The Raymarine 49 is a newly redesigned entry level marine VHF radio from marine electronics giant Raymarine.
Additional functions on the Ray 49 are operated by going into menus and then making choices with the channel rotary knob.
Raymarine 49
Some commonly used VHF menu choices are local/distant receiver setting, picking the channel group, switching transmitter power, and setting a scan mode.
The system configuration menu controls functions like display backlighting and contrast, key beep, and speed unit selection.
The standard microphone has push buttons to control channel selection, scan, transmitter power, local/distant receive sensitivity, and quick 16 or 9 selection.
Performance
We found transmitter power output and frequency accuracy to be stable throughout our range of tests, both earned good ratings.
The receiver selectivity specification is a very good 70 dB. Audio output was a bit weak only measuring 85 dBA in our audio output testing.
The Raymarine 49 has a smallish 1.8 inches wide by 1.2 inches high display screen. Icons, channel numbers, and four rows of data can be displayed.
Channel numbers are listed with an alpha character when appropriate in large block-style numbers on the right side of the screen. Time and position can be displayed onscreen when the radio is connected to a GPS unit. We rated the display screen good.
Operation
Raymarine provides one-button control of a few functions on the model 49 including: toggling between weather and voice channels, making a quick channel 16 or 9 selection, selecting Dual or Tri-Watch, and selecting various menus.
The unit is turned on or off with the volume control knob. Squelch and channel selection each have rotary knob control too.
A low battery message appears onscreen when input power drops below 12.2 volts. Increasing the voltage back above 12.5 turned off the warning.
This Raymarine marine VHF can scan channels using Dual Watch, Tri-Watch, all channels, and saved channels. All scanning modes and choices are made in the VHF operations menu.
Dual Watch scans channel 16 and another selected channel. Tri-Watch adds a third channel to the scan. The save channel option in the menu adds a channel to memory.
Digital Selective Calling
The Ray 49 is designated a Class D radio for DSC operations. Class D means the radio sports two separate receivers, one for voice communications, and a second to monitor channel 70 for any DSC calls. Before you can make a distress or any other type of DSC call the MMSI number must be programmed into the radio. The Ray 49 has a phonebook that will store up to 31 MMSI numbers and with 10 character names. This radio will transmit and receive distress, individual, all ships, and group calls as well as transmit and receive position data.
Final Thoughts
It carries a 3-year warranty and is waterproof to IPX7 standards meaning it can withstand submersion to a meter for 30 minutes.