VHF Marine Band DSC Radios 2023

[jimh]

This thread will discuss the current marketplace for VHF Marine Band DSC radio available now in Summer 2023.

The intention is not to delve into details, but to differentiate models by several important characteristics.

All radios will be fixed-mount, 25-Watt, DSC Class-D radios; the differentiating characteristics will be limited to:

• ITU M-493 version compliance
• NMEA capability
• integration of internal GNSS receiver
• integration of AIS receiver
• Channel selection method

Subsequent posts to this thread will discuss the products of one manufacturer in each post. I hope to eventually cover all the major manufacturers of marine VHF radios.

[jimh]

Standard-Horizon has long been specializing in VHF Marine Band radios. Their product line now has four distinct tiers, with some tiers having a second model with integrated GNSS receiver in the radio.

GX1400 ($130 to $170) and GX1400GPS ($170 to $200)

• Class-D compliant to ITU M493-13
• NMEA ports: NMEA-0183 TALKER and LISTENER
• Internal GNSS: only in the GPS model
• Channel Selector: UP-DWN buttons

GX1800 ($225) GX1850 ($210 to $250) GX1800GPS ($230), GX1850GPS ($320)

• Class-D compliant to ITU M493-13 (USA) abd -14 (Europe)
• NMEA ports: NMEA-0183 TALKER and LISTENER; NMEA-2000 on GX1850 models
• Internal GNSS: only in the GPS model
• Channel Selector: UP-DWN buttons
• optional second station with remote microphone

GX2400GPS ($370 to $450)

• Class-D compliant to ITU M493-15
• NMEA ports: NMEA-0183 TALKER and LISTENER; NMEA-2000
• Internal GNSS: GPS only
• Channel Selector: smaller rotary knob with push-to-select function
• optional second station with remote microphone
• internal AIS receiver using shared main antenna
• 30-Watt Hailer, Fog Signal Horn, and Intercom

GX6000 ($400 to $800)

• Class-D compliant to ITU M493 (no revision listed)
• NMEA ports: NMEA-0183 TALKER and LISTENER; NMEA-2000
• Internal GNSS: not available
• Channel Selector: larger rotary knob
• optional second station with remote microphone
• internal AIS receiver, but needs dedicated separate antenna; has its own NMEA-0183HS output
• 25-Watt Hailer, Fog Signal Horn, and Intercom
• advanced commercial-grade receiver with local-distant attenuator

[jimh]

ICOM Marine has specialized in VHF Marine radio for several decades. There product line has four distinct tiers, with some tiers having a second model with integrated GNSS receiver in the radio.

M330 / M330G

• Class D compliant: version not specified
• NMEA-0183 with proper names and wire insulation colors
• Internal GNSS receiver: only in G-suffix model
• Channel selector: UP-DWN buttons

M424G

• Class D compliant: version not specified
• NMEA-0183 with proper names and wire insulation colors
• Internal GNSS receiver
• Channel selector: UP-DWN buttons
• Remote Speaker Mic with control optional
• 10-Watt PA and Foghorn

M510 / M510 AIS

• Class D compliant: version not specified
• NMEA-0183HS; NMEA-2000 optional by buying separate external CTM-500 wireless device.
• Internal GNSS: not available; external UX-241 optional
• AIS: only in AIS version
• Channel selector: Rotary knob
• WLAN wireless network for remote devices
• 10-Watt PA and Foghorn only with purchase of CTM-500
• unique iOS and Android smartphone apps for remote control
• voice scrambler optional

M605 / M605 AIS

• Class D compliant: version not specified
• NMEA-0183HS; NMEA-2000
• GNSS antenna included
• AIS: integrated receiver on AIS version
• Channel selector: Rotary knob
• color display
• integrated two-minute receiver recorder
• voice scrambler included

[conch]

I have a model GX2400 from Standard Horizon and it does have an internal GPS receiver.

[jimh]

I have a model GX2400 from Standard Horizon and it does have an internal GNSS receiver.

I changed the listing for Standard-Horizon to designate the GX2400GPS model. The GX2400GPS may be a replacement for the GX2400, or maybe just a change of model name. Looking for more information on the GX2400GPS, I found better literature than what appears on the webpage for that product at

https://www.standardhorizon.com/downloa ... tion%2Fpdf

[conch]

Yes, the SH website seems dated by a few years. I also have a GX2200 and think the GX2400 only added NMEA 2000 connection ability.