The display itself has as its main readout, a large channel digit showing the current channel. It also has indicators for battery level, transmit, low / high power, channel group( INT / USA), volume and squelch levels. Anyone who uses such a device is required by law to hold a licence. This includes not only boaters but other water-users such as jet-skiers, paddleboarders, kayakers and even anglers. This unit’ s characteristics would seem a great choice for all of the above.
Channel 16( highlighted in blue) is of course, the distress channel and should only ever be used as such. If you are a regular user of specific channels( for instance to keep in touch with another club boat), then a Channel Group may be set up for quick recall. Favourite Channels are particularly useful and the Priority Scan option sequentially searches through these favourites, while also periodically checking in on 16 for good measure.
Unlike some handhelds I’ ve used or owned in the past this one has plenty of volume( 700mW output), very handy on a packed, noisy RIB. If you prefer to use an external speaker / mic then there’ s also the option to connect Icom’ s waterproof HM-213, attaching via the jack located on the top of the unit, adjacent to the bendy antenna.
Various user customisations can be accessed in Set Mode. These include key beep on / off, screen contrast, ECO TX Power, Squelch and Backlight options. If you’ re worried about potentially losing a handheld over the side of the RIB and watching it descend to the bottom of Davy Jone’ s Locker- then don’ t.
The IC-M25 is buoyant, and has‘ light and sound’ alarm to help recover it in case you lose it overboard
Going overboard
The device has IPX7 waterproofing, meaning it’ s been tested to a metre deep for 30 minutes. Not that it will ever reach that depth as it’ s way too buoyant unless physically held there. It’ s all very well having a buoyant radio, but it’ s obviously not easy to spot a small dark object in the water. Don’ t worry, there is a solution.
Float’ n Flash may sound like you’ ve stumbled across a naturist wild swimmer, but it’ s actually the perfect description for Icom’ s clever system for locating a missing VHF.
After all, every club has someone who may inadvertently flip your treasured electronics over the side. But this unit is prepared for such an eventuality. As soon as the IC-M25 hits the water, the LED screen’ s backlight and a bright red LED on the opposite side of the case begin flashing. An audible‘ beep-beep-beep’ emanates
Available in blue trim
loudly at intervals of seven seconds. Once you’ ve retrieved the radio, simply press any key to switch the alarm off and normal service is resumed.
There’ s a chance that water trapped in the speaker grille may subsequently muffle any incoming call, but the grandly-named AquaQuake feature takes care of business. This can be set up to kick-in automatically or manually, by pressing Scan and Hi / Lo keys together. The resultant loud, low frequency vibration clears any retained water.
The spring-operated alligator clip kept the VHF firmly attached to my belt, life-jacket, or collar. If I was unlucky enough to fall overboard it would either be on my person or if dislodged, beeping / flashing close by. Range-wise it appeared to be very much on a par with my fixed transceiver, but its impressive volume left me disgruntled more than ever at my own handheld’ s poor audio performance.
While commercial watercraft are compelled by law to have a fixed VHF radio, the IC-M25 offers an impressive and affordable back-up. For smaller privatelyoperated craft, RIBs or SIBs without a centre console, this compact and lightweight option offers very good performance and at a great price. Neil Hope
The unit is compact and easy to handle
SCUBA SAYS
Icom’ s Float’ n Flash, AquaQuake IC-M25 EVO is a compact, lightweight and exceedingly buoyant marine VHF radio. Its IPX7 waterproofing and overboard alarm system, allied with a 14-hour internal battery life from a single USB charge, makes it a great stand-by or standalone device for boat-users and other watersports.
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