New Icom M803 SSB

[Gary Jensen-DSR]

A quick question BJ, what model headset adapter are you using to connect the Heil 7 to your M802?


Thanks & 73's,
Gary
AA1GJ

[Gary Jensen-DSR]

The absence of a head phone jack on the M803 control head might have something to do with the control head being IPX7 Water Immersion Compliant. I suspect maintaining protection against meaningful water ingress while immersed in water to a depth of 1 meter for 30 minutes is difficult to achieve with a 3.5mm or larger hole drilled into the front to accommodate a non IPX 7 or 8 headphone plug.

[Discovery 15797]

Originally Posted by Gary Jensen-DSR

A quick question BJ, what model headset adapter are you using to connect the Heil 7 to your M802?


Thanks & 73's,
Gary
AA1GJ

Hi Gary, the folks at Heil pointed me to Associated Radio. I contacted them and in about 2 week they sent a custom built dongle (adapter).

(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! )

[tlavino]

Jim Corenman has issued a beta release of SailMail (3.5.054) to add support the M803, in which he cautions to use the AF/Mod DB-9 port in lieu of the DIN-8 ACC port for audio and PTT connections to your modem due to the ACC port being overly sensitive:

Recent changes for Airmail beta ver 3.5.054:
============================================
Icom M803: Support for the new Icom M803 marine radio is added. "Icom M803" is added as a radio choice, in Options as well as setup-wizard. The connections are the same as the M802 and previous Icom marine radios, however the audio-input for the "ACC" connector is way too sensitive, at least for the early radios which we have been able to test. As a result we are strongly recommending using the 9-pin AF/MOD connector which has a high-level audio input level. This will avoid problems with RF feedback and audio distortion. A wiring diagram is on the Sailmail website, search for "Icom M803" if it is not on the home page.

The upshot is you will need a DB9 -> DIN-8 cable specific to the M803. Note that the AF/MOD port does not provide power to the modem, so a separate 13.8v. feed to the modem is needed in addition to the new cable.

Gary Jensen at Dockside Radio is currently providing the required DB9 -> DIN-8 cable, but have not seen it advertised elsewhere...

Cheers,

Ted Lavino
KG6LZP

[flyingnut40]

following

[AA3JY]

Originally Posted by tlavino

Jim Corenman has issued a beta release of SailMail (3.5.054) to add support the M803, in which he cautions to use the AF/Mod DB-9 port in lieu of the DIN-8 ACC port for audio and PTT connections to your modem due to the ACC port being overly sensitive:

Recent changes for Airmail beta ver 3.5.054:
============================================
Icom M803: Support for the new Icom M803 marine radio is added. "Icom M803" is added as a radio choice, in Options as well as setup-wizard. The connections are the same as the M802 and previous Icom marine radios, however the audio-input for the "ACC" connector is way too sensitive, at least for the early radios which we have been able to test. As a result we are strongly recommending using the 9-pin AF/MOD connector which has a high-level audio input level. This will avoid problems with RF feedback and audio distortion. A wiring diagram is on the Sailmail website, search for "Icom M803" if it is not on the home page.

The upshot is you will need a DB9 -> DIN-8 cable specific to the M803. Note that the AF/MOD port does not provide power to the modem, so a separate 13.8v. feed to the modem is needed in addition to the new cable.

Gary Jensen at Dockside Radio is currently providing the required DB9 -> DIN-8 cable, but have not seen it advertised elsewhere...

Cheers,

Ted Lavino
KG6LZP

Surprised that 803 doesn’t have have one of its DIN connections to provide power to a data modem especially a SCS modem directly from the control unit without modifications..

[pfiorentino]

I am located in Miami FL and looking for a tutor, technician, teacher to help me with an ICOM 803 with Pactor P4 Dragon DR-7800. It is just black magic to me. Will hire on a day rate, need to know both the hardware and software. Contact me Patrick 305-588-6880.

[AA3JY]

You an Amateur radio operator or planning on only using a Sailmail account?? Radio and SCS modem been setup?

[tlavino]

Originally Posted by AA3JY

Surprised that 803 doesn’t have have one of its DIN connections to provide power to a data modem especially a SCS modem directly from the control unit without modifications..

It still has the DIN-8 ACC port, that provides 13.6v DC power on pin 7, but since the usable audio is now provided via the AF/MOD DB-9 connector one will need a splitter to power the modem via the radio, connecting the modem audio cable to both audio from the AF/MOD port and and power from the ACC port, both of which was previously handled by the ACC port.

Heard rumors that Dockside Radio may be stepping up to the plate here...

Cheers,

TL

[SV Abundance]

Just FYI...

Defender Marine is having their annual warehouse sale. They have a package deal with the Icom M803, AT 104 and interconnect cable for ~$2517. Sale ends 29-March-2020.

https://www.defender.com/product.jsp?id=6651853

[AA3JY]

Some one mentioned there is an “Amateur Mode”..went thru the ops manual maybe I’m missing something but I can’t find it...possibly where LSB/USB selections is what is being referred too..?

[Kube]

Amateur mode in the m803 means the amateur radio bands are available for both transmit and receive. You can add the amateur frequencies as one of your channels. In fact you can rx continuously between 500khz and 30Mhz and Tx a good portion as well. No special mods or programming required.

[Discovery 15797]

The setup sequence should be the same as the 802 outlined here...

Icom M-802 Programming Instructions

[Kube]

The Icom 802 programming instructions do not apply to the Icom 803. Please note there is not a "Mode" button on the Icom 803 remote head. "Mode" is now a soft-key button, not a physical button.

My 803 came from the factory already in the "open/amateur" mode. No changes or programming needed.

[Discovery 15797]

Originally Posted by Kube

The Icom 802 programming instructions do not apply to the Icom 803. Please note there is not a "Mode" button on the Icom 803 remote head. "Mode" is now a soft-key button, not a physical button.

My 803 came from the factory already in the "open/amateur" mode. No changes or programming needed.

Thank you for the correction.