The Standard Horizon GX2360S Quantum is a brawny marine VHF radio with a large, 9.1 inch by 3.5 inch front panel. Three hefty rotary knobs control volume, squelch, and channel selection.
Fully one-third of the faceplate is used for the speaker box; this obviously plays a role in the high audio ratings. The Quantum 2360 connects to as many as two remote microphones and can be used with an optional voice scrambler.
 Standard Horizon GX2360S |
Microphone controls allow you to change channels and quick select 16 or 9.
Performance
Testing at or near the top in all categories the Standard Horizon GX2360S proved itself a worthy radio to have aboard.
We found transmitter power output to be stable throughout our range of tests while frequency accuracy hardly varied and earned an excellent rating. Receiver sensitivity was also rated excellent. Receiver selectivity on the 2360 is rated at greater than 70 dB. Audio output was a powerful 96 dBA.
With the largest screen of any VHF radio in its class the Standard Horizon 2360 displays channel numbers in large block letters with customizable channel comments alongside. Time and position, frequency group, transmitter power, and transmit/receive icons are also shown. Backlighting has 7 levels of brightness and 7 levels of contrast. We rated the display screen excellent.
Operation
Other functions on this Standard Horizon marine VHF are controlled via 10 pushbuttons. A single button push can select channel 16 or 9, switch to weather channel selection, change transmitter power, or bring up the hailer/foghorn menu. In addition to the quick 16/9 channel selection a user can designate up to two other channels for one button priority selection via the A/B key. Pressing and holding the H/L key displays current time and position data if GPS data is being input to the radio.
Dual Watch scanning is initiated by selecting a channel to scan in addition to channel 16 and then pressing the DW key. Memory and Priority scanning is available after the desired channels are placed in memory. Selecting the channel then pressing the MEM key locks the channel into memory. Memory scan looks at all channels in memory in numerical order from lowest to highest. Priority scan inserts a look at channel 16 and channel 70 (the digital calling channel) between each memory channel.
Digital Selective Calling
DSC calling capability with the 2360 is extensive, this radio will send and receive distress, individual, all ships, group, and send and receive position data, it only lacks the ability to receive geographical and transmit and receive polling calls. Individual and group directories contain the MMSI numbers of other vessels you wish to call. Up to 30 numbers can be stored with names a maximum of 11 characters long.
Odds and Ends
Once the hailer/foghorn menu is selected with the PA/FOG key a user can choose to operate the 30-watt hailer or go the automatic fog signal menu and pick the appropriate foghorn pattern for use. Sound patterns can be selected for powerboat underway, powerboat underway not making way, sailing vessel underway, vessel under tow, vessel aground, and vessel at anchor. A horn and siren sound is also available. Foghorn tone is adjustable from 250 to 850 Hz. We found the hailer/foghorn easy to use and able to produce more than adequate volume.
Final Thoughts
The Quantum GX2360S is waterproof and carries a 3-year warranty. Excellent overall performance, a long list of features, and a reasonable price make it a best buy.