SSB choice?

[bntii]

I am looking at two icom SSB's and am not sure which one is the better choice:

The ic-710 or the new ic-802..

I don't know much about this gear but understand that the 710 is a great unit.
Go with the latest & greatest or the old stalwart?

Thanks all

[michael pierzga]

What will you use your SSB for ?

[Dean Smith]

Is the icom a ham set?
I usually fit SEA and there is an Aussie one , cant remember name
If your Icom is a ham set it will not have capabilty to send gps via interface in event emergency , at least I think this will be the case
SEA has been top of ratings a long while now

[bntii]

Use Micheal?

I suppose data transfer- weather and email.
Some coms though I am not chatty enough to be a fan of cruising nets and the like.
Perhaps to idle a moment or two in the hobby as some friends try to draw me into the radio shack. Move women to weakness when they see such robust gear on my yacht...

I have the gear sitting on the bench. It is only a question of which unit to install in my boat.

Dean- both units are ham capable though I understand the hams eschew these marine radios for their lack of finesse.
The new icom m-802 has DSC built in though this feature strikes me as gripping a bit too tight to mama's hand..

[michael pierzga]

Originally Posted by bntii

Use Micheal?

I suppose data transfer- weather and email.
Some coms though I am not chatty enough to be a fan of cruising nets and the like.
Perhaps to idle a moment or two in the hobby as some friends try to draw me into the radio shack. Move women to weakness when they see such robust gear on my yacht...

I have the gear sitting on the bench. It is only a question of which unit to install in my boat.

Dean- both units are ham capable though I understand the hams eschew these marine radios for their lack of finesse.
The new icom m-802 has DSC built in though this feature strikes me as gripping a bit too tight to mama's hand..

Im sailing with a Skanti SSB, Philips Safecom Sat com C and a Fastnet GMDSS FMD55. I rarely use the SKANTI. The Sat com C and Fastnet are in constant operation. I wouldn't go to sea without a SAT C. Very reliable communications.

What ocean regions will you be operating in ?

If you're a radio amateur and like messing around with the cruising chat show then an SSB like the Icom looks like a good radio.

[RayThackeray]

I've been a radio amateur since I took the test and got my callsign er, er, about four decades ago. I actually use an ICOM myself, but I wouldn't really recommend any of the ham rigs unless you're a ham yourself and will be the only operator. Trying to train anyone else to switch on, select the correct mode, tune and operate the finicky things, especially in an emergency, is an exercise in futility! I even need to refer to the manual myself after a month or so of disuse...

[Early]

Amateur radio ssb equipement is not certified for commercial ssb communications. If you use ham equipement on the marine band you would be illegal. The frequency tolerances are much more exacting. I personally think most later ham radio ssb are close enough in tolerances that your transmissions would not be detected, hi.

[Chuck Losness]

Icom doesn't like to talk about it but there have been lots of problems with the 802. There have been several revisions. I think at least 3. The problem is clipping your transmission. As you talk your transmission starts and stops so people only hear a small portion of what you said. Gordon West has been involved with getting Icom to solve this problem. I think that he has more specific information on his website. Just google Gordon West and you should get a link to his website. I would go with the 710 and avoid the hassles with the 802.
Chuck