Yet Another Marine Radio question
 

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

Yet Another Marine Radio question
 

you may be right, then again maybe not
"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
If I have to explain the term "said radio" to you, I don't think I am able
to help you with your radio.

I have no doubt that you can provide no info on this.
Luckily, others did.

RB

Yet Another Marine Radio question
 

And
there's no way you'd not recall obtaining a ham radio operator's permit.
It's not a simple task.

The tech test is simple and no morse anymore.

RB

Yet Another Marine Radio question
 

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.

Thanks for all the great info.


RB

Yet Another Marine Radio question
 

Hey Min,

I have a ham licence. I remember just fine, thank you very much. I
had mine before I used the SSB, and was trying to remember if it was
required in order to operate it.

It has been a few years since I have done some serious off shore
sailing because after a close call with losing my life I decided not
to do it again until my children are grown. Doing loads of coastal
stuff, though. No need for SSB there. At least I have not found the
need.

Lonny


It has been almost ten years since I have done some serious"Maxprop" wrote in message ink.net...
"Lonny" wrote in message

SSB is a completely different animal than VHF, of course. If I recall
correctly, I had to get a ham license in order to operate one.

You recall incorrectly. Marine SSB does not require a ham license. And
there's no way you'd not recall obtaining a ham radio operator's permit.
It's not a simple task.

Max

Yet Another Marine Radio question
 

"Lonny" wrote in message
Hey Min,

I have a ham licence. I remember just fine, thank you very much. I
had mine before I used the SSB, and was trying to remember if it was
required in order to operate it.

An amateur license isn't required to operate on the marine single side
bands, but a restricted radiotelephone operator's permit is. That's a
no-brainer--just an application to the FCC.

Some marine SSB rigs have provisions for modification to allow operation in
the ham bands. And some ham rigs can be modified to operate in the marine
bands. Almost all have broadband receivers which receive both band spectra.

A good argument for having a ham license and a ham rig is that third-party
traffic is generally not allowed on the marine bands. If one wishes to stay
in contact with his landbound relatives and friends, ham is the way to go.
But the marine SSB nets are worthwhile, too. The ideal rig has access to
both band spectra.

Max

Yet Another Marine Radio question
 

"Bobsprit" wrote in message

And
there's no way you'd not recall obtaining a ham radio operator's permit.
It's not a simple task.

The tech test is simple and no morse anymore.

There are some who will argue that the tech license isn't really a ham
license at all. Of course that's prejudice, but techs really have no
privileges in the "low bands," rather what is known as the HF bands, 160M
through 10M. You'll need a general license to operate voice on 10M, and
you'll only require a southern accent, a handle, and an IQ of less than 30
to operate on 11M, the so-called Citizen's Band.

Max

Yet Another Marine Radio question
 

"N1EE" wrote in message

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.

An ICOM 706 came with my boat, plus an auto antenna tuner and an insulated
backstay. All work reasonably well, but I'd appreciate some of the
improvements made on the MK II. I've got a second antenna--a Comet folding
whip--mounted on the pushpit for 2M which allows me to easily access the
Michigan linked repeater chain from nearly anywhere on the lake. It's fun
and amusing to chew with someone in Fort Wayne, IN, while at anchor at
Drummond Island, MI, on 2M.

I've considered replacing the 706 with a larger rig and putting it in my
pickup, but space is a consideration on the boat and the 706 is compact.

Max

Yet Another Marine Radio question
 

160M
through 10M. You'll need a general license to operate voice on 10M, and
you'll only require a southern accent, a handle, and an IQ of less than 30
to operate on 11M, the so-called Citizen's Band.

Lots of radio enthusiasts play in the SSB of 11 meter and do quite well. The
general license is also not exactly tough...just 5 wpm for morse. 35 multiple
choice questions. Memorize the easily available question database (350
questions total) and you can't miss. Moreover, many of the questions are
giveaways.
I picked up a copy of "Now You're Talking" and it's pretty easy stuff.

RB

Yet Another Marine Radio question
 

The ideal rig has access to
both band spectra.

Max

Max, what would radios would be on your list...budget and high price, that
could also do marine SSB out of the box?

Thanks,

RB