13 Years Running: Icom Takes Top VHF Honor Again with the IC-M510 EVO

KIRKLAND, Wash. (October 5, 2026) – One award is an achievement. Thirteen years in a row tells a bigger story.

Icom's IC-M510 EVO has once again earned the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) Product of Excellence Award for Best VHF Radio. The 2026 honor marks the IC-M510 EVO's third consecutive win and extends Icom's overall winning streak in the category to 13 consecutive years across multiple generations of marine VHF radios.

Presented during the 2026 NMEA Marine Electronics Conference & Expo, the Product of Excellence Awards are determined by votes from NMEA members, including marine electronics professionals who install, service, sell, and work with this technology every day.

That industry recognition makes this year's win especially meaningful.

"Having an Icom VHF recognized by NMEA for 13 consecutive years is something we're incredibly proud of, especially because this recognition comes from marine electronics professionals who know this equipment inside and out," said Ray Novak, Icom's Senior Sales Manager. "For the IC-M510 EVO to earn the honor for three years running continues that legacy and reinforces the confidence the marine industry has placed in generations of Icom VHF radios."

Built for the Way Boats Communicate Today

The IC-M510 EVO brings modern connectivity and onboard communication tools together in a sleek, compact fixed-mount VHF.

NMEA 2000® connectivity enables the radio to integrate with compatible onboard electronics, while built-in Wi-Fi provides the industry's first wireless CommandMic™ via a compatible phone, tablet, or other smart device. A two-way hailer/PA function expands onboard communication options, and Class-D DSC supports both routine and emergency calling.

For vessels equipped with the AIS version, an integrated AIS receiver provides additional situational awareness by displaying nearby AIS-equipped vessels. The radio also features a wide-viewing-angle display with night mode, while an optional CommandMic™ provides another option for multi-station operation.

Together, these capabilities make the IC-M510 EVO more than a standalone VHF. They allow it to become part of a connected onboard communication system that can adapt to different vessel layouts and operating needs.

A Winning Streak Built on Generations of VHF Radios

The IC-M510 EVO has now earned the NMEA Product of Excellence Award for VHF Radio for three consecutive years, but Icom's winning streak in the category reaches much further.

Over the past 13 years, multiple Icom VHF models have received the honor, reflecting a broader commitment to developing marine communication equipment around reliability, usability, and the realities of being on the water.

From recreational vessels to demanding professional installations, each generation has built on the one before it while continuing the same focus: helping boaters communicate clearly, confidently, and reliably when it matters.

Three consecutive wins for the IC-M510 EVO. Thirteen consecutive years for Icom.

That's a streak worth celebrating.

Icom knows that VHF marine radios are essential for on-the-water communication, and we have you covered from below deck to the cockpit, flybridge, and beyond. Boaters worldwide choose Icom to navigate the seas with ease.

Please visit our website to see our entire Marine lineup and our trade show schedule.

Icom – We Play Like You Do.