What is the Standard Horizon HX891BT?
The Standard Horizon HX891BT is a 6-watt, floating handheld marine VHF radio with a built-in 66-channel GPS, Class H DSC, and Bluetooth. Lift the red cover and hold the DISTRESS key, and it sends a digital distress alert with your exact position to the Coast Guard and nearby DSC-equipped vessels.
It's IPX8 submersible to 1.5 meters (about 5 feet), floats, and has an emergency strobe light. It runs on a removable 1800 mAh lithium-ion battery with an AAA backup case included. This listing is the black version (HX891BTBK).
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 HX891BT radio (black)
- CAT460 flexible antenna
- SBR-13LI 1800 mAh lithium-ion battery
- SBH-32 charging cradle
- SAD-25 110V AC adapter for the cradle
- E-DC-19A 12V DC charging cable (cigarette lighter plug)
- SBT-13 alkaline battery case (holds 5 AAA, batteries not included)
- CLIP-22 belt clip
- Hand strap
- USB cable (for data and PC programming)
- Owner's manual
HX891BT Key Features
DSC & emergency
One-button DSC distress with GPS position
Lift the red cover and hold DISTRESS for 3 seconds. The radio sends your MMSI and GPS position on channel 70 and repeats every 4 minutes until someone acknowledges.
Nature-of-distress categories
Tag the alert as fire, flooding, collision, sinking, man overboard, and more, so rescuers know what they're responding to before they hear your voice.
Man Overboard (MOB)
One soft key saves your exact position the moment someone goes over, then guides you back to it on the compass screen.
Emergency strobe light
Set the strobe to flash SOS in Morse code, light up automatically when the radio is submerged, or turn on steady with the STROBE soft key.
DSC calling & group tracking
Class H DSC
Keeps watching DSC channel 70 even while you're receiving a call on another channel, so you don't miss an alert.
Individual, group & all-ships calls
Call one boat directly by MMSI (up to 100 contacts), call your whole group at once (up to 20 groups), or send urgency and safety calls to all ships.
Position request & report
Ask a buddy boat for its location and see it on your screen, or send your own position. Save any reported position as a waypoint and navigate to it.
Group Monitor (GM)
Automatically polls the boats in your group and shows where each one is — great for flotillas, fishing tournaments, and cruising together.
GPS & navigation
Built-in 66-channel GPS
A high-sensitivity receiver with WAAS and QZSS support, so your position is ready for a distress call without a separate GPS.
Waypoints & route navigation
Store waypoints, build routes, and follow them on the compass screen with distance, bearing, speed, and course.
GPS logger
Record your track at set intervals and download it to a PC over USB.
USB NMEA output
Send DSC and GPS data to a chartplotter or PC through the USB data port.
Bluetooth, audio & privacy
Built-in Bluetooth
Pair the optional SSM-BT20 headset or a compatible one. Key up from the headset button, or use VOX for fully hands-free talking.
Two built-in voice scramblers
Choose a 4-code scrambler compatible with Standard Horizon's CVS2500A or a 32-code scrambler compatible with the FVP-42, set per channel.
Noise cancellation & audio filter
Cuts wind and engine noise from your transmissions and cleans up what you hear.
Power, display & durability
Selectable 6W / 2W / 1W output
Full 6 watts for distance, or drop to 2W or 1W for short-range calls and longer battery life. Automatically drops to 1W on bridge channels 13 and 67.
Removable battery + AAA backup
Swap in a charged spare SBR-13LI, or use the included SBT-13 case with five AAA batteries in an emergency. The radio still floats with the AAA case installed.
Large display with day & night modes
A 132 × 64 full dot matrix LCD with a night mode that's easier on your eyes after dark.
IPX8 and MIL-STD-810F
Submersible to about 5 feet for 30 minutes and tested to military ruggedness standards.
Compatible Accessories for the Standard Horizon HX891BT
Bluetooth Headset
SSM-BT20 — Bluetooth Headset
Standard Horizon's wireless headset for the HX891BT. Talk hands-free with no cord to snag while you're docking or handling lines.
Speaker Microphones
MH-73A4B — Submersible Speaker Microphone
A compact, submersible speaker mic for easy push-to-talk without unclipping the radio.
SSM-21A — Submersible Speaker Microphone with Earphone Jack
Clip it to your shoulder or PFD and keep the radio protected. Pairs with the SEP-10A earphone for private listening.
Headsets & Earpieces
SSM-64A — VOX Headset
Wired voice-activated headset, tuned to work with the HX891BT without extra setup.
SSM-517A — Earpiece Microphone
Keeps radio traffic in your ear in a loud engine room or busy marina.
SEP-10A — Earphone for SSM-21A
Plugs into the SSM-21A speaker mic for private listening.
Batteries & Chargers
SBR-13LI — 1800 mAh Lithium-Ion Battery
The same battery that ships with the radio. A charged spare doubles your time on the water.
SBT-13 — Alkaline Battery Case
A spare AAA case for your ditch bag.
SBH-32 — Charging Cradle
A spare drop-in cradle to keep on the boat and at home.
SAD-25 — AC Adapter
Replacement wall adapter for the SBH-32 cradle.
E-DC-19A / E-DC-6 — 12V DC Cables
Charge from a cigarette lighter outlet (E-DC-19A) or hardwire to 12V power (E-DC-6).
Antenna & Mounting
CN-3 — Radio-to-Ship's-Antenna Adapter
Connects the HX891BT to your boat's external VHF antenna for more range — a solid backup if your fixed-mount radio goes down.
SCH-11 — Belt Clip Hanger
A mountable hanger that gives the radio a home at the helm.
Who Is This Radio For?
The HX891BT is for boaters who want the safety of DSC and GPS in a radio they can carry — not just one bolted to the helm.
1. Offshore and Coastal Boaters
Once you're out of cell range, a DSC distress call with your GPS position is the fastest way to get help to the right spot. The HX891BT goes with you if you have to abandon ship.
2. Solo Boaters and Paddlers
If you're alone and something goes wrong, there may not be time to describe where you are. One button sends your position, and the radio floats and flashes SOS if it ends up in the water.
3. Couples and Small Crews
Docking and anchoring are easier when both people can talk hands-free over Bluetooth. Group Monitor and position requests make it easy to keep track of buddy boats.
4. Fishing Charters, Clubs, and Flotillas
Group calls, position polling, and two scramblers make the HX891BT a strong fit for crews who travel together and want to keep some conversations private.
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 HX891BT Compare to Similar Radios?
| Standard Horizon HX891BT | Standard Horizon HX320 | Standard Horizon HX210 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Power | 6W | 6W | 6W |
| DSC & Built-in GPS | Yes | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes | No |
| Floats | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Waterproof Rating | IPX8 (1.5 m) | IPX7 (1 m) | IPX7 (1 m) |
| Battery | Removable 1800 mAh | Built-in 2100 mAh | Built-in 1850 mAh |
| Alkaline Backup | Yes (5 AAA, included) | No | No |
| Best For | Offshore safety + hands-free | Hands-free use & easy charging | Floating, affordable all-rounder |
HX891BT vs. HX320
Both float and both have Bluetooth. The HX891BT adds DSC distress calling with built-in GPS, a deeper IPX8 rating, a removable battery, and two scramblers. The HX320 charges over USB-C and has a bigger built-in battery. If you go offshore or boat alone, the DSC and GPS are worth it.
HX891BT vs. HX210
The HX210 covers the basics — floating, strobe, 6 watts — for less. The HX891BT is the step up when you want a one-button distress call that tells rescuers exactly where you are.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an MMSI number to use DSC?
Yes. DSC calls, including distress alerts, only work after you program your 9-digit MMSI into the radio.
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 — the radio only lets you enter your MMSI once. Changing it later requires a reset code from Standard Horizon.
How does the DSC distress call work?
Lift the red cover on the side and hold the DISTRESS key for 3 seconds. The radio sends your MMSI and GPS position on channel 70 to the Coast Guard and any DSC-equipped vessel in range.
It repeats every 4 minutes until someone acknowledges. When they do, the radio switches to channel 16 so you can talk.
What Bluetooth headsets work with the HX891BT?
Standard Horizon makes the SSM-BT20 Bluetooth headset for it. The manual says it also works with commercially available Bluetooth headsets, though not every model is guaranteed.
You can transmit by pressing the button on the headset, or turn on VOX for hands-free talking.
Is it IPX7 or IPX8?
IPX8. Standard Horizon's owner's manual rates the HX891BT as submersible to 5 feet (1.5 meters) for 30 minutes, and it floats.
That rating only holds when the MIC/SP cap is screwed in tight, the USB data jack cover is closed, and the battery cover is locked.
Do I need a license to use the HX891BT?
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 a license if you travel internationally or boat in Canadian waters.
Can I use the HX891BT on land?
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.
What's the difference between the HX891BTBK and HX891BTNB?
Just the color. The HX891BTBK is black and the HX891BTNB is navy blue. Features, specs, and accessories are the same.
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 HX891BT to your boat's external antenna.
Why Buy the Standard Horizon HX891BT 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.