Peter, Any amount of info is always welcome! I will still consider the HAM option, as you say I can program the most useful "channels" anyway. One of the other things I liked about the ICOM, was it's ability to be tuned by a computer for weatherfax operation, switching on at the correct time to receive them. But no matter I'll see whats what. I am aware of the antenna thing I have already downloaded the relevant stuff from ICOM. I was either going to use an existing triatic stay, or one of the backstays and put norseman insulators top and bottom, this is probably the way I will go, as I can mount the ATU in the lazarette and only have a short run from it to the backstay. Thanks again for all your info. By the way, I'm also considering satcom, the inmarsat "C" system from thrane and thrane, they have a new one, non solas, alll built into the small antenna, which would also fulfill my needs in some part, but not of course the ship to ship requirement! One of the main things I need is E mail coms anywhere, so I may have to rethink some of this and go to thuriya/globalstar or something. I will continue to gather what info I can get, it of course also needs to be as cheap as possible!
Colin.