wkaz wrote:
Glen, I was looking at the 706 MKII myself until Icom came out with
the 802, any thoughts? I realize it is a lot more money but I plan
on buying an HF set only once. Walt

Different animals all together. The 706 is a rugged medium price 100W
mobile ham rig. While not type certified for marine frequencies it can
be unlocked by removing a couple of smapp components. It is set up to
slide around the bands the way a ham likes to tune but with a little
hair pulling you can program it for marine channels. It also covers the
popular 2M and 440 Mhz ham bands which are of limited use for marine work.

The M-802 is an upper end (not highest end)150W marine radio with ham
capability. Built in DSP (an add in module on the 706), better frequency
stability (though not much) and better cooling. The tuning is optimized
for easy marine channel operation so it does not take much skill but it
is easier to use in ham mode than the older M-700 series marine
transceivers were. The TNC interface is a lot better and it has GPS
input.

From my examination of the 802 and Larry's comments, it looks like the
M-802 is designed to be installed and left in place while the 706 is
rugged enough to get yanked out of the car and set up elsewhere on a
regular basis.

My ultimate plan is to install the 802 and keep the 706 as a backup but
I have a lot of other stuff to pay for first. Until then the 706 will
serve for Winlink, Wefax and "emergency" marine communication. ;-)

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com