VHF Radios & Marine Communication Equipment

VHF Radios, Hailers and Accessories Resources and Information

A VHF radio is essential safety gear. Unlike cell phones, a marine VHF provides instant, reliable communication with the Coast Guard, nearby vessels, and marinas — so you can hail for help, coordinate traffic, and stay informed offshore or when cell service drops. PartsVu carries fixed-mount and handheld VHF radios, hailers, antennas, and accessories from trusted brands like Icom, Garmin, Cobra, Digital Antenna, and Shakespeare.

VHF benefits at a glance: direct emergency calling and DSC distress; dependable coverage that isn’t tied to cell towers; IP-rated durability for spray and rain; group broadcasts to crews and nearby boats; and handheld backups if the DC system fails.

Shop our full selection of boat products and accessories and electronics & navigation, or browse by category: Fixed-mount VHF radios; Handheld VHF radios; VHF antennas; Cables & connectors; Antenna mounts & hardware; CB & single sideband radios.

Choosing a VHF: pick handheld for portability/backup and small boats; choose fixed-mount for greater range, louder audio, and NMEA hookups. Prioritize DSC Class D, integrated GPS (for position in distress calls), AIS receive (optional traffic awareness), NMEA 2000/0183 compatibility, 25 W output (fixed) or strong battery life (handheld), IPX7/8 water rating, clear displays, and easy channel/scan controls. Range depends mostly on antenna height and quality.

In the U.S., most recreational boaters operating only in U.S. waters don’t need an FCC license for a VHF. You’ll need an FCC ship station license if you cruise internationally or use MF/HF/SSB, sat comms, or certain services. DSC radios require an MMSI for digital distress calling. Hail on Channel 16, then shift to a working channel as directed. Always follow local rules.

What is DSC? Digital Selective Calling lets you place a digital distress call (with your MMSI and GPS position), make targeted calls to specific MMSIs, and use dedicated CH 70 signaling so urgent alerts cut through. Look for Class D (separate DSC receiver) for faster, more reliable distress handling.

Maintenance: rinse the mic and radio front with fresh water, keep antenna connections tight and corrosion-free, check coax for kinks/water intrusion, and test DSC and audio periodically. If range drops, inspect the antenna, mount, and coax before assuming the radio failed.8

Basic fixed-mount setup: mount the radio near the helm, run power to a fused source, connect NMEA (if used), and pair with a quality VHF antenna using proper cable & connectors and a sturdy antenna mount. Antenna height = range.

VHF Radios, Hailers, and Accessoires FAQs

Do I really need a VHF radio if I have a cell phone?

Yes. VHF radios provide reliable communication when cell coverage is unavailable, especially offshore. They also connect directly to the Coast Guard and nearby vessels in emergencies.

Imagine that you find yourself in an emergency situation and you are offshore and away from cell towers. Or maybe you are not that far offshore, but the day is very overcast and your phone is having difficulty obtaining reception. You need to contact the authorities or other support and you look down at your phone and see no or maybe only one of those coveted bars. With VHF radios you never have to worry about losing service. While cell phones rely on cell reception, data, and wifi, two-way radios are a self-contained communications network. This means that if for whatever reason cell phones aren’t working, your two-way radio is there at the ready.

Certain two-way radios are built to withstand very harsh environmental conditions. Rain, sand, extreme cold do nothing to stand in the way of these rugged radios as many two-way radio models are waterproof and sand-proof. Some can be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes, in a depth of three feet, and still be functional.

Multiple people can be dispatched at one time reducing the need to call people individually. In addition, everyone involved in an emergency situation can communicate instantly assuring help is on the way as quickly as possible and all involved can stay in touch in the meantime.

Fixed VHF radios are powered by the boat’s electrical system. However, handheld 2-way radios generally have longer battery lives than your cell phone and serve as great backup communication devices.

How far does a VHF radio work?

Most VHF radios have a typical range of 5–10 miles for handheld models and up to 25–30 miles for fixed-mount units with quality antennas. Line-of-sight and antenna height are the biggest factors affecting VHF radio range.

Can VHF radios communicate with telephones?

Many two-way radios have what’s called a telephony feature, which allows for communication between the radio and a landline, or cell phone. This is possible because radio base repeater stations can be connected to telephone networks. Telephony functions are very helpful if there might be a need to communicate with people who don’t have a two-way radio. This said, emergency and rescue organizations are very used to communicating with two-way radios.

Do VHF radios have a use beyond emergency communication?

Radio ahead for a berth at a marina or maybe you want to chat with a passing boat for advice on entering a new channel. Do keep in mind, however, marine VHF radios, whether fixed or handheld, may not be used on land – it’s the law. Once a VHF radio goes ashore, it cannot be used for marine band transmission without a Coast Station license. While your marine VHF radio cannot be used onshore, many boaters find 2-way radios not using a marine band transmission – think walkie talkie from your childhood – handy for communicating fairly short distances with friends and family while onshore.

What makes the ICOM M93D Handheld VHF Marine Transceiver with GPS unique?

The M93D radio is professional and stylish with an easy-to-use interface. The M93 is slender, has a 2-tone body, is feature-rich and smart. Enjoy Icom’s continued tradition of Float’n Flash, AquaQuake™, and Active Noise Cancelling. The M93D will keep you safe with integrated GPS – providing location, bearing, and speed. Plus this handheld meets ITU-R M493-13 Class D DSC with a dedicated built-in DSC receiver for CH 70. Icom’s new M93D is built for the serious boater.

What is the ACR SR203 GMDSS Survival Radio?

The SR203 GMDSS Survival Radio meets all the requirements of the IMO for carriage on SOLAS vessels. Built tough for all marine applications and easy to use in an emergency situation, the SR203 is the ideal choice for mandatory and voluntary carriage. The digital display and control buttons are backlit making operation in low light environments simple. Once activated, the SR203 is automatically tuned to channel 16 and has a single push channel 16 call button to quickly return to the emergency channel. The SR203 boasts an exceptional battery life of over 16 hours (@ -4°F (-20°C)) thanks to its highly efficient transmitter designed to maximize battery life. The innovative battery protection tab means the primary battery can be permanently attached to the radio without fear of losing its charge. The radio will always be available for use in times of emergency without the need to remove protective labels. Simply break off the red protective tab and the radio will be immediately ready to turn on to channel 16. For everyday use, ACR offers a lithium polymer rechargeable battery option. The quick-release rapid charger provides the ideal solution for keeping the batteries fully charged.

What is the difference between EPIRB, PLB, and AIS technology?

EPIRB stands for Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon. They are used to alert search and rescue services in an emergency. They transmit a 406 MHz distress frequency signal via satellite and earth stations to the nearest rescue coordination center.

The network EPIRBs work on is called Cospas-Sarsat, and it is an international collaboration. It’s up and running 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. In 2021, 263 people have been rescued so far—143 of those people at sea. Worldwide, over 48,000 people have been rescued since 1982.

It is essential for boaters to understand that this network is to be utilized in the case of genuine emergencies, not simply if your boat breaks down and you need a tow.

PLBs work the same way that EPIRBs do— they send a coded message on the same distress frequency and utilize the Cospas-Sarsat network. The most crucial difference is that EPIRBs are registered to a vessel, whereas a PLB is registered to a person. This means that if you switch to a new boat or you decide to use a friend’s boat, the PLB will still be registered to you.

EPIRBS, on the other hand, would need to be reregistered if you buy a new boat. If you rent or use someone else’s boat, you wouldn’t be able to take the EPIRB from your boat. That’s because if you did use it, it would send a distress signal describing a vessel that isn’t yours. So, you will need to rent an EPIRB, which you can do relatively inexpensively from Boats U.S. Foundation and other sources.

Do I need a license for a VHF radio?

Most U.S. recreational boaters in U.S. waters do not. If you go international or use additional radio services, an FCC ship station license may be required.

What’s the difference between handheld and fixed VHF radios?

Handhelds are portable and great backups; fixed-mount radios deliver more power, louder audio, and better range when paired with a proper antenna.

Can I use a VHF radio on land?

Marine VHF radios are restricted to on-water use by law. Onshore communication requires alternative devices like walkie-talkies or CB radios.

At PartsVu, boating safety is always our top-priority, and VHF radios are an absolute requirement for ensuring your safety when you're out on the water. We carry a full range of VHF (wireless) radios and two-way radio accessories from leading brands like Icom, Garmin, Cobra Electronics, Digital Antenna, Shakespeare and others.