What is the Standard Horizon GX6000 Quantum?
The Standard Horizon GX6000 Quantum is Standard Horizon's flagship 25-watt fixed-mount marine VHF radio. It has a dual-channel AIS receiver with its own antenna jack, so you keep receiving AIS targets even while you're transmitting. Add NMEA 2000, Class D DSC, CPA/TCPA collision alarms, and an 80 dB commercial-grade receiver.
It also packs a dual-zone 25-watt PA/loud hailer with fog signals, a 2-minute receive voice recorder, two scramblers, and support for two wired RAM4 mics or one RAM4 plus four wireless mics. It's IPX8 submersible. GPS comes from your NMEA 2000 network, a chartplotter, or the optional SCU-31 antenna.
At a glance
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Product Page by Kristin Wood, a two-way radio consultant @ Tech Wholesale | Last Updated: October 2026
Technical Specifications
What's Included
- Standard Horizon GX6000 Quantum radio
- Noise-canceling speaker microphone with channel up/down, H/L, and 16/S keys
- DC power cord
- Mounting bracket and hardware
- Ferrite cores for the power and speaker cables
- USB cable (USB-A to micro-B)
- DSC warning sticker
- Owner's manual
Note: Two VHF antennas (voice and AIS), coax cable, hailer horns, a GPS source, an NMEA 2000 drop cable, and the MMB-84 flush-mount bracket are sold separately.
GX6000 Quantum Key Features
AIS & collision avoidance
Dual-channel AIS with its own antenna
A separate AIS antenna jack means the radio keeps receiving AIS targets even while you're transmitting — you never lose sight of traffic mid-call.
CPA & TCPA alarms
Set a Closest Point of Approach or Time to CPA, and the radio warns you when an AIS ship is on course to get too close.
DSC call an AIS ship
Select an AIS target on screen and call it directly with DSC — no need to look up its MMSI.
AIS SART display
Shows AIS search-and-rescue transmitters so you can locate a person or life raft broadcasting a SART signal.
Receiver & audio
80 dB commercial-grade receiver
Rejects interference from nearby transmitters in busy harbors and marinas. A Local/Distance attenuator lets you tame strong close-in signals.
2-minute voice recorder
Missed part of a call? Play back up to two minutes of received audio — useful for catching a Coast Guard broadcast or a position you didn't write down.
Noise canceling, both directions
ClearVoice noise reduction cleans up both what you send and what you hear.
Two voice scramblers
32-code (FVP-42 compatible) and 4-code (CVS2500A compatible) scramblers for private conversations with compatible radios.
Hailer & second stations
Dual-zone 25W PA/loud hailer
Two separate horn outputs — hail forward and aft, or foredeck and flybridge. Listen back turns the horns into microphones so you can hear replies.
Fog signals, horn & siren
Pre-programmed fog signals sound automatically through your hailer horns, with manual horn and siren modes too.
Up to five second stations
Connect two wired RAM4 mics, or one RAM4 plus up to four wireless mics through the SCU-30. Every station controls the full radio, and they can intercom with each other.
Front or rear mic connection
Plug the supplied mic into the front, or move it to the rear connector and extend it 20 feet with the MEK-4 kit for a cleaner helm.
DSC, navigation & networking
Class D DSC
Hold the red DISTRESS key to send a digital MAYDAY with your position from your connected GPS. A separate receiver keeps watching channel 70 at all times.
Waypoints, routes & MOB
Store up to 250 waypoints, build routes, follow the compass page, and mark a man-overboard position with one soft key.
NMEA 2000 built in
Supports PGNs for navigation, GPS, AIS, and DSC — share AIS targets with your plotter and pull GPS from the network.
NMEA 0183 & 0183-HS
Wire up older plotters for GPS and DSC at 4800 baud, with a dedicated high-speed AIS output at 38400 baud.
Controls & durability
Oversized rotary channel knob
Spin to change channels or scroll menus, push to enter — easy to use with wet or gloved hands.
E2O Easy-to-Operate menu
Plain-language menus and three programmable soft keys keep advanced features easy to reach.
MODE/STATUS indicator
A color LED shows at a glance whether the AIS board is working and receiving.
IPX8 submersible
Rated for 5 feet (1.5 meters) of water for 30 minutes with the USB data jack capped.
Compatible Accessories for the Standard Horizon GX6000
Second-Station Microphones
SSM-70H — RAM4 Wired Remote Access Microphone
A full-function second station for the flybridge, cockpit, or cabin. Connect up to two. Controls every radio, DSC, AIS, and hailer function and works as an intercom.
SSM-71H — RAM4W Wireless Remote Access Microphone
A wireless second station you can carry anywhere on board. Connect up to four through the SCU-30.
SCU-30 — Wireless Access Point
Plugs into the RAM-1 connector and links up to four wireless mics.
CT-100 — 23 ft Extension Cable
Extends the RAM4 cable run to reach a second station farther from the radio.
MEK-4 — 20 ft Microphone Extension Kit
Moves the supplied mic to the rear connector and extends it up to 20 feet.
GPS
SCU-31 — External GPS Antenna
A GPS antenna with 49 feet of cable that plugs into the radio's GPS connector. Use it if you don't have GPS on NMEA 2000 or 0183 — it also enables the GPS logger.
Hailer Horns & Speakers
220SW — 5" Round 30-Watt Hail/PA Horn
A compact hailer horn. Use one, or two for dual-zone hailing.
240SW — 5" × 8" Rectangular 40-Watt Hail/PA Horn
A larger horn for more volume over engine and wind noise.
MLS-300 — External Loudspeaker
Puts radio audio where you can hear it over the engine.
Mounting
MMB-84 — Flush-Mount Bracket
Mounts the radio flush in your dash. You'll need at least 6.7" of depth behind the panel.
Who Is This Radio For?
The GX6000 is for boats that want the most capable VHF Standard Horizon makes — and have the electronics to match.
1. Larger Cruisers and Yachts With NMEA 2000
Plug it into your backbone and it shares AIS targets and DSC positions with your plotter while pulling GPS from the network. No separate GPS antenna needed.
2. Boats That Run Through Heavy Traffic
With its own AIS antenna, the GX6000 never stops tracking ships while you talk. CPA alarms and the 80 dB receiver make it a strong fit for shipping lanes and crowded harbors.
3. Multi-Station Boats
Flybridge, cockpit, salon, and crew on deck — with up to five second stations and intercom, everyone can reach the radio and each other.
4. Commercial and Charter Operators
Dual-zone hailing, fog signals, a voice recorder, and two scramblers cover what working boats need from a single radio.
Important: Marine VHF radios can only be used on the water. The FCC does not allow marine VHF transmissions on land. If you need radios for a job site, warehouse, or building, see our Find My Radio tool for business radio options.
How Does the GX6000 Compare to Similar Radios?
| Standard Horizon GX6000 | Standard Horizon GX2410GPS | Standard Horizon GX1410G | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Power | 25W | 25W | 25W |
| AIS Receiver | Yes, separate AIS antenna | Yes, shares VHF antenna | No |
| Built-in GPS | No (N2K, 0183, or SCU-31) | Yes | Yes |
| NMEA 2000 | Yes | Yes | No |
| PA/Loud Hailer | 25W, dual zone | 30W, single zone | No |
| Second Stations | Up to 5 | Up to 4 | No |
| Voice Recorder | Yes, 2 minutes | No | No |
| Flush-Mount Depth | 6.7" | 6.2" | 4.72" |
| Best For | Flagship helm on networked boats | Full-featured helm with built-in GPS | Compact DSC with GPS |
GX6000 vs. GX2410GPS
Both have AIS, NMEA 2000, a hailer, and second-station support. The GX6000 adds a separate AIS antenna (so AIS never drops out while you talk), dual-zone hailing, a voice recorder, a Local/Distance attenuator, and support for an extra wired station. The GX2410GPS has a built-in GPS, which the GX6000 doesn't. If your boat already has GPS on NMEA 2000, the GX6000 is the step up. If you need GPS in the radio, go GX2410GPS.
GX6000 vs. GX1410 Eclipse
The GX1410 is a compact, affordable DSC radio. The GX6000 is a full helm hub with AIS, hailer, networking, and multiple stations. If you just need dependable DSC, the GX1410 is plenty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the GX6000 have a built-in GPS?
No. The GX6000 gets your position from a GPS on your NMEA 2000 network, a chartplotter over NMEA 0183, or the optional SCU-31 external GPS antenna.
You'll want one of those connected so DSC distress calls include your position and the AIS CPA alarms know where you are. If you want GPS built into the radio, look at the GX2410GPS.
Do I need two antennas?
Yes. Standard Horizon says the GX6000 requires two separate marine VHF antennas — one for voice and one for AIS. That's what lets it keep receiving AIS while you're transmitting.
Does the GX6000 transmit my position on AIS?
No. It has an AIS receiver, so it shows other vessels but doesn't broadcast your boat. To be seen by other ships on AIS, you need a separate AIS transponder.
How far away can it see AIS ships?
AIS range is line of sight and depends on antenna height. Standard Horizon says Class A ships 20 to 30 miles away are not uncommon on open water. Class B vessels transmit at lower power, so expect 5 to 10 miles.
How many second stations can I add?
Up to five. You can connect two wired SSM-70H (RAM4) mics, or one wired RAM4 plus up to four wireless RAM4W mics through the SCU-30 wireless access point. All stations can control the radio and intercom with each other.
Do I need an MMSI number?
Yes, to use DSC. Distress alerts and other DSC calls only work after you program your 9-digit MMSI.
Recreational boaters in U.S. waters can get a free MMSI from BoatUS or Sea Tow. Boats traveling internationally need one from the FCC. Enter it carefully — changing it later requires a reset from Standard Horizon.
How do I install it?
Mount it with the included bracket or flush with the MMB-84 (you'll need at least 6.7" of depth). Connect the red wire to 13.8 VDC and the black to ground, then connect your voice antenna and AIS antenna with PL-259 connectors, each at least 3 feet from the radio and from passengers.
Snap the supplied ferrite cores onto the power and speaker cables near the radio to prevent interference. Standard Horizon recommends having a marine technician check power output and antenna SWR after installation.
Do I need a license?
Not for most recreational boaters in U.S. waters. The FCC no longer requires a ship station license for vessels that aren't required to carry a radio. You may need one if you travel internationally or boat in Canadian waters.
Why Buy the Standard Horizon GX6000 from Tech Wholesale?
- 3-year waterproof warranty — Standard Horizon's full coverage, handled through us.
- 30-day returns — Not the right fit? Send it back.
- Lifetime tech support — Real people answering your questions since 1997.