VHF International Channel Update

Products Affected:

• VHF 110/110i

• VHF 115/115i

• VHF 210/210i

• VHF 215/215i

• VHF 215/215i AIS

• VHF 315/315i

• Cortex V1

Description

Due to recent decisions made at the World Radio Conference, (WRC-15), many existing international channels will no longer be allowed for voice communication. These channels are being repurposed for the implementation of the VHF Data Exchange System (VDES). Before the end of this year, all Garmin VHF radios will receive a software update removing these channels from the international channel catalogs on the radios. 

Note that some countries may allow the continued use of these channels for approved purposes. Consult a local dealer if you regularly use an affected duplex channel for a specific purpose. 

Channels being removed from the international band: 

Duplex: 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 75, 76, 84, 85, 86

Simplex: 1024, 2025, 1026, 2026, 2084, 1085, 2085, 1086, 2086

Resolution

If the affected Garmin VHF radio is connected to a Garmin chartplotter, over a NMEA 2000 network, installing regular quarterly marine updates will automatically update the international channel catalog to remove the affected channels before the end of 2023. 

If the Garmin VHF radio is not connected to a Garmin chartplotter, or if you would like to implement this change and remove these channels as soon as possible, contact a local Garmin dealer. May Garmin dealers who sell VHF radios can update the radio to remove the affected channels. 

NOTES: 

• The VHF 110/110i and VHF 210/210i radios are discontinued and will no longer receive updates over a NMEA 2000 network. A Garmin dealer will need to remove the affected channels on these models

• The Cortex V1 cannot be updated at a Garmin dealer. This model will receive a separate software update to comply before the end of 2023

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