Icom brought new VHF radio and AIS transponder to Southampton

Icom UK Ltd exhibited at Southampton International Boat Show 2026, where the company displayed its new IC-M430E fixed VHF radio and MA-600TRBB Class B+ AIS transponder on its trailer, stand A58. Before the show, Ian Lockyer, Marketing Manager at Icom UK Ltd commented:

Designed for modern wheelhouses where space is limited, the IC-M430E has an ultra-slim design with 50% less depth than previous Icom models, according to ICOM. It features a colour TFT LCD with Light, Dark and Night display modes, switchable at the press of a button, along with backlit keys for use in low light.

The radio has a built-in GNSS receiver with an internal antenna, and an optional UX-241 external antenna is available for installations where satellite reception is restricted, such as an enclosed wheelhouse or cabin. It connects via NMEA 2000 and NMEA 0183 for data sharing with onboard electronics, and supports full dual-station operation through the optional HM-195 series CommandMic, with cable extensions of up to 18.3 metres and intercom functionality between stations, which Icom says suits vessels needing a second helm position.

For safety, the IC-M430E delivers 25W of transmit power with built-in Class D DSC for distress alerting and direct calling. The unit’s compact 202 x 82 x 52.6mm chassis and MFD-style flush mounting, which conceals hardware behind snap-on side covers, suit console installations and hardtop side pods. The radio also carries an IPX7 waterproof rating, good for one metre of depth for 30 minutes, and includes an AquaQuake function to clear water from the speaker grille.

The MA-600TRBB is a Class B+ AIS transponder in a black box format, with no display of its own. It uses SOTDMA technology with 5W of transmit power, and includes a Silent Mode that pauses AIS transmission via a remote on/off switch. A built-in antenna splitter allows it to share a single VHF aerial with a marine radio, and the unit is compatible with Icom’s IC-M510E EVO radio, allowing Silent Mode and Long Range functions to be controlled, and AIS information checked, directly from the radio.

The transponder includes built-in NMEA 2000 and NMEA 0183-HS connectivity to display received AIS targets on compatible equipment, a supplied GNSS antenna supporting GPS, GLONASS and Galileo, a USB Type-C port for setup and data output, and an IPX7 waterproof rating. Icom describes the MA-600TRBB as pre-release information at this stage, with features and specifications subject to change, and states the device has not yet been approved for sale or lease in individual countries.