Icom M802 as Ham radio

[Poeme]

I bought my IC-m802 pushing 20 years ago, it has a low s/n, and as I recall there was only one way to access transmit on Ham bands. Unlocking the Ham bands involved pressing 2 or 3 buttons at once while turning the unit on. (I had shown my Ham license to the dealer, who taught me the procedure) Gun to my head, I don't remember which buttons they were! In newer units I believe there is a way to unlock those bands through some mode setting but I am totally unclear on that.

[Discovery 15797]

Originally Posted by blubaju

Though I own one, I never used it for more than a little functional testing. Have Marine but no ham licence. But I suggest, control it from a PC or raspberry. Makes live much easier.

Maybe you'd like to share the control program that you use to make life much easier.

[Brian.D]

Have you tried this document?
https://www.made-simplefor-cruisers....0Ham%20Rig.pdf

[edmundsteele]

Yes, the instructions are fine for RX but when I follow the instructions on "Using the Programmed Ham Frequencies", rotating the CH knob only changes the RX frequency. The TX frequency remains as programmed in the first steps and the radio goes int DUP mode.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by edmundsteele

Yes, the instructions are fine for RX but when I follow the instructions on "Using the Programmed Ham Frequencies", rotating the CH knob only changes the RX frequency. The TX frequency remains as programmed in the first steps and the radio goes int DUP mode.

I assume you have unlocked the unit using 2, set mode and txf/tx buttons while powering on (one time only).
Then with a channel name displayed on the screen press the FREQ/CH key. Then use the left dial to move the underline and the right dial to change the number.
If this still doesn't get you what you want, then you need to make sure you are in Simplex mode. Easiest to start with Simplex channel.

[edmundsteele]

Hi Paul,
All done. The display starts in Simplex mode if the RX and TX frequencies are the same and instantly and automatically switches to DUP on the display as soon as the RX frequency is changed. The only way to change the TX frequency on my radio is to "save" or overwrite the RX frequency to one of the preprogrammed channels. Then pressing the TXF/TX button will allow me to enter the TX frequency. If I make the TX the same as the RX, the display automatically switched from DUP to SIMP but again, I have to save or rather overwrite the TX frequency in one of the preprogrammed channels.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by edmundsteele

Hi Paul,
All done. The display starts in Simplex mode if the RX and TX frequencies are the same and instantly and automatically switches to DUP on the display as soon as the RX frequency is changed. The only way to change the TX frequency on my radio is to "save" or overwrite the RX frequency to one of the preprogrammed channels. Then pressing the TXF/TX button will allow me to enter the TX frequency. If I make the TX the same as the RX, the display automatically switched from DUP to SIMP but again, I have to save or rather overwrite the TX frequency in one of the preprogrammed channels.

Well I sure can't get my 802 into a mode like you describe. If it is a simplex channel then changing the freq changes both rx and tx. If you want to post each key stroke from power on along with the display description I'll try and repeat them on my unit.

[edmundsteele]

OK, here goes, 3 step process:

1) Hit Power button
Display reads: RX USB SIMP
28.400.0
28.400.0
159 CH

2) Hit CLAR/RX button (> means display caret)
Display reads: RX> USB SIMP
28.400.0 (note subscript)
28.400.0
159 CH

3) Move RH channel selector knob one click anti-clockwise
Display reads: RX> USB DUP
28.399.9 (note subscript)
28.400.0
159 CH

4) Hit ENT button
Display reads: RX USB DUP
28.399.9
28.400.0
159 CH

[Paul L]

You must have something setup weird.
When I follow your steps at step 3 both freqs change together and it stays in simplex mode

[edmundsteele]

Thanks Paul,
This radio was originally purchased in 2003 (I bought it!) I repurchased it from the 3rd. owner last year. What vintage is your radio?
Ed

[Discovery 15797]

Originally Posted by edmundsteele

OK, here goes, 3 step process:

1) Hit Power button
Display reads: RX USB SIMP
28.400.0
28.400.0
159 CH

2) Hit CLAR/RX button (> means display caret)
Display reads: RX> USB SIMP
28.400.0 (note subscript)
28.400.0
159 CH

3) Move RH channel selector knob one click anti-clockwise
Display reads: RX> USB DUP
28.399.9 (note subscript)
28.400.0
159 CH

4) Hit ENT button
Display reads: RX USB DUP
28.399.9
28.400.0
159 CH

Hi Ed,

This is very helpful....here is the problem...

If the ">" is on the LCD when you press the CLAR/RX button that means you are only changing the RX frequency.

That is why you are immediately going into DUP (or Split) mode.

That means the radio is not setup for ham frequencies, or the CLAR button is not activating correctly.

Try following the instructions to activate ham frequencies again on your rig. (Radio off, simultaneously press '2', 'Mode', and 'tx' buttons, and turn on the radio while keeping those buttons depressed.)

Then when you press CLAR/RX button you should not see the ">" in the LCD and you should also not see the TX frequency in the LCD. AND you should see the right most digit of the frequency underlined.

If not, try the following...

1.)Turn on radio
2.) Press the FREQ/CH button.
3.) Turn the CH (right hand) knob.

Does both the rx and tx frequencies change?

If they both change....tune to 14.300 mhz.
Then press CLAR/RX and check if the CH knob acts like a proper VFO knob.

If not, your rig is likely to be faulty.

(BTW...I upgraded my rig from an M-710 to M-802 in 2019)

[Brian.D]

Is there a way to compare software versions between the radio that DOES work and the one that DOES NOT work? Maybe he needs a Firmware/Software update?

[edmundsteele]

I repeated the procedure to switch the radio to “Open” mode and this time it works as advertised, that is the RX and TX frequencies now change together.

The set of instructions I have been using claimed that if the caret symbol does not appear when you press the CLAR/RX button, then the radio is in closed mode. This was not true with my radio.

All good now! Thank you all!
73
Ed

[Brian.D]

So edmundsteele, just to make sure the correct procedures, could you just write them out or cut-n-paste the procedures you used? This way there is a record so the next person does not have to read through all the different attempts.

[edmundsteele]

To operate the M802 as a ham radio:

1) With radio turned off, hold down 2, Mode and TX keys at the same time and turn the radio on.

To check that the radio really is in the “Open” mode:

2) Toggle the FREQ/CH button so that the RX and TX frequencies are displayed.

3) Press the CLAR/RX button. The RX symbol at the top becomes RX> (that’s a caret) AND the rightmost digit of the RX frequency has an underscore.

4) Turn the right knob. If both the RX frequency and TX frequency displayed change together, the radio is in “Open” mode.

There are several sets of instructions on the internet that cover programming the User Group Channels but the instructions I found for checking that the radio really is in the Open mode were incomplete or in error.
73,
Ed