Icom M802 Marine SSB Radio

Before you buy a SSB transceiver the average cruising sailor should know of the increasing limitations of this form of communication. There are at least two issues. First, even the manufacturer will tell you that our airways are increasingly degraded by all forms of RF and electronic noise. Secondly, the assortment of electronics on modern cruising yachts ALL work against clear and productive SSB reception. I installed a new M802 and AT140 Tuner in 2013, followed by continuous troubleshooting of the wiring and ground system and numerous communications with ICOM and other informed sources and have yet to resolve significant electronic static that prevent effective use of this expensive piece of equipment. Basically we have to turn off every piece of equipment on the boat to even come close to receiving voice communications and most of the time there is still too much static. In my opinion this is a dying form of communications for the average cruising sailor. Some sailors claim the static does not effect the downloading of electronic weather information and email. Unless the Radio industry can build SSB's and HAM sets that are not effected by proximity torefrigeration compressors, power inverters and other sources of noise on board I think their sales are going to continue to decrease.I would also like to mention that I am not a new user of SSB's and I'm not new to the various problems and installation nuances. I operated an older, mid-1980's vintage ICOM SSB from 1995 to 1998 making regular daily voice contact with stations as far away as Toronto with much greater success than I have had more recently with the advanced M802. The only reason I moved to the new equipment is so I could have the option of interconnecting modems and computers for weather information download via a USB port- which I am reluctant to attempt because I can't achieve the success I hoped for with voice communications.Respectfully, Capt Mitch Witt

Friends have the Icom 802m and say it is a great addition to their boats. I have Icom HAM radio products and have used Icom radios in the Coast Guard. So when I saw a great price from BigT through Amazon I ordered it.Unfortunantly BigT (AKA Single Side Band) cancelled the order telling Amazon that they did not have the radio in stock or that it was damaged. I checked for another source on Amazon, lo and behold BigT says they have three more in stock but at a higher price. Talking with Amazon customer service it appears that BigT (AKA Single Side Band) changed the listing so they wouldn't have to honor the price. Icom only makes one M-802 so it isn't as if they are listing a different product at the higher price.Once an order is cancelled there is no way to give feed back on a vendor. BigT gets a Big Zero. Even WestMarine has the same product at several hundred dollars less than BigT now lists it.

Relatively easy to use (given the complexities of the subject to begin with). When paired with Pactor modem gives essential connection via email to family and weather data over thousands of miles. Downloads broadcast weather faxes with Pactor modem and Airmail software (amongst other ways). Spend time working on best RF ground you can manage for best transmissions.

and for more fun with the SSB, use the first propagation program "Where & When" by yachtfunk.com. 5 time trail version , please test it .sea youJoerg