In the unpredictable expanse of the ocean sea, the lifeline connecting maritime explorers to safety and coordination is the trusty VHF marine radio! In today’s article, we are diving into the world of VHF marine radios and guiding you through what they are, how to use them and which ones we recommend.

What are VHF Marine Radios

VHF marine radios are essentially a boat’s lifeline for communications on the water. VHF stands for ‘very high frequency’. These devices are used by sailors to communicate with other vessels, the coastguard, the harbourmaster and other essential services whilst on the waterways.

These devices are crucial for safety, allowing sailors to call for help in an emergency, report hazards and communicate with the harbour or other boats. VHF marine radios have dedicated channels for specific purposes such as distress calls, weather updates and general ship-to-ship or ship-to-shore communication. It is crucial to understand the basic etiquette and regulations associated with VHF radio usage, especially for emergency and distress calls.

These radios are specifically built to withstand the marine environment, with waterproof designs and easy-to-use operation.

Additionally, VHF marine radios can be handheld or fixed-mount devices. Handhelds are small portable devices often referred to as ‘walkie-talkies’. These are suitable for small vessels and personal radios for the crew. Fixed-mount radios as the name suggests are fixed in place. These offer a greater range than a handheld because of their extra power, generally 25W and external antenna.

Using VHF marine radios

When it comes to VHF marine radios, sailors need to brush up on their radio etiquette and usage. The channels on a VHF marine radio each serve specific purposes, ensuring effective communication and safety at sea. Here’s a breakdown of some common ones.

Channel 16

This is the designated international distress frequency. It’s monitored 24/7 by coastguards and emergency services. Use this channel for distress calls, initial contact, and emergency situations.

Channel 9

Historically, this was the preferred channel for recreational boaters to communicate with each other. The best etiquette when using this channel is to establish contact on this channel and move to a “working channel” as soon as possible.

Channel 13

Often used for ship navigation purposes and communication with bridge-to-bridge traffic.

Channel 70

Specifically for Digital Selective Calling (DSC), which allows you to send an automated distress signal and your location to the coastguard or other vessels equipped to receive DSC signals.

Understanding these channels and their purposes is vital for safe and effective communication while at sea. Knowing when to use each channel can make a significant difference, especially in emergencies.

Key Features

There are so many VHF marine radios on the market that it can be overwhelming when trying to fit the perfect one for you and your operations. To help make things easier these are the top 3 features we recommend considering before making your purchase:

Waterproof and Durability

Whether from rain, water splashback or accidental water immersion marine environments involve a lot of exposure to water. Check what IP rating your devices have. (for more information on IP ratings read THIS blog post). In summary, the last number of the IP rating relates to how well the device will protect against liquids. See below for a quick overview of what each number represents

• IPX4 – protected against splashing of water
• IPX5 – protected against water jets
• IPX6 – protection from direct impact of high water jets
• IPX7 – protected from temporary immersion in water.

 

Discuss essential features such as waterproofing, floating capabilities, and long battery life.

Detail the importance of DSC (Digital Selective Calling) and AIS (Automatic Identification System) integration.

During emergencies, having a radio that works reliably is essential. If the radio gets wet and malfunctions, it could compromise communication, which is critical for seeking help or coordinating rescue operations

Digital Selective Calling (DSC)

Most new radios have digital selective calling (DSC) capabilities. These are like high-tech calling systems for boats and maritime communication. Instead of a regular radio call where you manually tune into a frequency and hope the right person hears you, DSC lets you send a digital signal with your boat’s identity and the type of communication you need. It’s like sending a text message to a specific boat or a coastguard station.

This system helps in emergencies because it’s more reliable and quicker than traditional radio calls. Plus, it can automatically send distress signals with your exact location to get help fast.

Loud Clear Audio

Marine environments can be noisy with engine sounds, wind, waves, and other vessels nearby. Noise-cancelling features help filter out background noise, ensuring clear and understandable communication between vessels, harbours, or rescue services.

In noisy conditions, users might have to strain to hear or be heard, which can be tiring and lead to miscommunications. Miscommunication can be the difference between life in death when on the water.

Ultimately, noise cancellation in VHF marine radios contributes significantly to safety, efficiency, and ease of communication, allowing boaters to effectively communicate in challenging maritime environments.

Recommended Devices 

ICOM IC-M37E (Handheld)

Icom’s IC-M37E is the latest buoyant marine VHF handheld radio from ICOM.

Key features

• A powerful 6 W of transmit output power makes it well-suited for long-distance communication.
• The radio will float if accidentally dropped into the water and can be located by its flashing red LED light
• IP57 dust and waterproof protection rating (Can be submerged in 1 metre of water for up to 30 minutes)
• AquaQuake draining function to clear water away from the speaker grill preventing the speaker from becoming waterlogged.

Available to buy HERE

ICOM IC-M94DE (handheld)

The IC-M94DE is the world’s first marine VHF hand portable radio with an integrated AIS receiver as well as DSC and GPS.

Key features

• Class-H DSC. Class-H refers to certain types of vessels, like fishing vessels and small crafts, to comply with international regulations. It’s intended to provide essential safety features, like distress signalling and communication, tailored to the needs and size of smaller vessels.
• The IC-M94DE’s 6 watts of transmit power provides an extended communication range for the user.
• It features a custom high-power capacity speaker which delivers a loud 1500 mW (typical) audio output with improved acoustic sound clarity for noisy maritime environments.
• The radio floats and the LCD screen, keys and rear panel Distress button flash to help you retrieve it from the water. Pressing the distress button while Float’n Flash is working will transmit the man over board distress signal.
• IP57 dust and waterproof protection rating (Can be submerged in 1 metre of water for up to 30 minutes)

Available to buy HERE

ICOM IC-M330GE (Fixed Mount)

The Icom IC-M330GE is an ultra-compact fixed VHF transceiver with a GPS receiver, making it ideal for space-limited cockpits.

Key features

• Built-in Class-D DSC. The radio monitors CH 70 continuously, even while you are receiving another channel. DSC functions include distress, individual, group, all ships, urgency, safety, position request/report, polling request and DSC test calls
• Built-in GPS Receiver and External GPS Antenna. The GPS receiver provides your location, bearing and speed by using information from GPS, GLONASS and SBAS. The acquired position information can be used for DSC calls. An external GPS antenna is supplied to maximise coverage.
• IP57 dust and waterproof protection rating (Can be submerged in 1 metre of water for up to 30 minutes)
• AquaQuake draining function to clear water away from the speaker grill preventing the speaker from becoming waterlogged.

Available to buy HERE

Conclusion

To conclude, VHF marine radios provide reliable connections to safety and coordination when out on the open sea. Diving deep into maritime communication, our guide has navigated through the essentials, from understanding which features to look out for to mastering user etiquette! choosing the perfect VHF marine radio isn’t just about functionalities; it’s about securing a safety line for when the waters get choppy. Our recommendations promise reliability, innovation, and unwavering communication on the high seas.

For more information on VHF marine radios please talk to our expert team today.

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