Patent ID: 7200358

Claim:
A detachable wireless transceiver module for facilitating communications between a handheld marine radio and a first wireless marine radio component of a marine radio frequency communication system disposed on-board a waterborne vessel, the detachable wireless transceiver module comprising: a module case having an outer surface; a battery disposed within the case; transceiver battery contacts operably connected to the battery, disposed on the outer surface of the module case in a manner to provide connection to corresponding handheld radio contacts disposed on an outer surface of the handheld marine radio; a transceiver signal connector, disposed on the outer surface of the module case in such a manner as to provide connection to a handheld marine radio signal connector disposed on an outer surface of the handheld marine radio; a transceiver interface adapted to communicate with the handheld marine radio via the transceiver signal connector; and a wireless transceiver, operably connected to the transceiver interface and adapted to establish a wireless communication link with the first wireless marine radio component and to transmit a wireless signal incorporating an acoustic input signal over the wireless communication link.