[ICOM] ICOM marine/ham radios

Fri Jun 10 13:54:56 EDT 2005

Well, since my use of SSB Marine bands would be in international
waters, and not in the US.  Perhaps if I was using a type certified
marine radio that was capable of Ham operation, it would not be a
problem to ANYONE.

On 6/10/05, Adam Farson <farson at shaw.ca> wrote:
> Hi Dave,
> 
> Perhaps I should have been a little more specific in my comment about the
> regulatory issue. To the best of my knowledge, there is no Canadian
> regulatory issue involved in transmitting on the amateur bands with a
> type-approved marine HF radio-telephone set. The Industry Canada documents I
> have consulted are silent on this matter.
> 
> I know of one case of a type-approved HF PMR transceiver in a provincial
> government comm. centre. This equipment is used regularly on
> provincial-government channels, and spends its "off-duty" time on the 20m
> amateur band. None of the interested parties seems to have a problem with
> that.
> 
> 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 David J. Ring, Jr.
> Sent: 10 June 2005 08:16
> To: ICOM Reflector
> Subject: Re: [ICOM] ICOM marine/ham radios
> 
> 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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-- 
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