Icom M73 Handheld VHF Marine Radio - 6W, IPX8 Submersible, AquaQuake, 700mW Loud Audio

Reliable Handheld VHF with Powerful Performance

The Icom M73 handheld VHF marine radio delivers dependable communication with 6 watts of transmit power, IPX8 Submersible Plus™ waterproofing, and Icom's innovative AquaQuake™ water-draining technology. With a slim ergonomic design, 700mW loud audio, and exceptional battery life, the M73 provides reliable vessel-to-vessel and vessel-to-shore communication for recreational boaters. USCG compliant and FCC Part 80 certified for safe, legal operation on U.S. waterways. Free shipping included.

Key Features

• 6W RF Output Power: Maximum 6 watts transmit power with selectable Hi/Mid/Low settings (6W/3W/1W) provides extended communication range for reliable contact. High-capacity BP-245H lithium-ion battery delivers up to 20 hours of operation under typical 5:5:90 duty cycle conditions.
• IPX8 Submersible Plus™ Waterproofing: Exceeds IPX8 standards with rigorous testing to 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) submersion for 30 minutes. Built to military specifications (MIL-STD-810G) for extreme marine conditions including salt fog, temperature shock, rain, humidity, vibration, and shock resistance.
• AquaQuake™ Water Draining: Icom's innovative water-draining technology uses vibration to clear water droplets from the speaker grille, preventing audio degradation and ensuring consistent, clear sound quality immediately after submersion or heavy spray exposure.
• 700mW Loud Audio: BTL (bridge-tied load) amplifier delivers exceptionally loud 700mW audio output through the internal speaker. Hear transmissions clearly even in noisy cockpit environments, high winds, or with engine noise present.
• Slim Hourglass Ergonomic Design: Stylish, comfortable grip fits naturally in hand for extended use without fatigue. Rugged construction with intuitive button layout and wide viewing angle LCD provides bright, easy-to-read characters in direct sunlight or low-light conditions.
• Extended Battery Life: The efficient power management system combined with the high-capacity BP-245H battery provides approximately 20 hours of operation under normal conditions, ensuring all-day reliability on the water.
• Dual/Tri-Watch Function: Monitor Channel 16 (emergency/hailing) and your call channel simultaneously, plus weather channels for maximum situational awareness and safety.
• All Marine VHF Channels Pre-Programmed: Ready to use out of the box with INT, USA, CAN, and WX (Weather) channels pre-programmed. No frequency programming required.

Technical Specifications

• Frequency Range: Tx: 156.025–157.425 MHz | Rx: 156.050–163.275 MHz
• Channels: INT, USA, CAN, WX (Weather) channels - all pre-programmed
• Power Output: 6W (High), 3W (Mid), 1W (Low) selectable
• Waterproof Rating: IPX8 (1.5m depth for 30 minutes)
• Audio Output: 700mW (internal speaker), 350mW (external speaker) at 10% distortion
• Battery Life: Approximately 20 hours with BP-245H (5:5:90 duty cycle)
• Current Drain: 1.5A (transmit at 6W), 450mA (receive with internal speaker)
• Sensitivity: 0.22 µV typical (at 12dB SINAD)
• Dimensions: 52.5 x 125 x 30 mm (2.0 x 4.9 x 1.2 inches) without projections
• Weight: 320g (11.3 oz) with BP-245H battery, FA-S64V antenna, and MB-103 belt clip
• Operating Temperature: -20°C to +60°C (-4°F to +140°F)
• Antenna Impedance: 50Ω
• Type of Emission: 16K0G3E (FM)
• Certifications: FCC Part 80, MIL-STD-810G, IPX8, USCG approved

AquaQuake™ Technology

The M73 features Icom's exclusive AquaQuake™ water-draining system, a technology that sets Icom apart from other marine VHF manufacturers. After submersion or exposure to heavy spray, water can accumulate in the speaker grille, causing muffled or distorted audio. AquaQuake™ uses controlled vibration to rapidly clear water droplets from the speaker, restoring full audio clarity within seconds. This ensures you can hear critical communications clearly, even immediately after the radio has been exposed to water.

Military-Grade Durability

Built to withstand the harshest marine environments, the M73 meets or exceeds MIL-STD-810G military specifications across multiple test categories including low pressure, high/low temperature, temperature shock, solar radiation, rain, humidity, salt fog, dust, immersion, vibration, and shock. The IPX8 Submersible Plus™ rating means the radio will continue operating after being dropped overboard and retrieved from 1.5 meters underwater for 30 minutes. The rugged construction and sealed design ensure long-term reliability even with daily exposure to saltwater, sun, and rough handling.

Operational Features

• Dual/Tri-Watch Function: Monitor Channel 16 (emergency/hailing) and your call channel simultaneously, plus weather channels for maximum situational awareness
• Favorite Channel Function: Program quick access to your most-used channels for instant selection
• Tag Scan Function: Scan only tagged channels of interest, skipping irrelevant frequencies
• 4-Level Battery Indicator: Always know remaining power at a glance on the LCD display
• Auto Power Save: Extends battery life during standby periods without compromising receive capability
• Wide Viewing Angle LCD: High-intensity backlit display remains readable in bright sunlight or darkness
• Channel 16/C Button: Instant one-touch access to emergency hailing channel
• H/L Power Button: Quick transmit power selection for battery conservation or maximum range
• Weather Channels: All NOAA weather channels (WX1-WX10) pre-programmed for instant weather updates
• Scan Function: Automatically scan channels to monitor multiple frequencies for activity

User-Friendly Design

The M73's slim hourglass body fits comfortably in hand, making it easy to operate with one hand while managing boat controls or lines. The ergonomic design reduces hand fatigue during extended use. Large, clearly labeled buttons are easy to operate even while wearing gloves. The wide viewing angle LCD with high-intensity backlighting ensures the display is readable from any angle in all lighting conditions, from bright sunlight to darkness. Intuitive menu navigation and straightforward controls make the M73 easy to use, even for first-time VHF radio operators.

Compatibility & Expandability

The M73 works seamlessly with Icom's comprehensive accessory lineup. Optional waterproof speaker-microphones include the HM-167 (IPX8 rugged) and HM-202 (IPX7 compact) for remote operation convenience. Multiple charging options include the supplied BC-210 rapid desktop charger (3-hour charge time), BC-123S standard charger, BC-197 multi-charger for fleet operations (charges up to 6 batteries), and the supplied CP-25H cigarette lighter cable for 12V DC charging aboard your vessel. Choose from FA-S59V (150mm) or FA-S64V (115mm) antennas and multiple belt attachment styles including alligator clips, swivel clips, and belt hangers.

What's Included

• Icom M73 VHF Marine Transceiver
• BP-245H Lithium-Ion Battery Pack (7.2V, 2100mAh min/2250mAh typ)
• BC-210 Rapid Desktop Charger (3-hour charge time)
• BC-123SA/SE AC Adapter (varies by version)
• CP-25H Cigarette Lighter Cable for 12V DC charging
• MB-103 Alligator-Style Belt Clip
• FA-S59V or FA-S64V Antenna (varies by version)
• Hand Strap
• Owner's Manual
• Free Shipping

Ideal For

The Icom M73 is perfect for recreational boaters, weekend sailors, powerboaters, fishing enthusiasts, and casual water sports operators who need reliable handheld VHF communication. Its compact size makes it ideal for smaller vessels, center consoles, bowriders, fishing boats, pontoon boats, sailing dinghies, and as a dependable backup radio on larger boats. The combination of 6W power, exceptional battery life, AquaQuake™ technology, and military-grade durability makes it an excellent value for boaters who want proven Icom quality and reliability without premium features like noise cancelling or voice recording.

Why Choose the M73?

The M73 represents the core of what makes Icom marine radios trusted worldwide: reliable performance, rugged construction, and thoughtful design. With 6W of power, 20-hour battery life, IPX8 waterproofing, AquaQuake™ water draining, and loud 700mW audio, the M73 provides everything recreational boaters need for safe, effective marine communication. For boaters who want professional-grade audio features like Active Noise Cancelling, Voice Recording, and Bass Boost, consider upgrading to the M73 PLUS.

About Icom

Icom Incorporated has been a global leader in marine communication since 1954. With over 70 years of innovation in radio technology, Icom is renowned for engineering excellence, rugged reliability, and cutting-edge features like AquaQuake™. Trusted by recreational boaters, professional mariners, coast guards, and marine industries worldwide, Icom radios are built to perform in the most demanding conditions.