Why is AIS compatibility important for marine radios?

AIS (Automatic Identification System) compatibility allows vessels to broadcast and receive location data, significantly improving situational awareness and safety on the water. Industry professionals at the show noted that AIS-compatible radios have become a standard requirement for customers prioritizing safety at sea.

Who are the key partners and dealers carrying Icom products?

Fisheries Supply and Emerald Harbor Marine are among the established dealers that have carried Icom products for over two decades. Harbor Marine also stocks Icom radios and actively recommends them to customers seeking premium, safety-focused marine communication equipment.

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Professional AV

Icom at the Helm: Navigating Success at the Seattle Boat Show 2024

Q: What makes Icom radios stand out at the Seattle Boat Show 2024?

Icom radios were highlighted for their superior sound quality, long-lasting batteries, and advanced safety features such as AIS compatibility and distress identification. Dealers and enthusiasts with decades of experience consistently ranked Icom above competitors on reliability and innovation.

At the Seattle Boat Show 2024, Icom America showcased its latest marine communication technology, drawing praise from dealers, retailers, and enthusiasts for its reliability, sound quality, and safety features. Key industry voices highlighted AIS compatibility, long battery life, and distress identification as differentiators that make Icom radios essential tools on the water. The event reinforced Icom's longstanding reputation as a trusted leader in maritime communications.

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By Pro Av · March 5, 2024, 7:46 AM UTCDave SimquezDavid FarberEmerald Harbor MarineFisheries Supply

Key takeaways

Icom America demonstrated its marine radio lineup at the Seattle Boat Show 2024, emphasizing safety features like AIS compatibility and distress identification.

Dealers and customers with over two decades of experience cited Icom's reliability, long battery life, and clear sound quality as key reasons for brand loyalty.

AIS-compatible radios have become a standard customer requirement, with Icom recognized as the premium choice for safety-conscious mariners.

In the bustling atmosphere of the Seattle Boat Show 2024, Icom America showcased its latest advancements in marine communication technology, capturing the attention of enthusiasts and professionals alike. Project Lead Maureen Blomgren led the charge, engaging with key figures in the marine industry to discuss the unparalleled reliability and features of Icom radios.

Dave Simquez, an avid ham radio enthusiast and owner of several Icom radios, praised the brand for its superior sound quality and indispensable repeat feature, especially useful in marine rescues. His testimony underscored the brand's contribution to safety and communication on the waters.

His testimony underscored the brand's contribution to safety and communication on the waters.

David Farber from Fisheries Supply highlighted Icom products' reliability and customer satisfaction over two decades, emphasizing the long-lasting batteries and clear sound quality that set Icom apart from competitors.

Lauren Bivens of Harbor Marine pointed to Icom's premium status and leadership in innovative features, particularly advocating for AIS-compatible radios, which have become a staple requirement for her customers seeking safety and reliability on the sea.

AIS-compatible radios, which have become a staple requirement for her customers seeking safety and reliability on the sea.

Larry Schildwatcher from Emerald Harbor Marine echoed the sentiment of quality and reliability, focusing on safety features like distress identification and AIS, which inspire confidence among users and ensure that Icom radios are not just tools but lifelines in critical situations.

The Seattle Boat Show 2024 was a testament to Icom's enduring legacy and commitment to excellence in marine communication, solidifying its position as a trusted name among maritime professionals and enthusiasts.

Video TranscriptExpand ↓

So we're here to the day The Seattle Boat Show. Dave Simquez Yes, ma'am. Is talking with us today about I Come radios. Why I come Well, I I own a lot of radios, and, I believe that icons are the best radios. I'm a general class ham, and, I have a seventy three hundred. I have a three seven zero five. I have several handhelds on my boat. I have the six zero five on my yacht. That is my favorite, Rayo. The icon has the best sound, and I like the little repeat feature. We've been involved with the Apple marine rescues, where I've had to listen to the radio, again, I seem in quite handy. It's just a good radio. I think zero five was the best one. I believe you guys won an award. I do have the the huge antennas on my boat, and I get out quite well. First, I guess, being a ham radio person, I'm just into radios and antenna. Can I ask what your call sign is? KG seven UWX. What grain radios today are you looking at? Today, I was looking at the ninety four D because, I live in Mexico. I want to know what that big yacht is out there. And this is a AIS receiver. And, I'm trying to find out, and and finding out more about the radio. I believe that, I could then we're we're in a place where there are no land based stations, and we can't get marine traffic. And I think if I have this on my deck, looking out there, I'd be able to see whose yacht that is going by. How long have you been repping, or selling icon products? Over twenty years though. And why icon? I like that, the product is quality. You always know the customers are not gonna have issues with an icon radio when they leave the store. They last a really long time. So the portables have really reliable batteries. Mean, it's nice working with an office that's local. What do your customers tell you about using icon? They And when they get a new boat, they like having eye come because they could always rely on it on their old boat, and they, never had to worry about it. So they know that their next radios should always be an icon. What features do you think are really important, or that they seem to enjoy the most? Probably the clear sound. One nice thing on the icon is they have clear speakers, clear microphones, so you can definitely hear the communication better than some of the other brands. What about the DSC teacher? What's the DSC teacher advice? Of course. Yeah. It's, it's good to have especially in the MD ninety four portable. It's really nice to have that, in in a portable radio too. Why I Tom? Waley, it's always been considered a premium product, and we're proud of course, the representative and sell it here at the Seattle boat show. And what features do you recommend to your customers about icons? Well, first of all, I guess the the main thing is the stability of the brand held how it holds up and everything over time. And then there always been a leader in the features, you know, especially we're pushing people towards using the, AIS, compatible radios, and that's where we're we're at right now. The DSO is probably more prevalent than anything that people just yeah. I mean, that's just a common thing. Yeah. I didn't think about it anymore. That's what people want. Does anyone ask you about our healers or any other functions that we might have? Well, not as much as the radios. The radios are really the solid part of the line, but, of course, they're a good add on accessory. And and in the larger boats, people do need those when they're trying to come and import. Right? Again, we're pretty proud to be represented here at the show, and, hopefully you'll come see us. Why I come? These are quality, these are performance, reliability, but great brand recognition. Of all the features, the features that I come radio is to have. One of the features that you think are are some of your favorite. All the safety related features. Safety related as in distress or distress, identification, AIS, all the features that you have added over the years, or, give our clients and it's a product that inspires confidence. I liked all wine. I mean, I I never have an agenda with a client. I always try to seek what is the best for their project. Yeah. And I like to pair the handhelds with the with the full product line. I love using the remote mics. I like the, command mics, then I like putting a package together that suits each individual yacht owner's needs.