Rugged Radios Australia & New Zealand | Official Distributor

Harris Race Radios is the official Australasian distributor and authorised dealer for Rugged Radios — appointed in 2019 — supplying genuine motorsport communication systems across Australia and New Zealand. NZ-based, we ship to Australia via DHL Express for fast, reliable delivery.

Shop All Rugged Radios →

Why Buy Rugged Radios from an Official Distributor?

• ✅ Genuine Rugged Radios – direct from the USA manufacturer
• ✅ Full manufacturer warranty – no grey imports
• ✅ Australian legal frequencies (ACMA compliant, 80-channel UHF CB)
• ✅ New Zealand legal frequencies (RSM / Radio Spectrum Management compliant)
• ✅ Advice from a qualified Radio Telecommunications Engineer & approved Radio Certifier
• ✅ Expert local support from active motorsport race engineers and competitors
• ✅ NZ-based official Rugged Radios supplier — fast DHL Express shipping to Australia
• ✅ AUD & NZD pricing – no currency surprises

The Team Behind the Store

Three generations of Harris Race Radios — L to R: Charlie, Aaron, Rex.

Rex Harris — Qualified Radio Telecommunications Engineer & Approved Radio Certifier

Rex Harris is a qualified Radio Telecommunications Engineer and an Approved Radio Certifier (ARC) for both New Zealand (RSM) and Australia (ACMA). Rex has been involved in motorsport radio communications since 1975 — starting at the famous Marlboro Series Grand Prix in Wellington — and co-founded Harris Race Radios in 2002. He holds the knowledge and equipment to certify, program, and licence radios for both NZ and Australian compliance, and has developed custom firmware with world-leading radio suppliers to mitigate Doppler, picket fence, and high-EMF interference specific to motorsport environments.

Aaron Harris — Race Engineer & International Endurance Driver

Aaron Harris is a New Zealand racing driver and race engineer with a career spanning grassroots club racing through to international endurance events. He co-founded Harris Race Radios in 2002 and is the NZ distributor for AiM Sport data systems.

• 🏆 Barcelona 24 Hour — 1st in Class (2013)
• 🏁 Bathurst 1000 & Bathurst 12 Hour competitor
• 🏅 BMW Race Driver Series Champion (2011) — 241 starts, 39 wins, 82 podiums
• 🔧 Race Engineer — Earl Bamber Motorsport, TekworkX, Matt Stone Racing (V8 Supercars), Porsche Carrera Cup Australia, Asia-Pacific & NZ
• 📋 MSNZ Licence Examiner — helmets, racewear, FHR/HANS & hybrid devices

Charlie Harris — The Next Generation

Charlie Harris represents the third generation of Harris Race Radios, continuing the family’s deep involvement in motorsport communications across New Zealand and Australia.

Read Aaron’s full motorsport career →

What Are Rugged Radios?

Rugged Radios are professional communication systems designed for motorsport, offroad racing, and 4WD use. These systems include intercoms, UHF CB and VHF radios, helmet kits, and complete race communication setups built for extreme environments.

Who Uses Rugged Radios in Australia & NZ?

• Motorsport race teams (circuit, rally, endurance racing)
• Offroad racing competitors
• 4WD touring, overland, and adventure vehicles
• Pit crews and chase teams
• Motorcycle and ATV riders

Rugged Radios Product Range

• Intercom Systems
• Handheld & Mobile Radios
• Helmet Kits & Headsets
• Complete Race Systems
• Aerials, Antennas & Mounts
• Vehicle Specific Kits
• Air Pumps & Pumper Parts
• Off Road Helmets
• Rugged Radios Apparel

Popular Rugged Radios Products

RRP696 Plus Intercom Most popular recreational intercom

RRP6100 Race Series Intercom Go-to for competitive motorsport

RDM-DB Mobile Radio Most popular offroad in-vehicle radio

R1 Handheld Radio Most popular pit crew & chase team radio

Best Rugged Radios Systems by Use Case

• Recreation, 4WD & Overland: The RRP696 intercom is the most popular choice for recreational offroad, 4WD communication systems, and overland use — Bluetooth-enabled, expandable to 4 persons, and compatible with UHF CB. Pair with the RDM-DB mobile radio for in-vehicle UHF CB communication, or the R1 handheld for portable use. Most offroaders across Australia and NZ run UHF CB — all systems we supply are configured accordingly.
• Racing & Motorsport: The RRP6100 Race Series intercom is the go-to for competitive racing — noise-cancelling, race-grade, and built for helmet integration. Pair with the RDM-DB for in-car radio or the R1 handheld for pit crew.
• Motorcycles & ATVs: Compact moto helmet kits designed for tight installations with full intercom capability.
• Pit Crews: The R1 handheld radio is the most widely used pit crew radio — compact, rugged, and available in UHF CB band for AU/NZ compliance.

Radio Compliance — NZ & Australia

There is an important difference between US-specification radio equipment and what is legal in New Zealand and Australia. A significant amount of US-spec radio gear is illegal to use in NZ or AU. Rex Harris is an Approved Radio Certifier (ARC) and Approved Radio Engineer (ARE) for both RSM (NZ) and ACMA (Australia), and can certify, programme, and licence radios for full compliance in both countries. All Rugged Radios systems supplied by Harris Race Radios are correctly configured for the market they are sold into.

Rugged Radios in New Zealand

Harris Race Radios is based in New Zealand and is the dedicated NZ supplier and official Rugged Radios dealer for the New Zealand market. We carry local stock, offer NZD pricing, and provide fast NZ shipping. All systems are configured for New Zealand RSM frequency compliance. We support NZ motorsport competitors across circuit racing, rally, and offroad events throughout the country.

Rugged Radios in Australia

Rugged Radios systems are widely used across Australian motorsport, including rally, offroad racing, track racing, and endurance events. Harris Race Radios is the official Rugged Radios supplier and distributor for Australia — NZ-based, shipping via DHL Express with AUD pricing and full AU compliance. All systems are programmed to Australian 80-channel UHF CB standards and comply with ACMA regulations.

See also: Rugged Radios Offroad & Motorsport Communication Systems | Short Course Communications

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Rugged Radios legal in Australia?

Yes. All Rugged Radios supplied by Harris Race Radios are programmed to Australian 80-channel UHF CB standards and comply with ACMA regulations. Rex Harris is an ACMA-approved Radio Certifier and Engineer.

Are Rugged Radios legal in New Zealand?

Yes. Systems supplied by Harris Race Radios for the NZ market are configured to comply with Radio Spectrum Management (RSM) regulations. Rex Harris is an RSM Approved Radio Certifier (ARC127) and Approved Radio Engineer.

What radio frequency do offroaders use in Australia and New Zealand?

The vast majority of offroaders in both Australia and New Zealand use UHF CB to communicate. All Rugged Radios mobile and handheld radios we supply are configured for UHF CB operation and comply with local regulations in both countries.

What is the best intercom for recreational offroad use?

The Rugged Radios RRP696 is our most popular recreational intercom — Bluetooth-enabled, expandable, and straightforward to install in any 4WD or offroad vehicle.

What is the best intercom for racing?

The Rugged Radios RRP6100 Race Series is the preferred choice for competitive motorsport — purpose-built for helmet integration, noise cancellation, and race-grade reliability.

What is the best mobile radio for offroad vehicles?

The RDM-DB is our most popular in-vehicle radio for offroad use — digital and analog capable, UHF/VHF, and available with vehicle-specific mount kits.

What is the best handheld radio for pit crews?

The Rugged R1 is the most commonly used handheld for pit crews and chase teams — compact, rugged, and UHF CB compliant for AU/NZ use.

Do you ship to Australia?

Yes. We are NZ-based and ship to Australia via DHL Express for fast, reliable delivery. AUD pricing is available at checkout.

What’s the difference between UHF and VHF radios?

UHF CB is the standard for offroad and recreational use across Australia and New Zealand. VHF provides longer range in open environments and is used in some motorsport applications. See our UHF antenna data and tuning guide for technical detail.

How long has Harris Race Radios been the official distributor?

Harris Race Radios has been the official Australasian distributor for Rugged Radios since 2019, providing genuine product, local support, and manufacturer warranty coverage across Australia and New Zealand.

Summary

Harris Race Radios is the official Rugged Radios distributor, dealer, and supplier in Australia and New Zealand — appointed 2019 — supplying professional motorsport communication systems for racing, offroad, and recreational use. NZ-based with DHL Express shipping to Australia. Backed by Rex Harris (qualified Radio Telecommunications Engineer, RSM & ACMA Approved Radio Certifier) and Aaron Harris (international race engineer and endurance driver). All products are genuine, warranty-backed, and compliant with Australian and New Zealand frequency regulations.