ICOM M802 Specs

• Standard 4 × 8 remote controller.  The IC-M802 offers an industry-standard 4-inch tall (10.16
• cm) remote controller. When set up with the IC-M502 VHF radio, Icom offers you a complete communications station.
• Large LCD with dot matrix characters
• You can easily read the alphanumeric name of any of the
• 1355 ITU channels at a glance with the large LCD display. 
• Nighttime operation is no problem with 10 levels (plus OFF) adjustable backlit display and keypad.
• Easy to use in all conditions
• The IC-M802 offers two large dials – bank and channel– for easy channel selection. Up to 16 banks of 20 (max.) each for user channels, and 17 banks for ITU channels are available.
• Built-in digital selective calling
• For added safety at sea, the IC-M802 offers the latest in one-touch DSC emergency communications technology. (ITU Class E standard.) The emergency button is covered by a red, spring loaded hatch to avoid accidental DSC activation.
• Digital signal processor advantage
• The speech compressor, utilizing DSP, increases average talk power. Flexible filter settings provide for narrow band signals like e-mail, SITOR, FSK and other operation without an optional filter.
• 150W (PEP) of powerful output 150 Watts of power offers superior worldwide communications. A one piece, die cast aluminum chassis and a large cooling fan allow continuous transmission at full output power –very important for data communications, like e-mail.
• One-touch e-mail access
• An SSB first! The IC-M802 can be set to memorize your
• HF e-mail access frequency, mode and bandwidth settings.
• At sea e-mail has never been easier.  * Please consult with an HF e-mail provider for details.
• Automatic antenna tuner, AT-140
• An optional automatic antenna tuner, AT-140, easily connects
• to the IC-M802. When the tuner cannot tune the antenna,
• the IC-M802 bypasses the tuner and displays a
• warning indicator on the LCD.

Other features
--Wide band receive coverage (0.5 – 29.9999MHz)
--Remote control mic allows you to select channels directly
--Accessory RS-232C port allows connection of modem, etc.
--GPS input, NMEA 0183 version 3.01
--A headphone jack in front of the controller
--The latest ICOM Digital Signal Processor technology with a compact remote head

ICOM M802 Single Sideband Marine Radio

I was lucky to purchase a used ICOM M802 Marine Radio on eBay for about 1/3 of the cost new.  I will need to buy a new mounting bracket and some cables.  The microphone connector is broken, and that will need to be repaired.  I can either buy or building my own cables and brackets.

Actual photo's of my radio.

The head of radio can be mounted remotely from the radio base.

 

 Note the damage to the microphone connector.

30 Gallon Holding Tank

ECHO has never had a holding tank.  I am building one.

Some considerations.  I hate Wye valves.  I believe the only way to plumb a holding tank is to pump everything into it, and have a suck out port at the top and a drain at the bottom.  I also believe the holding tank should be above the waterline, and as large as possible.

I decided to use the space above the cabinet.  It will be a tight fit, but by custom making my own holding tank, I can maximize the volume of my holding tank.

My rough estimate is it will be a bit under 30 gallons.  While not big, that is a decent size, and I'll met the sanitation laws.  I plan to build a much larger holding tank aft.

I decided to make a female mold. If I had to do it over again, I'd make a male mold and not try to lay the whole thing up at once. 

My female mold worked ok, but it was a challenge.  I've yet to crack the mold, and I'm confident I'll need to add to it on one or both side to make it strong enough to suit my specification.

Here are a few pictures of the mold.

Form plywood cut and stitched (wired) together

 

 Some reinforcing around the middle so I can put pressure on the inside of the form.  I plan to use sand and weights to accomplish that.

  

Maximum strength will come from radius corners--this will allow better drainage. Here I sprayed Great Stuff foam.

 

Next I smoothed the edges of the foam.

 I added some tape to smooth these corners some more.  Later I added some plastic sheeting to cover the entire inside.

I cut and fit two layers of fiberglass mat topped with one layer of cloth.

After wetting it down with epoxy, I folded a layer of plastic on top.  

Next I filled the box with sand and packed it down.  

I felt the wet fiberglass conform to the shape of the mold.  

Finally, I put batteries on top for some added weight.

If I had to do it over again, I'd use a male mold and do the layup in several session to ensure the structure was perfect.   

Since I used a extra slow hardener, I intend to let it set up an extra day.  

Stay tuned!