Garmin Signal VHF 400 Marine VHF Radio with Built-in AIS Transponder
The Garmin Signal VHF 400 is an advanced fixed-mount marine communication system combining a
25-watt VHF radio, Class D Digital Selective Calling and a
5-watt Class B SOTDMA AIS transponder in one compact unit.
Designed around a bright 3.5-inch color touchscreen, the VHF 400 gives boaters direct access to VHF, DSC and AIS
functions without filling the helm with separate equipment. Adaptive noise cancellation, automated squelch,
three-minute VHF audio playback and advanced watch modes help make everyday radio communication clearer and easier
to manage.
- 25-watt marine VHF radio with high- and low-power transmit settings
- Built-in 5-watt Class B SOTDMA AIS transponder for transmitting and receiving AIS vessel data
- Class D DSC with dedicated distress controls and AIS target calling
- 3.5-inch color capacitive touchscreen with a bright 1,000-nit IPS display
- Adaptive noise cancellation reduces wind, wave and engine noise
- VHF audio playback records up to three minutes of received radio traffic
- NMEA 2000 and Garmin BlueNet networking for system integration
- Built-in Wi-Fi for ActiveCaptain app configuration and software updates
- Supports up to five Garmin Signal RM 100 remote stations
- Single VHF antenna installation for VHF, DSC and AIS operation
Next-Generation Garmin VHF and AIS
The Garmin Signal VHF 400 succeeds the discontinued Garmin VHF 215 AIS with a completely redesigned interface and
significantly expanded communication and networking capabilities. It is built for modern Garmin-equipped vessels
that need integrated VHF, DSC and AIS operation at the main helm, flybridge or secondary control station.
The compact head unit features edge-to-edge glass and can be installed using either a traditional flush-mount
configuration or a premium flat-mount finish. The included fist microphone has its own powerful 5-watt speaker and
may be mounted separately from the head unit for a cleaner and more flexible helm layout.
Built-in 5-Watt SOTDMA AIS Transponder
The integrated Class B SOTDMA AIS transponder transmits your vessel information at up to 5 watts while receiving
AIS targets from other equipped vessels. The touchscreen AIS plotter displays nearby vessel range, course, speed
and crossing information to help improve situational awareness.
AIS collision and man-overboard alarms provide additional warning of developing situations. When an AIS target
needs to be contacted, the VHF 400 allows you to select the vessel from the AIS plotter and initiate an individual
DSC call directly from the touchscreen.
- Class B SOTDMA AIS
- 5-watt AIS transmit power
- Dual-channel AIS reception
- AIS target plotting and vessel details
- AIS collision and MOB alarms
- Long-range AIS position report support using Message 27
- Direct DSC calling of selected AIS targets
- AIS stealth mode when transmission needs to be disabled
Clearer, Easier VHF Communication
Adaptive noise cancellation uses advanced processing to reduce background wind, wave and engine noise, helping
transmitted voice audio remain clear in demanding marine environments.
Automated squelch continuously monitors radio activity and suppresses unwanted static while still allowing manual
fine-tuning. If part of a transmission is missed, the radio can replay received audio from any channel for up to
three minutes.
- 25-watt and 1-watt VHF transmit settings
- Adaptive background noise cancellation
- Automated and manually adjustable squelch
- Up to three minutes of VHF audio recording and playback
- Dual-watch, tri-watch and preset-channel watch modes
- NOAA weather channels, weather watch and weather alerts
- External speaker support
- Loudhailer output with listen-back capability
- Intercom communication between networked stations
Intuitive Class D DSC
A dedicated distress button can transmit a DSC distress alert containing the vessel’s identification and position
information. The touchscreen interface also simplifies individual DSC calls, position requests and communication
with nearby AIS-equipped vessels.
The integrated multiconstellation GNSS receiver supplies position information directly to both the DSC radio and
AIS transponder. An internal GNSS antenna is built into the head unit, and an SMA connection is available for an
optional external GNSS antenna when the mounting location does not provide a clear view of the sky.
Touchscreen Control and Garmin Networking
The 3.5-inch, 640 x 480-pixel IPS touchscreen provides clear access to radio channels, DSC controls, AIS targets,
audio playback and system settings. Physical controls for channel selection, channel 16 and distress operation
remain available beside the touchscreen.
NMEA 2000 connectivity allows the VHF 400 to exchange position, AIS and DSC data with compatible chartplotters and
marine electronics. Garmin BlueNet networking provides deeper integration with compatible Garmin systems and
supports up to five optional Garmin Signal RM 100 remote stations.
- NMEA 2000 data networking
- Garmin BlueNet and Garmin Marine Network integration
- Support for up to five RM 100 remote stations
- Full VHF, DSC and AIS control from networked stations
- Intercom between the head unit and remote stations
- Built-in Wi-Fi access point
- ActiveCaptain smartphone app compatibility
- Over-the-air software updates
- Night-vision display mode
Simple Single-Antenna Installation
The VHF radio, DSC receiver and AIS transponder operate through a single external VHF antenna, eliminating the need
for a second AIS antenna or a separate external antenna splitter. For best AIS performance, Garmin recommends a
marine VHF antenna that is well tuned near 162 MHz.
The radio includes a 2-meter NMEA 2000 drop cable for connection to an existing powered NMEA 2000 backbone. The VHF
400 requires its own 9.6- to 32-volt DC power connection and is not powered through the NMEA 2000 network.
An external VHF antenna is required and is sold separately. View Milltech Marine’s available
marine VHF and AIS antennas.
Typical Applications
- Offshore cruising and passagemaking vessels
- Powerboats and sailboats requiring integrated VHF and AIS
- Flybridge and multi-helm installations
- Garmin BlueNet-equipped navigation systems
- Refits replacing the Garmin VHF 210 or VHF 215 series
- Vessels requiring remote radio control and onboard intercom
- Commercial, patrol and professional marine installations
Top Specifications – Garmin Signal VHF 400
- Garmin part number: 010-02951-00
- VHF radio: 25-watt/1-watt fixed-mount marine VHF
- DSC: Class D Digital Selective Calling
- AIS class: Class B SOTDMA
- AIS transmit power: 5 watts
- AIS Message 27: Supported
- VHF/AIS frequency range: 156.025–162.025 MHz
- VHF/AIS antenna connection: SO-239, 50 ohms
- Maximum antenna gain: 6 dBi
- Display: 3.5-inch color IPS capacitive touchscreen
- Display resolution: 640 x 480 pixels
- Display brightness: 1,000 nits
- GNSS: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou
- GNSS update rate: 10 Hz
- GNSS differential support: SBAS and AIS Message 17
- Internal GNSS antenna: Yes
- External GNSS connection: SMA
- Networking: NMEA 2000 and Garmin BlueNet
- Wireless connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
- Remote station support: Up to five Garmin Signal RM 100 stations
- Operating voltage: 9.6–32 VDC
- Head-unit current draw at 12 VDC: 700 mA typical, 6 A maximum
- Fist-mic current draw at 12 VDC: 90 mA typical, 0.9 A maximum
- Operating temperature: -20°C to 55°C (-4°F to 131°F)
- Head-unit water rating: IEC 60529 IPX6 and IPX7
- Fist-mic water rating: IEC 60529 IPX7
- Head-unit dimensions: 6.3" W x 3.0" H x 4.1" D
- Fist-mic dimensions: 2.4" W x 3.9" H x 1.2" D
- Head-unit weight: 1.45 lbs. (655 g)
- Fist-mic weight: 0.54 lbs. (245 g)
What’s in the Box
- Garmin Signal VHF 400 head unit
- Fist microphone with built-in 5-watt speaker
- Sun cover
- 2-meter head-unit power and external-audio cable with fuse
- 2-meter fist-microphone power cable with fuse
- 2-meter NMEA 2000 drop cable
- Mounting hardware
- Mounting template
- Documentation
Not included: External VHF antenna, NMEA 2000 backbone components and Garmin BlueNet network
cable.
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