Icom SSB 802 vs 801

[Dockhead]

It is frustrating that the Icom 801E is almost double the cost of the Icom 802, with practically the same functionality. The 802, however, is not certified in Europe. I guess Icom is just ripping off Europeans who don't have such a competitive market as the U.S.

Anyone with a U.K. (or other EU) flag boat use the 802? Does anyone actually check for the CE seal? Are there any other disadvantages?

[marno]

I'm sure with a bit of fine sandpaper and a transfer an 802 could become an 801.....

[btrayfors]

See this thread, esp. beginning with post #12:

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...1-a-21845.html

[swagman]

EU or UK?

We had the non UK type approved 802 and even our installer commented about the sense in us doing so.

We are a UK registered vessel, but who is ever going to check anyway?

Cheers
JOHN

[Mercz]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

It is frustrating that the Icom 801E is almost double the cost of the Icom 802, with practically the same functionality. The 802, however, is not certified in Europe. I guess Icom is just ripping off Europeans who don't have such a competitive market as the U.S.

Anyone with a U.K. (or other EU) flag boat use the 802? Does anyone actually check for the CE seal? Are there any other disadvantages?

The M801 and M802 looks the same, but the M801

1. has a more robust housing with heavy duty connectors,
2. has a built in DC to DC converter,
3. using the latest DSP technology, so has better receiver performance.

While M801 claims to be complying with Recommendations ITU-R 493-11 Class E, it does not. Seemingly Icom is good at building fine radios, they are still need a better understanding of DSC and GMDSS (for non-SOLAS vessels).

So I used the older M802 with proper guidelines for DSC working. Actually, on board of small crafts, you supposed to hold a Long Range Certificate.

M801 is type approved in all the 27 European countries, so if you sail on Mediterraean, Baltic or Channel Islands, you might be checked (unlikely).

Regards, Laszlo

[Dockhead]

Thanks, guys. Yeah, from the old thread it looks like the 801 doesn't have the ham bands, which would be no good for me (as I am planning to get a ham license). Although maybe you can open them up like on some other ICOMs?

801 is lower power than 802 (80 or 125 watts versus 150 watts).

And at half the price, it looks like the 802 is the way to go. I like the sandpaper suggestion!

You cant get a complete 802 package complete with antenna tuner and even Pactor modem for $2800, which is only 1650 GBP!

http://www.landfallnavigation.com/99802.html

[jjt]

Dockhead:

The package you mention costs 4769 u$ as stated here:
Icom M-802 Complete E-mail System

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by jjt

Dockhead:

The package you mention costs 4769 u$ as stated here:
Icom M-802 Complete E-mail System

You're right -- I got confused. Here's the same thing at $3,499:

ICOM IC-M802 with Pactor 1060 Modem Package - IC-M802 ptc 1060 package

And very complete, with cables, antenna tuner, Pactor, and so forth

That's 2000 GBP so very sweet by U.K. standards.

You can buy a pretty good few satcom minutes for the price of a Pactor modem. I guess that question has been debated here for a long time in other threads.