VHF radios

Buying a marine radio? For safe and reliable communication on the water.

Whether you're sailing on the IJsselmeer in a sailboat, commercially navigating busy waterways, or mooring in a harbor with a large motor yacht, a marine radio is essential on board. It provides direct, interference-free communication with ports, bridges, emergency services, and other vessels. At Deltron, you'll find a wide range of marine radios: from compact handheld models for pleasure craft to powerful fixed-mount radios for commercial vessels and large ships. We also offer matching antennas and accessories from top brands such as Himunication, Midland, Uniden, Shakespeare, Icom, and Stabo.

The benefits of a marine radio on board

A marine radio is much more than a communication tool; it's an essential tool for safety and efficiency on the water. Whether you're sailing on inland waterways or at sea, a marine radio offers numerous advantages that enhance your boating experience. With a marine radio, you'll always have coverage, even in places where mobile phone coverage is unavailable.

1. Always informed with built-in AIS
Nowadays, you can purchase marine radios with built-in AIS (Automatic Identification System). This allows you to see at a glance which vessels are nearby, including their course and speed. It's like being able to see around corners – ideal in busy waterways or poor visibility.

2. Safe crossing on inland waterways
Traffic control posts are often present at busy intersections on inland waterways. They maintain contact with skippers via radio and provide instructions for safe passage. This prevents misunderstandings and allows you to navigate through congested areas with greater confidence.

3. Rapid emergency assistance
Are you sailing on open water, far from shore? Then a marine radio is an indispensable lifeline. In an emergency, you can contact the Coast Guard immediately. Thanks to the precise location data, they can intervene quickly – often within minutes.

4. Easily operate bridges and locks
There are more than 900 movable bridges and over 200 locks in the Netherlands. Using your radio, you can easily call a bridge operator or lock master to request passage. This saves time and prevents confusion.

5. Navigation and weather information always at hand
You'll receive up-to-date navigation and weather information via dedicated marine radio channels. This includes notifications about fog, wind speed, currents, and obstacles along the route. This information is crucial for safe navigation and helps you be well-prepared for your trip – regardless of the conditions.

When is a marine radio required?

If you operate a boat, ship, or pleasure craft longer than 20 meters on inland waterways, you are required to have a marine radio on board. In Belgium, this requirement applies to pleasure craft or boats longer than 7 meters. You are also required to have a basic marine radio certificate, proving that you can communicate safely with your radio via the correct channels.

On busy waterways where pleasure craft and commercial vessels pass each other, it's important to be able to communicate to prevent accidents. You can also use a radio to contact the harbor master, bridge operator, and lock operator. You can also use the radio to make an emergency call if something happens on board your vessel, so that surrounding vessels or the Coast Guard (KNRM) can offer assistance.

If you sail at sea, a Marcom-B certificate is required. This combines maritime radio and GMDSS, allowing you to communicate with surrounding vessels and the coastguard. A maritime radio also provides important weather information and forecast warnings on the open sea or in open water.

Buy a handheld or fixed marine radio?

Deltron helps you choose the right marine radio for your boating needs. Are you looking for flexibility or ultimate reliability?

Handheld marine radios – compact and handy

A handheld or portable marine radio is ideal if you're sailing on a sloop, dinghy, or sailing yacht. These compact devices are:

• Portable and lightweight
• Working on rechargeable batteries
• Splashproof or waterproof (IPX7/IPX8)
• Perfect as a backup or for emergencies

Fixed marine radios – power and range

For the serious water sports enthusiast or commercial shipping, a fixed marine radio is the best choice because:

• They have a higher transmission power (up to 25W)
• They can be connected to an external marine radio antenna for extra range
• They often offer additional features such as DSC (Digital Selective Calling)

How do you choose the right marine radio?

When choosing a suitable marine radio, you can ask yourself the following questions

• Do you want a portable (handheld) or a fixed-mount marine radio? A handheld radio has a rechargeable battery that you can charge via a 12V cable. A fixed-mount marine radio can be installed wherever you want it and connected to the boat's 12V power source.
  
• Looking for a marine radio with adjustable power? Many marine radios allow you to adjust the power from low to high.
• Looking for a marine radio with a dual-watch or even tri-watch function? This monitors two or three channels simultaneously, so you're always aware of what's happening, for added safety.
• A handheld marine radio is generally equipped with a floating housing. Some portable marine radios also come with an optional floating CSE that floats and flashes when dropped into the water.
• DSC and MOB function? MOB stands for Man Over Board alerting, and DSC stands for Digital Selective Calling, a maritime calling system that transmits at a higher power.
• Looking for a marine radio with GPS? With a built-in GPS sensor, you can quickly and easily navigate to a boat or ship transmitting a DSC distress call, and you can share your own position in case of an emergency.
• Looking for a marine radio with AIS? This is a system that automatically transmits the identity and position of a boat or ship via the marine radio channel (transponder). AIS stands for Automatic Identification System. Originally developed for maritime navigation, AIS is also used in recreational boating.
• Do you want a marine radio with DSC and NMEA0183 and NMEA2000?
• Looking for a radio that connects to NMEA (both NMEA0183 and NMEA2000)? These are communication networks between marine electronic devices such as GPS, marine radios, and chartplotters.
  

Marine Radio Antenna – The Difference Between Noise and Clarity

A good marine radio is nothing without a high-quality antenna. The marine radio antenna determines how far and how clearly you can transmit and receive signals.

At Deltron, you'll find marine radio antennas from brands like Sirio and Shakespeare, suitable for mounting on masts, decks, or railings. The advantages at a glance:

• Greater range, even in remote sailing areas
• Improved reception and less noise
• Durable and resistant to salt and moisture

Marine radio as AIS transponder

Did you know that some marine radios also function as AIS transponders? This means you can see other vessels and be visible on their screens. Extremely useful for busy waterways and poor visibility. With a marine radio with built-in AIS, you stay safe and visible on the water.

Icom marine radios – top quality for demanding users

At Deltron, you'll find a wide range of Icom marine radios. Icom is known for its robust build quality, clear audio quality, and innovative features. Whether you're looking for a handheld or a fixed-head model with DSC and AIS, Icom has a device to suit your needs.

Marine radio accessories – get the most out of your device

Complete your marine radio installation with the right accessories :

• Programming cables & software for easy setup
• External speakers for better audibility
• Waterproof covers for protection against splash water
• Chargers, brackets and mounting materials for fixed mounting

Why buy a marine radio from Deltron?

Deltron is your specialist for all things maritime communication. We offer:

• A wide range of handheld and fixed marine radios
• Brands such as Himunication, Midland, Uniden, Stabo and of course Icom marine radios
• Fair prices and fast delivery from our own stock
• Expert advice on installation, certification and use
• Order safely and easily online