[ICOM] ICOM marine/ham radios

[David J. Ring, Jr.]

This is a difficult question - mostly become few will come out and tell the 
truth.  FCC Wireless Bureau will tell you the following, but are hesitant to 
send the information in written form.  I think it is getting to be "don't 
ask, don't tell" type of affair with them.

The modification of a FCC type approved radio including modifications by 
programming ham frequencies voids the type approval.

All frequency programming of a marine radio - even if so simple it could be 
done by a user - must be done by the holder of at least a General 
Radiotelephone License, 2nd Class Radiotelegraph License or GMDSS Maintainer 
License. See USC Title 47 CFR 80.203 (b)2 and (b) 3.

Programming a radio so that it transmits on frequencies that are not 
authorized under the part in which it is licensed - (Part 80 - Marine Radio) 
will void the type acceptance.  You can program it yourself for ham bands - 
with our without a commercial license - but doing so makes the radio 
"non-type approved".

Also FCC requires an "amateur radio station" and the vessel's "marine radio 
station" to be two different units - except that they may share a common 
antenna and power supply.

See Amateur Rules in FCC part 97.11(b)

That being said - if the unit is taken to be a "ham radio" and will never be 
used on the marine bands - except for the provisions that during an SOS it 
may (like any radio) be used there - it can be programmed by the radio 
amateur without a commercial license.  Unfortunately the "separate" 
provision of the FCC rules still applies.

If you legally need a HF marine radio, you must provide one to be used 
exclusively for marine HF.

There is a good article about marine electronics and communications here: 
http://www.setsail.com/dashew/electronics.html

FCC Marine Information Page:
http://wireless.fcc.gov/marine/fctsht14.html

The good news is that the USCG has "abandoned" voluntarily equpped radio 
inspections and that the FCC doesn't routinely do radio inspections any more 
either.  If your vessel is licensed out of the USA, consult the rules and 
regulations of your nation of registry.

Commercial radios are a pain to use on the ham bands, and ham radios often 
aren't stable enough to work well on commercial bands.

If you're looking on the web for information on this, disregard whatever 
Gordon West says about marine radio (at the very minimum) as he is usually 
wrong about such matters.  I just read one page on which he states that the 
reason some rules are made was to prevent "Sparky" from changing frequencies 
on marine radios and put them on the ham frequencies as if "Sparky" was some 
unlicensed creature who lacked all understanding of marine electronics 
despite his having to obtain (at the time) the highest radio operators 
licenses issued by the FCC.  Ship radios were customarily unlocked - both US 
Navy and US Merchant Navy to be able to transmit from 1,600 to 29,999.9 
kHz - no gaps - and synthesized to 10 Hz accuracy and setable to 100 Hz 
steps throughout the spectrum.

73

David J. Ring, Jr., N1EA
Radio Officer U.S. Merchant Marine


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Adam Farson" <farson at shaw.ca>
To: "'ICOM Reflector'" <icom at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, June 09, 2005 10:00 PM
Subject: RE: [ICOM] ICOM marine/ham radios


Hi Jim,

There is no regulatory issue involved in configuring an HF marine or PMR
radio to transmit on amateur frequencies. The IC-M700 and IC-M710 series
will work fine on the amateur bands, although the IC-M700 will not transmit
above 22.999 MHz.

I do not believe there ever was an IC-M725, and a Web search comes up dry.

An IC-M700 or IC-M700TY might be a reasonable trade for a really clean
IC-725.

Cheers for now, 73,
Adam VA7OJ/AB4OJ


-----Original Message-----
From: icom-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:icom-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On
Behalf Of Jim Isbell, W5JAI
Sent: 09 June 2005 18:39
To: Mail List for ICOM
Subject: [ICOM] ICOM marine/ham radios

I am well aware of the illegality of transmitting on an ICOM 725 on Marine
frequencies..even though it is an easy conversion to effect on the ICOM 725.
What are the legalaties of modifying an ICOM IC-M710 to transmit on Ham
frequencies?

Is there a coresponding IC-M725 to the IC-725 ham rig?

Does anyone have an IC-M725 they would trade for an IC-725 that is in
perfect condition?

--
Jim Isbell
"If you are not living on the edge, well then, you are just taking up too
much space."
W5JAI
UltraVan #257
1970 E-Type
1985 XJS
1982 XJ6
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