ITC/USA 2006 Conference Proceedings / The Forty-Second Annual International Telemetering Conference and Technical Exhibition / October 23-26, 2006 / Town and Country Resort & Convention Center, San Diego, California / This paper describes the design and successful development of an acoustic modem for potential use in underwater ecological sensor networks. The presentation includes theoretical study, design and development of both software and hardware, laboratory experiments, full-scale field tests, and the documentation and analysis of field-test results.