The essentials in 30 seconds
- Fixed VHF mandatory: any sailboat venturing beyond sheltered waters (≥ 2 NM from shore) must have a fixed VHF with ASN/DSC + GPS + registered MMSI. This is the regulatory requirement under French Division 240.
- Handheld VHF as backup: not mandatory but essential offshore (backup + use in tender/liferaft). The ICOM IC-M94DE (€374) with GPS + AIS-RX + DSC is the reference unit.
- AIS Class B 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 Class B SOTDMA with integrated GPS (B&G V60-B + GPS-500 = €1,154 ex-VAT) + handheld AIS-RX VHF. 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 handheld is our standard. Total budget ~ €1,530 ex-VAT.
The marine VHF is the #1 communication device. Ahead of satellite phones, ahead of coastal 4G, ahead of EPIRBs. It is the only channel that lets you speak directly to another vessel, a coastguard station, or a CROSS, and triggers a coordinated response within the European SAR chain.
This article distinguishes the two forms (fixed vs handheld), explains AIS classes (A vs B vs B-SOTDMA), presents the brands stocked at Skysat, and provides a workshop verdict by program. For distress beacons (EPIRB / PLB / MOB), see EPIRB vs PLB vs AIS MOB — how to choose your distress beacon.
French legal framework — Division 240 and VHF requirements
French Division 240 requires, for sailboats ≤ 24 m:
- Sheltered waters (≤ 2 NM from shore): no VHF required (extremely rare case).
- Coastal category (2-6 NM): fixed VHF with ASN (DSC) highly 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 number (Maritime Mobile Service Identity) is free via ANFR and takes 10 minutes to register online. Without a registered MMSI, ASN/DSC is useless — you can call, but no one knows who is calling.
Fixed VHF — functions and brands stocked
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 can see others and they can see you. This is the right compromise for most 30-50 ft cruising sailboats venturing offshore.
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 mounted below deck and requires an external GPS antenna at the cockpit for reliable reception. This is our workshop standard for refits on 35+ ft sailboats.
Handheld VHF — backup and tender/liferaft use
A handheld 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 man-overboard situation where the fixed unit is no longer operational.
- Tender/liferaft communication: in the tender while anchored, or in the liferaft in case of abandon-ship.
- Crew-to-shore communication: harbor master, coastguard station, or another crew ashore.
ICOM IC-M94DE — the 2026 handheld reference
The ICOM IC-M94DE (€374) is our workshop reference for handheld VHFs. It includes internal GPS, ASN/DSC, AIS-RX, and IPX8 waterproofing (floats). Practical battery life is 10-12 h in standby + 1 h of transmission. This is the handheld VHF we install on all our 2026 offshore refits.
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 SOLAS commercial vessels. Output 12.5 W, latency 2-10 seconds depending on speed. Not applicable to pleasure craft (unless you own a mega-yacht > 300 GT).
Class B CSTDMA — entry-level for pleasure craft
The historic pleasure-craft standard. Output 2 W, latency 30 seconds in busy traffic zones (channel access competition with Class A vessels). Your vessel is visible, but its position updates slowly.
Class B SOTDMA — the 2026 premium upgrade
New standard since 2018, widely deployed since 2022. Output 5 W, guaranteed latency 5 seconds, 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 are seen 2× farther away.
Upgrade cost from B to B-SOTDMA: ~ €150-200 ex-VAT 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 ex-VAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Handheld | RX only | Yes | IPX8 (floats) | €374 |
Workshop verdict by program
Coastal cruising (≤ 6 NM)
Minimum regulatory requirement: fixed VHF with ASN, e.g., B&G V60 (€723). AIS-TX is not essential (you can see others, but being seen is not critical locally). Total: ~ €800 ex-VAT installed.
Offshore cruising (6-60 NM)
Recommended: fixed VHF with Class B AIS = B&G V60-B (€1,049) + handheld VHF ICOM IC-M94DE (€374). You are visible to ferries, cargo ships, and other sailboats. Total: ~ €1,530 ex-VAT.
Transatlantic / oceanic (> 60 NM)
Fixed VHF with Class B AIS and external GPS = B&G V60-B + GPS-500 (€1,154) + 2 handheld ICOMs (one per crew member + 1 in the liferaft). Total: ~ €2,000 ex-VAT.
Offshore racing
Class B SOTDMA AIS mandatory (upgrade ~ €200 if base model is CSTDMA). One IPX8 waterproof handheld VHF per crew member (3-4 units). Total: ~ €2,500-3,000 ex-VAT.
5 common installation errors observed
VHF errors — seen at the Skysat workshop
- MMSI not registered. The VHF is installed, wired, configured — but the MMSI was never registered with ANFR. ASN/DSC works technically, but no SAR center can identify you. Error 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. On an 18 m 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 an ASN call. Always keep the internal GPS active as a backup.
- Not testing ASN annually. The ASN test call (channel 70) should be performed at least once per year, ideally before each season. Without testing, you may discover on the day that the function does not work. Procedure: VHF menu → ASN test → select channel 70 → send. Expected response: visual confirmation + acknowledgment from CROSS in some cases.
FAQ — VHF + AIS in practice
Do you need a license to use a marine VHF?
Yes, the SRC (Short Range Certificate) is mandatory in France for full operation. ANFR exam, €80 ex-VAT, valid for life. For listening only (no transmission), no license is required. In practice, as soon as you transmit even a call to the harbor master, the SRC is mandatory.
Practical range of a sailboat VHF vs a cargo ship?
VHF range follows the Norton formula: range NM ≈ 1.22 × (√h_tx_antenna + √h_rx_antenna). Sailboat with 15 m mast (antenna at 17 m) → cargo ship with 30 m mast (antenna at 35 m) → practical range 12 NM. Sailboat to sailboat (two 17 m antennas) → 10 NM. Sailboat to coastguard station (antenna at 80 m) → 16 NM. This is more than sufficient for most coastal situations.
AIS via smartphone 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 distress and calling voice 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 areas because it does not require voice monitoring by other vessels — the DSC receiver activates automatically upon reception. In practice, send DSC on channel 70 AND voice call 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 = pleasure craft and fishing vessels. All modern fixed VHFs for pleasure craft (B&G V60-B, ICOM IC-M93, Raymarine Ray73) are Class D DSC. This is the pleasure-craft standard; do not buy Class A for pleasure use — it is more expensive and complex without any benefit.
Handheld VHF: waterproof or submersible?
"Waterproof" can range from IPX4 (splash-resistant) to IPX8 (submersible). For a sailboat VHF, aim for at least IPX7 (30 min immersion at 1 m) and ideally IPX8 with floatation (e.g., ICOM IC-M94DE floats). A VHF that falls overboard 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 coastguard station (antenna at 80 m) is ~15 NM. For a 15 m sailboat (antenna at 17 m), range to the same station is ~17 NM. Doubling antenna height only adds ~15 % range — the marginal investment is low. Better to have a 1 m high-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 experience equipping over 150 sailboats between 2020 and 2026, in cruising and racing. 2026 ex-VAT prices are indicative of authorized distributor rates, excluding MMSI registration (free via ANFR) and specific wiring.
