Built tough to withstand the punishing marine environment, the Icom
IC-M88 handheld VHF radio is a must for safety-minded boaters. The
radio is outfitted with a host of valuable features, including an
easy-to-read backlit LCD display, an intuitive six-button keypad, and a
rugged waterproof housing that's submersible in 1 meter of water for up
to 30 minutes. More significantly, the radio works with all 57 U.S., 61
Canadian, and 57 international channels, along with 10 weather channels
from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA). The VHF
channels offer an ideal way to communicate with other boaters--whether
exchanging information on a great fishing spot or sending out a distress
signal--while the NOAA channels notify you when inclement weather is
approaching. As a bonus, the radio also offers 22 free channels (from
146 to 174 MHz) reserved for land mobile (commercial) use, making this
an ideal unit for marine professionals who also work on the shore
(requires FCC license).
The radio's layout is straightforward and easy to use, with a half
dozen clearly labeled buttons on the front panel and a volume/power knob
along the top. The radio's rugged body, meanwhile, meets military
specifications for durability, so you can rough it up at sea or on land
without fearing a breakdown. Other design details include 5 watts of
output power for reliable communication over long distances, a
surprisingly compact chassis that fits easily in the palm of your hand,
and a two-step power saver that preserves battery life.
The IC-M88 also offers several scanning modes, including an auto scan
function that starts scanning whenever no signal is detected, a
traditional scan mode that searches through all the tag channels in
sequence, a priority scan mode that does the same but also monitors the
distress channel (number 16), and a weather alert option that
immediately switches the radio to the appropriate weather channel when a
storm warning comes through. Users will also dig the Dual Watch and
Tri-Watch functions. The former lets you communicate on a channel of
your choice while also keeping an eye on channel 16, while the latter
monitors two channels--channel 16 and another channel--while receiving a
third channel. The pair of "watch" modes guarantee that you won't miss
an important emergency call from a distressed boater while your
attention is otherwise engaged.
Additional features include a lithium-ion battery pack that delivers
up to 15 hours of talk time per charge, instant access to channels 16
and 9, a key lock function, a four-level battery life indicator, a
programmable beep sound, and a self-check function that monitors the
internal temperature, connected battery voltage, and water intrusion.
Bundled with such accessories as a drop-in charger, swivel belt clip,
and hand strap, the IC-M88 radio measures 2.44 by 3.81 by 1.53 inches (W
x H x D) and is backed by a three-year warranty.
