The essentials in 30 seconds
- Fixed VHF mandatory: any sailboat operating outside sheltered waters (≥ 2 NM from shore) must have a fixed VHF with ASN/DSC + GPS + registered MMSI. This is the Division 240 regulatory baseline.
- Portable VHF as backup: not mandatory but essential offshore (backup + use in dinghy/raft). The ICOM IC-M94DE (374 €) with GPS + AIS-RX + DSC is the reference.
- Class B AIS SOTDMA: premium upgrade vs Class B CSTDMA. 5 W output (vs 2 W), channel access priority, 5 s latency (vs 30 s). Visibility in racing and busy traffic zones.
- Essential 2026 combo: fixed VHF with Class B SOTDMA AIS + integrated GPS (B&G V60-B + GPS-500 = 1,154 € HT) + portable VHF with AIS-RX. More essential than an EPIRB for coastal cruising.
- Workshop verdict: for 80 % of 30-45 ft sailboats, the combo B&G V60-B + GPS-500 (1,154 €) + ICOM IC-M94DE portable is our standard. Total budget ~ 1,530 € HT.
The marine VHF is the #1 communication device. Ahead of satellite phones, EPIRBs, and coastal 4G. It’s the only channel that lets you speak directly to another vessel, a coast guard station, or a CROSS, and triggers a coordinated response in the European search-and-rescue chain.
This article distinguishes the two forms (fixed vs portable), explains AIS classes (A vs B vs B-SOTDMA), presents the brands carried by Skysat, and gives a workshop verdict by program. For additional distress beacons (EPIRB / PLB / MOB), see EPIRB vs PLB vs AIS MOB — choosing a distress beacon for your sailboat.
French legal framework — Division 240 and VHF requirements
Division 240 requires, for a sailboat ≤ 24 m:
- Sheltered waters (≤ 2 NM from shore): no VHF required (extremely rare case).
- Coastal category (2-6 NM): fixed VHF with ASN (DSC) strongly recommended.
- Semi-offshore category (6-60 NM): fixed VHF with ASN mandatory + registered MMSI with ANFR.
- Offshore category (> 60 NM): fixed VHF with ASN + internal GPS + mandatory AIS-RX + 406 MHz EPIRB.
The MMSI registration (Maritime Mobile Service Identity) is free via ANFR and takes 10 minutes online. Without a registered MMSI, ASN/DSC is useless — you can call, but no one knows who is calling.
Fixed VHF — functions and brands carried
A modern 2026 fixed VHF integrates four standard functions: voice radio, ASN/DSC (Digital Selective Calling), AIS-RX (receiving AIS targets), and internal GPS (standalone). Premium versions add AIS-TX (AIS transmission = Class B transponder).
B&G V60 — basic AIS reception
The B&G V60 AIS-RX (723 €) is the entry-level fixed VHF with ASN, internal GPS, and AIS reception. You can see AIS-equipped vessels around you, but they cannot see you. Suitable for standard coastal cruising.
B&G V60-B — integrated Class B AIS transponder
The B&G V60-B (1,049 €) adds Class B AIS transmission (CSTDMA, 2 W). You see others and they see you. This is the right compromise for most 30-50 ft cruising sailboats.
B&G V60-B + GPS-500 — complete solution
The V60-B + GPS-500 pack (1,154 €) separates the GPS receiver from the VHF unit — useful if the VHF is below deck and requires an external GPS antenna on the cockpit for better reception. This is our workshop standard for refits on 35+ ft sailboats.
Portable VHF — backup and dinghy/raft use
The portable VHF is not mandatory but becomes essential as soon as you leave the dock. Three typical uses:
- Fixed VHF backup: in case of electrical failure or a situation where the fixed VHF no longer works.
- Dinghy/raft communication: in the dinghy while anchored, or in a liferaft in case of a man overboard.
- Crew-to-shore communication: harbor master, coast guard station, or another crew during a stopover.
ICOM IC-M94DE — the 2026 portable reference
The ICOM IC-M94DE (374 €) is our workshop reference for portable VHFs. It includes internal GPS, ASN/DSC, AIS-RX, and IPX8 waterproofing (floats). Practical battery life: 10-12 h in standby + 1 h transmitting. This is the portable VHF we install on all our offshore refits in 2026.
AIS Class A vs B vs B-SOTDMA
The AIS (Automatic Identification System) transmits on two dedicated VHF channels (161.975 and 162.025 MHz). Not all transponders are equal.
Class A — mandatory for commercial vessels
Mandatory for commercial vessels (SOLAS). 12.5 W output, 2-10 s latency depending on speed. Not required for recreational use (unless you have a megayacht > 300 GT).
Class B CSTDMA — entry-level recreational standard
The historic recreational standard. 2 W output, 30 s latency in busy traffic zones (channel access competition with Class A vessels). The vessel is visible, but its position updates slowly.
Class B SOTDMA — the 2026 premium upgrade
New standard since 2018, widely deployed since 2022. 5 W output, guaranteed 5 s latency, channel access priority. In busy traffic zones (English Channel, Bay of Biscay, Mediterranean in summer), this is a significant upgrade: your position updates 6× faster, and you’re visible from twice as far.
Upgrade cost from B to B-SOTDMA: ~150-200 € HT for equivalent hardware. For most serious offshore racing and cruising sailboats in 2026, this is the right choice.
2026 model comparison chart
| Model | Type | AIS | Internal GPS | Waterproofing | Price HT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B&G V60 | Fixed | RX only | Yes | IPX7 | 723 € |
| B&G V60-B | Fixed | Class B CSTDMA RXTX | Yes | IPX7 | 1,049 € |
| B&G V60-B + GPS-500 | Fixed + external GPS antenna | Class B CSTDMA RXTX | Yes (separate) | IPX7 | 1,154 € |
| ICOM IC-M94DE | Portable | RX only | Yes | IPX8 (floats, submersible) | 374 € |
Workshop verdict by program
Coastal cruising (≤ 6 NM)
Minimum regulatory requirement: fixed VHF with ASN, e.g., B&G V60 (723 €). No need for AIS-TX (you can see others, but don’t need to be seen locally). Total: ~800 € HT installed.
Offshore cruising (6-60 NM)
Recommended: fixed VHF with Class B AIS = B&G V60-B (1,049 €) + portable VHF ICOM IC-M94DE (374 €). You’ll be visible to ferries, cargo ships, and other sailboats. Total: ~1,530 € HT.
Transatlantic / oceanic (> 60 NM)
Fixed VHF with Class B AIS + external GPS = B&G V60-B + GPS-500 (1,154 €) + 2 portables ICOM (one per crew member + 1 in the liferaft). Total: ~2,000 € HT.
Offshore racing
Class B SOTDMA AIS mandatory (upgrade ~200 € if the base model is CSTDMA). One IPX8 waterproof portable VHF per crew member (3-4 units). Total: ~2,500-3,000 € HT.
5 common installation errors
VHF errors — observed at Skysat workshop
- MMSI not registered. The VHF is installed, connected, configured — but the MMSI was never registered with ANFR. ASN/DSC works technically, but no rescue center can identify you. Observed in 1 in 3 installations during check-ups. Registration is free, online, and takes 10 minutes.
- VHF antenna poorly positioned. A sailboat VHF antenna must be at the masthead (maximum range). Mounted on the stern rail or backstay, range drops from 20 NM to 5 NM. All VHF range calculations (formula 1.22 × √antenna_height) assume the antenna is at the masthead. See our sailboat VHF antenna guide.
- Undersized coaxial cable. Over 18 m of mast, RG58 cable loses 6 dB (75 % of power), RG213 loses 2 dB (35 %). Always use RG213 or Belden 9913 on sailboats; never RG58. Watertight connectors are mandatory.
- Disabling internal GPS and using external GPS via NMEA 2000. It works on paper. In practice, if the NMEA 2000 network fails, the VHF loses its GPS and can no longer transmit a position in ASN. Always keep the internal GPS active as a backup.
- Not testing ASN annually. ASN test calls (channel 70) must be performed at least once per year, ideally before each season. Without testing, you’ll discover on the day that the function doesn’t work. Procedure: VHF menu → ASN test → select channel 70 → send. Expected response: visual confirmation + CROSS acknowledgment in some cases.
FAQ — VHF + AIS in practice
Do you need a license to use a marine VHF?
Yes, the CRR (Certificat Restreint de Radiotéléphoniste) is mandatory in France for full operation. ANFR exam, 80 € HT, valid for life. If you only listen (no transmission), no license is required. In practice, as soon as you transmit even a call to the harbor master, the CRR is mandatory.
Practical range of a sailboat VHF vs cargo ship?
VHF range follows the Norton formula: range NM ≈ 1.22 × (√h_transmitter_antenna + √h_receiver_antenna). Sailboat with 15 m mast (antenna at 17 m) → cargo with 30 m mast (antenna at 35 m) → practical range 12 NM. Sailboat to sailboat (two 17 m antennas) → 10 NM. Sailboat to coast guard station (antenna at 80 m) → 16 NM. This is more than enough for most coastal situations.
AIS via smartphone over Bluetooth — reliable?
For visualization, yes. Most modern AIS gateways (B&G V60-B, ICOM IC-M94DE) broadcast AIS via Bluetooth or WiFi to tablet/smartphone apps (Aquamap, Navionics, Weather4D, etc.). For critical safety (collision avoidance), always keep a dedicated multifunction display — the tablet may run out of battery, crash, or be left below in the cabin. Redundancy is mandatory.
Difference between channel 16 and channel 70 ASN?
Channel 16 (156.800 MHz) = international voice calling and distress channel. This is where you say "MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY" in an emergency. Channel 70 (156.525 MHz) = ASN/DSC digital channel. More effective in noisy zones because it doesn’t require voice monitoring by other vessels — the DSC receiver activates automatically upon reception. In practice, sending DSC on channel 70 AND calling on channel 16 = double safety.
Do you need a Class D or Class A DSC VHF?
Class A DSC = SOLAS commercial vessels (cargo, ferry, cruise ship). Class D DSC = recreational and fishing vessels. All modern recreational fixed VHFs (B&G V60-B, ICOM IC-M93, Raymarine Ray73) are Class D DSC. This is the recreational standard; do not buy Class A for recreational use — it’s more expensive and complex without added benefit.
Waterproof or submersible portable VHF?
"Waterproof" can range from IPX4 (splash-resistant) to IPX8 (submersible). For a sailboat VHF, aim for IPX7 minimum (30 min immersion at 1 m) and ideally IPX8 with floatation (e.g., ICOM IC-M94DE floats). A VHF that falls in the water without floatation costs 374 € to 800 €. The +50 € investment for floatation is negligible.
What antenna height maximizes range?
VHF range is close to line-of-sight. For a 10 m sailboat mast (antenna at 12 m), range to a coast guard station (antenna at 80 m) = ~15 NM. For a 15 m sailboat (antenna at 17 m), range to the same station = ~17 NM. Doubling antenna height adds only ~15 % range — the marginal investment is low. Better to have a 1 m quality antenna properly mounted at the masthead than a 3 m antenna mounted on the stern rail.
Skysat is an authorized distributor for B&G, ICOM, Raymarine, and Navico. This article reflects our VHF equipment experience on over 150 sailboats between 2020 and 2026, in cruising and racing. 2026 HT prices are indicative distributor prices, excluding MMSI registration (free via ANFR) and specific wiring.
