The IC-M88 is built tough to withstand hazardous and inhospitable environments at sea and on land. Even if the IC-M88 is dropped into water, complete waterproofing will protect it from harm. The compact and durable body has been tested to the military specifications (MIL-STD). 6 clearly labelled buttons on the front panel and the volume/power knob maximize simplicity of operation. Even when wearing gloves, the large buttons are easy to operate. A large, clear LCD with backlighting and backlit buttons make night time operation simple. With the standard 1700mAh Li-Ion battery pack, the BP-227, you can get up to 15 hours of talk time without worrying about memory effect on batteries. An optional AA alkaline battery case, BP-226, provides a convenient back up and great reassurance in an emergency. An optional waterproof speaker-microphone, the HM-138, provides reliable operation, even with the IC-M88 securely on your belt. The IC-M88 has 22 programmable channels reserved for Land use (146-174MHz). Wide/narrow channel spacing is programmable for each channel, and CTCSS and DTCS signaling is built-in. Auto WX scan and WX Alert function (U.S.A. version only). Simple Up/Down switches for operating channel selection. Instant access to Ch. 16 and Ch. 9 (or call channel). Simple add/delete TAG scanning operation. Powerful 5W output. 2 step power saver 4 level battery indicator. The self check function checks internal temperature, connected battery voltage (over voltage detection), and water intrusion.