Which Entel Is Right For The Job?
Entel is a UK manufacturer (founded 1995, West Sussex, ISO9001 certified) that designs and builds its radios entirely in-house, with a genuinely narrow focus: maritime, hazardous-area and heavy industrial communication where a standard commercial radio isn't fit for purpose. This guide breaks the range down by what actually matters, marine certification, safety rating, band, and network type, so you can find the right model without wading through spec sheets.
Browse the full Entel range →
01
GMDSS marine, or general DMR?
The HT series is dedicated, MED/GMDSS-certified marine VHF. Everything else in this guide is a digital/analogue DMR handheld that happens to be waterproof.
02
Standard, or genuinely certified intrinsically safe?
ATEX/IECEx and UL913 are two different certification systems for hazardous areas, both mean the radio physically cannot spark. Confirm which your site's zone classification requires.
03
VHF or UHF?
This comes down to your existing licence and coverage area, not preference. Mixed bands can't talk to each other.
04
Licensed two-way radio, or broadband PoC?
Entel's DN495 rides 4G/WiFi instead of a licensed frequency, no RSM licence or repeater network required.
Marine VHF (GMDSS / MED Certified)
Dedicated marine VHF handhelds, MED and GMDSS approved for genuine emergency and distress communication at sea, distinct from the digital/analogue DMR radios later in this guide.
VHF
| Model | Certification | Standout | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| HT644 | Commercial marine grade | Tough, waterproof VHF handheld built for the maritime environment | Commercial fishing, port operations, general marine use |
| HT649 / HT649/P2 | MED / GMDSS approved | SOLAS and MED-approved for genuine GMDSS emergency communication | Vessels with a GMDSS carriage requirement, Package 1 or 2 depending on kit needed |
GMDSS is a genuine legal requirement, not a nice-to-have: if your vessel needs to carry GMDSS-compliant equipment, only the HT649 range meets that certification in Entel's line-up. The HT644 and the digital DX/DT handhelds below are excellent marine radios but are not a substitute for a GMDSS carriage requirement.
Standard Marine & Land Handhelds
Digital/analogue DMR handhelds for general marine and land use, not intrinsically safe certified, built to Entel's usual submersible and MIL-STD 810 standard.
| Model | Band | Standout | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DX422 | VHF | Tough, licensed VHF handheld for professional use | General land or marine professional use |
| DX425 | VHF | 5W submersible digital handheld with display | Teams wanting more power and on-screen channel info |
| DX482 / DX482U | UHF | 4W submersible digital/analogue entry radio, upband variant available | Budget-conscious land or marine UHF use |
| DX485 / DX485U/CB | UHF | Adds a display over the DX482, upband CB variant available | Teams wanting on-screen channel info at a similar price point |
| DX482M / DX485M | UHF Marine | Marine-specific UHF variants of the DX482/DX485 | Onboard UHF coordination alongside a dedicated marine VHF set |
| HT782M / HT783M | UHF Marine | Analogue marine UHF, HT783M adds a display | Simple onboard UHF communication |
ATEX / IECEx / UL913 Intrinsically Safe
Entel's genuinely certified hazardous-area range, engineered so the radio physically cannot generate enough energy to ignite flammable gases, vapours or combustible dust. This is a large family, the models below are representative rather than exhaustive, confirm your exact zone classification with us before ordering.
| Model | Certification | Standout | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DT985FF-Atex / DT944FF-Atex | ATEX | Fire-fighter rated, UHF or VHF, clear comms even underwater or with gloves on | Fire and rescue in hazardous or marine environments |
| DT885M-Atex / DT982M-Atex | ATEX | Digital/analogue marine UHF, 2W and 1W power options | Hazardous marine environments needing DMR digital capability |
| DX544-IS / DX542-IS | UL913 | US-standard intrinsically safe marine VHF | Sites or vessels specifically requiring UL913 rather than ATEX/IECEx |
| DX582M-IS / DX585M-IS | UL913 | High-power (4W) UL913-certified marine UHF | Hazardous marine UHF work needing UL913 certification specifically |
ATEX/IECEx and UL913 are not interchangeable: they're separate certification systems used in different jurisdictions and industries. Confirm which certification your site's hazardous-area classification actually requires before ordering, this isn't a spec to guess at. The wider ATEX range also includes non-firefighter, analogue-only, and higher-power variants beyond the four shown here, ask us for the full list against your zone requirements.
Submersible Land DMR (Standard)
Entel's core submersible DMR range for general land and industrial use, not intrinsically safe certified. Organised by power output and control tier.
| Tier | Power | VHF | UHF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | 4W | DT822 | DT882 |
| Standard | 4W | DT522 | DT582 |
| Display | 4W | DT825 | DT885 |
| Entry, compact | 1W | DT922 | DT982 |
| Display, compact | 1W | DT925 | DT985 |
Ladder logic: pick 1W or 4W first based on the coverage you actually need, higher power suits larger sites or marine use, 1W suits compact, close-range coordination. Within each power tier, Entry gives you straightforward voice-only operation, Standard adds slightly more control, and Display adds an on-screen readout for channel and status information.
PoC & Infrastructure
For teams spread across a wide area without dedicated radio infrastructure, plus the hardware that extends a conventional Entel network's coverage.
| Model | Type | Standout | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DN495 | Handheld PoC | Rugged, licence-free push-to-talk over 4G or WiFi | Transport, logistics and field service teams needing nationwide coverage |
| DR482 | Repeater | Commercial UHF repeater, DMR digital and analogue, 100% duty cycle | Sites needing to extend coverage on an existing Entel UHF network |
No RSM licence needed for the DN495: it runs over the cellular network, so there's no RSM licence required, unlike every conventional Entel DMR radio in this guide. Coverage depends on cellular signal rather than a licensed repeater network, worth factoring in for genuinely remote sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Entel radios need an individual RSM licence in New Zealand?
Yes, for the conventional VHF and UHF range. Professional-grade Entel radios operate on licensed frequencies through Radio Spectrum Management, giving you a private, interference-free channel. The DN495 is the exception, it runs over the cellular network and doesn't require an RSM licence.
Can Entel radios work alongside our existing Motorola or Tait fleet?
Yes. Entel gear can be programmed to integrate with existing DMR or analogue radios from other major brands, letting you introduce Entel radios gradually rather than replacing an entire fleet at once. Always confirm compatibility for your specific models before mixing brands on one network.
What's the difference between IP67 and Entel's IP68 rating?
IP67 certifies a device as dust-tight and able to survive submersion in 1 metre of water for 30 minutes. Entel's marine and industrial handhelds carry an IP68 rating, certifying full submersion in 2 metres of water for up to 4 hours, a meaningfully higher standard built specifically for marine and heavy outdoor use.
Which Entel models are intrinsically safe, and what does that mean?
Entel's ATEX, IECEx and UL913 certified models are intrinsically safe, engineered so no internal component can generate enough electrical or thermal energy to ignite flammable gases, vapours or combustible dust. They're built for hazardous environments such as fuel depots, offshore rigs, chemical plants and certain marine zones. ATEX/IECEx and UL913 are separate certification systems, confirm which one your site's zone classification actually requires before ordering.
Does Entel offer a marine radio that meets GMDSS requirements?
Yes, the HT649 range is MED and GMDSS approved for genuine emergency and distress communication at sea, available as Package 1 or Package 2 depending on the kit required. Entel's other marine handhelds, including the HT644 and the DX/DT digital range, are excellent marine radios but do not carry GMDSS certification.
Not sure which one fits?
Every model in this guide is available to order in through our regular Entel supply channel, we're the chosen New Zealand distributor. Tell us the job and we'll match the spec.
Get In Touch