The essentials in 30 seconds
- Fixed VHF mandatory: any sailboat leaving 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.
- Portable VHF as backup: not mandatory but essential offshore (backup + use in tender/raft). The ICOM IC-M94DE (€374) with GPS + AIS-RX + DSC is the reference unit.
- Class B SOTDMA AIS: 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 AIS + integrated GPS (B&G V60-B + GPS-500 = €1,154 ex-VAT) + portable VHF 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 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 portable), explains AIS classes (A vs B vs B-SOTDMA), presents the brands carried by Skysat, and gives a workshop verdict by program. For 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
French Division 240 requires, for sailboats ≤ 24 m:
- Sheltered waters (≤ 2 NM from shore): no VHF required (exceptionally rare).
- 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 from ANFR.
- Offshore category (> 60 NM): fixed VHF with ASN + internal GPS + AIS-RX mandatory + 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 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 can see others and they can 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 when the VHF is 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.
Portable VHF — backup and tender/raft use
A portable VHF is not mandatory but becomes essential once 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/raft communication: in the dinghy while anchored, or in the liferaft in case of abandonment.
- Crew-to-shore communication: harbor master, coastguard station, other crew members ashore.
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 standby battery life is 10–12 h + 1 h of transmission. This is the portable 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 (except mega-yachts > 300 GT).
Class B CSTDMA — entry-level pleasure craft
The historic pleasure-craft standard. Output 2 W, latency 30 seconds in busy traffic (channel access contention 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 5-second 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 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 | Portable | 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 you don’t need to be seen locally). Total: ~ €800 ex-VAT 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 are visible to ferries, cargo ships, and other sailboats. Total: ~ €1,530 ex-VAT.
Transatlantic / oceanic (> 60 NM)
Fixed VHF with Class B AIS + external GPS = B&G V60-B + GPS-500 (€1,154) + 2 portable 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). IPX8 waterproof portable VHF per crew member (3–4 units). Total: ~ €2,500–3,000 ex-VAT.
5 common installation errors
VHF errors — observed at 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 out of 3 installations during check-ups. Registration is free, online, and takes 10 minutes.
- VHF antenna poorly positioned. On a sailboat, the VHF antenna must be at the masthead (maximum range). If 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 guide to VHF antenna positioning on sailboats.
- 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. Use waterproof connectors.
- Disable internal GPS and rely on external GPS via NMEA 2000. It works on paper. In practice, if the NMEA 2000 network fails, the VHF loses its GPS and cannot transmit a position in an ASN/DSC call. Always keep the internal GPS active as a backup.
- Fail to test ASN annually. The ASN test call (channel 70) must be performed at least once per year, ideally before each season. Without testing, you may 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 I need a license to use a marine VHF?
Yes, the CRR (Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Certificate) is required in France to transmit. 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 CRR 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 17 m mast (antenna at 17 m) → cargo ship with 35 m antenna → practical range 12 NM. Sailboat to sailboat (two 17 m antennas) → 10 NM. Sailboat to coastguard station (80 m antenna) → 16 NM. This is more than sufficient 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 distress and calling channel. This is where you say "MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY" in an emergency. Channel 70 (156.525 MHz) = ASN/DSC digital channel = automated digital call. More effective in noisy areas because it doesn’t require voice monitoring by other vessels — the DSC receiver alerts automatically. In practice, send DSC on channel 70 AND voice call on channel 16 = double safety.
Do I 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 pleasure-craft VHFs (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’s more expensive and complex with no added benefit.
Portable VHF: waterproof or submersible?
"Waterproof" can mean IPX4 (splash-resistant) up to IPX8 (submersible). For a sailboat VHF, aim for IPX7 minimum (30 min immersion at 1 m depth) and ideally IPX8 with floatation (e.g. ICOM IC-M94DE floats). A VHF that sinks without floating costs €374–800. 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 (antenna at 12 m), range to a coastguard station (80 m antenna) is ~15 NM. For a 15 m sailboat (17 m antenna), 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, for cruising and racing. 2026 ex-VAT prices are indicative of authorized distributor rates, excluding MMSI registration (free via ANFR) and specific wiring.
