Does anyone know if it is possible to modify the IC-M800 to operate on Ham freqs ?

Any pointers to instructions ?

Thanks

Simon

(Steve) wrote in
om:

Does anyone know if it is possible to modify the IC-M800 to operate on
Ham freqs ?

Any pointers to instructions ?

Thanks

Simon


We have the M-802 on Lionheart. To open its transmit up to 2-30 Mhz
transmit, simply hold down MODE and TX buttons together while pressing the
2 button. This toggles the radio between marine channels only and wide
open frequency transmit.

To keep my captain from being arrested, when I leave the boat, I toggle it
back to marine-channels-only transmit...(c;

73, Larry W4CSC/MM

"Larry W4CSC" wrote
We have the M-802 on Lionheart. To open its transmit up to 2-30 Mhz
transmit, simply hold down MODE and TX buttons together while pressing the
2 button. This toggles the radio between marine channels only and wide
open frequency transmit.

Nothing like a high-end radio for high-end features, eh?

Jack

Steve wrote:

Does anyone know if it is possible to modify the IC-M800 to operate on Ham freqs ?

Any pointers to instructions ?



Yes Steve it can be modified.....and also Icom have an eprom at less
than 20 uk pounds that adds lsb so you get the works

To modify the radio it is the old fashioned way of cutting links and not
button pushing...this is OLD technology.


Find the logic unit which I believe is one of the circuit boards
underneath.

about mid point along on one of the short sides are 4 links and
these are marked w1 w3 w5 w6

cutting w1 gives free TX on all frequencies

The radio will not transmit below 2 mhz or above 24 mhz


To increase the frequency coverage

find the RF unit.


In one corner and running along the short edge is a row of diodes

could be as many as 10 You need to cut D25 to go over 24 mhz
you need to cut D24 to go below 2 mhz

D24 is nearest the corner and D25 is at the opposite end of the row!


the eprom is product code 119.o2 and gives USB and LSb however if it is
a USA radio this may already be fitted.

These are good bomb proof radios and all though not ideal for ham
operation work very well though you will get the odd snipe about being
off frequency


Hope this helps

John

Larry W4CSC wrote in message ...
(Steve) wrote in
om:

Does anyone know if it is possible to modify the IC-M800 to operate on
Ham freqs ?

Any pointers to instructions ?

Thanks

Simon


We have the M-802 on Lionheart. To open its transmit up to 2-30 Mhz
transmit, simply hold down MODE and TX buttons together while pressing the
2 button. This toggles the radio between marine channels only and wide
open frequency transmit.

To keep my captain from being arrested, when I leave the boat, I toggle it
back to marine-channels-only transmit...(c;

73, Larry W4CSC/MM

Thanks for this, does that mean I can assume the M800 is the same as
your 802 ?

It would be great if it was 'toggleable' becuase like you we will have
a mix of people with different qualifications using the vessel and I
absolutely must ensure that we stay legal. Although it seems to me
that as a means of routine shore contact, a full ham licence at both
ends is virtually essential - is that correct ?

Thanks

Simon

What do you mean by a "full ham license"? To use most HF
frequencies a General class license is required. An Extra
class give you access to all ham frequencies but is really
not necessary. And yes, both ends need a license.

Doug, k3qt
s/v Callista

"Steve" wrote in message
om...
Larry W4CSC wrote in message
...
(Steve) wrote in
om:

Does anyone know if it is possible to modify the IC-M800 to operate on
Ham freqs ?

Any pointers to instructions ?

Thanks

Simon


We have the M-802 on Lionheart. To open its transmit up to 2-30 Mhz
transmit, simply hold down MODE and TX buttons together while pressing
the
2 button. This toggles the radio between marine channels only and wide
open frequency transmit.

To keep my captain from being arrested, when I leave the boat, I toggle
it
back to marine-channels-only transmit...(c;

73, Larry W4CSC/MM

Thanks for this, does that mean I can assume the M800 is the same as
your 802 ?

It would be great if it was 'toggleable' becuase like you we will have
a mix of people with different qualifications using the vessel and I
absolutely must ensure that we stay legal. Although it seems to me
that as a means of routine shore contact, a full ham licence at both
ends is virtually essential - is that correct ?

Thanks

Simon

"Doug Dotson" wrote in message ...
What do you mean by a "full ham license"? To use most HF
frequencies a General class license is required. An Extra
class give you access to all ham frequencies but is really
not necessary. And yes, both ends need a license.

Doug, k3qt
s/v Callista

...
...
...
The UK has a new 3-tier licence system, only the top tier - the
'advanced' license - allows transmission on all amateur freqs with
400W and is internationally acceptable.

We also have a new 3-tier system. The top 2 allow use of the HF
bands at 2000W.


Doug, k3qt
s/v Callista

"Steve" wrote in message
om...
"Doug Dotson" wrote in message
...
What do you mean by a "full ham license"? To use most HF
frequencies a General class license is required. An Extra
class give you access to all ham frequencies but is really
not necessary. And yes, both ends need a license.

Doug, k3qt
s/v Callista

..
..
..
The UK has a new 3-tier licence system, only the top tier - the
'advanced' license - allows transmission on all amateur freqs with
400W and is internationally acceptable.

(Steve) wrote in
om:



Thanks for this, does that mean I can assume the M800 is the same as
your 802 ?

I don't think so. The M800 isn't listed on Icom's manuals website so must
be old. Sorry I can't help more.

It would be great if it was 'toggleable' becuase like you we will have
a mix of people with different qualifications using the vessel and I
absolutely must ensure that we stay legal. Although it seems to me
that as a means of routine shore contact, a full ham licence at both
ends is virtually essential - is that correct ?


Here I'll give you some help. The ONLY people who should operate the HF
SSB radio are those who are WELL EDUCATED in its use. Each operator in the
USA is REQUIRED to have a "Restricted Radiotelephone Operator's Permit" to
be legal.

http://wireless.fcc.gov/commoperators/rp.html

This is a nothing license that simply gives the FCC someone to prosecute
who is under their jurisdiction because of how the Communications Act of
1934 is written. There's no skills test at all.


To operate GMDSS/DSC, you are required to be a licensed GMDSS OPERATOR,
having passed elements 1 and 7 of the General Radio Operator's License
examinations (GROL).

http://wireless.fcc.gov/commoperators/do.html

(I'll probably get slammed for pointing this out, but you can read it for
yourself on the webpages.) Radio salesmen selling GMDSS equipment to
yachties never mention any of this, of course, as it would stop sales of
expensive equipment. It's NOT a cellphone.

To repair GMDSS equipment, there's a repairman's license, too. I hold both
so have an operator/maintainer's license (elements 1,3,7 and 9) called a DB
license.
http://wireless.fcc.gov/commoperators/dm.html

As to the ham license, everyone who's going to operate the radio should go
get his General Class ham radio license. The code testing that turned
everyone off has NEARLY gone away and you only have to learn 5 wpm Morse
code, now, to get the General and have HF/SSB priviledges on the choice ham
bands. If you're gonna be at sea, having ham buddies ashore to handle
message traffic is well worth the effort. Local ham radio clubs in your
area hold classes to teach code and the written tests. I've gotten
children as young as 9 to pass the General tests, but that's no where near
the record of 4 or 5 years old. I recently lost $10 betting a 12-year-old
he couldn't pass his Extra Class ham license test before he became a
teenager. Losing that $10 was such a pleasure just to see the beaming
smile on his face....(c;

Now, IN AN EMERGENCY WHERE LIVES ARE IN DANGER....there are NO RADIO LAWS
in force! While I was helping the local mechanic figure out where the
water came from that flooded Lionheart's Perkins 4-108 diesel down in
Daytona Beach, I had our M-802 tuned to the Maritime Service Net on 14.300
Mhz. (RECORD THAT FREQUENCY...VERY IMPORTANT). This net runs nearly
24/7/365 on 14.300 Mhz USB to help boaters at sea. As we were working on
the engine, the captain of a Honduran commercial fishing vessel contacted
the hams on the net to try to get help for one of his crewmen who had been
in a fight and had a 7" knife stuck in his back between some vital organs.
He was in shock, of course, and his life was threatened. This captain was
NOT A HAM RADIO OPERATOR...which is FINE WHEN LIFE IS IN DANGER! Do not
hesitate to let ANYONE operate the radio during these emergencies,
especially on 14.300 Mhz where the hams will work day and night to save
lives and boats! A Canadian ham who is very active on this net contacted
the USCG to try to get help to the boat. USCG contacted the Honduran Air
Force who subsequently got a boat out to this slow fishing boat to get the
injured crewman off and to a hospital in Honduras. HE SURVIVED!! Makes ya
feel proud to be a ham...(c;

Hope this info and the webpages helps you get it all running. You really
need to learn the Element 1 practices and procedures for using HF radio
before getting on HF/SSB.

By the way, if you're interested in getting your GMDSS operator's license
or more, we make it SO easy because we give you all the questions and
answers to all the tests, now, instead of making you sit in front of the
steely-eyed FCC examiner from the Radio Gestapo WRITING out your answers to
the old tests back when the First Class FCC Radiotelephone License proudly
displayed on my wall meant you knew what you were doing. You can download
all these commercial test elements from:
http://wireless.fcc.gov/commoperators/eqp.html
memorize the answers and just go take the test from a volunteer examiner,
who is probably a local ham operator in your area.

Larry W4CSC and other fine old calls since 1957 (I was 11 when I got my ham
license.)

"Doug Dotson" wrote in
:

We also have a new 3-tier system. The top 2 allow use of the HF
bands at 2000W.


Doug, k3qt
s/v Callista


2000 watts? You mean I have to turn it DOWN?!!

73, Larry W4CSC