SSB Radio (Icom M802)

[demonboy]

Hi,

Anyone have any experience with this bit of kit?

I'm new to SSB (yet to take my license) but with a live-aboard/bluewater cruise planned I know I'll need SSB but I'm not sure what the M802 is like.

Any comments appreciated (except the ones that tell me not to bother with SSB).

 

[Becky]

It is excellent, small, neat, loads of good facilities, BUT illegal in the UK. We ordered one at the LBS but cancelled it when we found that things could get sticky if the authorities choose to board your boat and have a look around. Seemingly they have the power. Then they would confiscate your equipment, and possibly its power source, which could be construed as your boat! I know loads have been fitted, Greenham Regis have installed about 6 or 8 this winter, so plenty of folk are prepared to take the chance. There is (hopefully) a Euro-legal model, the 801, coming out sometime, possibly this year, so we are waiting to see.
The only legal alternatives are the Barrat, which is bulky and expensive, or the Furuno which requires 24 volts.

 

[demonboy]

Wow, that's interesting. Thanks for your comments, though I do wonder why UK-based chandleries are advertising this. Clearly it is not illegal to SELL it, but it is to use it.

However I'm based in Turkey and really don't plan to come back to the UK anyway so these rules don't apply /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Thanks Becky

 

[30boat]

The M802 is illegal in the EC but if you look around you may still find some M710 left.These are aproved and I was fortunate enough to get one,but they're getting scarce.

 

[Mike_Martin]

Hi there

UK Chandleries adverstise it for export-only and by doing so they evade prosecution, how are they to know that someone who buys it isn't sending it to another country!!

Please be aware that it isn't non-UK approved it non-EU approved, there is a huge difference.

Mike

 

[johna]

Becky

Can you enlighten me on the use of SSB in UK and European coastal waters. My understanding is that the real use is for radio contact outside of VHF range. If this is the case and this set is the Bees Knees why not just disconnect and store it away when in EU waters?

 

[Mike_Martin]

Because the international rules for the use of maritime equipment state that you must use equipment approved by your flag state.

The radio you are referring to has only been approved for use in the US and therefore can only be legitimately fitted on US registered vessels. However having said that ICOM are going to be releasing an EU approved version later this year.

Mike

 

[Ships_Cat]

Last dig before Friday Mike /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.

The radio you are referring to has only been approved for use in the US and therefore can only be legitimately fitted on US registered vessels.

Actually, the 802 is approved by all countries of any maritime importance (maybe a strange exception or two, but I don't know of any) except for those countries in the EU. It is an international radio, not a "USA" radio, and can be fitted on most (all?) non EU flagged or domiciled vessels in the world.

(To avoid confusion of others, I am not saying the radio can be used by EU vessels in international waters - as Mike says, the requirements of one's flag state have to be complied with).

John

 

[Mike_Martin]

Actually you are probably quite right as unlike VHF the standard is usually set by the Marine Equipment Directive.

I suppose that the real issue is that the manufacturer (ICOM Japan not ICOM UK) decided there wasn't a worthwhile market in Europe and didn't approve it. As mentioned though they appear to be in the rpocess at the moment, so all moaning should end shortly.

Mike

 

[johna]

[ QUOTE ]
Because the international rules for the use of maritime equipment state that you must use equipment approved by your flag state.

[/ QUOTE ]

So it is possible to have approved equipment that does not comply with the requirements of the area you are sailing in. And I thought it was the EU that had introduced regulatory gobbledegook.

 

[Mike_Martin]

Yes it's a bit like foreign Embassies!

As a UK registered vessel you are in fact bound by the rules of your Flag State no matter where you go. This used to be quite a simple thing before the EU sprung up as Maritime law doesn't stand well with Euro bureacracy, especially when you look at members of the Red ensign group such as the Isle of Man and the Channels Islands, which aren't members of the EU.

Therefore a US flagged vessel can use its US equipment in our T. Waters but will be ordered to "close down" operations that cause interference.

Mike

 

[johna]

Mike
If it is the Flag State that rules why is it a concern under the discussion as to whether we have a ships radio licence or not, that we wont have a bit of paper to wave at foreign authorities? The foreign authorities will know that as a Red Flag ship we do not need a licence.

 

[Mike_Martin]

No it is the international Radio Regulations that require you to have the documentation to show to a foreign Port State Control when required.

The Flag State can determine how the documentation is implemented! If you have a look at this http://wireless.fcc.gov/marine/fctsht14.html you'll find how the US meets them, as it feels as if this is where this particular question is leading, once again.

Mike

 

[Close hauled]

At the LBS I had the opportunity to get both an OFCOM and ICOM chap to sit together with me and explain why I can't fit an 802 to my British registered boat. They did and there is no way that I would now run the risk of legal action.

The ICOM chap said 'don't hold your breath' when talking about a EU approved SSB.

So I'm buying a satellite phone and one of those Nassa SSB receivers.

 

[Mike_Martin]

I wonder who that was??

Mike