If you are the skipper of a large yacht, you are keenly aware of the need to have immediate communication capability with all crew and passengers at all times. The quickest, easiest way to make announcements to all onboard, particularly in the event of an emergency, is with a hailer, which is usually nothing more than a large, conical speaker mounted on the mast or other elevated surface.

Until recently, hailers have been connected to an intercom system via a long pair of wires, which can be run down inside the mast, through the coach roof and then tacked to surfaces along its circuitous path to the intercom microphone.

Now, with a wireless interface from either ICOM or IWCS Radio Interface, you can install a wireless interface connected to your VHF radio and the hailer mounted anywhere you desire aboard your vessel.

The ICOM CTM500-11 External Wireless Interface Box can be paired with the ICOM M510 VHF Marine Transceiver, which features wireless local area network function and integrated AIS. For ease of pairing and installation, the CTM500-11 interface and M510 VHF radio are commonly purchased together in order to enable making use of the hailer trouble-free.