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Sea-Tech Icom M803 SSB HF Radio Email and Weather Package

$3,360.00$5,190.00

Visit our Marine SSB page to see all our Marine SSB products and packages

GAM/McKim HF-SSB Split Lead Antenna for Sailboats

The GAM/McKim split lead single side band antenna is a favorite amongst sail boaters because it eliminates the need for backstay insulators forever. The split lead antenna simply press fits onto your existing backstay wire with no special tools or equipment required. The GAM/McKim is secured at the base by a hard grade plastic T clamp and requires a back stay length of at least 34 feet.

Communications Expert Gordon West Reports, “I have done numerous SSB ham and marine radio checks with this system and have found no discernible signal losses, even when used with a well-grounded backstay aboard a steel-hulled vessel.” The Split Lead antenna’s. . .”twin radiating elements. . .bang out a signal as if they were suspended in mid-air.” – from Sail Magazine’s “Ask Sail” column, October 2005.

Click here to download a PDF of product features.
Safety     
The split lead antenna installation requires no alteration of the backstay thus preserving full mechanical integrity of the backstay wire. All RF elements of the antenna are fully insulated eliminating the possibility of the shock hazard posed by the bare wire connection in conventional backstay antennas.
Ease of Installation
No cutting, no swaging, no measuring, no special tools, no special skills required. Simply press fit the GAM/McKim over the existing backstay wire, clamp at bottom and secure in place with included Zip-Ties.  Click here for installation instructions.
Performance
Active elements are designed for RF, meaning they are more conductive than the stainless steel backstay wire. Lead wire connections are waterproof and electrically sound. The antenna’s insulated housing reduces precipitation static, often associated with heavy squalls and thunderstorms.
Stowage and Portability
The Split Lead antenna can be coiled up to a diameter of approximately 26” for ease of storage. It can be easily removed when the mast or backstay require work and can readily be transferred from one vessel to another.
Durability
The outer housing is very durable, resistant to weathering and, since it is under no mechanical stress, should last for many years in the marine environment.
Cost
The GAM/McKim Split Lead Antenna is priced to compete with conventional backstay insulators (including swaging costs) and less expensive than many insulators utilizing reusable terminals.

KISS-SSB Ground Plane for HF Radio

A proper ground plane is key to getting the most out of your SSB Radio. The KISS marine SSB ground plane will maximize the performance of your SSB without underwater holes in the hull or unnecessary wiring.
The KISS-SSB is a US Patented marine SSB ground plane system. This Icom-endorsed principle is the one and only complete antenna counterpoise system.  It does not require any holes under the water-line in the hull for a bronze plate, copper foil, or copper mesh. The system has many feet of exact length wire radials built in.
Unlike other ground plane systems, the KISS is simple to install.  Simply attach one end to your SSB radio, and uncoil the remaining wire anywhere convenient, such as in the bilge.  That's all there is to it - your KISS is ready to go.  Eliminates possible ground loops also!
After a normal installation time of less than thirty minutes, the KISS-SSB is completely maintenance free.  Unlike the bronze plate that requires constant cleaning, and the copper foil that is subject to constant corroding, the KISS-SSB lets you simply enjoy paradise!

Specifications:KISS-SSB(TM)

Radial Counterpoise Grounding System for Marine or Land use.

This heavy duty performer is designed primarily for boats using HF SSB marine bands. Input power up to 500 watts. Copper conductors are permanently sealed in durable PVC tubing.

All copper conductors. Stainless Steel 5/16 Ring Terminal. Heavy duty 47 inch 10 AWG Marine tinned copper lead connection. Tested with 1.2 to 1 or better SWR on SSB HF frequencies. Tested with 1.2 to 1 or better on 2mhz through 29mhz Ham freq.

Tested with 1.2 to 1 or better on Winlink and Sailmail frequencies.

Technical Specifications:

Frequency: 2-30 MHz HF frequencies with tuner
Radial housing length: 9’ 10”SWR: 1.5 to 1 or better

Impedance: (Ohms): N/A
Connecting lead length 47 inches
Max Input (Watts): 500DC
Ground: N/A 
Termination: One end termination 5/16 ring terminal
Weight 3.5 pounds
Polarization: N/A
Radiation pattern: Omni-directional

Works great with Icom M803 HF/SSB Marine Radio, AT140 Tuner, and GAM's Split-Lead Antenna

Description

SSB (single-sideband) radio has been the gold standard in long-distance marine communication for 100 years.  Take the fuss out of installing SSB radio in your vessel with this SeaTech SSB package, which includes all the equipment, cabling, and connectors you need.  Then, get worldwide access to email and weather over SSB, all for one affordable price.

SSB Radio Package Includes:

  • ICOM M803 Class E DSC Marine HF Single-Sideband Radio.  Improving on the venerable M802, the brand new Icom M803 MF/HF Marine SSB Transceiver is full of features any cruiser would not want to be without. First, increase your safety at sea with built-in digital selective calling (DSC) updated for 2020, the latest in one-touch emergency communications technology.  Next, digital communications are also made simple with this SSB radio.  Then, when voice communications are difficult, send and receive messages with the one-touch email access frequency, mode, and bandwidth settings. The large full-color TFT LCD display with night mode allows for easy reading, day or night. At sea, email has never been easier.  The M803 is great for weather fax, communications to many, and email access (when connected to a PACTOR modem). Send and receive messages with the one-touch email access frequency, mode and bandwidth settings.  150W power output; 830 channels including 160 programmable, 72 ITU SSN duplex, 249 ITU SSB simplex, 193 ITU FSK duplex, and 160 email; Digital Signal Processor (DSP); Last Call recording/playback, and One-Touch E-Mail Access.  The new M803 has a built-in GPS Receiver and includes an external GPS Antenna with 5m cable. (MSRP $3850)
  • ICOM AT-140 Automatic Tuner (MSRP $710)
  • Metz Marine DSC Antenna (or) GAM SS-2 WeatherFax/HF/DSC Antenna (depending on availability at time of order) A marine DSC antenna is required for proper operation of the ICOM M803’s DSC “DISTRESS” button. This antenna provides sail and power boaters with a slim, stainless steel, 54″ whip mounted to a nickel-plated post into a 1-1/2″ diameter steel coil that will out-perform fiberglass alternatives. (MSRP $169)
  • SCS P4-Dragon PACTOR4 HF SSB Radio Modem (MSRP $1629)
    • Optional: Add Bluetooth to the P4-Dragon for wirefree usage and fewer RF interference issues ($150 Additional)
  • SeaTech Installation Diagrams
  • SeaTech Installation Wiring Kit (~$500 Value)
    • ICOM OPC-1465 Radio to Tuner Control Cable (30 Ft) w/2 Ferrite Filters
    • NMEA0183 Adapter and wire for M803 (allows you to feed NMEA data from M803’s GPS to the Pactor modem)
    • 30ft RG213 Radio to Tuner Coax Cable w/10 Ferrite Filters & PL-259 Connectors
    • Custom 6ft Modem to Radio Cables (Power/Data & Control and Audio) w/Ferrite Filters
    • Additional Ferrite Filters for PACTOR Modem USB Cable and NMEA wiring
    • 30ft Coax cable with PL259 connectors with Ferrite Filter for the DSC Antenna
    • USB Audio adapter for PC/Mac Included for weatherfax audio decoding without Pactor

Total MSRP for Packages $5000 to $6900 – Save $$$ buying as a package

Simple SSB Solutions For Modern Cruising.

Don’t yet have an insulated backstay or copper ground plane in your boat?  Make it SeaTechEasy by adding the following additional options to your order:

Use AirMail for Sailmail and Saildocs:

sailmail airmail 2000 inbox

Decode WeatherFax Images for free:

weatherfax 2000

Additional information

Weight 40 lbs
Dimensions 20 × 20 × 13 in
Email Modem Options

No Email or GRIB Support, Pactor4 USB, Pactor4 USB and Bluetooth

Brand

ICOM