When it comes to installing an Icom M802 SSB system, there are a few rules of thumb that should be followed. Heres a look at our experience.
The transceiver should be mounted in a dry location as close as possible to the battery to reduce voltage drop, but as far away from the antenna as is practical. The antenna tuner should also be mounted in a dry spot to prevent corrosion, but it should be as close as possible to the antenna.
Prefabricated cables connect the M802 controller and external speaker to the transceiver. Icom provides a 10-foot length of fused, two-pole wire to run power from the battery to the M802; this was sufficient for our installation.
Two cables (ordered separately) connect the transceiver to the antenna tuner. One is a plug-and-play, 10-meter, prefabricated control cable (Part no. OPC-1147N). The other is a length of marine-grade coax cable (RG8U or RG231) terminated at each end with PL-259 plugs. This length of coax is what actually conducts transmit and receive signals between your transceiver and the antenna coupler.
This coax run should be kept as short as possible, so once you determine the length needed, youll either have to construct it yourself by soldering on the PL-259 plugs or have someone else do it for you. Most electronics shops can do this. PL-259 connectors are notoriously easy to goober up during soldering, even by folks familiar with the process. Unless you are a proficient solderer, we recommend having them made by a professional. Another option is purchasing prefabricated cables of the correct length; either option will be money well spent.
Hello, I’m in Tampa and need to connect and antennae and anything else that I can to the Icom 802 short wave. I’m new to it and will get licensed once it is working properly. It’s on a sailboat I bought and in excellent condition, and I believe I have all of the additional components but I need a local tech to help. Pleas cal me directly at 8136000276 or email at the included email and thanks. Christopher clark