the full range here:

👉 View Vehicle-Specific UHF Communications Kits

Final Thoughts

UHF communication isn’t just another accessory. It’s one of the most important upgrades for:

• Convoy safety
• Track communication
• Highway hazard warnings
• Remote travel peace of mind

Choosing between heavy and medium duty simply depends on how far and how often you travel.

Build the system to suit your touring style - not just today, but where you plan to go next.