High-end VHF Radios Packed with Features

Practical Sailor evaluated the performance and features of five high-end VHF radios from Icom, Raymarine, and Standard Horizon. The Icom M504 (above) rated on par with the top performers in all areas except audio output. More than just VHFs, these radios are multi-function electronics. he fixed-mount marine VHF ra- hundreds more to fully capitalize on the tronics manufacturer Raymarine: the 218 Tdios Practical Sailor reviewed this capabilities of one of these multi-func- model. Prices ranged from $300 to $500 go ’round go way beyond the basic ca- tion marine VHF radios. per test radio. pabilities of the more moderately priced With these radios, you get plenty of One feature common among the ra- gear featured in our February and bang for your buck, but sailors who rarely dios is their designation as meeting in- April 2009 issues. These units include use the bells-and-whistles features would ternational Class D standards for DSC features like an integral high-wattage be served just as well with one of the mid- functions. Class D means this radio has hailer, multiple remote microphone priced or low-end radios we reviewed in two separate receivers, one for voice com- connections, and the capability to store the April and February issues. If you’re in munications and the second for continu- many Maritime Mobile Service Identity the market for a primary VHF with ex- ously monitoring channel 70 for any DSC (MMSI) numbers and inbound Digital cellent audio quality and have the budget calls. (See “FAQ on DSC” on page 17.) Selective Calling (DSC) data. Bonus ca- for the bonus features, consider one of the They also all come with three-year pabilities inherent in these top-of-the- following radios. But if you’re a serious warranties; operate on U.S., interna- line radios include the ability to act as offshore cruiser and money is tight, we tional, and Canadian channels; and meet part of an intercom system, to display suggest looking closely at a third option: the IPX7 waterproof standard or better, vast amounts of navigation data, and Buying two budget-friendly VHF radios, which means they will survive being to produce automated fog signals at the one to wire to a mast-top antenna and the sunk to 1 meter for 30 minutes. The Icom touch of a button. other to a stern-rail antenna. This setup M504 actually is rated IPX8, or 1.5 meters Taking advantage of all the features can provide an added layer of security for 30 minutes. found in these best-of-breed units often for about the same price as one of the Only two VHFs in this test field fea- requires purchasing additional equip- high-end units reviewed here. ture alphanumeric keypads: Icom M604 ment (as well as the obvious antenna). and Standard Horizon GX5500S. Having First, navigation data must be supplied What We Tested a keypad makes using the DSC features by an onboard GPS/chartplotter capable Five radios made up this top-of-the-line, much easier as entering contact MMSI of outputting NMEA 0183 data. To set fixed VHF test group. From well-known numbers and call data is faster with a up an intercom system, users will need Japanese electronics manufacturer Icom, keypad. We divided the field into keypad to add a remote microphone, and to use we tested the M504 and M604 models. haves and have-nots for final rating pur- the hailer and foghorn, a hailer horn From Standard Horizon, we evaluated poses. All of these radios can be paired must be installed. The radio itself ends the GX5000S and GX5500S. We also with compatible remote mics. up being the base for building a commu- tested the most expensive and sophis- The Raymarine was the only test prod- nications system, and buyers could spend ticated VHF from British marine elec- uct without an optional voice scrambler, practical sailor october 2009 13 electronics

The DSC distress call button on all DSC-capable radios must be protected from acciden- tal activation. The distress button on many, including the Icom M504 (left), is simply covered by a flimsy plastic flap. However, one hopes the flap will not see much use.

closer to the selected frequency a certain scanning operations, and fog- transmitter stayed, the higher it rated. horn frequency are set through menus. Amperage draw was recorded at high A low-battery icon appears when input power and low power at both 13.8 and power drops below 12.5 volts and disap- 11.0 volts DC. pears when it reaches 13.2 volts. A standard test for receiver sensitiv- When the M504 is connected to a and all of the test radios feature automatic ity is used to determine a radio’s abil- GPS, pushing the channel selector knob fog signals via a hailer. ity to receive weak signals. Industry will display the date, time, boat posi- groups recommend a minimum of .50 tion, course, and speed. The M504’s large How We Tested microvolts. (Lower numbers indicate screen also shows channel numbers and Following the same procedures used in more sensitivity.) All the radios we customizable channel comments, and Practical Sailor’s previous VHF com- tested surpassed the standard, and were has adjustable backlighting. parisons, testers evaluated each radio’s more than sensitive enough to pick up The M504 can store up to 100 MMSI audio and transceiver performance in very weak incoming signals. The Value numbers, and its channel scan modes a series of bench tests using a Ramsey Guide lists manufacturer specifications: include dual watch (to monitor chan- COM3010. Transmitter power output, a higher number is better. nel 16 and another selected channel), frequency accuracy and stability, and re- Testers rated the displays based on tri-watch (channel 16 and two others), ceiver sensitivity were among the tests size, quality of information, and back- normal (channels scanned in numeric conducted. We also considered features, lighting. The radios’ audio systems were order), and priority (channel 16 checked user-interface, price, and warranty. evaluated by measuring sound pressure between each other channel). Any data derived from “real world” in decibels (dBa) 1 meter from each radio This Icom VHF has a 25-watt hailer tests of radio frequency power output are while it was set at max volume. The in- that produces multiple automatic fog sig- of limited use, since so many factors— put sound for this test was a 1-KHz tone. nals and has an adjustable tone. environmental conditions, antenna size Testers also monitored a weather channel Bottom line: The M504 offers very and design, connecting cable length and and rated the quality of sound reproduc- good overall performance and a long list type, and faulty connections or corro- tion. We also gave each radio a features of features for a relatively low price, but if sion—can affect performance. The Fed- rating based on the level and usability you’re going to be inputting a lot of data, a eral Communications Commission’s of the bonus functions beyond the basic radio with an alphanumeric keypad will regulations limit the maximum power transmit and receive. make life easier. output of a marine fixed-mount VHF transmitter to 25 watts. The rules also Icom M504 Icom M604 specify the need for a low-power setting, At the low end of the price range among Icom’s most expensive and sophisticated typically 1 watt, for harbor use. these top-of-the-line radios, the $300 marine VHF radio, the M604 comes with Transmitter power stability was de- Icom M504 is also the smallest in the an alphanumeric keypad, large display, Product photos by Al Herum termined by gathering data from a range group. Overall, the Icom M504’s perfor- and a $500 pricetag. Its performance of tests including performance after ex- mance was ranked very highly, with one ranked along with the best of the marine posing the radios to extreme high and caveat: Audio output. It managed only VHF radios we’ve tested, and its audio low temperatures. The less variation in 86 decibels. output reached an Excellent, ear-split- power output we noted, the higher the Its front panel houses numerous func- ting 97 dBA. rating. Testers also measured frequency tion pushbuttons, a large display, and The M604 can connect to as many as accuracy and frequency stability. The control knobs for volume, squelch, and two optional remote mics and can oper- channel/menu selection. ate as part of an intercom system. Icom The M504 features one-button controls When interfaced with a GPS, the M604 M504 for power, intercom, weather channels, will display time and position data, boat transmitter power output, and receiver course, and boat speed. Like all Class D attenuation (distant or local reception). radios, this Icom will make distress, in- In a congested harbor with lots of radio dividual, all ships, and group calls as well traffic, a receiver can be overwhelmed. By as transmit and receive position data. The setting the unit to local, the radio will cut M604 can store up to 100 MMSI numbers out most of the weak signals, improving and as many as 40 distress and other in- reception of the nearby signals. Remain- coming messages. ing functions like MMSI number entry, One-button control is available for

14 october 2009 www.practical-sailor.com VALUE guide high-end fixed vhf marine radios Maker Icom Raymarine Standard horizon model M504 M604 218 GX5000S $ GX5500S Price* $309 $509 $466 $320 $420 warranty 3 years 3 years 3 years 3 years 3 years features mic controls** 1, 2, 6 1, 2, 6 1, 2, 3, 6+ 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 remote mic capable Yes Yes (2) Yes Yes Yes (2) Scrambler Optional Yes Yes No Yes Yes Bluetooth Optional No No No Yes Yes hailer power output 25 watts 30 watts 30 watts 30 watts 30 watts auto fog signals Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes dsc transceiver Class D Class D Class D Class D Class D keypad No Yes No No Yes waterproof IPX8 IPX7 IPX7 IPX7 IPX7 panel footprint 6.5 x 4.3 inches 8.6 x 4.3 inches 7.9 x 3.9 inches 9.1 x 3.6 inches 9.2 x 3.6 inches display size (W x H) 2.8 x 1.4 inches 2.8 x 1.4 inches 2.6 x 1.4 inches 2.9 x 1.4 inches 2.5 x 1.5 inches performance draw @ 13.8v (Hi/Lo power) 4.5 / 1.1 amps 4.2/1.2 amps 4.6/1.1 amps 4.7/1.0 amps 5.0/1.3 amps draw @ 11v (Hi power) 4.6 amps 3.9 amps 4.8 amps 4.3 amps 4.8 amps audio output 86 dBA 97 dBA 96 dBA 95 dBA 98 dBA selectivity 80 dB 80 dB 80 dB 80 dB 80 dB trans. power stability Excellent Good Excellent Good Good trans. frequency stability Good Good Good Good Good receive sensitivity Excellent Excellent Excellent Good Good display rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent audio quality Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Recommended $ Budget Buy Best Choice * Prices reflect an average from several retail outlets. ** Mic control index: 1. PTT; 2. Channel change; 3. Quick 16/9; 4. Distress; 5. Volume adjust; 6. Hi / Low power transmitter power, toggling between Raymarine 218 control channel selection, scan, transmit- weather and voice channels, and mak- The Raymarine 218 offers a host of de- ter power, local/distant receive sensitiv- ing a quick-16 selection. Volume, squelch, sirable features, including a moderately ity, and quick 16 or 9 selection. and channel selection are knob con- sized display and a mount-anywhere mi- Raymarine provides one-button con- trolled. Scan modes include dual-watch, crophone, but it carries the second-high- trol of several functions including: tog- tri-watch, normal, and priority. est price tag in this test field: $460. gling between weather and voice chan- An icon warns when input power The Ray 218’s performance ranked nels, making a quick channel 16 or 9 drops below 12.8 volts. The icon disap- highly. Testers found the 218’s selection, and selecting menus. Volume, pears when it increases to 13.2. power output stable over the squelch, and channel selection are con- The Icom M604’s large screen entire temperature and volt- trolled via rotary knob. shows customizable age ranges tested. Many Ray 218 functions are menu channel comments, Frequency sta- selected, including local/distant receiver time and position, bility also tested setting, channel group, transmitter pow- frequency group, well, garnering er, scan mode, backlighting and contrast, transmitter pow- a Good rating, key beep, and speed unit selection. er, local/distant, and audio output The 218’s phonebook will store up to scan tag, and hit a mighty loud 50 MMSI numbers, and the radio scans transmit/receive 96 dBA. channels using dual-watch, tri-watch, icons. Backlight- Icom M604 It can use an op- all channels, saved channels, and prior- ing is knob adjustable. tional mic relocation ity modes. It will also store three favor- Bottom line: This radio has very good kit to mount the front-panel microphone ite channels. When it’s interfaced with a overall performance and numerous user- in any suitable location. It can also con- GPS, the 218 displays time, boat position, friendly features. If you want to have nect to an optional remote mic to be course, and speed. the best from Icom, we recommend operated as part of an intercom system. Another feature is a powerful, manual the M604. The standard microphone has buttons to or automatic 30-watt hailer/foghorn. In practical sailor october 2009 15 electronics f a q o n d s c

Raymarine 218 cha nnel comments radio. This top-of-the-line radio has an alongside, time and position, fre- alphanumeric keypad, a large display, quency group, transmitter power, and very good transceiver performance. and transmit/receive icons. We found transmitter power output Unlike the other test radios, both and frequency accuracy to be stable Standard Horizons can be used with throughout our range of tests. Audio Bluetooth headsets for hands-free com- output was an outstanding 98 dBA. The Ray 218 munication. An adapter (BU-1) must be Unlike the others, this radio has adjust- allows users installed in the transceiver, and the head- able treble and bass. It and the GX5000S to set three set must be paired to the specific radio. have speakers in the microphones. favorite chan- We tried the Standard Horizon BH-2 The GX5500S can connect to two op- nels that can Bluetooth headset kit with the GX5000S tional remote microphones, can be used be soft-key and found that it worked well. with an optional voice scrambler, and selected (left). The standard microphone, which has can couple to a Bluetooth headset. Like an in-handset mic, can be mounted any- the GX5000S, the standard GX5500S’s where using the mic relocation kit. speaker-mic uses noise-canceling tech- manual mode, it sounds a 400-Hz tone as The GX5000S has extensive DSC nology. It also can be mounted remotely long as the push-to-talk button is pressed. calling capability. It can make distress, via a relocation kit. Sound patterns are menu selectable. Out- individual, all ships, group calls, urgen- The GX5500S has a moderate dis- put volume is controlled by soft keys. cy, and safety. Its digital Mayday call play screen with customized channel Bottom line: The Raymarine 218 of- includes the boat’s name, MMSI, posi- comments. The time and boat posi- fers outstanding performance and a long tions, and the call time, as long as the tion, course, and speed can be dis- list of user-friendly features. Among the VHF is interfaced with a GPS. The only played when the radio is connected to radios without keypads, it was the most downside to its DSC function is the lack a compatible GPS. Frequency group, expensive, and this held it back. of a keypad; numbers are entered with transmitter power, priority for scan, the channel selector. and transmit/receive icons are also Standard Horizon GX5000S Dual watch, memory, and priority displayed onscreen. The Standard Horizon GX5000S Quan- scanning are available. Memory scan A low-battery message appears on- tum is a brawny radio with a power- looks at all channels in memory from screen when input power drops below ful audio system. One-third of its large lowest to highest. 11.6 volts. When we increased the input front is occupied by the speaker box. The The GX5000S has a 30-watt hailer/ voltage back above 12.4, the warning GX5000 earned Good and Excellent per- automatic fog signal with multiple, se- disappeared. Backlighting is adjustable. formance ratings, and notched a power- lectable foghorn patterns. Both Standard We rated the display Excellent. ful 95 dBA for output. Horizons also have a PA feature that the Volume, squelch, and channel selec- Rotary knobs control volume, squelch, company calls “listen-back.” When set to tion are controlled with knobs. One- and channel selection. Other functions Hail mode, the PA speaker acts as a mi- button control is available for several are controlled via 10 pushbuttons: quick- crophone, sending sound to the radio’s functions, including accessing the select channel 16 or 9, weather channels, front panel and handset speakers, turn- DSC call menu and quick-16 selection. transmitter power, or hailer/foghorn ing the PA and VHF radio into a two-way The GX5500S can make DSC distress, menu. A low-battery message appears communication device. This feature, individual, all ships, group calls, ur- when input power drops below 11.6 volts which was not tested, can be useful when gency, and safety. Its digital Mayday and turns off when it increases to 12.5. down-below and trying to communicate call includes the boat’s name, MMSI, The GX5000S has the largest screen with people on the foredeck. (The radio positions, and the call time, as long as of any VHF radio we’ve tested with over continues to receive VHF and DSC the VHF is interfaced with a GPS. Its 4 square inches of display area. It shows transmissions in this mode.) keypad makes entering the long MMSI large channel numbers, customizable Bottom line: The Standard Horizon numbers fast and easy. GX5000S offers top level performance, a Standard Horizon significant features list, and a comparably GX5500S Standard Horizon reasonable price ($320). All this earned GX5000S it our top pick among radios without a keypad and overall Budget Buy. Standard Horizon GX5500S The Standard Horizon GX5500S Quan- tum features the most powerful audio system we’ve found in a marine VHF

16 october 2009 www.practical-sailor.com f a q o n d s c

Some Answers to the Most Frequently Asked DSC Questions igital Selective Calling (DSC) is one of those topics best tions Commission in the U.S.), the boat’s emergency contact Dunderstood at its most basic level. Digging into behind- information is linked to the MMSI number, which is then pro- the-scenes information can seriously muddy the waters. So, grammed into the onboard electronics. When a distress call is here, we offer a brief overview to cover the most frequently broadcast, the MMSI is included in the message, giving rescue asked questions. More information can be found at the Coast and emergency personnel accurate details of the boat. Guard’s Navigation Center website, www.navcen.uscg.gov. The FCC and Coast Guard strongly encourage all boats to • What is DSC? DSC’s foremost purpose is distress alerting. apply for an MMSI to enable DSC use in the case of an emer- With the press of a button, users can send a pre-configured gency. With the Coast Guard’s VHF-based Rescue 21 vessel ID distress message to emergency personnel and other DSC- system adding more and more stations, having the ability to equipped boats in range. The digital message is sent over send a DSC distress call will greatly increase a boater’s chances channel 70 and contains pertinent information about the boat, of rescue. its Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number, owner • How do I get an MMSI? For recreational boats operating details, and emergency contact information. When a DSC ra- in U.S. waters, boat owners can attain an MMSI through the dio is connected to a GPS, the Mayday includes the boat’s FCC (888-225-5322, www.fcc.gov) or another approved agen- location. The transmission takes about one-third of a second cy, such as BoatUS (800/563-1536, www.boatus.com/mmsi/ and is automatically repeated until a rescue authority answers. instruct.htm), Sea Tow (800-4SEATOW, www.seatow.com/ Because the signal is digital, it has a better chance than a voice boating_safety/mmsi.asp) , or the US Power Squadrons (www. call of getting through in rough conditions. usps.org/php/mmsi/home.php). However, all U.S. flagged com- A DSC transmission includes the priority of the call (distress, mercial boats and those recreational boats operating in in- urgency, safety, routine), who the call is being sent to (all ships ternational waters must get their MMSI license directly from or a specific ship/station), and the transmitting boat’s identity, the FCC. You can start the process online by filing FCC Forms location, and nature of distress. DSC also allows sailors to use 159 (www.fcc.gov/formpage.html#159) and 605 (www.fcc.gov/ their VHF radios like a cell phone for ship-to-ship and ship-to- formpage.html#605). If you think your boat may ever be sail- shore communications, without interfering with VHF hailing ing international waters, we suggest getting your MMSI from traffic and without the limitations and cost of cell coverage. the FCC. Otherwise, a new MMSI will have to be attained from • What is an MMSI number? All boats operating on the the FCC and entered into all onboard digital electronics before high seas are assigned one nine-digit MMSI for all onboard leaving U.S. waters. equipment capable of transmitting and receiving digital sig- • What does Class D mean? Class D devices are marketed nals—including EPIRBs, AIS transponders, DSC-capable VHFs, toward recreational boaters and other non-SOLAS regulated all INMARSAT satellite terminals, etc.—and that number serves vessels. To be a Class D device, DSC equipment must be able as an identifier for the boat. Once a boat owner registers the to monitor channel 70 for DSC while still operating a working vessel with the appropriate agency (the Federal Communica- VHF channel and have other specified features.

The GX5500S has a 30-watt hailer/ tend to prefer those with alphanumeric ferences between these two were mini- automatic foghorn with selectable pat- keypads, which make entering the long mal. Performance-wise the pair is es- terns as well as listen-back capability MMSI numbers and information less sentially equal. And while the Icom has through a connected PA horn. cumbersome. a slight edge in screen size, it lacks the We found the Standard Horizon In this group, three of the test radios Bluetooth option of the Standard Ho- GX5500S online for $420. lacked a keypad: the Icom M504, Ray- rizon and costs $80 more. That earns Bottom line: The Standard Horizon marine 218, and the Standard Horizon the Standard Horizon GX5500S our GX5500S has all the bells and whistles GX5000S. The Icom M504 compared Best Choice pick and makes the M604 one could want in a marine VHF radio favorably with the GX5000S in all areas a Recommended product. including an alphanumeric keypad— except one, audio output, which gave all at a reasonable price. It gets our Best the advantage to the Standard Horizon Contacts Choice overall pick. GX5000S. The Raymarine 218 actually edged out the GX5000S on overall per- icom america, 800/426-7983 Conclusion formance and some features. However, www.icomamerica.com When it comes to full-featured fixed- the GX5000S is more than $100 cheap- raymarine, 603/881-5200, mount VHF radios—most of which er, making it our top choice in this sub- www.raymarine.com offer excellent performance—the fea- group and the overall Budget Buy. standard horizon tures and price carry more weight in In the keyboard-equipped sub- 800/262-8464, our ratings. And as DSC has become group, we tested the Icom M604 and www.westmarine.com a standard offering in VHF radios, we Standard Horizon GX5500S. The dif-

practical sailor october 2009 17