I-com M302 Fixed Mount Dsc Vhf Radio

Nick Hearne · 24 June 2004, 14:07

Can some one explain B4 Jon Brooks dose, is this a gray import?
It is not I-COM web site!
It looks too good to be trow (so it probably is)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...482934753&rd=1

Nick

Alex Brown · 24 June 2004, 14:59

That looks like the American version http://www.icomamerica.com/marine/mo...c-m302main.asp

If I remember right, the Icom 602 came out in the US, and then the 601 made it to here a while after..... the 302 looks like the 401 so I'd only guess it's just a matter of time before the uk gets a 401 equivalent with everything built in like the 601.

I'd assume it's an import anyhow unless Jon Brooks says otherwise or hasn't updated his website

-Alex

Bilge Rat · 24 June 2004, 15:10

If i can remember rightly Jon B was saying a few weeks back that ICOM are developing a compact VFH with built in DSC for sale in the UK, this would make this particular set on ebay a US version.

with this in mind i'm not sure if it would be any use or at all legal to use in the UK ? dont quote me though as i may be incorrect !

best bet IHHO is to ask Jon Brooks.

stevetheboat · 24 June 2004, 17:04

Hi,

this unit is an American spec 401 and, as far as I am aware, not only unsuitable due to channel variations between US and European communication frequencies but probably illegal too! may be worth checking with radio communications agency at
http://www.ofcom.org.uk

Regards,

Stevetheboat

Erin · 24 June 2004, 17:34

From an earlier thread, anything ending in a '2' is the US version and not legal for UK apparently. Lets hope we get a DSC version of the 401 soon. Why do we always follow the yanks on these things?

roohairy · 24 June 2004, 18:29

Almost all US sets will work on international channels, and also canadian - they're different again. I have a US 502 on here which works seamlessly with our other UK sourced DSC's.
I think the only question is the iffy legality of using it, not whether it actuially works or not.
The other thing is if anything goes wrong Icom uk won't work on it, and there seem to be plenty of differences aimed at stopping us from using us sets ie. wiring for mics different etc.

Jon Brooks · 25 June 2004, 09:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Hearne

Can some one explain B4 Jon Brooks dose, is this a gray import?
It is not I-COM web site!
It looks too good to be trow (so it probably is)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...482934753&rd=1

Nick

Why would you not want me to comment and give you the actual facts Nick?
I would have thought it would have been better to ask the people who know the facts rather than those who think they do!!!

It is a US only set, it is NOT legal to fit to any EU vessel let alone use it.
It is not CE marked, it is the wrong class of DSC, it has channels missing.

It is not the US version of the M401 that would be the M402!!!!

Have a nice day

Regards

Nick Hearne · 25 June 2004, 09:08

Thank you jon the question was really directed at you anyway!
So if you have this out in the US when are we going to see it in the UK?
Nick

Jon Brooks · 25 June 2004, 09:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Hearne

Thank you jon the question was really directed at you anyway!
So if you have this out in the US when are we going to see it in the UK?
Nick

Its been in the US for a while.
For it to be sold over here it needs a second reciever unit fitted.
This is one on the main diff between the US and UK/EU models.
That may sound easy but I understand its not!

Over here we need a dedicated watch keeping reciever just for ch70 (DSC channel)
In the US models they just scan ch70.

The inside are very very different.

We are pushing hard for a compact VHF/DSC unit, maybe towards the end of the year IMHO and that is not official just IMHO.

Regards

Jon Brooks · 25 June 2004, 09:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by roohairy

Almost all US sets will work on international channels, and also canadian - they're different again. I have a US 502 on here which works seamlessly with our other UK sourced DSC's.
I think the only question is the iffy legality of using it, not whether it actuially works or not.
The other thing is if anything goes wrong Icom uk won't work on it, and there seem to be plenty of differences aimed at stopping us from using us sets ie. wiring for mics different etc.

You wont find M1 (37a) or M2 (P4) in the US products as standard also we will not cover warranty issuse or repairs.
The DSC side is very different too.

Also we (Icom UK) will give you 3 year warranty on our kit, you will only get 1 from the US.
3 years of trouble free radio, that got to be worth a bit of extra dosh

Oh and on the legal front it could cost you an extra £5000 and confiscation of the radio if you get caught!

Regards

gingercoastie · 25 June 2004, 10:13

This isn't aimed at anyone in particular.

I do not see why there is the obsession with spending as little money as possible on a vhf.

VHF and DSC is the best possible means of telling somebody and everybody that you need some assistance. When it comes to safety then surely money is no object.

I have 2 icom radios, I choose them because after years of using them at somebody else's expense I found that they could stand up to lots of wear, tear and abuse. I know they are expensive, thats why my hand held came from ebay, but if I could't have got it on ebay I would happily have paid full price.

Anyway thats my opinion and probably not yours (light blue touch paper and retire)

Jon Brooks · 25 June 2004, 10:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by gingercoastie

When it comes to safety then surely money is no object.

Could not agree more.
I have seen over the years far to many tears where corners are cut on the cost of safety.

Yes I understand the the money pot is not a bottomless pit but as most of us here boat with our loved ones, I for one would never cut corners.

Regards

Nick Hearne · 25 June 2004, 10:33

Yes I agree with all that but I was asking about a I-com vhf!
Got my answer so will not be getting this one!
Nick

stevetheboat · 20 January 2005, 14:31

See quote below for details re these radios - worth taking note!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon Brooks

Why would you not want me to comment and give you the actual facts Nick?
I would have thought it would have been better to ask the people who know the facts rather than those who think they do!!!

It is a US only set, it is NOT legal to fit to any EU vessel let alone use it.
It is not CE marked, it is the wrong class of DSC, it has channels missing.

It is not the US version of the M401 that would be the M402!!!!

Have a nice day

Regards

Stevetheboat