New Icom M803 SSB

[AA3JY]

Tnx to all that responded back..

..but does it cover(?TX?)on 10 meters(Only RX)..specs say no..

■ Specifications
D General
• Frequency coverage:
D Transmitter • Output power:
1.6 ~ 27.5000 MHz
150/100/60/20 W PEP (Selectable)
• Spurious emissions (at Maximum power):
Less than –62 dB for peak output
power
• Carrier suppression (at Maximum power):
More than 40 dB for peak output
power
• Unwanted sideband suppression (at Maximum power):
More than 55 dB for peak output power (with 1500 Hz AF Input)
D Receiver
• RX/TX sensitivity:
RX TX
• DSC (RX):
• Mode: RX/TX
RX only
0.5 ~ 29.9999 MHz (Continuously) 1.6 ~ 2.9999 MHz, 4.0 ~ 4.9999 MHz 6.0 ~ 6.9999 MHz, 8.0 ~ 8.9999 MHz 12.0 ~ 13.9999 MHz, 16.0 ~ 17.9999 MHz 18.0 ~ 19.9999 MHz, 22.0 ~ 22.9999 MHz 25.0 ~ 27.5000 MHz
2.1875 MHz, 4.2075 MHz, 6.3120 MHz, 8.4145 MHz, 12.5770 MHz, 16.8045 MHz

[Kube]

I can confirm I have made contacts with the M803 on 10 meter, 20 meter, 40 meter, and 80 meter bands as a licensed HAM. Note that none of those bands are listed in the TX specifications and the radio has not been modified from factory config.

HAM bands:
80meter = 3.5-4 Mhz
40meter = 7-7.3 Mhz
20meter = 14-14.35 Mhz
10meter = 28-29.7 Mhz

Radio Spec list for TX:
1.6–2.9999, 4.0–4.9999, 6.0–6.9999,
8.0–8.9999, 12.0–13.9999, 16.0–17.9999,
18.0–19.9999, 22.0–22.9999, 25.0–27.5000 MHz

- K5KUB

[AA3JY]

Originally Posted by Kube

I can confirm I have made contacts with the M803 on 10 meter, 20 meter, 40 meter, and 80 meter bands as a licensed HAM. Note that none of those bands are listed in the TX specifications and the radio has not been modified from factory config.

HAM bands:
80meter = 3.5-4 Mhz
40meter = 7-7.3 Mhz
20meter = 14-14.35 Mhz
10meter = 28-29.7 Mhz

Radio Spec list for TX:
1.6–2.9999, 4.0–4.9999, 6.0–6.9999,
8.0–8.9999, 12.0–13.9999, 16.0–17.9999,
18.0–19.9999, 22.0–22.9999, 25.0–27.5000 MHz

- K5KUB

Any luck with WARC bands?

[waterman46]

For ham radio use, it seems to me that the 803 is decidedly unfriendly even compared to the M-802. I don't have the M-803, but I have the M-802 and have read the M-803 manual.

For stepping frequencies, with the M-802 you can use both hands to make frequency selection and manual scanning quick. Operate the digit selection with the left knob and the stepping with the right hand knob, so you can use both hands. The M-803 requires pushing the quite small left or right keys to select digits. This is clumsy compared to turning a knob, and means you either use your right hand for both digit selection and stepping, or use your left hand for the digit selection and that hand is then blocking you from seeing the screen.

I'd like to get my hands on one long enough to try this, but doubt anyone in my area has one on display - I'll try West Marine. If anyone else has operated the M-803 in ham bands I'd like to hear their opinion of the user interface. To me it seems ergonomically unsound (to put it politely).

The M-802 has a 3 step selectable filter bandwidth for CW. I don't see any such filter in the M-803 manual. I would have to use an external audio filter for CW with the M-803. Actually that is a better solution since the external filter bandwidth can be quickly changed with a hardware switch.

Doug
KG6U

[la5zo]

Originally Posted by Discovery 15797

I personally am disappointed with the Icom M-803. As I stated in a previous post (https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ml#post3073812) the upgrades/improvements are rather lack-luster.

It seems Icom put more emphasis on aesthetics than on technical enhancements.

I cannot for the life of me understand why Icom would remove the headphone jack from the control unit. When operating the ham/ssb I use noise cancelling Heil Pro-7 headset with a custom made dongle from Associated Radio.

Have a look at the MICROPHONE connector in the M802 manual.
The pinout is identical on M802/M803.

The connector has AF at pin 3 (volume controlled) & AF pin 4 (fixed level) AF gnd on pin 8.



Suggest you modify your adapter to get the receive audio from the MICROPHONE connector and not the 3.5mm jack.



Geir
S/Y Ocean Viking
Lista, Norway

[SV_StrangeBird]

Has anyone been able to use VFO mode on an 803?

I have successfully entered "amateur mode", but I can not find a true VFO mode.

I have been using the "temporary" frequency change of a channel which sort of works, but while doing that you are pretty much locked out of any other feature since it is waiting for you to save the new channel frequency.

Icom support hasn't been able to answer this one either.

Regards,
Mark ~ KM5MF
S/V Strange Bird

[Sea-TechSystems]

In addition to Amateur mode, there's a VFO setting that can be configured through the cloning tool. it enables a 3rd mode that you cycle through with the RX/TX button for tuning with VFO. Might need to get that enabled, but unfortunately it requires dealer cloning software/cable. If you were willing to send the transceiver, control head, and control cable I could program it.

-Richard

Originally Posted by SV_StrangeBird

Has anyone been able to use VFO mode on an 803?

I have successfully entered "amateur mode", but I can not find a true VFO mode.

I have been using the "temporary" frequency change of a channel which sort of works, but while doing that you are pretty much locked out of any other feature since it is waiting for you to save the new channel frequency.

Icom support hasn't been able to answer this one either.

Regards,
Mark ~ KM5MF
S/V Strange Bird

[ka4wja]

Richard,
Thank you for posting this!!
It's always nice to learn something!

Originally Posted by Sea-TechSystems

In addition to Amateur mode, there's a VFO setting that can be configured through the cloning tool. it enables a 3rd mode that you cycle through with the RX/TX button for tuning with VFO. Might need to get that enabled, but unfortunately it requires dealer cloning software/cable. If you were willing to send the transceiver, control head, and control cable I could program it.

-Richard

I was under the impression that once the M-803 was put into "Amateur Mode", all that was needed was to press the RX/TX button to switch to VFO Mode? So, thank you for mentioning this....it is important for all of us to know.
As I wrote in another thread (added correction in red):

Originally Posted by ka4wja

Denis,
2) Before delving in further....I have some quick comments on the new info you just posted, regarding asking Icom about their M-803? You're lucky you got any response at all!
But, why are you asking them, when we can answer better here? LOL

Seriously, all the answers to your questions on the M-803 have already been posted here, over the past year, or so.
Richard at SeaTech, just taught us something new (new to me anyway)...
(FYI, it's sad to say, but truth is those of us here on Cruiser's Forum, know more about Icom M-700Pro's, M-710's, M-802's and M-803's, than the guys at Icom America, and I suspect Icom Canada, as well!)

But, onto the answers:

a and b) Yes, you the end-user, can enable the Amateur Radio bands and VFO Mode (although the M-803 is not quite as easy to use as a ham radio, as the M-802, another reason I'm, not giving up my M-802's, yet!) The procedure is:

--- Turn radio off.

--- Simultaneously press and hold the number "2", "RX/TX", and "Menu" buttons, while powering on the M-803 (press the power button, while holding those other 3 buttons)

--- Continue to hold "2", "RX/TX", and "MENU", until radio boots up and shows it normal screen.

--- It should show "Amateur" on the upper-left side of the display

Then you use the RX/TX button to switch to VFO mode.
Oppss....Perhaps you need to have the "VFO mode" enabled in the software, first....depends if this was done by the dealer/installer?

{With the M-802, you use the "Mode", "2", "TXF/TX" buttons....and then the "Clar/RX" button to switch to VFO mode}

Btw, also an issue with "as delivered from the factory" radio, many of the 160 User Channels that Icom has programmed into the M-803 are of little use to many cruisers / sailors! (yep, Icom strikes again!) So, buying the radio from an Icom Marine HF specialist is always a good idea (NOT Defender, nor West Marine), as they will better program your user channels for you, as well as enable the "amateur mode", and enable the speech compressor!


c) Unfortunately, as delivered from factory, the M-803's speech compression is OFF / not enabled! (some dealers will enable it, de rigueur...but some will not....Gary at Dockside Radio does!, and I assume Richard at Seatech does, as well?)

And, if you desire more "official" answers, why not ask an Icom HF dealer / specialist, such as Gary at Dockside Radio? (or Richard at SeaTech)
I mean, you're not gonna' buy a M-803 from Defender or West Marine, etc., as they know nothing about them!
When you're ready to buy a M-803, buy it from Gary / Dockside Radio!
(btw, you do NOT need a "battery booster"! ham radios usually do, but NOT M-802's or M-803's!)

https://docksideradio.com/

https://docksideradio.com/Icom%20SSB%20Radios.htm

https://docksideradio.com/M803_ch_Guide.htm

https://docksideradio.com/M803%20Amaterr%20Mode.htm

So, Richard, thanks again!
(and while I'd like to buy myself a Christmas present, this is another reason it won't be an M-803....heck, I own THREE M-802's! And, lots of other rigs....)

Fair winds.

John

[Sea-TechSystems]

Hi John,

If you order an M803 from myself(Sea-Tech) or Gary(Dockside), we both will program the VFO and Speech Compression settings prior to shipment.

You can use VFO mode without the clone setting, it's just a bit cumbersome. you basically scroll the frequency for RX as needed.. but you need to manually update the TX freq before you can TX. With the clone software setting you can have the TX/RX linked in VFO mode and it works a bit simpler.

Either way you still get a nice, high power HF radio with DSC Distress functionality. The M803 also has last call recording/playback, built-in GPS receiver for the DSC, and even DSC NMEA so you can send incoming received HF-DSC calls to your chartplotter. The built-in GPS can also feed position data to the Pactor modem's NMEA input if you are using Pactor.

Richard

Originally Posted by ka4wja

Richard,
Thank you for posting this!!
It's always nice to learn something!


I was under the impression that once the M-803 was put into "Amateur Mode", all that was needed was to press the RX/TX button to switch to VFO Mode? So, thank you for mentioning this....it is important for all of us to know.
As I wrote in another thread (added correction in red):




So, Richard, thanks again!
(and while I'd like to buy myself a Christmas present, this is another reason it won't be an M-803....heck, I own THREE M-802's! And, lots of other rigs....)

Fair winds.

John

[SV_StrangeBird]

Thanks for all of the follow-up on my VFO question.

Pretty disappointing that wasn't part of the already cryptic method for getting into amateur mode. And the speech compression mode as well. Admittedly, I probably should have made my purchase through DSR but I can't blame Defender, this is all on Icom IMHO.

And good luck finding any info on the cloning cable or software on Icom's website. I do have a supply of electronic project stuff on my boat (like USB-TTL uart cables and such) that I could hack together a cloning cable if someone has the details. And info on where to download the cloning software. I'm looking, I think, for CS-M803 software but don't see it on the Icom software downloads.

I'm down in the Sea of Cortez and not expecting to find an Icom dealer down here

Thanks to all!

[Sea-TechSystems]

Email me at richard@sea-tech.com and I'll see how I can help...

Originally Posted by SV_StrangeBird

Thanks for all of the follow-up on my VFO question.

Pretty disappointing that wasn't part of the already cryptic method for getting into amateur mode. And the speech compression mode as well. Admittedly, I probably should have made my purchase through DSR but I can't blame Defender, this is all on Icom IMHO.

And good luck finding any info on the cloning cable or software on Icom's website. I do have a supply of electronic project stuff on my boat (like USB-TTL uart cables and such) that I could hack together a cloning cable if someone has the details. And info on where to download the cloning software.

I'm down in the Sea of Cortez and not expecting to find an Icom dealer down here

Thanks to all!

[ka4wja]

Richard,
Thanks!
That's good to know....

FYI, that is how the "amateur mode" / "vfo mode" worked in the old M-710....cumbersome it was!!

Originally Posted by Sea-TechSystems

The M803 also has last call recording/playback,
This is the only reason, I'd buy one...but, that's just me!

built-in GPS receiver for the DSC, and even DSC NMEA so you can send incoming received HF-DSC calls to your chartplotter. The built-in GPS can also feed position data to the Pactor modem's NMEA input if you are using Pactor.
Good info, but anyone with an M-802 and PACTOR (I don't use PACTOR) probably has this configured already as they'd have a GPS connected to radio and modem.
And, while I do have my VHF-DSC (and AIS) configured as such, but never thought about my HF-DSC sending DSC call info to my chartplotter? (I did once need to plot an HF-DSC Distress call on my plotter....but it turned out to be a false alarm....)


Richard

Thanks again, again!

John

[EdenRose]

Do you have to unplug the headphone to get the speaker when using the dongle? Or do you have to unplug the entire dongle? If the black box is remote, how do you work it out to use the headphone adapter easily?


(BTW...I agree with you they removed the headphone jack to meet the IPX7 standards. But, IMHO it was not a well thought out "feature." I have never seen a SSB control unit mounted in a cockpit. If the control unit is underwater...the last thing I'll be doing is trying to talk on a radio! )[/QUOTE]