The Icom M302 is an entry level fixed mount VHF radio with basic features and good overall performance.
This fixed mount VHF needs little panel space. The front panel footprint measures just 6-inches wide and 2.5-inches high.
Icom M302
Microphone control capability provides for changing radio channels, quick selecting 16 or 9, and changing transmitter output power from high to low.
Performance
Exceptional performance has been the hallmark of Icom radios for many years and the M302 holds up that tradition well.
It produce superior results in our performance testing. Transmitter output power and frequency varied little throughout our full battery of tests earning excellent ratings for both. After we compared input power measurement to transmitter output it was clear that Icom has the most efficient transmitter in the industry. In addition to an excellent rating for receive sensitivity the Icom ranks with the best in selectivity at 70 dB. Audio output ranked this radio at the top too. We rated audio quality excellent and measured output at 92 dBA.
We rated the display on this Icom excellent even though it is a bit smaller than some other comparable marine VHF radios. It does have good backlighting with 3 levels of adjustment, the ability to display Alpha channels when selected, and both transmit and receive icons.
Operation
The M302 can listen for incoming signals on channel 16 while monitoring other channels via Dualwatch and Tri-watch. Scanning several channels at once is accomplished via normal or priority scanning. Normal looks at each channel in numerical order while priority checks channel 16 between each channel. To further enhance scanning, channels can be tagged to be included in a scan or not tagged to be omitted.
Selecting channel 16 or 9 is accomplished with a pushbutton on the radio face. This button can also be reprogrammed to quick call another channel in place of channel 9. Channel comments can be reprogrammed to user comments as well.
Digital Selective Calling
For a relatively inexpensive radio the Icom M302 has extensive DSC capabilities. They include the capacity to make distress, individual, all ships, group, position request, position send, and geographical calls.
Final Thoughts
Excellent transmitter, receiver, and audio performance coupled with full DSC capabilities make this Icom a top rated pick for any marine electronics shopper.