The Standard Horizon GX1500S Quest X is a mid-level competitor in the Standard Horizon marine VHF radio line up that sports the largest display screen in its class.
The GX1500S can connect to an optional CMP25 RAM+ remote microphone or VH-310 handset. When connected to one of these remotes the radio will provide intercom service.
Standard Horizon GX1500S
Several scanning options, screen backlight adjustment of brightness and contrast, weather alert on or off, time location and offset, as well as several other functions are accomplished by entering the radio setup menu.
A low battery warning message appears onscreen when input power drops below 11.4 volts. Increasing the voltage back above 12.4 turns the warning off.
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 75 dB. Audio output was very good hitting 90 dBA in our audio output testing.
This radio is waterproof to IPX7 standards meaning it would survive submersion to a meter for 30 minutes. The GX1500S will not transmit if input voltage falls below 11.8 volts.
The GX1500S has huge screen for a radio in its mid-level price range. The right side of the display shows channel numbers in large block-style numbers with alpha indicated for the appropriate channels.
The left portion of the screen uses dot matrix technology to form a four row data information display. Channel comments and scan status are shown for every channel.
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When the radio is connected to a GPS unit time, speed, course, and latitude and longitude are shown without any scrolling. You toggle navigation data on or off with the H/L key.
The upper portion of the display is reserved for icons showing frequency group, transmitter power, transmit or receive icons, and satellite GPS reception. We rated the display screen excellent.
Operation
A rotary knob serves as a pushbutton on/off switch and volume control, a second knob sets the squelch level and a third larger one serves as the channel selector.
Dedicated pushbuttons on the radio front panel serve to toggle between the last selected channel and 16 or 9, toggle between the last voice and weather channel, and change transmitter power from low to high.
A single button push will also handle dual watch, turn navigation data on or off, and initiate a DSC call. Channel selection and quick 16 or 9 selection can also be made with microphone controls.
Dual Watch scanning mode monitors channel 16 and another selected channel with a single press of the DW key. Memory and Priority scanning are available after the desired channels have been placed in memory.
Memory scan looks at all channels in memory in numerical order from lowest to highest. Priority scan inserts a look at channel 16 between each memory channel.
Digital Selective Calling
The GX1500S is a class D radio for DSC operations. This means it has two separate receivers, one for voice communications and the second continuously monitoring channel 70 for any DSC calls. This radio will transmit and receive distress, individual, all ships, group calls and send and receive position data. A DSC directory will store names and their associated MMSI numbers.
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Final Thoughts
In our opinion, good performance, a huge display screen, and easy operation make this Standard Horizon fixed mount radio a great buy. This marine VHF radio carries a 3-year warranty.