ICOM GM1600E GMDSS Marine Portable VHF Pack

ICOM GM1600E Portable VHF Pack: Safety and GMDSS Compliance

The ICOM GM1600E portable VHF pack is a survival radio communication device designed to meet the strictest maritime safety standards. Specifically developed for emergency situations and liferafts, this VHF complies with GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) requirements and holds the MED "Wheel Mark" certification, making it suitable for equipping commercial and recreational vessels subject to SOLAS regulations. It meets IMO A.809(19), A.694(17), and IEC 61097-12 standards, ensuring full regulatory compliance.

Robust design for extreme environments

Built to survive, the GM1600E meets temperature requirements (operating from -20°C to +55°C), thermal shock, vibration resistance, and drop resistance from a height of 1 meter. Its high-visibility yellow housing ensures quick location in emergencies. Waterproofing is certified to IPX7, guaranteeing flawless operation even after 30 minutes of immersion at 1 meter depth. A "Speed water removal" system quickly drains water from the speaker to maintain clear and intelligible audio quality, essential in critical conditions. Large ergonomic buttons allow easy use, even with gloves.

Dual power supply for infallible reliability

This pack stands out with its dual power supply for enhanced versatility and security. It includes a non-rechargeable, sealed lithium BP-234 battery, providing over 8 hours of autonomy even at -20°C, in compliance with GMDSS requirements. For regular use, testing, or training, a rechargeable Li-Ion BP-252 battery with its charger is also supplied, preserving the emergency battery for real-life situations. This redundancy is an essential safety guarantee for survival equipment.

Technical performance and specifications

The GM1600E VHF operates on marine frequencies from 156.300 to 156.875 MHz with a switchable transmit power of 2 W or 1 W. Its compact dimensions (65 × 145 × 44 mm) and weight of 385 g (with BP-234 battery) make it easy to handle and store. The double-conversion superheterodyne receiver ensures excellent selectivity (70 dB) and sensitivity of 0.25 μV. The 0.2 W audio power guarantees audible communication in noisy environments. Unlike standard portable VHFs, the GM1600E is exclusively dedicated to survival communication, without additional functions such as GPS or AIS, to focus on its primary mission: absolute reliability in distress situations.