Save the Icom 802 from the FCC
Stan Honey, in addition to being probably the world’s best navigator, is the guy who created the incredible graphics that for the first time in history made sense of the America’s Cup and other races. The Bay Area resident also loves cruising Mexico with his Cal 40 Illusion. Jim Corenman, originally from the Bay Area, is a radio and weather expert who did a circumnavigation with the Schumacher 50 Heart of Gold a number of years ago.
Jim and Stan, who have altruistically given so much to sailing over the years, are the ones who created SailMail, which revolutionized communication for cruisers, particularly when they were far from land. So when they speak, it’s worth listening.
These two members of the pantheon of sailing greats have no commercial interest in Icom radios, but are asking you to help them try to keep the radio legal in the United States. We’ll let them explain:
“The FCC regulations covering HF SSB DSC radios have evolved in such a way so that Icom is no longer permitted to sell the M802 SSB in the United States, which was the only remaining marine SSB available in the United States that is affordable and reasonable to install on a sailboat.
"Icom has requested a waiver from the FCC to allow Icom to continue to sell the M802 until they are able to introduce a new radio that meets the new FCC regulations. The FCC is requesting input from mariners on whether they should grant Icom this waiver.
"Most SailMail members likely already have a SSB, but the SailMail membership is nevertheless uniquely qualified to provide expert input to the FCC on this topic. If you have access to the Internet, and are willing to help, please access the FCC website and submit comments on the question of whether Icom should be permitted to continue to sell the M802.
"Our thoughts are that the M802 is the only remaining marine SSB that is affordable and reasonable to install on a recreational vessel. The M802 implements DSC, which now that the USCG (and most other international SAR authorities) no longer monitor voice channels, is the only reasonable way to summon help in an emergency via an SSB. We recommend that the FCC grant Icom a waiver so that they can continue to sell the M802.
"If you’re willing to help by submitting a comment, go to the FCC website at
https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs. In the ‘Specify Proceeding’ box, enter ’17-122′ (without the quotation marks). Then press the ‘search’ button at the bottom of the page. When the screen updates you will be able to review comments posted by us and others.
"To submit your own comments, in the box on the left of the screen, press ‘+ Express’ and fill out the form and add your comments. (Or click ‘submit a filing’ at the top. Select ‘standard filing’ to submit a PDF or Word doc file, or ‘Express’ for a brief comment).
"Please submit your comment by June 8.
"Thank you to those of you who are willing to help existing and future small boat users of SSB communications.” Signed Stan Honey, Jim Corenman and Shea Weston.
Shea Weston is an SSB expert who checks Profligate’s SSB radio system prior to the start of each Baja Ha-Ha. He’s probably the most active SSB expert on the West Coast.