What is the Standard Horizon HX210?
The Standard Horizon HX210 is a 6-watt, floating, handheld marine VHF radio built for boaters, paddlers, and anyone who needs a dependable radio on the water. It carries all USA, International, and Canadian marine channels, NOAA weather with weather alert, and even an FM broadcast receiver for music and local news.
It's IPX7 submersible, floats face-up if it goes overboard, and a water-activated strobe light starts flashing the moment it hits the water — even when the radio is turned off.
At a glance
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Product Page by Kristin Wood, a two-way radio consultant @ Tech Wholesale | Last Updated: September 2026
Technical Specifications
What's Included
- Standard Horizon HX210 radio
- CAT460 flexible antenna
- SBH-25 charging cradle
- SAD-23B AC charger (110V wall plug)
- E-DC-19A 12V DC charging cable (cigarette lighter plug)
- CLIP-22 belt clip
- Hand strap
- Owner's manual
HX210 Key Features
Water safety
Floats face-up
Drop it over the side and it bobs to the surface screen-up, so you can actually grab it instead of watching it sink.
Water-activated strobe light
A white LED flashes automatically when the radio touches water — even if it's powered off — making it easy to spot in low light. Set it to flash, blink SOS, or stay on continuously.
IPX7 submersible
Rated to survive submersion at 3.3 feet (1 meter) for 30 minutes, with the accessory jack cap in place.
Power & range
Selectable 6W / 2.5W / 1W output
Use full 6 watts when you need distance, or drop to 2.5W or 1W for short-range calls and longer battery life.
Automatic low power on bridge channels
The radio drops to 1 watt on channels 13 and 67, where regulations limit power, so you stay compliant without thinking about it.
5+ mile line-of-sight range
Standard Horizon rates handheld marine radios in this class at more than 5 miles line of sight. Real-world range depends mostly on antenna height.
Channels, weather & FM
All USA, International & Canadian channels
Switch channel groups in the menu when you cross into Canadian or international waters.
Instant channel 16
A dedicated 16/S key jumps straight to the distress and hailing channel from anywhere. Press and hold for your sub channel (channel 9 by default).
NOAA weather + weather alert
Tune NOAA weather channels and get a loud alert when NOAA broadcasts a severe weather warning, even while you're on another channel or scanning.
FM broadcast receiver
Listen to local FM radio (76–108 MHz) for music, news, and the game. Save favorite stations with custom names.
Scanning & monitoring
Memory and priority scan
Scan only the channels you care about, or have the radio check channel 16 between every channel in your scan list.
Dual and Triple Watch
Monitor your working channel plus channel 16 (Dual Watch), or add channel 9 as well (Triple Watch).
10 preset channels
Save your go-to channels — marina, fishing buddies, bridge tenders — for one-touch access.
Display & controls
Large dot matrix LCD
One of the biggest screens in a compact handheld, with an adjustable backlight that's easy to read in full sun or at night.
E2O Easy-to-Operate menu
Plain-language menus make setup simple, even if this is your first marine radio.
Programmable soft keys
Three soft keys can be assigned to the functions you use most, like power level, scan, Dual Watch, presets, or strobe.
Keypad lock
Lock the keypad so a bump in your PFD pocket doesn't change your channel.
Battery & charging
High-capacity 1850 mAh lithium-ion
The built-in battery is what lets Standard Horizon keep the case slim and light enough to float.
3-hour rapid charging
The drop-in cradle fully charges a dead battery in about 3 hours from a wall outlet or your boat's 12V outlet.
Compatible Accessories for the Standard Horizon HX210
Speaker Microphones
SSM-14A — Submersible Speaker Microphone with Earphone Jack
Clip it to your shoulder or PFD and keep the radio protected in a pocket. Submersible, with a jack for a private earphone.
MH-73A4B — Submersible Speaker Microphone
A compact, submersible speaker mic for hands-free listening and easy push-to-talk without unclipping the radio.
Headsets & Earpieces
SSM-64A — VOX Headset
Voice-activated headset for hands-free talking — handy when you're docking, anchoring, or handling lines.
SSM-55A — Earpiece Microphone
Keeps radio traffic in your ear when you're in a loud engine room or a busy marina.
Chargers
SBH-25 — Charging Cradle
The same drop-in cradle that ships with the HX210. A great spare to keep on the boat and at home.
SAD-23B — AC Charger
Replacement 110V wall adapter for the SBH-25 cradle.
Antennas & Mounting
CN-3 — Radio-to-Ship's-Antenna Adapter
Connects the HX210 to your boat's external VHF antenna for more range — a smart backup if your fixed-mount radio goes down.
SCH-11 — Belt Clip Hanger
A mountable hanger that holds the radio by its belt clip, so it has a home at the helm.
Who Is This Radio For?
The HX210 is built for people who spend time on the water and want a reliable, affordable handheld that won't sink if it goes overboard.
1. Recreational Boaters
If you've got a fixed-mount radio at the helm, the HX210 is the backup you can grab and take with you — into the dinghy, onto the dock, or up to the bow while anchoring. And if you don't have a fixed-mount radio, it covers the basics: channel 16, weather alerts, and full 6-watt power.
2. Kayakers, Paddleboarders, and Small Craft
Paddlers go in the water more than anyone. The HX210 floats, flashes a strobe when it gets wet, and is small enough to ride in a PFD pocket.
3. Marinas, Yacht Clubs, and Sailing Schools
Dock staff, race committees, and instructors need to talk to boats on the water. The HX210 is simple enough to hand to new staff or students, and the preset channels keep everyone on the right channel.
4. Fishing Charters and Commercial Crews
A second handheld for the deck crew means the captain isn't the only one who can reach another vessel or the Coast Guard. The dedicated 16/S key gets anyone to the distress channel in one press.
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 HX210 Compare to Similar Radios?
| Standard Horizon HX210 | Standard Horizon HX40 | Standard Horizon HX890 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Power | 6W | 6W | 6W |
| Floats | Yes | No | Yes |
| Waterproof Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 | IPX8 |
| DSC & Built-in GPS | No | No | Yes |
| Best For | Floating, affordable all-rounder | Smallest, lightest carry | Offshore & emergency position calling |
HX210 vs. HX40
The HX40 is noticeably smaller and lighter, which paddlers love. But it doesn't float. If there's any real chance your radio ends up in the water, the HX210 is the safer pick.
HX210 vs. HX890
The HX890 adds a built-in GPS and DSC, so one button can send a distress call with your exact position to the Coast Guard and nearby DSC-equipped vessels. If you head offshore or boat solo, that's worth the upgrade. For lakes, rivers, and coastal cruising with a fixed-mount radio already on board, the HX210 covers what most boaters need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to use the HX210?
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. The Coast Guard recommends using your boat's registration number as your call sign.
You may need a license if you travel internationally or boat in Canadian waters.
Can I use the HX210 on land, like at a job site or campground?
No. Marine VHF channels are only for use on the water. The FCC prohibits transmitting on marine VHF from land, and fines can reach $10,000.
If you need radios for use on land, contact our team and we'll point you to the right business radio.
Is the HX210 really waterproof? Will it sink?
It's rated IPX7, meaning it can be submerged at 3.3 feet (1 meter) for 30 minutes. It also floats face-up, so it won't sink if you drop it overboard.
One catch: it's only submersible when the rubber cap is covering the MIC/SP accessory jack. Keep that cap closed when you're not using a speaker mic.
After using it in salt water, rinse it under fresh water and dry it off to keep the buttons and speaker grille in good shape.
Can I replace the battery?
The 1850 mAh lithium-ion battery is built into the radio. That's how Standard Horizon keeps it slim and light enough to float. It isn't designed to be swapped by the user.
With normal care, the battery is good for about 300 charge cycles. To stretch each charge, drop to 1W or 2.5W for short-range calls and turn on battery save in the menu.
What range can I expect?
Marine VHF is line of sight, so antenna height matters more than wattage. Standard Horizon puts handheld range at more than 5 miles line of sight.
Want more range? The CN-3 adapter connects the HX210 to your boat's external antenna.
Does the HX210 have DSC or GPS?
No. The HX210 is a voice-only radio without DSC distress calling or a built-in GPS. If you want a one-button distress call that sends your position, look at the Standard Horizon HX890.
How do I charge it on the boat?
The HX210 comes with a 12V DC cable that plugs into your boat's cigarette lighter outlet and powers the charging cradle. A fully dead battery charges in about 3 hours.
Note that the AC charger isn't waterproof, so charge in a dry spot.
Why Buy the Standard Horizon HX210 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.