HF ssb transceiver

G

Good

Active Member
Joined
13 Oct 2002
Messages
65
Location
Denmark
Visit site
Hi i have a chance to buy a cheap icom 706 mIIG whit a AH4 automatic antenna-tuner so i can have wheterfax and communicate with Friends. i first wanted a icom 710 marine ssb bout it cost a fortune what do you all think ? is it a good idea or must i stick with the marine ssb need some input.
P.S i want to follow in the footsteps of Stingo this summer!!!!


<hr width=100% size=1>
 
Good unit well worth having especially if the price is right. It also has a full coverage receiver. I presume you realise that it is a Ham band unit and you will require a Ham licence to use it.

Iain

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by iainsimpson on 24/03/2003 20:51 (server time).</FONT></P>
 
You will also need to attend a 4 day Long range operators course and take an MCA exam at a total cost approaching £475 if you want to transmit on maritime frequencies.

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
With a very small modification (remove two diodes from the main PCB), your IC-706 will also transmit on all marine bands HF and VHF!

Disadvantages:-
1) Invalidates warranty.
2) Unlicenseable.
3) Displays frequency rather than channel number.
4) No dedicated CH16 or 2182 button.
5) No DSC.
6) 'all eggs in one basket'.

Advantages:-
1) Considerablly cheaper than dedicated marine unit(s), I recently paid £550 for a mint one secondhand!!
2) Very small and easily removed/stored away.
3) Remote front panel.
4) up to 100W on VHF (very naughty).
5) Socket for data/email.
6) Receives broadcast FM bands 88-108.
7) Transmits and receives on all PMR446 channels with full 38 privacy tone (CTCSS) capability!

Icom auto-tuners excellent by the way.

Ian.

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
Hi there, almost missed this one!!

This is an Amateur Radio unit and therefore you are required to hold an Amateur Radio licence for it. You also require the relevant Amateur Radio qualification, forget the 4 day Maritime Long Range Certificate, we are talking City & Guilds here. information available from www.radio.gov.uk/topics/amateur/amateur-index.htm

Mike

<hr width=100% size=1>Manager,
Aeronautical & Maritime Services Section,
Radiocommunications Agency
 
I hate to say it BUT:

I am surprised that no-one has jumped straight in and mentioned the fact that the equipment is not designed for the Marine environment and doesn't like even the suggestion of dampness. Therefore rendering it most likely to fail at a time when you are most likely to need it. Possibly one of the reasons that it is cheaper than "fit for purpose" Marine kit!! For me a big priority is ensuring that all my safety kit will actually do the job.

I suppose that I should mention the fine when you are very easily found pumping 100 Watts on the Maritime service after the Coastguard has complained about the interference you are causing to them. Or the fine, when you are tugged in a foreign administration for carrying illegal equipment.

Mike


<hr width=100% size=1>Manager,
Aeronautical & Maritime Services Section,
Radiocommunications Agency
 
of course you can get just about any sort of transmitter from the US and blast away to your heart's content.

don't you just love winding up big brother?!

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
Mike
<font color=blue>What modification are you talking about? I am most surprised at your reply to</font color=blue> <font color=red> MY </font color=red> <font color=blue>posting.
I had only stated that the particular unit was a ham band unit only and had not stated anything about </font color=blue> <font color=orange> any modifications</font color=orange><font color=blue>
What has conformity declacrations to do with amateur radio operation?.
You are using your official title which does not seem to include the amateur radio spectrum.
Are you saying that hundreds of ham marine radio operators with all sort of different equipments on their boats are breaking some sort of conformity declaration? I am sure they would like to know.
Are you stepping outwith your area of responsability or is this some expansionist project?
I do realise that operation outwith the ham regulations is not permitted but I have in no way suggested this.</font color=blue>

Perhaps you would like to clarify this?

Iain



<hr width=100% size=1>
 
Actually City & Guilds have just given up certificating the RAE. The RSGB are going to set the last exam in December.

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
Hi Iain,

Not sure if your posting means that you're aggravated by my reply, if it does I didn't intend to cause offence. I frequent this Forum mainly from my own interest in boating and also to help out with answers to radio law type questions that people ask, the use of my job title is to ensure that people don't think I'm here trying to catch them out.

Conformity declarations are required on "commercially" available HAM equipment, unlike DIY kit. You'll usually find them in the bumpf that accompanies the kit. The requirements are also in the licensing terms booklet to ensure that "home build" kit doesn't access services outside of Amateur.

However, you are right I am not an expert on Amateur radio (only about the fact of the equipment not being used within the Maritime Service) and if you do want to enquire further you can contact my opposite number in the Amateur and Citizens' Band Section on alan.betts@ra.gsi.gov.uk

Mike

<hr width=100% size=1>Manager,
Aeronautical & Maritime Services Section,
Radiocommunications Agency
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top