GMDSS VHF Radio
medium
12 models total
SOLAS-mandatory VHF radio with DSC capability for distress alerting. Required in all GMDSS sea areas (A1-A4).
6 manufacturers · 12 models
Sailor (Cobham)
4
RT6222
25 W / DSC
· Navigation Data / Sensor
Power output
25 W
Dsc class
A
Channels
All international marine
Gmdss approved
ja
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- DSC controller lockup
- Channel selector wear
- Antenna connector corrosion
Service: Standard GMDSS VHF. Annual DSC test and antenna SWR check.
Spare Parts: Sailor (Cobham): Ersatzteile per Hersteller-Netzwerk. Lead time: 1-4 Wochen. Backup-Systeme an Bord pflichtgemäß.
RT6248
5 W / waterproof
· Navigation Data / Sensor
Power output
5 W
Waterproof
ja
Solas pack
ja
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- Battery expiry
- Waterproof seal deterioration
- Antenna damage in storage
Service: SOLAS survival craft radio. Battery replacement per expiry date.
Spare Parts: Sailor (Cobham): Ersatzteile per Hersteller-Netzwerk. Lead time: 1-4 Wochen. Backup-Systeme an Bord pflichtgemäß.
RT6210
25 W
· Navigation Data / Sensor
Power output
25 W
Dsc
nein
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- Channel selector failure
- Mic connector corrosion
- Speaker distortion
Service: Supplementary VHF. Not DSC-capable — not for GMDSS primary.
Spare Parts: Sailor (Cobham): Ersatzteile per Hersteller-Netzwerk. Lead time: 1-4 Wochen. Backup-Systeme an Bord pflichtgemäß.
RT6215
25 W
· Navigation Data / Sensor
Power output
25 W
Dsc
nein
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- Squelch control failure
- Handset cord break
- Channel knob wear
Service: Utility VHF. Not for GMDSS primary but good supplementary radio.
Spare Parts: Sailor (Cobham): Ersatzteile per Hersteller-Netzwerk. Lead time: 1-4 Wochen. Backup-Systeme an Bord pflichtgemäß.
Icom
3
IC-M510
25 W / DSC
· Navigation Data / Sensor
Power output
25 W
Dsc class
D
Ais receiver
ja
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- AIS receiver sensitivity
- Class D DSC limitations
- LCD display contrast loss
Service: Not GMDSS-primary (Class D DSC). Good supplementary VHF with AIS display.
Spare Parts: Icom: Ersatzteile per Hersteller-Netzwerk. Lead time: 1-4 Wochen. Backup-Systeme an Bord pflichtgemäß.
IC-M506
25 W / DSC
· Navigation Data / Sensor
Power output
25 W
Dsc class
D
Ais receiver
ja
Nmea 2000
ja
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- NMEA 2000 bus communication issues
- AIS target display limitations
- Mic connector wear
Service: Feature-rich VHF. NMEA 2000 for modern bridge networks.
Spare Parts: Icom: Ersatzteile per Hersteller-Netzwerk. Lead time: 1-4 Wochen. Backup-Systeme an Bord pflichtgemäß.
IC-GM1600E
5 W / waterproof
· Navigation Data / Sensor
Power output
5 W
Waterproof
ja
Solas pack
ja
Gmdss approved
ja
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- Battery shelf life
- Antenna flexibility
- Button membrane aging
Service: Icom survival craft VHF. Compact and reliable.
Spare Parts: Icom: Ersatzteile per Hersteller-Netzwerk. Lead time: 1-4 Wochen. Backup-Systeme an Bord pflichtgemäß.
JRC
2
JSS-2500
25 W / DSC
· Navigation Data / Sensor
Power output
25 W
Dsc class
A
Gmdss approved
ja
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- DSC processor board failure
- Squelch control issues
- Interface cable oxidation
Service: Integrates with JRC MF/HF for complete GMDSS station.
Spare Parts: JRC: Ersatzteile per Hersteller-Netzwerk. Lead time: 1-4 Wochen. Backup-Systeme an Bord pflichtgemäß.
JHS-800S
5 W / portable
· Navigation Data / Sensor
Power output
5 W
Waterproof
ja
Portable
ja
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- Battery aging
- Keypad membrane wear
- Antenna stub damage
Service: SOLAS-required portable VHF. Battery life check every 6 months.
Spare Parts: JRC: Ersatzteile per Hersteller-Netzwerk. Lead time: 1-4 Wochen. Backup-Systeme an Bord pflichtgemäß.
Entel
1
HT649 Marine VHF
5 W / ATEX
· Navigation Data / Sensor
Power output
5 W
Atex certified
ja
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- Battery contact corrosion
- Antenna SWR
- Water ingress at charging port
Service: ATEX portable VHF. Popular on tankers and gas carriers.
Spare Parts: Entel: Ersatzteile per Hersteller-Netzwerk. Lead time: 1-4 Wochen. Backup-Systeme an Bord pflichtgemäß.
McMurdo
1
R5 GMDSS VHF
5 W / GPS
· Navigation Data / Sensor
Power output
5 W
Gps integrated
ja
Gmdss approved
ja
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- GPS signal in enclosed spaces
- Battery life
- Membrane keypad wear
Service: Integrated GPS sends position with DSC distress alert.
Spare Parts: McMurdo: Ersatzteile per Hersteller-Netzwerk. Lead time: 1-4 Wochen. Backup-Systeme an Bord pflichtgemäß.
Standard Horizon
1
GX6000
25 W / DSC
· Navigation Data / Sensor
Power output
25 W
Dsc class
D
Ais receiver
ja
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- Touchkey wear
- AIS processing lag with many targets
- Memory reset issues
Service: Feature-packed VHF. Not GMDSS-primary but excellent supplementary.
Spare Parts: Standard Horizon: Ersatzteile per Hersteller-Netzwerk. Lead time: 1-4 Wochen. Backup-Systeme an Bord pflichtgemäß.