Bob,

That ICom M-700 radio is a joke. Get any of
the ICOM ham rigs. If you are worried
about corrosion, you can spray the circuit
boards with a sealer. I forgot the brand
name, call West Mountain radio in Norwalk
if you need some. Kenwood radios are good
too.

I test the radios on every boat I sail, and
most of them don't work. The ones that
consistently perform are the Ham rigs. I
always ask for signal reports and people
give me good reports from Ham rigs. I have
a stack of OSL cards--all maritime mobile
contacts.

Also, set up whatever radio you get at
home in a comfortable operating location
and play with it for a few months before
putting it in your boat--so you know how
to use it.

I recommend the ICOM 746 Pro. My choice
would be an ICOM 756 Pro II, but I would
not recommend it unless you spend a year
learning how to use it at home.

The 746 has the Ham 2 meter band, and can
be modified to operate on the VHF marine
band with 4 times the legal power limit,
which might come in handy in an emergency.
Ths radio has an antenna tuner built in.

The 756 has great digital filtering, and
more controls than a 747 jet. This is
the radio Hams buy after they've been on
the air for years can appreciate a very
fine receiver and want to put out the
very best signals with outstanding audeo.

A good cheaper radio is the ICOM 706 Mk IIG.
It has a remote head and that gives you lots of
installation options. If you get one, be sure
to get the SSB filter, and the level converter
is handy, but not necessary for programing it
with a computer. These radios are cheap enough
that you can buy two for the price of an M-700
and have a working spare. In fact I recommend
getting two. I have one at home and one I swap
between my truck and my big boat. Just because
it is not expensive is not a reason to pass this
one buy. I've talked all over the world with it.
Japan, Croatia, Russia. I regularly can talk
anywhere on the east coast, and can reach the
better west coast stations on 40 meters.

In any case, you will need an antenna tuner or
a matching network--the closer to the antenna
the better. You also want a good cross needle
power meter to monitor output and reflected
power. Reflected power is what kills radios.

Bart Senior

(Bobsprit) wrote

Okay, again I'm getting (as a gift if I want it) a Icom M-700 SSB radio.
Believe it or not, I don't just accept an expensive gift just because it's
"expensive."
This summer we have to trips planned and there will be plenty of daysails, but
not the kind of cruising associated with an SSB requirement. My question is: Is
this still a worthwhile radio to have on board? Can I chat with people far-off
for the sake of chatting, as in Ham or CB SSB?
I already have the VHF and also a new 10 meter with 11 meter conversion aboard.


Thanks for any help!

RB