
the ability of the transmitter to send
signals out on the selected frequency.
Frequency stability measures the
transmitter’s ability to maintain
frequency accuracy over its entire
temperature operating range. Regula-
tions mandate an accuracy of 10 parts
per million, while industry groups
typically call for half that error. This
equates to being about 1550 hertz (Hz)
off frequency in the marine frequency
band.
Each transmitter test was done on
channel 16 at room temperature (75
F), as well as temperature extremes
near the maximum ranges of each
radio.
To reach the cold extreme, each
radio was put in a bait freezer at 15
F for four hours prior to testing. We
used a fish smoker as an environ-
mental chamber to get the radios to
high-temperature extremes. Each
was left to cook for two hours at 122
F and then immediately run through
another transmitter-power and fre-
quency test.
We also checked each unit’s low-
power setting, measuring both power
output and frequency accuracy. Fre-
quency stability was rated over the
entire range of transmitter testing; the
closer a unit held to the appropriate
frequency, the higher it was rated.
Receiver sensitivity is the ability
of the radio’s receiver section to hear
a weak signal. Typical marine VHF
receiver sensitivity ratings run from
.22 to .35 microvolts, with industry
groups recommending a minimum
.50 microvolts. Each radio receiver
was tested for the minimum signal
it could receive at a specific industry
standard setting between background
noise and generated signal (12 dB
SINAD). All the radios rated Good or
better, meaning they are more than
sensitive enough to pick up very weak
incoming signals.
Another receiver standard is se-
lectivity, the ability of the receiver to
reproduce only the signals you want
to hear, and not others, even though
they may be strong and nearby. Our
test equipment did not allow us to
test each radio for this characteristic.
Each manufacturer provided infor-
mation, which is listed in the chart
under selectivity; a higher number
is better.
Display ratings were based on the
size of the channel number display,
the amount of other information
shown, the value of the channel com-
ments, the size of the screen, and the
quality of the backlighting.
One important part of the marine
radio often overlooked is the audio
amplifier and speaker. Boats can be
value guide: HandHeld vHFs over $175
MAKER RAYMARINE STANDARD HORIZON ICOM STANDARD HORIZON WEST MARINE STANDARD HORIZON STANDARD HORIZON ICOM
Model
Ray101 HX370S
ICM72
HX500S VHF 250 HX471S HX600S ICM88
Price $179.99
$179.99
$199.99 $199.99 $219.99 $299.99 $249.99 $271.95
Price Source pyacht.com pyacht.com westmarine.com westmarine.com westmarine.com westmarine.com pyacht.com pyacht.com
AA or AAA Battery Pack Included Included N/A
Optional Included Optional Optional Optional
Battery Warranty Period (Months) 0 18 12 18 12 18 18 12
Battery Type
Nickel Metal Hydride Nickel Metal Hydride Lithium Ion Nickel Metal Hydride Lithium Ion Lithium Ion Nickel Metal Hydride Lithium Ion
Battery Capacity (mAH)
1300 1400 2000 1400 1400 1400 1400 1700
Battery Replacement Cost
$22.50 $65 $129.99 $65 $69.99 $83 $65 $122
Maximum Charge Time
24 10 14 10 12 3 10 10
Claimed Time of Operation (single charge) (hrs) N/A
18 15 to 16 14 10 10 to 12 14 15
Tested Time of Operation (single charge) (hrs)
9 15+ 15+ 13 14 13 15+ 15+
Head Set N/A Optional Optional Optional N/A Optional Optional N/A
External Speaker/Microphone N/A Optional Optional Optional Optional Optional Optional Optional
Scrambler N/A Optional Yes Optional No Optional Optional No
*Frequency Bands M M, L M M A, AM, F, FM, M A, AM, F, FM, M, R A, AM, FM, M L, M
DSC Capabilities
No No No No N/A MMSI/LL MMSI/LL N/A
Unit Size (Inches W x H x D)
2.6 x 6.3 x 2.0 2.5 x 5.4 x 1.8 2.2 x 5.4 x 1.4 2.5 x 4.8 x 1.9 2.7 x 5.1 x 1.7 2.6 x 5.5 x 1.6 2.5 x 4.8 x 1.9 2.4 x 4.4 x 1.6
Weight (Ounces) 12.8 13.4 9.9 13.0 8.8 9.3 13.0 9.9
Tx Settings (Watts)
5/1 5/2.5/1 6/3/1 5/2.5/1 5/2.5/1 5/2.5/1 5/2.5/1 5/3/1
Transmitter Power Output and Stability
Good Good Excellent Excellent Good Good Excellent Good
Transmitter Frequency Stability
Good Excellent Fair Good Good Good Excellent Good
Receive Sensitivity Good Good Excellent Excellent Good Excellent Excellent Excellent
Selectivity (dB) 70 70 70 65 72 65 65 70
Display Rating
Good Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Good Excellent Good
Audio Output (dBA at 1 foot)
85 88 99 92 83 87 92 93
Audio Quality
Good Good Good Excellent Good Good Excellent Good
*Aircraft (A), AM Broadcast (AM), Family (F), FM Broadcast (FM), Land Mobile (L), Marine (M), Multi-Use Radio Service (R).
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