Help | Information about RadioTrader's Website

Upgrading Communications Aboard a 65-Metre Vessel

RadioTrader was tasked with modernising an outdated radio system with new digital communications. The goal was to deliver secure, clear and reliable communications across all departments and working environments, from the bridge and deck to the engine room and interiors.

18

Radios Supplied

65m

Luxury Yacht

18

Individual User IDs

Multi

Department Channels

AI

Noise Cancellation

32hrs

Up To Battery Life

Man on a yacht using a walkie-talkie with a clear blue sky and ocean background

Modernising an Outdated Radio System with Motorola R5 LKP and SL2600 Radios

Reliable communication is critical aboard a large vessel, where
crew members need to coordinate quickly between the bridge, deck,
engine room and interior areas.

RadioTrader was approached by the operator of a 65-metre vessel
whose existing communications system had become outdated and was no
longer performing to the standard required for day-to-day operations.

The objective was to create a modern, reliable and
easy-to-manage radio system that could provide clear communications
across different departments while ensuring each radio was configured
specifically for the environment in which it would be used.

The Challenge

The vessel's existing radio system was no longer delivering the reliability or clarity required by the crew.

Communication requirements varied considerably depending on
location. Radios being used on deck and within the engine room needed to
withstand a demanding working environment and provide excellent audio
performance, while radios used inside the vessel needed to be compact
and discreet.

The customer also wanted a more organised system that would
allow crew members and departments to communicate independently, helping
to reduce unnecessary radio traffic and streamline everyday operations.

The RadioTrader Solution

RadioTrader designed and supplied a mixed Motorola radio solution consisting of:

12 Motorola R5 LKP digital two-way radios for bridge, deck and engine room communications
6 Motorola SL2600 digital two-way radios for interior communications

Rather than supplying every radio with an identical configuration, each unit was programmed around the way the crew intended to use it.

Individual Radio Programming.

Each radio was programmed with an individual username, allowing crew members to identify who was transmitting.

This provided an additional level of clarity compared with a
conventional radio system where every transmission simply appears to
originate from the same group.

Being able to identify individual users can be particularly
useful aboard a large vessel where numerous crew members may be
operating across different areas simultaneously.

Department-Specific Channels

Multiple channels were configured for different departments and operational requirements.

This allowed teams such as the bridge, deck crew and
engineering personnel to communicate within their own groups without
unnecessary traffic from other departments.

The channel structure helped create a more organised
communication system while still allowing the wider crew to communicate
when required.

Radio Models We Supplied

Here is the radio models we supplied and information on why we supplied them.

Motorola R5 LKP

Motorola SL2600

Motorola R5 LKP for Deck, Bridge and Engine Room Use

The Motorola R5 LKP was selected for the more demanding operational areas of the vessel.

The R5 combines rugged construction with powerful audio technology, making it particularly well suited to environments where background noise can make radio communication difficult.
One of the key technologies utilised in this installation was the R5's advanced AI-based noise cancellation.

This helps reduce background noise during transmissions, allowing speech to remain clear even when crew members are working
around engines, machinery, wind or other sources of significant environmental noise.

Long Battery Performance

Battery life was also an important consideration for crew members working extended shifts.
The Motorola R5 LKP uses Motorola's latest battery technology and can provide up to 32 hours of operation between charges, depending on radio configuration and usage.
This gives crew members confidence that the radio can remain operational throughout long working periods without requiring frequent charging.

Discreet Interior Communications with the Motorola SL2600

For interior areas of the vessel, RadioTrader supplied six Motorola SL2600 radios.

The SL2600's slim and lightweight design makes it particularly suitable for crew members working in guest-facing or interior
environments where carrying a larger industrial radio may be unnecessary.

To make communications even more discreet, the SL2600 radios were supplied with ECONPLUSSLA acoustic tube earpieces.

These allow crew members to receive radio communications privately without conversations being broadcast through the radio's external speaker.

Accessories Selected for Each Working Environment

A range of accessories was supplied specifically for the different working areas aboard the vessel.

The Motorola R5 LKP radios were supplied with ECONPLUS2000D D-shape earpieces, providing comfortable and practical communications for crew members using the radios throughout the working day.

For personnel working within the engine room, where significantly higher levels of background noise are present, a CH-3 Peltor communications headset and compatible Flex cable were supplied.

This combination helps provide clearer radio communications while also being better suited to the demanding acoustic environment found around marine engines and machinery.

Accessories Supplied

Motorola R5 Compatible Earpieces

Motorola DP2000 DP3441 DP3661e Acoustic Tube Surveillance Earpiece

£15.00 GBP ex VAT

~~£24.00 GBP ex VAT~~ £15.00 GBP ex VAT

Motorola DP2000 DP3441 DP3661E D-Shape Earpiece

£15.00 GBP ex VAT

~~£21.00 GBP ex VAT~~ £15.00 GBP ex VAT

Motorola SL Series Earpieces

Motorola SL Series 2 Wire Acoustic Tube Surveillance Type Earpiece

£19.00 GBP ex VAT

Motorola SL1600 SL2600 SL4000 Series D-Shape Earpiece

£15.00 GBP ex VAT

~~£20.00 GBP ex VAT~~ £15.00 GBP ex VAT

Popular Accessories

3M Peltor CH-3 FLX 2 With Built In PTT and Headband

£209.00 GBP ex VAT

~~£221.00 GBP ex VAT~~ £209.00 GBP ex VAT

Coil Tether Two Way Radio Lanyard

£19.95 GBP ex VAT

Reducing Unwanted Radio Interference

RadioTrader also utilised the built-in privacy and system configuration features available within the Motorola radios.
The system was programmed to help reduce unwanted outside radio traffic and interference, creating a more controlled communications environment for the vessel's crew.
This helped ensure that the channels configured for the vessel remained focused on operational communications rather than unrelated radio activity.

The Result

The upgraded system provided the vessel with a significantly more structured and capable communication platform.
Crew members can now communicate quickly between the bridge, deck, engine room and interior areas while using equipment specifically selected for each environment.

Key improvements included:

Clearer communications in high-noise environments.
Individual identification of radio users
Dedicated channels for different departments.
Improved privacy and reduced unwanted radio traffic.
Compact radios for discreet interior use
Specialist accessories for different crew roles.
Extended battery performance for long working periods.
A scalable digital radio platform that can be expanded in the future.

A Complete Marine Radio Solution

This project demonstrates how a modern two-way radio system can be configured around the individual requirements of a vessel rather than simply supplying the same radio to every crew member.
By combining Motorola R5 LKP and SL2600 radios with carefully selected accessories and customised programming, RadioTrader was able to create a communication system suited to the very different environments found aboard a 65-metre vessel.
From the bridge and deck to the engine room and interior areas, each element of the system was selected to provide crew members with reliable, clear and efficient communications.

Marine Communication Solutions from RadioTrader

RadioTrader supplies and configures professional radio systems for vessels, ports, marinas, shipyards and other marine operations.

Our team can provide advice on radio selection, programming, channel structure, accessories and complete communication systems tailored around your operation.

Looking to upgrade the radio system aboard your vessel?

Speak to RadioTrader about your requirements and we can help design a professional communications solution around your vessel, crew and operating environment.