Entel HT644 Professional Handheld VHF Marine Radio (IP68 Rated)

The Entel HT644 is a professional-grade handheld marine VHF radio designed for users who demand exceptional durability, dependable communication, and advanced features. Part of Entel’s HT Series 2.0 lineup, this model is geared towards everyday use in harsh environments – from commercial ship crews and rescue services to avid offshore sailors operating year-round. With a maximum transmit power of 5 Watts, the HT644 provides strong range for communications, and it maintains clear audio quality thanks to its high-specification speaker and effective noise reduction.

One of the HT644’s greatest strengths is its construction. The radio is fully submersible (IP68), meaning it can survive immersion in up to 2 meters of water for a full 4 hours. This exceeds what’s typically needed in marine scenarios – effectively, the device is protected against any kind of water incident: whether it’s dropped overboard, exposed to torrential rain, or repeatedly doused by waves, you can trust it to keep working. Additionally, the HT644 is tested to MIL-STD 810C/D/E/F, ensuring the radio can handle being dropped, subjected to heavy vibration (such as on a high-speed RIB or near heavy machinery), extreme temperature swings, and salt fog corrosion. This ruggedness means it’s ideal for year-round boating, including winter conditions or tropical climates where electronics often struggle.

The Entel HT644 features a user-friendly interface. Its large LCD (similar to the one on the GMDSS HT649, but typically with a blue backlight) offers high visibility, and the bright backlighting guarantees the channel and settings are readable at night or in dark environments. The menu system is akin to those on professional land-mobile radios – it provides easy access to settings through a few navigation keys. There’s also a channel announcement feature (the radio can be set to vocally announce the channel number when changed – useful if you can’t look at the display). The keypad can be locked to prevent accidental button presses, especially handy when the radio is being carried on a belt or in a pocket.

Channel capacity is another strong point. The HT644 supports the standard 58 marine channels (International channels) plus the ability to program up to 36 additional private channels. These private channels can be configured by an authorized Entel dealer to meet specific needs – for example, port operations, intra-fleet communications, or yacht club/race channels. This makes the radio a versatile tool that can handle official marine communications as well as company or event communications, all in one device.

Powering the HT644 is a high-capacity 2000 mAh Li-Ion rechargeable battery (CNB750E). This battery yields roughly 14–16 hours of operation on a charge (standard duty cycle of 5% transmit, 5% receive, 90% standby), meaning the radio can easily last through a full workday or long watch. Included with the radio is a desktop rapid charger (usually model CCAHT), which can charge the battery in about 3-4 hours, along with an AC adapter (CWC) for mains power and typically a 12V DC charging lead for use in vehicles or on board. That allows you to charge the HT644 both ashore and on the boat (via a 12V socket), convenient for extended trips. Also in the box are the antenna and a belt clip (CBH750), so the radio comes with everything needed to get started.

In terms of features, the HT644 is well-equipped:

• Channel scanning: The radio can scan through a list of selected channels and will automatically lock onto any channel where a signal is detected (it also supports dual watch/triple watch, so you can monitor channel 16 along with another channel).
• VOX (Voice Operated Transmit): With a compatible audio accessory, you can use voice-activated transmission for hands-free communication – great for when you’re working with your hands (sailing, towing, etc.) or during search & rescue operations.
• Programmable buttons: Certain side or top buttons can be custom-programmed for quick access to functions like Hi/Lo power toggle, scan start, or specific channel recall, depending on user preference and programming.
• Man Down Alarm (optional): While the HT644 isn’t a GMDSS radio, it can be fitted or configured with an optional sensor/feature to transmit an emergency alert if the radio is tilted past a certain angle (as if someone fell) or if there’s been no user activity for a set period – a safety feature akin to Lone Worker, requiring additional setup or an accessory.

Entel stands by the quality of the HT644 with a 2-year warranty on the radio and 1 year on the battery and accessories. This is a testament to the manufacturer’s confidence in the device’s longevity. With proper care (like periodically charging the battery and keeping the battery contacts and seal clean), this radio is built to serve you reliably for many years.

In summary, the Entel HT644 is an outstanding choice for those seeking a premium handheld marine radio. Its combination of toughness, waterproof integrity, long battery life, and rich feature set makes it well-suited for professional marine communications – whether it’s a harbor tug crew, a search-and-rescue team, a commercial fishing vessel, or a serious recreational sailor who wants the best gear for their voyages.