Entel DT944 ATEX Marine VHF Handheld Radio

The Entel DT944 ATEX Marine VHF Handheld Radio puts ATEX requirements at the center of the deployment decision, with 1 W transmit power across 156-163 MHz VHF. It suits teams balancing working coverage and procurement scope within the Entel family without automatically selecting the highest-output unit. The radio provides INT/USA/CAN marine channels plus 16 private channels and combines a high-contrast white-on-black OLED display with 3 programmable buttons. Its CNB950EV2 1800 mAh Lithium-ion battery has a specified endurance of 16.5 hours under a 5/5/90 duty cycle in analogue mode. IP68 protection, defined as submersion to 2 m for 4 hours, gives facilities and operations managers a clear basis for assessing use around water, exposed marine areas and field work.

Entel DT944 ATEX Marine VHF Handheld Radio in daily work

The DT944 operates as an analogue communications tool for the marine VHF band. Its INT/USA/CAN channel plans let an operations lead select the regional marine plan appropriate to the approved procedure, while 16 private channels provide a separate resource for organizing internal communications according to the site configuration. Support for 12.5 kHz and 25 kHz analogue channel spacing gives a radio team defined parameters for programming. Frequency stability of ±0.5 ppm and analogue receiver sensitivity of -120 dBm, or 0.2 uV for 12 dB SINAD, can also be included in a technical review before units are rolled out.

The white-on-black OLED display presents operating information with high contrast, helping a user check the channel and radio state during a round. A set of 3 programmable buttons lets the deployment team arrange frequently used functions around its procedure instead of forcing every site into the same control layout. The 1 W audio output is relevant when checking whether messages remain understandable in the actual work area and with the approved carry position. The radio uses 16K0F3E FM modulation and is analogue only, so it fits an analogue fleet plan rather than introducing a digital operating path.

Protection for marine and classified work areas

The DT944 carries the explosion-protection marking ATEX II 2G Ex ib IIC T4 Gb. This marking is the central reason to choose it within the family. At a Saudi facility containing classified areas, selection should begin by matching the marking to the project’s area classification and safety procedure. The unit can be considered for facilities, security and operations teams at ports, marine terminals and industrial yards that use marine VHF communication and require this specific protection framework. The ATEX name does not replace the site’s safety review; it gives the responsible team a precise marking to compare with its controlled-area requirements before authorizing use.

IP68 protection supports work around jetties, exposed walkways and maintenance points where the handset may encounter water. The defined submersion condition of 2 m for 4 hours can be incorporated into a risk review and the inspection procedure followed after water exposure. Compliance with MIL-STD-810 C/D/E/F provides another reference for field-equipment planning. The operating range is -20°C to +40°C, while the storage range is -40°C to +85°C. Asset managers can therefore distinguish the permitted conditions for an active shift from those applying while units are stored in a warehouse or vehicle.

DT944 positioning against the DX544-IS

The DT944 shares IP68 protection, the regional marine channel plans and the allocation of 16 private channels with the DX544-IS, but the selection point is the safety framework and the way power is planned across the fleet. The DT944 is the ATEX-centered option and its listed transmit power is 1 W. It therefore fits a site where the ATEX marking takes priority over choosing the higher-output member of the family. Its 16.5-hour endurance gives a shift manager a concrete figure for creating a charging schedule under the stated duty cycle. ATIS is offered as an optional variant, so that requirement should be identified when ordering rather than assumed for every unit.

Carry, charging and handover planning

The DT944 measures 138 x 60 x 38 mm, weighs 435 g and operates at 7.4 V. These values help a deployment lead test uniform carry positions, storage space and charger placement before issuing a full batch. Weight can be assessed against the length and movement pattern of a user’s shift, especially where the radio remains attached throughout a round. The stated battery endurance is tied to a 5/5/90 analogue duty cycle. A trial using the site’s real calling pattern can therefore establish the practical return-to-charger time and the number of charged units needed for each shift.

The supplied package contains a Li-ion battery pack, drop-in charger, belt clip, high-efficiency antenna and quick-start user guide. A receiving procedure can match those items to each handset, attach the antenna and battery, charge the unit, apply the channel plan, program the buttons and record the asset identity. The team can then test display visibility, audio, transmission and reception at approved work points before documenting channel settings and charging timing. This sequence turns the DT944 into a managed part of the communications plan and gives the buyer a practical comparison with the DX544-IS based on safety marking, output and shift endurance.