The 6 Best Standard Marine VHF radios (2023 reviews)

Standard Horizon has been making great radio for years, thanks to a combination of clever design and high-end materials. This size is a great entry model for a serious fisherman. It is great handheld vhf for nautical use. It features include two scrambler systems built in, a built in fm broacast band receiver, switchable daytime or nighttime mode, waypoint and route navigation, and group monitor function utilizing dsc group position call. The Distress Alert transmissions from the HX890 will include the latitude and longitude of the vessel when the internal GPS unit is activated.

It could be smaller, battery is good, 3 kilometers in between and it has good reception. It takes 5-AAA alkaline batteries, not included.

The Coast Guard’s Rescue 21 system can use that data to pinpoint your location within the VHF range limitations.

Why We Like This:

Excellent choice for a hand-held vhf
Battery life is just incredible, very little drainage when shut off
Everything is setup, easy to add your mmsi
Looks bulky but fits on hand and very light

Best For hunting: Standard Great Radio

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The standard great radio should be able to handle its purpose and duties with ease. The range on VHF frequency depends mostly on height and unobstructed view of antennas. The Standard Horizon is all digital with power and squelch adjustments operated through push buttons. It's small, tough, totally submersible, and easy to use. It can see even better at night.

This one is a masterpiece, lightweight, water resistant, and robust construction. It is perfectly and the audio is crystal clear. There is a disposable battery pack that can carry you until you can recharge. It is really easy to set up and offers several options for scanning.

Why We Like This:

Perfect alternative for a vhf radio
Has a good range and volume
Feels solid, rugged, and well designed
Will pick up canadian weather broadcasts as well if you enter canadian waters

Best installing Radio: Standard Marine VHF Radio

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We would, of course, be remiss if we didn't mention standard standard marine vhf radio for daily purpose. If you have a dashboard that is less than 1/2 inch, it should install just fine. It is easy to flush install the vhf radio on the dash. The flushmount brackets install easily, and actually tighten up perfectly with a minimum of annoyance. It features smooth and easy. The radio is secure in its bulkhead mount.

Why We Like This:

Really good value, easy to install and worked well
Sits tight and flush with no movement
One of the new comers and featured product

Best For The money: Standard Horizon Standard Marine VHF Radio

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Next on the list, we've got yet another radio that manages to win our hearts. It's the standard horizon standard marine vhf radio and it's widely considered as radio that has the most suitable features. It can get your position from GPS and also it can broadcast this as part of a DSC message. It provides gps coordinates right out of the box with no additional wiring. It can be hooked up to a gps antenna. It has impeccable build quality, and the gps works flawlessly. It gives the coordinates of the distress and an option to navigate to it. It is easy to use design, and the small format simplifies installation. It comes with the built in antenna and receiver.

Why We Like This:

Great unit and super simple installation
Good investment for long term

Best Quality Product: Yaesu Standard Marine VHF Radio

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The yaesu standard marine vhf radio gives the top-tier radio a run for their money by offering flagship specs at a much more affordable price. The DSC DISTRESS function when activated transmits a digital MAYDAY including vessel identification, Latitude / Longitude and time (with GPS connected), to facilitate prompt response. It allows dsc calls to be received even when listening to communications. This VHF has an internal speaker. It features smooth and easy to add to that it is easy to operate menu system. It has to have an mmsi number or it will beep every 10 minutes. The high resolution dot matrix display makes navigating the radios many features smooth and easy to add to that it is easy to operate. The new one is easier to use, excellent reception and transmission. It will beep every 10 minutes.

Why We Like This:

Automatically poll the gps position of up to 4 ships using dsc
Affordable ultra compact class d fixed mount vhf radio
Easy to install and looks great
Replaces older eclipse+ and eclipse dsc models radio controls on the microphone

Best Feature: Easy To install: Yaesu Mounting bracket

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Not everyone likes to purchase radio for their daily purpose, but the yaesu mounting bracket would be an anomoly. It's a great radio, small and light. It allows dsc calls to be received even when listening to communications. This radio will NOT operate as a stand alone transceiver. It is easy to install and you have the choice to pick a place. The external speaker is used for amplifying the signal coming through to hear over the wind or outside noises or for a clearer receiving voice which is most common because it can be hard to understand.

This has an auto volume feature. It will work on any 12v dc supply. The mounting bracket can be attached facing up for overhead mounting.

Why We Like This: