E
ICOM
M605
VHF RADIO
A diff erence you can see
PHOTOS: (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) COURTESY ICOM AMERICA INC., JIM HENDRICKS, CRAIG HASHIMOTOThis M605 features one of
the largest (and the only color)
display on a VHF. A 4.3-inch
color TFT LCD provides
nearly a 180-degree viewing
angle with high-resolution
characters. A night-mode
screen offers easy viewing in
the dark. This radio received
the National Marine Man-
ufacturers Association’s
Product of Excellence award
in the marine VHF category at
the 2017 NMEA Show.
With an IPX8 waterproof
rating, the M605 includes
a GPS receiver and is also
available with an integrated
Today’s microprocessors enable the downsizing
of marine electronics, but elements like screens
and touch pads prove easier to use when they’re
big. Th at’s the philosophy behind Icom’s new
feature-packed M602 Class D DSC marine VHF
transceiver.
AIS receiver. NMEA 2000
compatibility lets you output
the M605’s AIS data to a
third-party chart plotter.
We had a chance to sea-test
the M605 AIS model on a
recent trip to Santa Catalina
Island off the coast of South-
ern California and enjoyed
the audio clarity and volume
provided by the large internal
waterproof speaker. AIS tar-
gets were easy to track on the
oversize display. The keypad
and on-screen soft keys of-
fered a user interface that was
a cinch to learn.
A feature called Last CallRecording automatically
recalls the last two minutes of
an incoming call for playback
to confirm voice informa-
tion. A 30-watt loud hailer
and automatic foghorn are
also built into the M605. Add
an optional horn speaker to
utilize these functions.
This VHF measures
10.8 inches wide by 4.8 inches
deep by 4.5 inches tall, mak-
ing it one the larger models on
the market today, thus best
suited for boats with plenty
of space for electronics. On
cabin boats, you can mount
the M605 in an area below
and connect Icom’s optional
remote CommandMic at
up to three other stations
($929.95 with AIS, thegps
store.com).
To see a video of our field
test of the Icom M605, visit
boatingmag.com/icom-m605.By Jim HendricksHOW CAN I SEND
AND RECEIVE
EMAILS OR TEXTS
WHEN I AM ON
THE BOAT AND
AWAY FROM THE
DOCK?ASK KEN ONLINE
For more exclusive
electronics content, visit
boatingmag.com/askken.Four-way ratchet-style VHF antenna mounts haven’t changed
much in the past 40 years, but Glomex seems to have created a
better mousetrap with its Glomeasy stainless-steel mount.
Instead of a ratcheting lever, this mount uses spring-loaded
cam action. Lift up on the cam arm to loosen and swing the
antenna where you want it, and snap the arm down to secure
the antenna in the desired position. You can adjust side angle
using the bolt at the base of the mount.
An antenna cable can be run up through the base of the mount,
or you can lay the cable in the slot in the standard 1-inch thread
mount. The latter negates the need to remove factory-installed
connectors. The four-bolt footprint matches that on most of the
popular antenna mounts, making retrofi ts an easy proposition
($68.95, waveinn.com).
To watch a video on how the Glomex mount works, visit
boatingmag.com/glomex-antenna-mount.One way is to maximize
your Wi-Fi and cellular
reach by linking your mobile
device with specialized
range extenders from
companies such as Digital
Antenna, Aigean Networks,
Shakespeare, Wave WiFi
and WeBoost.
You can also use satellite
messengers such as the ACR
406 Link, which lets you use
your ACR EPIRB or PLB
to send short pre-written
messages (e.g., “I’m here”
or “I’m OK”) along with your
position to family or friends.
Another satellite messen-
ger is the Garmin InReach
Explorer+, which offers
two-way texting, forwards
tracking information, and
can show your position on
free downloadable National
Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration charts to
recipients. Optional weather
forecasts are available.
The SPOT Gen3 can
deliver emails and position
reports via the internet and
SMS to a computer or cell-
phone. You can also save a
track of your trip for future
reference.
Each satellite device
above requires an annual
subscription and has an
emergency SOS Mayday
function. —Ken EnglertGLOMEX
ANTENNA
MOUNT