On Wed, 27 Aug 2003 13:16:06 -0400, "JAD"
wrote:

I like the flush install....looks like everything will remain easily
accessable from the top, too.

Yes, I agree.

How do you like the new Icom 802 from an operation standpoint? The VFOs
gotta be the biggest improvement (I have a 702.) How about rapid channel
access, the usability of the "pre-programmed" ITU channel banks and their
content?????

The VFO function is part of the channelized section, which actually
works great.

You need to "open up" the VFO function by pressing MODE + 2 + TX
buttons simultaneously, holding them down, while turning the unit on.
Once this is toggled on, you can press Rx button after selecting a
channel and the VFO function will start tuning from the channel
setting. Of course, this requires the operator to KNOW that his
marine ship license must NOT be used on any other frequency except the
channelized ITU channels.....unless he's a South American drug
kingpin, it seems. They operate all over the bands.

The left knob in VFO mode switches the digit you will be "tuning"
while the right knob in VFO mode switches the number. It's nearly
like having a commercial HF transceiver. Works very nice on all the
bands. It's unfortunate the programming wasn't included for the ham
band segments to automatically go to the proper sideband or mode as
you tune into them....USB on 20, 15, 10 and LSB on 160, 75, 40M, for
instance. AS the radio is only an SSB rig, that I can find, it's just
a receiver for FSK, CW, AM, etc...

I set up another 702 on my friend's ketch in New Zealand that
came with the Icom dealers standard "South Pacific" programming....and it
was nearly useless as it came. What a PIA trying to squeeze all of "the
good stuff" into the user channels from the panel..... How is the SOUND
QUALITY from the 802 speaker? (The 702s is phenominal compared to most
internal speakers in amateur gear!)

The 802 audio is "communications friendly". It's not Hi-Fi, and
shouldn't be. I'd say audio bandwidth is from 800 Hz to 3 Khz in SSB
positions, maybe 4Khz on AM with more bass for listening to
"shortwave" broadcasting.

Internal speakers in ham gear is made to sell EXTERNAL speakers that
match at Lexus prices....

I REALLY hope you sent your rant on those connectors to ICOM....they need
some feedback on this. Marine electronics guys and RADIO MEN are very often
different animals.........they should have gotten this right in the first
place.

Joe

Icom suffers from bean counteritis. Squeeze every dime out of every
radio, same as in ham rigs. The boater-buyers won't know any better,
unless their techs point these things out to them. The techs,
however, valuing their jobs, will keep quiet as their BOSS probably
sold 'em the radio in the first place.

We got ours with the M602 VHF from Sailnet. $1649 on sale, now. At
that price, it's a helluva deal.

I hope new HF-equipped boaters aren't too discouraged by current band
conditions. The HF bands are in TERRIBLE condition due to high K
indexes from lack of sunspots to charge up our ionosphere. 20 meters
(14.000-14.350) ham band was nearly dead by dark. 75 meters was
trashed early by static from huge thunderstorms across the SE USA.

It's a nice automated radio in the tradition of commercial FM or CB.
Channelization in its native channel-only mode will make it useful for
non-radio savvy users, once they know the rules and which channels are
guarded by which agency, ships, etc.

The 702 wasn't an option without the ham bands and VFO.....(c;

Larry W4CSC
HM S/V "Lionheart"
Charleston SC USA


Larry W4CSC

Isn't it becoming more practical by the day to make
Iraq's desert the new World Nuclear Waste Disposal Site?