Dick,
I've never dealt with "H.F. Raadio" BUT I have over 25 years experience using hf radio on board sailboats.
Mostly blue-water passage making and also island hoping
through the Caribbean... (I'm an Extra Class ham, first
licensed over 20 years ago...)
My recommendations: Use a MARINE HF SSB on your vessel!! (Whatever brand)!!!! DO NOT USE a "modified"
ham rig!
If the Marine HF SSB radio you choose doesn't have access (or easy access) to the ham bands then by all means have a "qualified" technician make it so! Just
Don't do it the other way around!!!!
The SGC-2000 (w/ "Power Talk DSP" head) is an EXCELLENT
HF rig on marine HF AND on the ham bands!!!!
Whatever anyone says the SGC will out perform the Icom
700, 710, RT, etc.... AND IT WILL WORK PRACTICALLY
FOREVER!!!
You won't find a lot of them on the ham bands... (not enough knobs to stoke the ego of most hams... hi, hi)
BUT I've used SGC HF radios since 1976 (crystal controlled 12 channel, 4-22mhz rig that cost almost $4000! in 1976!!!!) and they're great!!!!
I've also used ham gear on board a lot....
Deliving a 42' Benatau last year the Icom IC-751 died after the first day; Used a Drake TR-7 for a few years(nice rig); Used a Icom IC-735 on a Tayana 42, IT SUCKED!!! BAD INSTALLATION!!!; Tried to fix a IC-725 a few years ago on another boat in St. Thomas, wasted a few hours, also a bad installation!!!
I brought a Kenwood TS-430s and a small MFJ tuner with me on a delivery from St. Thomas to ft. Lauderdale a few years back, I set it up at the nav station without much of a ground and pulled 30' of 18ga wire up flag halyard, it worked GREAT.... Talked to a guy in Sweden
on 40m phone, 7077khz...half of the night (south of 20degrees lat. we can use 7075 - 7100 for phone...)
But again whatever rig you get, just be sure it is installed PROPERLY!!!!! That includes a good RF Ground/
Counterpoise.... NOT just bonding some metal objects together with a #6 wire!!!!!
If you want any further info drop me line directly....
KA4WJA@starband.net
Good luck and Good Sailing!!!
73,
KA4WJA,
JOHN