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Standard Horizon HX890 VHF Marine Radio

Editor's Report by Eric Colby

Standard Horizon HX890, floating VHF radio

The Standard Horizon HX890 is submersible, it floats and it has built-in GPS.

The Standard Horizon HX890 is a handheld, floating, 6-watt, Class H, DSC VHF/GPS that has been recently updated. Built-in features include two scrambler systems, a four-code CVS2500A and a 32-code FVP-42 scrambler for secure communications. It also has an FM receiver so you can kick back and enjoy some music.

Other notable features include switchable daytime or nighttime mode, waypoint and route navigation and group monitor function using DSC Group position call. The HX890 has an ergonomically designed case and has been tested to meet Military Standard MIL-STD-810F. It measures 5.43” H x 2.60” W x 1.50” D (13.79 cm x 6.6 cm x 3.81 cm)

The HX890 comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, an alkaline battery tray, a 110-volt wall charger, a 220-volt adapter, a charging cradle, a 12-volt charger and PC programming cable and a belt clip with a lanyard. It’s backed by a three-year warranty.

Standard Horizon HX890 VHF

The HX890 is one of the most versatile handheld VHF marine radios available.

More Details

Taking a closer look, the HX890 is available in navy blue or black  and its 6-watt transmit power out is selectable at 6/2/1-watt ratings. It has a 700mW Loud Audio and Noise Canceling Function for TX and RX audio. Its IPX8 construction makes the radio submersible and it floats. Its Digital Selective Calling (DSC) operates in ITU-R M.493 Class H and its 66-channel WAAS GPS receiver lets HX890 lock in to a position quickly and accurately with position information displayed on the 1.7” x 1.7” (4.32 cm x 4.32 cm) display so the user can share position data using DSC and navigate to waypoints.

The 1800mAh high-capacity Lithium-Ion battery gives the radio an 11-hour operating time. Group Monitor Function uses DSC Group Position Call that permits continuous tracking and position display of up to nine pre-selected vessels with their position displayed on the HX890’s compass screen. A Man Overboard feature adds safety and the radio has a water-activated white strobe light that activates if it is dropped into the water even when the unit is turned off.

Two scrambler systems include 4-code CVS2500A and 32-code FVP-42 and NOAA weather channels include an alert.

Standard Horizon HX890, standard equipment

Shown above are all the accessories that come in the box with the radio.

Specifications:

  • Frequency Range: (Frequency differs in some regions)
    • TX: 156.025 MHz - 161.600 MHz
    • RX: 156.050 MHz - 163.275 MHz (USA / International, Including WX channels)
  • Channel Spacing: 25 kHz
  • Frequency Stability: ±3 ppm (4° F to +140° F [20° C to +60° C])
  • Emission Type: 16K0G3E for Voice, 16K0G2B for DSC
  • Antenna Impedance: 50 Ω
  • Supply Voltage:7.4 Volt DC, Negative Ground (Battery Terminal)
  • Current Consumption:
    • 380 mA (Receive)
    • 130 mA (Standby, GPS On)
    • 110 mA (Standby, GPS Off)
    • 1.6 Amp / 1.0 Amp / 0.7 Amp
    • (TX: 6 Watt (5 Watt)* / 2 Watt / 1 Watt)
  • Operating Temperature: 4° F to +140° F (20° C to +60° C)
  • DSC Individual Directory: Store up to 100 Identities
  • DSC Group Directory: Store up to 30 Groups
  • DSC Format: ITU-R M.493-14
  • NMEA Output: DSC, DSE, GLL, GGA, GSA, GSV, and RMC
  • Case Size (W x H x D): 2.60" x 5.43" x 1.50" (66 mm x 138 mm x 38 mm) (w/o knob & antenna)
  • Weight: 10.94 oz (310 g) (Including: SBR-13LI, hand strap, belt clip & antenna) *(5 W TX required in Some Countries)
  • TRANSMITTER
    • RF Power Output:
      • 6 Watt (5 W)* (HIGH)
      • 2 Watt (MEDIUM)
      • 1 Watt (LOW) (@7.4V)
    • Modulation Type: Variable Reactance
    • Maximum Deviation:: ±5 kHz
    • Spurious Emission: Less than 0.25 μW
    • Microphone Impedance: 2 kΩ *(5 W TX required in Some Countries) 104
  • RECEIVER (for Voice and DSC)
    • Circuit Type: Double-Conversion Superheterodyne
    • Intermediate Frequencies:
      • Voice 1st: 38.85 MHz 2nd: 450 kHz
      • DSC 1st: 30.4 MHz 2nd: 450 kHz
    • Sensitivity:
      • Voice: 0.25 μV for 12 dB SINAD (U.S.A.)
        • -5 dBμ for 20 dB SINAD (EXP)
      • DSC: 0.5 μV for 12 dB SINAD (U.S.A.)
        • 0 dBμ for 20 dB SINAD (EXP)
    • Adjacent Channel Selectivity: 70 dB typical
    • Intermodulation: 70 dB typical
    • Hum & Noise Ratio: 45 dB typical
    • Selectivity: 12 kHz / 25 kHz (6 dB / 60 dB)
    • AF Output (Internal SP): 700 mW @16 Ω for 10 % THD (@7.4 V)
  • GPS
    • Receiver Channels: 66 Channels
    • Sensitivity: Less than 147 dBm
    • Time to First Fix: 1 min typical (@Cold Start) 5 sec typical (@Hot Start)
    • Geodetic Datum: WGS84
  • FM BROADCAST RECEIVER
    • Frequency Range: 65 MHz - 108 MHz
    • Frequency Step: 100 kHz
    • Sensitivity: 1.0 μV for 12 dB SINAD