Best Fixed-Mount VHF: Icom M302

With better basic audio and transceiver performance, the Icom M302 surpasses more full-featured competitors in our test of units under $160. Standard Horizon's Quest is a close runner-up, and Raymarine's Ray 48 comes up short.

The Icom 502, shown here, is the larger sibling of the M302, which prevailed in our tests.

VHF marine radios remain the most common and useful communication devices found aboard recreational boats. And for good reasons: They are inexpensive, have no monthly user fees, and can be used for routine voice traffic as well as emergency calls. Plus, with the advent of Digital Selective Calling (DSC) several years ago (see sidebar), limited digital information can now be sent via VHF. Other methods of communicating by voice, via cellular phone, for example, have become popular and do have a place on a boat—just not as the primary communication tool.…