What is the Standard Horizon HX400?
The Standard Horizon HX400 is a 5-watt, commercial-grade handheld VHF radio that covers all USA, International, and Canadian marine channels and can be programmed with up to 40 Land Mobile Radio (LMR) channels from 134 to 174 MHz with CTCSS and DCS signaling.
It adds two things most marine handhelds don't have: a built-in voice scrambler for private conversations and a noise-canceling microphone for loud decks and engine rooms. It's rated IPX8 submersible to 1.5 meters (about 5 feet) and runs on a removable 2550 mAh lithium-ion battery.
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 HX400 radio
- CAT460 flexible antenna
- 2550 mAh lithium-ion battery
- CD-50 charging cradle
- PA-45B 110V AC wall charger for the cradle
- E-DC-30 12V DC charging cable (cigarette lighter plug)
- CLIP-22 belt clip
- Hand strap
- Owner's manual
HX400 Key Features
Privacy & clear audio
Built-in voice scrambler
Turn on scrambling channel by channel with one of four codes. Anyone listening without a matching Standard Horizon scrambler hears garbled audio instead of your conversation.
Noise-canceling microphone
Cuts wind, engine, and deck noise from your transmissions so the other end hears you, not your surroundings. Keep your hand off the second mic hole so it can do its job.
700 mW speaker
Loud enough to hear over engines, winches, and wind without a headset.
Marine + land mobile
40 programmable LMR channels
A dealer can add up to 40 land mobile channels between 134 and 174 MHz, set wide or narrow, with CTCSS or DCS codes. Your crew can talk on your licensed business channels and on marine channels from one radio.
All USA, International & Canadian marine channels
Switch marine bands from the keypad when you cross into Canadian or international waters. A U, C, or I on the display shows which band you're on.
Programmable channel names
Label channels with up to 12 characters — DOCK, YARD, CREW 2 — so nobody has to memorize channel numbers.
Durability & power
IPX8 submersible to 1.5 meters
Rated for about 5 feet of water for 30 minutes — deeper than the 1-meter IPX7 rating on most marine handhelds.
Selectable 5W / 1W output
One press of the H/L key switches between full 5 watts for distance and 1 watt for short-range calls and longer battery life.
Automatic low power on channel 13
The radio defaults to 1 watt on the bridge-to-bridge channel. In an emergency or around a blind river bend, the H/L key bumps you back up to high power.
Battery & charging
High-capacity removable battery
The 2550 mAh lithium-ion pack is rated for about 17 hours and pops off with a latch, so you can swap in a charged spare mid-shift.
3-hour rapid charging
The drop-in cradle charges a dead battery in about 3 hours from a wall outlet or your boat's 12V outlet.
AA alkaline backup
The optional FBA-42 tray runs the radio on six AA batteries and keeps the full 1.5-meter submersion rating.
Weather, scanning & controls
Instant channel 16
The 16/9 key jumps straight to the distress and hailing channel from anywhere. Press and hold for channel 9.
NOAA weather + weather alert
Hold the CLR/WX key to jump to NOAA weather, and get a loud beep when NOAA broadcasts a severe weather alert.
Memory scan, priority scan & Tri-Watch
Scan your saved channels, add a priority channel the radio keeps checking, or watch channels 16 and 9 alongside your working channel.
10 presets + keypad lock
The PRESET key recalls up to 10 favorite channels. Hold the H/L key to lock the keypad so a bump doesn't change your channel.
Compatible Accessories for the Standard Horizon HX400
Speaker Microphones
MH-73A4B — Speaker Microphone
Clip it to your shoulder or rain gear and talk without unclipping the radio from your belt.
MH-57A4B — Mini Speaker Microphone
A smaller, lighter speaker mic for crews who want less bulk on their shoulder.
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 in a loud engine room, fish hold, or busy yard.
Batteries
SBR-45LI — Lithium-Ion Battery
The current replacement battery for the HX400. A charged spare means no downtime on long shifts.
FBA-42 — Alkaline Battery Tray
Holds six AA batteries for backup power when charging isn't an option.
Chargers & Power
CD-50 — Charging Cradle
The same drop-in cradle that ships with the HX400. Keep one on the boat and one at the shop.
PA-45B — AC Wall Charger
Replacement 110V wall charger for the CD-50 cradle.
E-DC-30 — 12V DC Cable
Charges from a 12V cigarette lighter outlet on the boat or in the truck.
SAD-1460 — 6-Unit Multi Charger
Charges six radios at once — built for fleets that check radios in and out every shift.
Antenna Adapter
CN-3 — Radio-to-Ship's-Antenna Adapter
Connects the HX400 to your boat's external VHF antenna for more range on marine channels.
Who Is This Radio For?
The HX400 is built for working crews who need marine and land mobile channels in one radio — and who don't want every conversation heard by everyone with a scanner.
1. Commercial Fishing Fleets
Fishing spots and catch reports are worth keeping private. The built-in scrambler lets your boats talk without competitors listening in, and the noise-canceling mic keeps calls clear over engines and hauling gear.
2. Marinas, Ports, and Boatyards
Dock staff talk to boats on marine channels, while your yard, fuel dock, and office talk on your licensed business channels. The HX400 puts both on one radio, labeled by name, with a multi-charger option for the whole fleet.
3. Ferries, Tour Operators, and Harbor Services
Crews coordinate with other vessels on marine VHF and with shore staff on land mobile. The 17-hour battery and swappable packs keep radios running through long days.
4. Security, Patrol, and Agency Teams Near the Water
When operations need to stay off open channels, the scrambler adds a layer of privacy. The HX400 is type-accepted for both Part 80 (marine) and Part 90 (land mobile).
Important: Marine VHF channels can only be used on the water. Using the HX400 on land is only legal on LMR channels your organization holds an FCC license for. If you just need radios for a job site, warehouse, or building, see our Find My Radio tool for business radio options.
How Does the HX400 Compare to Similar Radios?
| Standard Horizon HX400 | Standard Horizon HX380 | Standard Horizon HX320 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Power | 5W | 5W | 6W |
| Land Mobile (LMR) Channels | Yes, up to 40 | Yes, up to 40 | No |
| Waterproof Rating | IPX8 (1.5 m) | IPX7 (1 m) | IPX7 (1 m) |
| Voice Scrambler | Yes | No | No |
| Noise-Canceling Mic | Yes | No | No |
| Battery | Removable 2550 mAh | Removable 1750 mAh | Built-in 2100 mAh |
| Floats | No | No | Yes |
| Best For | Commercial crews who need privacy | Commercial crews on water and land | Recreational boaters, hands-free use |
HX400 vs. HX380
Both are 5-watt commercial radios with 40 LMR channels. The HX400 adds the voice scrambler, a noise-canceling mic, a deeper IPX8 waterproof rating, and a bigger battery. If you don't need private conversations or the extra runtime, the HX380 covers the same marine and land mobile basics.
HX400 vs. HX320
The HX320 floats, has Bluetooth, and charges over USB-C — great for recreational boaters. But it's marine-only with a built-in battery. For commercial crews who need LMR channels, private conversations, and swappable batteries, go HX400.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to use the HX400?
It depends on which channels you use.
Marine channels: most recreational boaters in U.S. waters don't need a ship station license. You may need one if you travel internationally, boat in Canadian waters, or your vessel is required to carry a radio.
LMR channels: yes. Land mobile channels require an FCC license, and the radio can only be programmed with frequencies your organization is licensed for.
How does the voice scrambler work?
The HX400 has a built-in 4-code voice inversion scrambler. You turn it on per channel in the setup menu and pick a code (SC0 to SC3). A small icon on the display shows when scrambling is on.
Only other Standard Horizon radios with a scrambler set to the same code can understand you. That includes other HX400s, handhelds fitted with the FRP-31 scrambler, and fixed-mount radios with the CVS2500.
Voice inversion keeps casual listeners out, but it isn't encryption. Don't rely on it for highly sensitive information.
Can I use the HX400 on land?
Only on licensed LMR channels. The FCC prohibits transmitting on marine VHF channels from land, and fines can reach $10,000.
Once your licensed land mobile frequencies are programmed in, you can use those channels on shore.
Who programs the LMR channels?
Standard Horizon says the 40 LMR channels are programmed by a dealer. You'll need your FCC license details — frequencies, wide or narrow, and any CTCSS or DCS codes.
Contact our team with your license info and we'll help you get set up.
Does the HX400 float?
No. It's IPX8 submersible — about 5 feet of water for 30 minutes — but it isn't built to float, and it doesn't have a water-activated strobe. Some listings online say otherwise.
Use the hand strap or belt clip when you're working over the side. If you need a radio that floats, look at the HX320 or HX210.
How do I keep it waterproof?
Water resistance only holds when the battery is attached and the cap is in the MIC/SP jack. Don't let it go under with the jack cover off.
After saltwater use, rinse the radio and battery separately under fresh water and dry them off.
What range can I expect?
VHF is line of sight, so antenna height matters more than wattage. Standard Horizon puts a 5-watt handheld at more than 5 miles line of sight on marine channels.
Want more range on the boat? The CN-3 adapter connects the HX400 to your boat's external antenna.
Does the HX400 have DSC or GPS?
No. The HX400 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.
Why Buy the Standard Horizon HX400 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.