posted 03-01-2009 09:04 AM ET (US)        

http://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts& ProdCatID=83&encProdID=11C92AB29C57C509C3699DCA9EBDF0D5&DivisionID=3& isArchived=0

VHF Marine Band radios with a DSC Class-D rating have a separate receiver which is dedicated to listening to the DSC channel, even if the main receiver is active on another channel. The GX1100S receiver is rated at -70 dB intermodulation rejection at 12 dB SINAD. The larger GX1500S is rated at -75 dB, and other larger and more expensive Standard Horizon models are rated at -80 dB.

Standard Horizon transmitters feature their CLEAR VOICE technology which helps improve the modulation quality by reducing unwanted background noises that the microphone might pick up. The GX1100S does not support attachment of remote microphones.

As is common on smaller radios, the GX1100S channel selection function is not controlled by a rotary knob, and up-down pushbuttons are used. The up-down buttons are also used in making menu selections for set-up and for operation of the DSC features. The multi-line display provides prompts and menu choices to make operating the radio easier.

The GX1100S has NMEA-0183 serial data input and output connections. The input is designed to receive the NMEA sentences GLL, GGA, RMC, or GNS from another device such as a GPS receiver. In this way the radio is provided with the vessel position, which it can transmit via DSC. The vessel position can be transmitted as part of a DISTRESS call or as a reply to other stations who have requested the position using a DSC POSITION REQUEST call. The radio also provides an NMEA 0183 data output with the DSC and DSE sentences. This data is intended to be sent to a chart plotter which can display it as the position of a remote vessel which has been received via a DSC POSITION reply.

The radio is said to be "ultra-compact." Its front panel is just over six inches wide and only 2-3/8-inch high.