Why a vessel needs more than its GMDSS set
A vessel's GMDSS VHF, covered extensively elsewhere in this catalogue, exists for distress and safety communication and is not the right tool for routine crew coordination, deck-to-bridge chatter during a haul, dockside communication with shore staff, or general operational traffic that has nothing to do with an emergency. Entel's UHF handheld range, the DX482M, DX485M, HT782M and HT783M, fills this separate, complementary role.
DX482M and DX485M: DMR/analog crew handhelds
The DX482M offers 16 channels with DMR digital and analog capability, IP68 waterproofing and up to 24 hours of digital-mode battery life on a working shift. The DX485M steps up to 99 channels within the same general build quality and battery endurance, suiting a larger crew or a vessel needing more distinct channel separation between departments, deck, bridge, engine room, than the DX482M's 16 channels comfortably support.
HT782M and HT783M: higher channel capacity, lower power
The HT782M and HT783M both offer up to 255 channels on the LCD-equipped model, 2 W output and IP68 waterproofing with 17.5 hours of battery life, positioning them at a higher channel capacity than the DX-series but a lower output power, suiting vessels or operations prioritising extensive channel organisation over raw transmit range, such as a larger vessel with many distinct work areas needing their own channel rather than maximum individual radio range.
Why UHF, not VHF, for this role
Unlike the vessel's VHF distress and safety equipment, crew and dockside communication radios in this range operate on UHF, which suits the closer-range, often structure-obstructed communication typical of moving around a vessel's superstructure, below decks, or between the vessel and a nearby dock office, where UHF's better penetration through structure, covered in more depth in this catalogue's land mobile range article, is a genuine practical advantage over VHF.
Licensing consideration
These are licensed land mobile-style UHF radios, not GMDSS maritime equipment, and fall under the WPC licensing framework covered in more depth in this catalogue's land mobile regulatory content, a separate licensing consideration from the vessel's Ship Radio Station Licence covering its GMDSS fit. Confirm the licensing requirement for this equipment separately rather than assuming it falls under the vessel's existing maritime radio licence.
Choosing within the range
- Smaller crew, straightforward channel needs: the DX482M's 16 channels are generally sufficient.
- Larger crew or vessel needing more department-level channel separation: the DX485M's 99 channels.
- Operation prioritising extensive channel organisation over maximum transmit range: the HT782M or HT783M's 255-channel capacity.
ASPL supplies Entel's full crew and dockside UHF range alongside its GMDSS marine equipment, and can help specify a complementary crew radio fit-out for a fishing vessel or commercial fleet already covered for GMDSS compliance.