In terms of portability, A handheld VHF marine radio is better than a fixed radio, the fixed-mounted marine radio is always highly recommended for additional range and some other advanced features.
So if you’re a sailor or boater, you should try a fixed mount radio as well as a handheld, especially if you want more range and durability.
Here we’re going to give you a valuable and profound researched review of the best-fixed mount VHF marine radio. We have covered almost everything that you’ll need to know about.
Some of our highlighted marine radios are Built-In GPS supported, have an attractive design, have a user-friendly interface, and offer advanced features.
So if you’re interested, make sure you’re staying connected with us in the entire review. At the end of the content, we have also shared a guide on picking the best one from the list.
Best Fixed Mount VHF Marine Radio
1. ICOM IC-M506 21 Fixed Mount VHF
The first pick that we want to present in front of you is the Icom IC-M506. A ton of features are included with this model, and this is why we have picked it from the market.
The Icom IC-M506 is a tremendous dependable Fixed Mount VHF Radio that supports VHF interfaces beautifully with other devices like GPS, giving you AIS mapping.
The clear and backlit LCD will help you watch airs vessel traffic information, real-time weather updates, and alert channels.
The user interface menu is quite simple to navigate, and you can find all your needed information from there.
This model has a built-in foghorn which will help you to broadcast your presence in poor visibility. When in automatic mode, a hailer will create foghorn sound patterns for both coastal and inland waterways.
Technical Details:
- Brand: Icom
- Tuner Technology: VHF
- Dimensions : 13 x 9 x 7 inches
- 1w/25w output transmission
- Weight: 1400 Grams
Pros:
- Automatic weather alerts
- Supports Canada & international channels.
- Built-in foghorn
- Lightweight
- Simple user interface
Cons:
- A bit too boxy look
- Expensive
2. Uniden UM435 Advanced Fixed Mount VHF Marine Radio
The Uniden UM435 is an advanced type fixed marine mount radio with 1 Watt/25 Watt Power, and all of these are switchable. This model offers a significant number of features and benefits for sailors or boaters.
It’s the ideal comrade for the most dangerous seas. The entire submersible stylish design is arrayed to manage the real-time weather and the waves.
It has two backlight features that you can use day and night time. Select the white light for day and orange for the nighttime. The largest LCD is a great bonus for this model because it can be used for watching channels numbers and icons quite clearly.
The key benefit of buying this radio is that you can receive all weather channels and alerts on one device. Not only that, but this device also comes with emergency strobe lights and a built-in flashlight that will be useful for emergencies.
If you always prefer a single device and listen to multiple stations, the multi-channel scan feature will massively help you solve the issue!
The compact design will fit almost anywhere for installation, and the installation process is also relatively easy. Once you ordered the device, the company of the model will deliver the product with good packaging.
The device has a built-in Digital Selective Calling mechanism which is a standard for transmitting pre-defined digital messages with the help of the MF, HF, and VHF maritime radio system.
Technical Details:
- Brand: Uniden
- Tuner: Vhf
- Dimensions: 5 X 6.6 X 3 Inches
- Weight: 3.9 Pounds
- Water Resistance: Waterproof
- International Protection Rating: Ipx8
Pros:
- Bright And Large Display
- Compact Design
- Effective Range And Strongest Signal
- Digital Selective Calling
- 3-year Waterproof Warranty
- 1 Watt / 25 Watts Transmit Power
Cons:
- A Little Bit Expensive
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3. Cobra MR F45-D Fixed Mount VHF Marine Radio
This device is an entirely functional and DSC-capable very high-frequency radio. It has a 1/25 watt output which is accessible to selectable, and they are helpful for long and short-range communication.
This model is not like others because it has many advanced and basic features such as Channel Scan, External Speaker Jack, LCD Screen, Weather Alert, Signal Strength Meter, Illuminated Function Keys, and many more.
What we love the most about the Cobra MR F45 is the noise-cancelling microphone. This will automatically clear all your background noise, so your voice will be much clear to others.
You can create 1, 3, or 6 watts of output power for close or long-distance calling. Direct entry to channel 16 and channel nine as well as for any emergencies.
It has another great feature called memory scan, and what this feature does is it can help you search for conversations in your channels.
The device can deliver instant access to national hazards and weather updates 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
In addition to this, it supports the USA, Canadian, and international channels, which will help the operation on any of the three dedicated channel maps.
If threatening weather is nearby you, you’ll get instant notification from the device with an audible tone. Of course, you have to select a tone first.
Technical Details:
- Brand: Cobra
- Colour: White
- Number of Channels: 3
- Tuner: VHF
- Dimensions: 12.21 x 9.25 x 2.95 inches
- Weight: 2.6 Pounds
Pros:
- MR F45-D Features & Specs
- 10 NOAA Weather Channels
- Channel maps
- Dual output power
- Dual Watch
- Suitable for long communication
Cons:
- A little bit heavyweight
4. Standard Horizon GX1400
This model is from the GX1400 Eclipse Series, and it’s a D class fixed mounted marine VHF radio with separate channel 70 receivers that will support (Digital Selective Calling) calls to be received when listening to conversations.
It has an advanced feature called Automatic Identification System, an automatic tracking system that shows other vessels in the vicinity. So this feature will let you know about other vessels.
The radio uses the most advanced display available in the current market. Yes, we’re talking about the dot matrix display. It will make navigating the device’s many functions easy, and the display is also brighter and easy to read information.
The device’s menu is more intuitive than ever, so you can access all the basic and advanced options with a few easy steps.
Note: It has a 3-years warranty, so you don’t have to worry about the device. If you feel your device is facing any external or internal issues like water damage, you’ll be able to repair the radio for free under the warranty time.
Technical Details:
- Brand: Yaesu
- Colour: White
- Display: 2.5″ diag. LCD
- Power: 25 Watts, 1 Watt
- Interface: NMEA 0183 in/out
- Dimensions: 2.4″H x 6.2″W x 3.9″D
- Warranty: 3 Year
Pros:
- Built-in Separate Receiver
- Matrix display
- Dual Watch
- Standard Horizon Clear Voice
- Ultra-Compact
- Submersible IPX8 waterproof rating
Cons:
- The price should be less as the features count
5. Cobra MR F77W GPS Fixed Mount VHF Marine Radio
As the five number pick of selecting the best fixed mounted VHF marine radio for your next choice, we have picked the Cobra MR F77W. If you’re serious about your safety, this will be the easiest option for you.
The built-in GPS receiver is the most powerful and helpful feature on this device because it can help you locate your current location for sending signals in moments of distress.
You’ll get the maximum coverage from this model. It will allow the entire operation of channels in the USA, Canada, and internationally at 1/25 watts.
Suppose you ask what the key feature of this Cobra MR F77W is. In that case, we’ll undoubtedly say about the rewind-say-again part because this built-in function will automatically act as a call recorder in the background to records the last 20 seconds of incoming transmissions to make sure you never miss any information.
The device will access the public external speaker function to connect with boaters around you. The noise-cancelling microphone will vastly support you to reduce the background noise when communicating with others.
Technical Details:
- Brand: Cobra
- Colour: White
- Screen Size: 4 Inches
- Display Type: LCD
- Dimensions: 3.7 x 9.1 x 13.1 inches
- Map Type: North America
Pros:
- Easy to handle and installation
- It has a noise-reducing microphone
- Watch multiple information in a single LCD
- NMEA 0183 Compatible
- Built-In GPS Receiver
- dual output power
Cons:
- Having built-in GPS makes it seem a little expensive
What to Look Before Buying The Best Fixed Mount VHF Marine Radio?
When you want to buy a fixed mount VHF marine radio, you should consider some key features and facts to make the right decision. In this section, we’re going to give you a short guide on what to look for!
Channels: Channels are essential in a fixed-mounted VHF radio. A maximum number of radios offers the same 55 channels with US, Canadian, and international.
Maximum Power: A handheld VHF radio is limited to 1-6 watts of transmit power. On the other hand, a fixed mounted radio is legally restricted to 25 watts.
Of course, the radios also offer a selectable power option for your convenience. If you try to communicate with a shorter range, you can select a low watt to transmit power like 1, 2, 5, and high capacity for long-distance communication.
Remember that you’ll require more power sources when using the highest watt of power to reach other boats. So it is always better to try the lowest watt, and if the power is not enough for going the other ships, you can increase the watt power.
VHF Antenna: When it comes to a fixed VHF radio, You should pay attention to your antenna installation. You can buy an antenna from your local market or online, and the antenna quality will be almost the same.
You need to mount the antenna as high as possible. Use the antenna with 6dB or 9dB gain on powerboats and 3dB gain on sailboats. In addition to this, you should also try to use a large-diameter antenna and low-loss coax cable with suitably installed connectors.
DSC (Digital Selective Calling): This is one of the most fixed-mounted radios’ valuable features. This additional function is a part of the international protocol of safety systems in the GMDSS. This feature plays a vital role in offering non-emergency functions.
Not only that, but it also helps to connect with other boats or groups of boats dedicatedly. It also allows you to send and receive positions with your ships to an assignation at that remote area where the fish are biting.
Power Source: The power source of a handheld radio is from a dedicated battery included in the device. A fixed VHF marine radio, on the other hand, can work with your boat’s power source.
So we highly suggest you use a powerful battery in your boat so that your fixed radio can work well, or buy a handled marine radio that doesn’t need your boat’s battery power because a handheld radio uses a self-powered battery which will help you a lot in an emergency.
Conclusion:
A Handheld radio is good enough and perfect for multiple jobs, but if you think about more power, range, durability, you may be looking for a fixed mounted radio.
At the end of the review of the best-fixed mount VHF marine radio, we can do one more thing for you, if you’re still confused about which one should you buy, follow the list below:
- Have a smart budget? Try the ICOM IC-M506
- Looking for a high-quality model with advanced features? Pick the Uniden UM435
Don’t have enough $$ buying an expensive model, Buy the Cobra MR F45-D