Reliable communication is one of those things you don’t fully appreciate until you really need it.

Out on the tracks – whether you’re tackling the Victorian High Country or the long stretches of the Canning Stock Route – a UHF isn’t just for chatting with mates. It’s about safety, guidance and coordination. That’s why I recently fitted the Uniden X-TRAK Pro Outback Kit to my D-MAX.

The Outback Kit isn’t just a single radio but a complete package built around Uniden’s flagship X-TRAK 80 Pro 5W UHF base unit. Bundled with it are a matching 5W X-TRAK 50 Pro handheld, an antenna and a suite of accessories. It’s designed as an all-in-one comms solution, keeping you covered both in the vehicle and on foot. After plenty of kilometres with it fitted, I’ve come away impressed with how easy it is to use, how well it handles different terrain, and the little touches that make a big difference.

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DIY fitting

The installation was one of the easiest I’ve done.

I tucked the base unit under the centre console, powered it through the fuse box, and mounted the mic where it was easy to reach. The kit includes everything you need – a quick-release bracket, extension cable and magnetic mic mount – so it feels purpose-built for DIY installers. No special tools, no headaches, and it all looked tidy once in place. The only hiccup is that the D-MAX lacks blank switches in the right locations to fit an RS-485 pass-through port for the hand unit.

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What’s in the box? 

The Outback Kit is built around the X-TRAK 80 Pro mobile UHF as the base unit. From there, Uniden includes just about everything you need to get started:

  • X-TRAK 80 Pro 5W UHF mobile radio (base unit)
  • Remote speaker microphone with OLED display and built-in speaker
  • Magnetic microphone mount
  • Quick-release bracket and mounting hardware
  • 2m extension cable
  • 3.0dBi ground-independent antenna with heavy-duty radome and base
  • X-TRAK 50 Pro 5W handheld radio
  • Lithium-ion rechargeable battery (for the handheld)
  • AC adaptor, USB charging cable and in-vehicle charger (for the handheld)
  • Belt clip (for the handheld)
  • Instruction manuals

It’s a well-rounded package. Having both the 80 Pro base unit in the cab and the 50 Pro handheld in your pocket means you’re covered for long-haul touring and around-camp comms straight out of the box.

Bluetooth connectivity

The standout feature of the X-TRAK Pro compared with older radios I’ve used is its Bluetooth connectivity.

Pair it with the X-TRAK app on your phone and you unlock some genuinely useful functions. The app lets you adjust radio settings, manage Selcall contacts, and even share your location with others running the same system. On group trips, being able to glance at a map and see where everyone is within UHF range takes the guesswork out of convoy travel. You can also link the unit to a Bluetooth headset or your in-car speakers, which makes a big difference when cabin noise picks up.

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Location tracking

One of the smartest features in the system is location tracking.

Both the X-TRAK 80 Pro in the vehicle and the X-TRAK 50 Pro handheld have built-in GPS, allowing them to send and receive location data over UHF. On the mic display you can see the distance and direction of other X-TRAK units in your group, while the app maps it all out in real time. In convoy driving, it removes the stress of wondering if someone’s dropped back, and around camp it’s an easy way to keep tabs on the kids – or anyone carrying the handheld. It’s a level of situational awareness you simply don’t get with a standard UHF.

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Replay function

One of the features I’ve used the most is Instant Replay.

The radio automatically records the last few minutes of received messages, and with a single button press you can play them back. Out on the tracks, I’ve had times where music drowned out a call – or someone rattled off instructions too quickly. Instead of asking them to repeat, I just hit replay. It’s simple, but it saves frustration and makes the whole setup feel smarter.

Antennas to match terrain 

The Outback Kit ships with a 3.0 dBi ground-independent antenna, which is a good compromise between range and coverage.

In the Victorian High Country – where terrain is steep and signals bounce around trees and valleys – this lower-gain antenna worked brilliantly. But on the Canning Stock Route, with nothing but desert horizon in every direction, I quickly realised a 6.1 dBi antenna would have been the better choice. That’s now on my list for the next desert run. It just goes to show, like tyres or suspension, antennas aren’t one-size-fits-all.

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Ergonomics

Uniden has clearly thought about how the radio is actually used.

The remote speaker microphone feels solid in the hand, the buttons are easy to find without looking, and the OLED display stays bright and clear even in harsh sunlight. Best of all, the speaker is built into the mic itself, so you don’t need a separate external unit to hear what’s going on. On corrugated roads or in a windy cab, that makes a huge difference.

Easy and customisable

Straight out of the box, the X-TRAK Pro is simple: pick a channel, press to talk, and you’re away. But if you want to customise it, there’s plenty of scope.

The programmable Smart Keys let you assign shortcuts to the functions you use most, like instant channel recall, monitor mode or squelch adjustment. I’ve kept mine basic, but if you’re the type who likes fine-tuning, there’s also Selcall, a voice scrambler and more than 150 CTCSS/DCS codes to filter out unwanted chatter. The beauty is that you can use it as a straightforward UHF or dive into the advanced features – it doesn’t force complexity on you.

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Handheld advantage

The Outback Kit also includes the Uniden X-TRAK 50 Pro handheld radio, though I rarely need one as I travel solo most of the time.

This 5-watt handheld UHF offers the same advanced capabilities as the mobile unit. When I am with others, though, it’s invaluable around camp, on foot, or guiding a mate through a tricky section. It keeps me in touch without being tied to the D-MAX. Having both the in-car and handheld units means I’m covered whether I’m behind the wheel or away from it.

The mobile unit feels rock-solid, and Uniden has a solid reputation for building gear that can handle dust and corrugations. The X-TRAK 50 Pro handheld is equally tough, with IP67 water resistance to cope with most conditions – though I won’t be leaving it in my pocket if I go for a swim in the river.

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Tested on the tracks

Day-to-day, the X-TRAK Pro has been a pleasure to use.

Comms are crisp, range is solid, and it feels like a system designed for touring rather than just an upgraded version of an old-school UHF. It’s reliable, intuitive, and I’ve never felt like I had to wrestle with the menus to get it doing what I want. That’s worth a lot when you’re a couple of thousand kilometres from home.

Verdict

The Uniden X-TRAK Pro Outback Kit is one of the best UHF setups I’ve used.

It’s easy to install, the controls are intuitive, and the mix of Bluetooth, Instant Replay, GPS tracking and a well-designed mic makes it genuinely practical in the real world. The supplied antenna is a solid all-rounder, and with the option of higher-gain aerials you can tailor the setup to wherever you’re headed. Add the X-TRAK 50 Pro handheld for flexibility outside the cab and you’ve got a system that works just as well for solo tourers as it does for families.

For me, the biggest compliment is that I don’t have to think about it anymore – it just works. And when gear fades into the background like that, you know it’s doing its job.

RRP: $899.95 

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