I did the "snip-snip" on the blocking diodes with our Icom Ham radio. I
can't remember whcih model right now but it was the model recommended by the
Pactor people and I ordered it from an outfit in Florida. It was much
cheaper than a marne SSB, MUCH easier to program frequncies, and faster to
find the odd selected frequency. If I recall, it was "only 100 watts" vs
the 150 on the Icom 710 but I never had any receive or transmission problems
and could chat with cruising friends in Venezuela when we were in the
Bahamas.

I think a lot has to do with the ground plane. I had copper foil tape
running from the tuner to my original iron fuel tank and to a couple thru
hulls. My antenna was a piece of marine #12 wire that ran from near my
stern rail on a frame supporting my solar panels up to the mast head. I am
not a licensed Ham so I had to pay for emailing but it worked great. I
would take the time to become a ham before I go cruising again. But if that
doesn't happen soon, there may be better options.

Ken
Moonshadow II
Whitefish, MT

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Swallow" <lagartaboat@yahoo.com>
To: <baba-l@ballreich.net>
Sent: Sunday, January 21, 2007 6:43 AM
Subject: Re: [Baba-L] SSB

> Hello Rick- If you have a little time, by all means
> get a General ham license. The radio will be half the
> cost of a SSB. I have used an Icom 706(MkIIG) when
> cruising, and it has been flawless. In combination
> with a Pactor modem, the weather gathering
> capabilities are impressive. Email is free also. The
> FCC has lifted the Morse code requirement, and the
> questions and answers to all the tests necessary for
> licensure are public domain. For practice tests,
> check out qrz.com. I can second the condemnation of
> SGC transceivers, I know of a few that were
> disappointed with performance. SGC tuners are great
> though. I use a SGC tuner(231?) with my Icom 706.
> Icom tuners are good also, but require an extra
> control cable to work. SGC tuners can be used with
> any radio, so if you change brands later on it is
> easier to swap. 710's are a tried and true
> transceiver if staying with marine SSB. Did I mention
> that email is free with ham?
> Cheers,
> Jim Swallow
> FWB, FL
> PS I have heard, but of course have no personal
> knowledge, that ham radios can be opened up(by
> snipping two diodes) for marine frequencies
> also...oooh the possibilities...

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Received on Sun Jan 21 06:39:39 2007