Originally published July 21, 2016. Rugged Radios introduced the RM-50R as a 50-watt, dual-band mobile radio with an optional remote control head. Its split-mount design gave UTV and off-road vehicle owners a way to tuck the radio body out of sight while keeping the controls close to the driver.
Why the remote head mattered
Finding room for a full-size radio in a UTV dash or center console can be difficult. The RM-50R let installers mount the main radio chassis in another location and put its compact remote head on a convenient flat surface, such as a dash or console. That arrangement also suited chase vehicles and trailers where the radio body and operator controls could be placed separately.
Rugged also described the RM-50R itself as smaller than many traditional 50-watt mobile radios, giving owners the option to install the complete unit together when space allowed. Its programmable hand microphone offered channel selection and other adjustments from the mic.
Dual-band operation and audio
The RM-50R supported VHF and UHF operation, useful for groups that used compatible business-band or race-radio channels on either band. It had a built-in speaker and a 3.5 mm external-speaker output. The original announcement also described an included 20-foot audio cable for installations where the radio body and speaker needed to be separated.
Rugged promoted the RM-50R for race cars, side-by-sides, Jeeps and support vehicles. Its original announcement mentioned communication distances of up to 30 miles; actual range depends on terrain, antenna placement, radio setup and operating conditions. Users should confirm the frequencies and licensing requirements for their radio system.
RM-50R today
This article documents the RM-50R as introduced in 2016. The model does not appear in Rugged Radios’ current mobile-radio catalog. For a current 50-watt VHF/UHF option, Rugged lists the RDM-DB dual-band mobile radio, which offers digital and analog operation. It is a different model; its current listing does not identify it as a remote-head replacement for the RM-50R. Check the manufacturer’s current specifications and mounting options before selecting equipment for a new installation.
For an example of an RM-50R installed alongside an intercom in a UTV, see our DesertWorks Expedition RZR Turbo build. You can also browse our coverage of the Rugged Radios RM60 VHF mobile radio.
