I plan to install a SSB radio on my 40.5 this spring. Does anyone know where I can find information about best choices, or personal experiences with different radios. I struck out with Practical Sailor. Is the ICOM M802 worth the extra money over the 710 or 700. I have read some of the archives about antennas and installation. Thanks in advance.
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Coupla' sources.
While you are waiting for the radio types here are a couple of sources to study. See Related Link plus: http://www.hfradio.com/ http://www.marinecomputer.com/index.html My own system is a HAM rig and very inexpensive. An ICOM-730 plus a manual tuner, an MFJ-949E. I built an antenna that I run up with a halyard. It is a simple half-wavelength dipole tuned to 20 meters. Thus I do not require an expensive groundplane in the boat. I am really a novice, the experts will be along. You should also find several radio recommendations in the Forum Archives.
While you are waiting for the radio types here are a couple of sources to study. See Related Link plus: http://www.hfradio.com/ http://www.marinecomputer.com/index.html My own system is a HAM rig and very inexpensive. An ICOM-730 plus a manual tuner, an MFJ-949E. I built an antenna that I run up with a halyard. It is a simple half-wavelength dipole tuned to 20 meters. Thus I do not require an expensive groundplane in the boat. I am really a novice, the experts will be along. You should also find several radio recommendations in the Forum Archives.
Generic info on HF radios
John Anecdotal info I have from a tech who worked in the Bahamas is that a good portion of his business was derived from fixing SGC brand transceivers and their tuners as well. I have no personal experience with this mfg. I have had all the other common brands, Icom, Kenwood and Yaesu and never found any to be uniquely better or worse; the I802 does have the most bells and whistles though and can be more easily mounted in the 40.5 nav station space. We mounted our HF (non-removable head type)on a bracket just over the nav desk which does hinder opening the desk somewhat. Also, the split backstay does make antenna placement problemmatic - I used to use a random length wire hoisted with a mast halyard from the std cockpit rail when I wanted to use the radio which wasn't often but as long as you have a decent RF counterpoise and DC ground to the radio, virtually anything should work through a tuner. Not sure any of this helps... Don
John Anecdotal info I have from a tech who worked in the Bahamas is that a good portion of his business was derived from fixing SGC brand transceivers and their tuners as well. I have no personal experience with this mfg. I have had all the other common brands, Icom, Kenwood and Yaesu and never found any to be uniquely better or worse; the I802 does have the most bells and whistles though and can be more easily mounted in the 40.5 nav station space. We mounted our HF (non-removable head type)on a bracket just over the nav desk which does hinder opening the desk somewhat. Also, the split backstay does make antenna placement problemmatic - I used to use a random length wire hoisted with a mast halyard from the std cockpit rail when I wanted to use the radio which wasn't often but as long as you have a decent RF counterpoise and DC ground to the radio, virtually anything should work through a tuner. Not sure any of this helps... Don
Just upgraded
Due to a failure in our Icom M700. This radio could have been 20 years old and we only paid 200 US for it. I looked around and while cruising have talked with a lot of cruisers with different radios. For a dedicated marine ssb ICOM was the hands down favorite. the 802 being very powerful and peoducing a good quality signal with a great abilty to tune in a signal. We just installed the 802 and this morn from the middle of the marina which is notorius for not being able to get in or out of I was able to talk clearly with a friend in St Johns from PLC, Venezuela. My m700 never even got out to cruisers 50 miles while in the marina. The 700 and 710 are much simpler to setup and operate, but I am already beginning to enjoy the 802. Prices. If you look carefully you can find 802 for just a bit more than the 710. The other choice is to install a HAM rig. I have met more cruiser with ham rigs (not necessiarily ham operaters) than Marine ssb. The are a heck of lot cheaper and offer more flexiblity. I was not able to get one shipped here, but the next change will be a ham rig when ever we get bck to the US.
Due to a failure in our Icom M700. This radio could have been 20 years old and we only paid 200 US for it. I looked around and while cruising have talked with a lot of cruisers with different radios. For a dedicated marine ssb ICOM was the hands down favorite. the 802 being very powerful and peoducing a good quality signal with a great abilty to tune in a signal. We just installed the 802 and this morn from the middle of the marina which is notorius for not being able to get in or out of I was able to talk clearly with a friend in St Johns from PLC, Venezuela. My m700 never even got out to cruisers 50 miles while in the marina. The 700 and 710 are much simpler to setup and operate, but I am already beginning to enjoy the 802. Prices. If you look carefully you can find 802 for just a bit more than the 710. The other choice is to install a HAM rig. I have met more cruiser with ham rigs (not necessiarily ham operaters) than Marine ssb. The are a heck of lot cheaper and offer more flexiblity. I was not able to get one shipped here, but the next change will be a ham rig when ever we get bck to the US.
710
I have the Icom 710 with a 24 whip antenna and had great success. I have talked with Stockholm Radio from Fort Lauderdale and had no problems with any of my HF email signals assuming propogation was right.... The 710 is a good radio, but if the price is close, there is no doubt I would go with the 802 as the later technology is bound to better....
I have the Icom 710 with a 24 whip antenna and had great success. I have talked with Stockholm Radio from Fort Lauderdale and had no problems with any of my HF email signals assuming propogation was right.... The 710 is a good radio, but if the price is close, there is no doubt I would go with the 802 as the later technology is bound to better....
Thanks
Thanks very much for your replies. I will be able to make a much more informed decision now and have dependable communications on board. We are leaving summer '08 to sail from Lake Superior to the carribean.
Thanks very much for your replies. I will be able to make a much more informed decision now and have dependable communications on board. We are leaving summer '08 to sail from Lake Superior to the carribean.
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