![\"IMG_1039\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/svtoucan.com\/svtblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/IMG_1039.jpg\")
<\/a>We\u2019ve become very good at bargain-hunting when buying gear for the boat. But as many of you may know, there\u2019s always that one bargain that turns out to be lemon\u2026<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
We bought our new HF radio, an ICOM 802, online from Singapore before we left Australia and had it shipped out here with all our gear. They\u2019re not the easiest pieces of equipment to install and Bruce did a great job of getting it up and running. The transmission and reception weren\u2019t great, but that\u2019s to be expected when you\u2019re in a marina surrounded by tall masts. Two weeks ago our Pactor Modem arrived (this device connects to the radio and our computer and allows us to send and receive emails and weather data while at sea). But things weren\u2019t connecting properly so we got a local HF radio expert to come and check everything out. The upshot of his visit was the discovery that our radio was a modified, de-powered version made for the Asian market which only puts out 60 watts instead of 150 watts. That\u2019s a big difference when you\u2019re trying to make radio contact thousands of miles from land. Our first port of call was to speak to ICOM and see if we can get some assistance. But here\u2019s the catch \u2013 ICOM USA is a completely independent company to ICOM Singapore or ICOM Australia for that matter. So ICOM USA were less than helpful about our plight. In fact, they were so unhelpful that they offered to sell us a reconditioned radio for a thousand bucks more than the new retail price! Umm, no thanks. I think Bruce will be having some words at the ICOM booth at the Annapolis Boat Show this week. Now THAT should be interesting! Our knight in shining armour has been Gary from Dockside Radio (we\u2019ve bought two pactor modems off him \u2013 should have bought the radio from him too!). He\u2019s been incredibly helpful and the result is that we should have a new radio next week at a very good price. So with the help of Dick, our HF radio expert, we should be on the airwaves very soon.<\/p>\n
On the plus side, the job list is getting shorter as we get to the pointy end of things (at last). Our engines have been serviced, new exhaust elbows and hoses fitted, new exhaust manifold and heat exchanger fitted on the port engine (ouch, that wasn\u2019t in the budget). We also had the rigging checked and all was good except for needing a new main halyard and turning block (which we expected). Because our main halyard is 2:1, it\u2019s tied off at a shackle at the top of the mast, so the only way to change it out is to climb the mast. All 67\u2019 of it. It was also a good opportunity to change out the anchor light for an LED one, so with me winching and Bruce half-climbing we finally got him to the top. What a view!<\/p>\n