[ICOM] ICOM marine/ham radios

[Geo. Brooks, N7HPE]

I am not commenting on the legal aspects one way or another but I recently 
had an opportunity to buy an IC-M710 with the ham option factory installed. 
As I researched the utility of this radio for ham operation I talked to 
several users who advised against it because of the very cumbersome details 
of operation for ham use.  The radio does not have a VFO and freqencies must 
be entered by keyboard (if not in memory.)  Going up or down 5 takes 
forever.  I did not purchase it for my boat.

I have been told but have not personally confirmed that the newer IC-M802 
resolves that issue.

I do have an IC-706MKII(G)/AH-2 on the boat, this radio is not modified.

73, George, N7HPE
My boat's position:  http://map.findu.com/n7hpe-8