Garmin Signal VHF Radios Add Instant Replay, AIS, And Touchscreens

Garmin’s new Signal VHF 220 and 400 marine radios feature 3-minute audio playback, built-in AIS, noise cancellation, and touchscreen controls.

Garmin Signal VHF marine radio mounted at a boat helm

The VHF radio comes of age with the Garmin Signal VHF.

As technological innovations reshape modern boats, it’s easy to miss big improvements to tried-and-true essential boat tech – VHF radios. Garmin’s new Signal line of fixed-mount VHFs delivers features today’s boaters want, including message replay, integrated AIS transponder and DSC, remote radio control, and background noise suppression.

The compact 25-watt radios feature a 3.5-inch color touchscreen and integrate with Garmin chartplotters via the NMEA2000 network, Garmin Marine Network 1.0, and Garmin BlueNet. While the Signal VHF 400 includes a built-in Class B AIS transponder to both transmit and receive vessel data, the 220 model features an AIS receiver only (receive-only). Both models can be controlled with the new GarminSignal RM 100 remote station, which connects to the Garmin Marine Network to communicate with the radio from a secondary helm or flybridge.

Garmin Signal VHF marine radio with color display and handheld microphone

Even the fist microphone features a 5-watt speaker and active noise cancellation.

What Sets The Garmin Signal VHF Radios Apart?

  • Clearer communications: Automated squelch and adaptive noise cancellation work to reduce background noise.
  • Replay missed VHF messages: The radios automatically record up to 3 minutes of transmissions, with the ability to record activity from three channels simultaneously.
  • Monitor multiple channels: Advanced watch modes allow captains to monitor VHF activity across multiple channels.
  • Digital distress calling: Class D Digital Selective Calling (DSC) can transmit critical vessel information when the distress button is activated (provided MMSI number is obtained and programmed).
  • Hear calls over engine and wind noise: The included microphone features a 5-watt speaker and adaptive background noise cancellation.

Garmin Signal VHF 220 vs. VHF 400

FeatureVHF 220VHF 400
3.5-inch color touchscreenYesYes
25-watt VHF radioYesYes
AIS receiverYesYes
AIS transmitterNoYes, Class B
3-minute VHF audio replayYesYes
Noise cancellationYesYes
Optional RM 100 remoteYesYes
MSRP (at publication)$999.99$1,499.99

See the Garmin Signal VHF Radios in Action

Garmin Signal VHF Pricing and Availability

The Garmin Signal VHF 220 marine radio has a suggested retail price of $999.99, while the Garmin Signal VHF 400 has a $1,499.99 MSRP. The Garmin Signal RM 100 remote sells for $699.99 | garmin.com/marine

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Published: October 2026

Author

Rich Armstrong

Senior Editor, BoatUS Magazine

The Jersey shore and New York lakes defined Rich’s youth, followed by deckboat days on the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound while raising a family in Connecticut. He now calls coastal Delaware home. From TV news broadcasting to daily newspapers to marine journalism, Rich has crafted a career in storytelling and built a reputation for thorough, informative reporting. He leverages his wide-ranging experience to write about technology, trends, boats, gear, governmental issues, personality profiles, and travel tales.