Why are IP radios valuable for commercial fishermen?

Commercial fishermen require secure, private communication that traditional VHF marine radios cannot provide since those broadcast openly. Icom's IP radios allow discreet one-to-one or group communication, protecting sensitive information such as fishing locations from competitors.

How do Icom's IP radios compare in cost and range to traditional marine communication systems?

Icom's IP radios deliver long-range, global connectivity at a significantly lower cost than satellite phone systems. They leverage existing IP and cellular networks, making them an affordable yet powerful solution for crews operating far offshore.

What was the context in which these IP radios were showcased?

The radios were highlighted at the 2024 Pacific Marine Expo, a major trade event for the commercial and recreational marine industry. Rick Waedekin and Harold Whittlesy discussed the technology's growing adoption and its potential to transform communication in the commercial fishing sector.

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Icom’s IP Radios Fill Critical Gaps in Privacy, Range, and Cost for Commercial Fishermen

At the 2024 Pacific Marine Expo, Icom's West Coast Sales Rep Rick Waedekin and Harold Whittlesy of Satellite Technical Services discussed how Icom's IP radios address longstanding communication challenges for commercial fishermen. The technology provides private, long-range, and low-cost connectivity that traditional marine radios cannot match. Industry insiders described it as a game-changer for a sector historically limited in its communication tools.

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By Pro Av · July 11, 2025, 8:56 PM UTCAdvanced Radio TechnologiesCommercial Fishing SectorHarold WhittlesyIcom

Key takeaways

Icom's IP radios enable discreet one-to-one and group communication without open broadcasting, addressing privacy needs for commercial fishermen.

The technology delivers global, long-range connectivity at a low cost, filling a significant gap in the commercial marine communications market.

IP radios offer a flexible modern alternative to traditional marine comms, allowing crews to communicate broadly without sacrificing privacy or security.

The 2024 Pacific Marine Expo served as a platform for exploring how advanced radio technologies are supporting specialized industries. Secure and far-reaching communication remains a critical need for the commercial fishing sector. Rick Waedekin, the President of Coast Marine Marketing and Icom’s West Coast Sales Rep, spoke with Harold Whittlesy of Satellite Technical Services about the growing excitement around Icom’s IP radios. Whittlesy highlighted the technology’s value for commercial fishermen who require discreet, one-to-one or group communication without broadcasting openly. He described the radios as filling a major void in the market by delivering long-range, global connectivity at a low cost. The IP radios also give crews a flexible, modern alternative to traditional marine comms, enabling broader communication without compromising privacy. Whittlesy called it a game-changer for a sector that has long operated with limited tools.

Video TranscriptExpand ↓

Alright. Good morning, everybody. We're in the ICON booth, and we're chatting with Harold Whittlesea from STS. He's one of our customers here in the Seattle area that sells into the commercial fishing market. Harold, good morning. How do you do, sir? Good. Good. Hey. I wanted to chat with you a little bit about the new ICOM IP radios that you're excited about. Why don't you tell us why? I see a a very big void in the market that will be filled by an inexpensive, long range communication capability. And I think that that ICOM has hit one out of the park here. Oh, I love it. I love it. So, you know, the need for a push to talk device that can go one to many or one to one, that's what we're really talking about here. Correct? Correct. I love it. I love it, Harold. So tell me about your market and where you think they'd use it. Well, commercial fishermen, as much as anything else, love privacy. They love to be able to tell one buddy or two buddies what they're doing, but not broadcast it openly. This allows them to do things that they're used to doing at a very inexpensive cost. And further, it allows them the capability to expand well beyond the boundaries that they've been used to. This becomes a worldwide capability where currently they don't have that. No. I love it. I love it. Well, we're excited about it as well. We're glad that you're excited about it. We thank you for all you do for us, and let's go sell some radios, Harold. I'm waiting to get my demos, and let's immerse ourselves.