ICOM IC-M85E handheld VHF

The ICOM IC-M85E is a portable VHF transceiver designed for hybrid marine and land professional use. Its main features include:

A compact and lightweight design (56 × 92 × 36.2 mm, 281 g).Robustness certified to IP67 (water and dust resistant) and compliant with military standards MIL-STD-810-G.A hybrid capability covering international marine VHF channels and the PMR frequency band (136-174 MHz).Adjustable transmit power up to 5 W.Integrated emergency functions such as MOB alarm, Man Down, and Lone Worker.

Yes, the ICOM IC-M85E is specifically designed as a hybrid radio for versatile use. It covers both international marine VHF channels and the PMR (Private Mobile Radio) frequency band from 136.000 to 174.000 MHz, making it ideal for professional marine and land environments.

The ICOM IC-M85E is a very compact and lightweight device. Its dimensions are 56 × 92 × 36.2 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions and with the BP-294 battery. Its weight is approximately 281 g, including the BP-294 battery, FA-SC58V antenna, and MBB-3 belt clip.

Yes, the ICOM IC-M85E is certified with an IP67 protection rating. This means it is fully protected against dust and can withstand immersion in water up to 1 meter deep for a maximum of 30 minutes.

The ICOM IC-M85E meets the U.S. military MIL-STD-810-G specifications. This certification confirms its robustness under extreme conditions, including shocks (method 516.6), vibrations (method 514.6), low and high temperatures (methods 502.5 and 501.5), thermal shock (method 503.5), humidity (method 507.5), rain (method 506.5), salt fog (method 509.5), and dust (method 510.5).

The operating temperature range of the ICOM IC-M85E varies by version:

For EUR, UK, FRG, and HOL versions: -25 °C to +55 °C. For the AUS version: -10 °C to +55 °C.

The ICOM IC-M85E covers the following frequency bands:

For marine channels:Transmit (Tx): 156.000-161.450 MHzReceive (Rx): 156.300-162.025 MHzFor PMR (Private Mobile Radio) channels:Transmit & Receive (Tx/Rx): 136.000-174.000 MHz

Yes, the ICOM IC-M85E can operate on the PMR (Private Mobile Radio) frequency band from 136.000 to 174.000 MHz. It is possible to program specific PMR channels on the device for private communications.

The ICOM IC-M85E allows programming up to 100 PMR channels. Each channel can be configured with a spacing of 25/12.5 kHz and is compatible with CTCSS and DTCS tones for secure communications.

The IC-M85E's transmitter output power is adjustable. It can be set to 5 W, 3 W, or 1 W, providing flexibility based on communication needs and battery life.

Yes, the ICOM IC-M85E is equipped with three emergency functions for user safety:

MOB (Man Over Board) alarm: to signal a man overboard.Fall detection (Man Down): detects if the user has fallen or is immobile.Lone Worker function: ensures the safety of an isolated worker.Activating any of these functions automatically triggers an emergency alarm.

The audio output power of the ICOM IC-M85E is 700 mW typical. This power is available for both the internal speaker (with a 12 Ω load at 1 kHz and 10 % distortion) and an external speaker (with an 8 Ω load at 1 kHz and 10 % distortion).

The ICOM IC-M85E operates on a nominal 7.2 V DC power input. It is typically powered by a dedicated rechargeable battery, such as the BP-294 listed in its weight specifications.

Yes, the ICOM IC-M85E allows connection of external audio accessories. The radio is equipped with an external speaker output and features connectors, including a 14-pin multi-pin connector, a 3.5 mm jack, and a 2.5 mm jack, for connecting an external speaker or microphone.

For PMR frequencies, the ICOM IC-M85E supports a channel spacing of 25 kHz or 12.5 kHz. This flexibility allows compatibility with different private mobile radio communication systems.

Installing the battery and antenna on the ICOM IC-M85E is straightforward:

Battery: The battery (e.g., model BP-294) is typically mounted at the rear of the radio unit. It is designed to snap into or screw into its dedicated compartment.Antenna: The antenna (e.g., model FA-SC58V) screws onto the antenna connector located on the top of the device, turning clockwise until firmly secured.

The auto-check function of the ICOM IC-M85E is an integrated diagnostic tool. It allows you to monitor two key parameters:

The internal temperature of the device.The battery voltage, including overvoltage detection to protect the device.

Yes, the ICOM IC-M85E supports CTCSS (Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System) and DTCS (Digital Tone-Coded Squelch System) tones for PMR channels. These tones are essential for filtering out unwanted communications and ensuring private conversations within a specific group of users.

The ICOM IC-M85E is compatible with several channel groups:

International marine channels (INT).USA marine channels (availability may vary depending on the device version).Up to 100 programmable PMR (Private Mobile Radio) channels for land use.

Yes, the ICOM IC-M85E is designed to be highly resistant to shocks and vibrations. Its compliance with MIL-STD-810-G military specifications includes rigorous testing for shock resistance (method 516.6) and vibration resistance (method 514.6), ensuring durability in demanding professional environments.