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The
modern high-end VHF is highly digital and multifunctional, as handsomely
illustrated in Icom’s M602. First off, the 602 is a Class D Digital
Selective Calling (DSC) radio, meaning that it has a second receiver that
is constantly monitoring DSC distress and hailing channel 70, even while
you’re on another channel. Note that the U.S. Coast Guard is not
yet officially standing watch on 70, but did just ink a $600-million contract
to totally rebuild its communications system, and many ships are listening.
The
602 has a keypad for rapid channel selection and DSC operations and a
22-watt hailer/fog
horn and can support two full-function remote CommandMics, either of which
can intercom back to the base unit. Interestingly, the 602 can output
DSC caller position data in a NMEA format that Icom is willing to share
with any plotter or PC charting developer interested in displaying such
locations; let’s hope (and ask) that they all enable this useful
feature. The 602’s suggested list price is $900, and its four- by
eight-inch face matches Icom’s 802 digital SSB radio, which just
won the NMEA Product of the Year award.
Icom
America Phone: (425) 454-8155. www.icomamerica.com.
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