Something To Consider Before You Buy an Icom IC-705
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- Опубліковано 22 лип 2024
- With the Icom IC-705 being a hot topic at the moment I ask the question, should you buy one? Why would you be interested in getting this newest radio from Icom?
I'm going to provide you with the reasons why I chose to purchase the IC-705 and whether you should or not.
Buy a Icom IC-705
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0:00 Should You Buy an Icom IC-705?
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Saved me from buying the wrong radio! Had to go look up QRP and then it was obvious. Unfortunately what I think I need is a ICOM IC-7851. Anything else would be a compromise. LOL The IC-7300 HF PLUS would probably be fine but I’m going to keep doing research and get good with CB antennas(ordered a 102” whip), and the Uniden 885 scanner and President McKinley FCC before deciding. They should arrive today! My next purchase will be a RigExpert AA-55. Thanks for the info
I bought one to use in my RV, also got an Elecraft 100w amp for it too.
I like the 705, my friend has one. I use the 7100 for POTA. I must say that often during POTA he could hear the other stations but not make contact. After a few POTA trips, he bought an external 100 watt AMP and the issue seems to have disappeared . Nice video. 73.
Nicely done video. The 705 sure does have a lot of features and covers a lot of bands.
I still think it was a big mistake not including an ATU built into the radio. They new better when they built the IC 703 series but missed the boat on this one.
I still have my 703+ and plan on keeping it for a long time.
Barry, KU3X/QRP
Look forward to working you on your very first SOTA and WWFF activations. Note that POTA is pretty much exclusively a US activity - in VK the popular parks program is the international WWFF one. Be good to hear some more of these IC-705 units out in the field.
I already bought the IC 705, it is a unbelievable rig. Big rig performance. I wanted a rig that I could run QRP or QRO (with amp). One of my concerns was the screen size. I can much easier move the rig where I can read it than a bigger version (7300, 7610). I was surprised how self intuitive it was, no 5 layered menus. Only had to look at manual several times. Great little rig!
I bought a 705 I like it because you can use it as a really nice high-powered HT with a mag mount antenna. It is awesome to listen to shortwave broadcast on and of course it’s an excellent field radio. 6:52 6:52 6:52 6:52
I already own and love my 7300 & 9700 Icom Radios!! (The Twins as I call them) I agree that if you are looking at your first Base station and/or Mobile HF radio then I would not recommend the 705! As having a 100 watt capable base/mobile would be best for both. With that said I like to listen about 95% more than I speak (that’s just me....each to their own!) so having a rig that is portable and has wide range of receiving capabilities plus the features that I came to love in my 7300 & 9700 is a plus! I will use this as a second HF receiver in my shack if I want to listen to two HF bands at ounce (also perhaps to listen to HF in other parts of my House when not in my shack as I can run HF coax to other areas of my home to hook up the 705 to listen at my convenience) and when I need/want to transmit I will go to the desired band and frequency on the 7300. I also really enjoy D-star and since the 705 has WiFi I can connect to D-star over my WiFi and won’t need a hotspot (in fact since my 705 will do D-star it will free up my OpenSpot 2 to listen to Fusion if I so desire so I can listen to more modes at my QTH.). Also I like the ability to take this portable as well so where ever I go so I can listen to a wide range of modes and frequencies (HF, Short Wave, Air Band And etc to name a few) and will easily be able to find the signals with the Waterfall/Spectrum scope. As far as HF mobile I already have a Yaesu Ft-891 with the ATAS-120a (which does an awesome job for my HF mobile station) and an idea I have is to tune the ATAS-120 with the 891 for the HF band I wish to monitor and then switch over to the 705 as it will be easier to find conversations to listen to with the 705’s waterfall not to mention being able to quickly touch a signal on the touch screen to go there (of course when safe to do so while driving) as opposed to scrolling through with the VFO knob while mobile. When and if I want to call out I will switch back to the Yaesu Ft-891 to talk out with 100 watts mobile (again when safe to do so).......Plus the 705 will have the near Repeater function so when traveling I can select VHF/UHF (Analog & D-star) Repeaters on the go and 5/10 watts is typically enough in my experience to key up Repeaters with a good signal.....now this is just a few of my ideas for the 705 not to mention that I am eager to use the 705 for what it was designed for as a portable QRP rig!! 73’s and thanks for all your recent videos on the 705!!
All good comments Precision and thanks for the time for your thoughts. The general coverage receiver was something else I forgot to point out in my video, sometimes it's fun just to listen on non amateur bands. 73's
My twins are the Yaesu FT-857D and FT-817ND. Basically the same radio but one is QRO and the other QRP.
Precision. You stated above; " I also really enjoy D-star and since the 705 has WiFi I can connect to D-star over my WiFi and won’t need a hotspot". I was not aware of this. Have you tested it to confirm reflectors can be accessed without using a hotspot? If so, very cool. 73
I use Icom 7300/9700 in the shack, but just bought a Yaesu FT-891 for portable use.
Using my Icom IC705 with a 10.368GHz Transverter for the Microwave Bands
with a Leo Bodnar PLL for super stability
(Same PLL as with my IC9700 )
My old FT817 died and thought moving
to a IC705 having a Spectrum Scope is
Great for Microwave Ham Bands
Thanks for the video. Yes, I have one on reserve. I’m just getting back on the air after several years off; started with some V/UHF DMR and thought the 705 would be a good all around rig for the home QTH to start back on all bands. It will by my first SDR (HF) rig. I expect now that the “bug” is back, I will probably move toward more traditional base stations (ICOM or otherwise) and transition the 705 for mobile / portable use. For now, it will be my only HF (or all band) rig-other than my Swan 700 CX, which I still have! (Sadly, I can’t get it to work again.)
Good to hear Kevin. Welcome back to the bands. Hopefully that bug bites you bad :), good luck with it and have fun!
Talking about amplifiers... There is the new Icom IC-PW2 coming out. 500 watt amp and it's designed for the 705. You can plug the 705 in for a more than capable shack in the box and then unplug it and go portable. Icom does have all the angles figured out. Still trying to figure out what "hay-chef" is. LOL 73
I have an IC-7300 for home and a Elecraft KX2 (with an internal ATU) for QRP. The 705 came out some years later. If I didn't have the KX2 I would have been tempted even though I think Icom should have put an ATU inside and it should have had it's own feet/kick stand and made it more rugged around the front like an IC-7200. It looks a bit too posh and shiny to take outdoors.
I want to buy one and use it as a mobile unit in my Jeep and a Base unit in the house and to use camping and other outdoor activities...
I’m just starting in ham radio, and stuggling to choose between the IC-705 and the IC-52a. I figured a base station can wait until I have enough stills to make more informed decisions. I know there are cheaper and probably more appropriate radios to start with, but I can comfortably afford the 502, and am more interested in digital communications with minimal hardware/cables, and I like the idea of low-power set-ups. The IC-52 doesn’t have the same digital connectivity as the 502. Does these arguments sound like a reasonable rationale for an IC-502 as a first purchase, or are there other benefits to the handheld I am overlooking?
Yes of course buy one, if you are doing low power vhf/uhf contests, mobile, sota or qrp, go for it... love the new technology, love the Icoms and my 7300 & 9700 :-)
Thanks for detailed discussion of the IC-705.
After many years using an FT-817, I am looking for a successor fitting into the "digital" world.
The IC-705 seems to be the perfect rig...
I traded my 817 for a 705. I haven't looked back since!
Thinking of one but also on that list is the KX2, Discovery Labs and maybe a used 817.
You have quite a few radios to save for 😀
I wish they have the repeater towers in all the radios and you can go in and change the order of how ever you want to configure the repeaters. I’m buying the 705 for its portability.I want a very portable station I can take with me when I travel over seas.
Great video, love to see the new radios, and how other amateurs are using them. I've been looking for a portable radio recently for SOTA and more off the beaten path POTA activations, but I think I am going to pass on the 705 in favor of the Elecraft KX2. The KX2 fits my operating style of primarily SSB and I am beginning to add in CW into the mix. The KX2 can be had with the tuner and real time clock, as well as the battery, charger, mic, and carry case for about the same price as the 705.
Thanks Kevin. Good luck with your SOTA and POTA activations. The KX2 is also a very good radio and will suit you well! 73
One problem with the KX2 is the battery can not be charged while in the radio and has to be removed by opening the back, exposing the internals to the outside environment. The 705 battery is easy snap in and out and can be charged while the radio is connected to external power.
Miy 705 should arrive soon. I hear they'll be arriving in the US almost any time now. I bought one because it seems like it might be a great transitional radio from the stage of just using FM or DV on HTs to extend my capabilities a bit, open up new bands and modes, etc. Also I like the portability (I'm a walker, so the backpack will really help). I've heard that it's a bad idea to start doing HF with a QRP rig, but I'm still curious, and I can always get an amp later if I need one. I'm also a longtime shortwave listener and I've been relying on WebSDR for that. It'll be nice to have a rig that can do so many things in a portable unit.
I think you'll have fun with the radio Andy. It's not a bad idea to start doing HF with QRP! Just more of a challenge!
Probably a bit behind but thumbs up on the new intro.
Thanks Paul! No first video with the new intro. Appreciate the feedback
I have an IC-7100. It is very portable, and it is QRO, but can be turned down to 5 watts. It is portable, and I take it everywhere. No, it does not have a waterfall and it is not in color. but it does HF, VHF and UHF. It is all I need.
I'm thinking of getting one
Im waiting for the IC 710 with all the bugs worked out and a tuner.
I have a 9700 for UHF/VHF on a diamond X7000 , A 7300 for 6M/10M on a diamond CP610, and a 7610 on a Fritzel FD-4. I want to get a 705 for running QRP with a buddipole in the local parks or to take with us when we go on holidays.
I'll also be taking mine away on holiday and camps with a portable antenna. Saves lugging a big rig and power supply around.
Waiting for my foundation license to come through, and have been thinking about my first transceiver purchase. I was seriously looked at the IC-7300, but then I would probably need to consider purchasing the IC-9700 if I wanted a broader amateur radio experience. From that I thought if you have to buy both IC-7300 & IC-9700 why not consider the IC-7610. However I think I have settled on the IC-705. I don’t know when I’ll have time to study to upgrade my license, so we have the 10W limit. Plus a base station setup might be problematic with potentially causing interference to my neighbours (TV antennas pointing through my backyard). I like the portability aspects, going mobile/pedestrian, QRP, functionality, and the price. Plus! It won’t mean relearning menu systems if I upgrade. I hope I’m heading in the right direction…
Congrats Terry on your Foundation license! The 705 will be a great starter rig. 73
Hi Terry, I’m making the same decisions as you. Have you been able to make DX contacts on 10w?
Hope to hear you on SOTA from VK7 we need more out on summits in VK7 cheers vk5cz ..
Thanks, I'll start SOTAing soon
Hey thanks for the video.. I am looking at one for Caravan / Camping use... your thoughts ? VK3NCR... Also, can you operate the 705 on 10 watts using the Usb Charge Port ?? ... I assume you can connect the 705 to D-Star.. via my Caravan Wifi hotspot
The radio would work well for caravan and camping use. You can also get a IC-7300 if you only want HF/6 to pop in the camper for a higher power solution. You can’t operate the 705 from USB on 10W it is for charging only. Yes it will connect to Dstar
Great video Hayden, you might just get me back on the air :)
That’s what we want to hear Paul! Hope to hear you on the air soon
Getting my foundation license (soon I hope), Thinking of one of the ic-705, ic-7300 or FT-991a. Low power consumption of the icoms is good. No built in tuner on the 705 is a negative. The Yaesu may win as I remember drooling over them as a teenager in Dick Smith Electronics !
Get a secondhand 7600, better than all of them
How price of that ?
In the same place as you I also have the 817 but honestly never really got excited using it. My 705 will replace my 817, people who are worried about 5Watts, looking at Amps and Tuners should not be looking at the 705 as a first radio but to each there own. I am well equipped at home my 705 will be field use and QRP as it was designed for and better for my needs than the 817.
Thanks for the comment Os. Yes I'm definitely more excited about using my 705 for other things as well as replacing my 817 as a transverter driver. Good luck and happy DX!
Thank you.
Comparing the Icom IC-705 to the Yaesu FT-817 is like comparing the Yaesu FT-817 to the Heathkit HW-7. There is no comparison, really. Each QRP transceiver was built in a different era. Comparing what improvements the newer manufactured transceiver has over the older transceiver is NOT a fair comparison. If the OP is a QRP OP then he/she will probably want the Icom IC-705 because of the newer features and technology. I have the Heathkit HW-7, HW-8, and HW-9 as well as the Yaesu FT-817ND. When I heard more than one year ago that Icom had produced the IC-705 I wanted one. As soon as my local amateur radio store, DXE, stated they would take reservations for ordering I opted to place my reservation. Each QRP has the same use goal in my mind and that is making QRP contacts. Each model has additional features the previous model didn't have so makes improvement to what the OP can do with the newer radio. What I will like from the Icom IC-705 over the Heathkit HW-7 is greater transmit power and various output levels greater than .5 watts. Additionally, the touch screen and the received signal waterfall, the built in filters, and the portability. There are many aspects to the IC-705 but I mention what will like over the capability of the Heathkit HW-7 over the Icom IC-705. 72 OM de KB8AMZ
What is bad about ic705 is lack of "flat audio" for VHF/UHF for 9600 baud Packet.
The answer is yes. Always buy all the radios, we need to keep these manufacturers in business lol. All kidding aside, I'm not an Icom guy (except for a couple Icom HTs) but the 705 is an Icom rig I can get on board with. Just not yet at the current pricing.
The IC-705 will be my first HF radio. I have a FT3DR for my HT. I will be using the 705 for SOTA, on a sail boat, and field portable comms. I don’t have room for a ham shack so portable will be for me. I am thinking there will be good amp options in the future so if I wanted to use it as a base station. But I could probably just buy a 7300 for a little more.
That sounds like some good uses for the IC-705 Flying Squirrel. On a sail boat will be cool, what antenna will you use?
@@HamRadioDX I have a Chameleon Emcomm 3 portable I will try. It may give me some options. Just have to keep it off the metal support cables.
Just ordered one! And I don’t know why. Just looks cool!!
Good reason!
Hi Hayden,, how low power can you get out of the 705 , will it work to a sg-labs transverter for 23cm.. and is there a power peak on the 705, transverters dont like that,,hi
Thanks for youre verry nice video, best 73 Chris SM7YLS
Hello Chris,
I can dial the power back to 1% which, I think is below 1W, I did a power output video on my channel - I may of tested it there. In any case yes I drive my SG lab transverters with my 705 just fine. There doesn’t seem to be too much of a power peak that I have noticed, seems to be fine. Cheers hayden
Have the 7300 & 9700, probably will!
Sweet! Good to hear
I have both the 7300 and the 9700 - but they are hardly "portable" rigs. I see people bashing them around on field days and just wonder...... That's why I am waiting for my 705 to be delivered. I also often wonder about people who buy rigs without asking themselves what am I going to be doing with this, how will I be using this, what power supply, antenna, microphone, digital interface etc will be using with it. The 705 has never pretended to be anything other than a portable radio. Yes it is expensive. Yes there are alternatives. I bought it because I don't need to learn any new interfaces or menus - simple - my criteria - so ask yourself - what is your criteria? There are no right or wrong answers for anyone except you.
Very well said Matt and thank you for your comment! Enjoy your 705 when it arrives 👍
Thanks
Thank you for your super thanks! Glad it helped!
If your using for Morse or digital go for it
Really like your videos Hayden
Thank you Brian, I really appreciate that
Probably not as I have an 9700 and 7300 now. Just need a mobile unit for my car and I am set. 705 just wont work well for an affordable mobile.
Great radio, but the bloody thing costs more then my Icom 7300. Its steep price is the only reason I have not bought one yet.
I own an FT 891 so if I buy an Icom, it will be a 7300. Thanks for the video!
Good choice! They are a great rig
I have an 891. Now I've bought a 705. If I can find an amp for it, I'll be selling the 891 (and I'm a Yaesu guy all the way but this is a damn good radio).
And you can pipe the IC-705's GPS data out to your computer when portable. Great for portable digital.
Oh really? I didn't know you could do that. What data do you get out? GPS timing?
@@HamRadioDX Check out Ham Radio Crash Course. He has a video he recently published showing how he uses it with a raspberry pi. Cheers Lance VK6LMK
Thanks I’ll talk to Josh, we are good mates
next time your phone rings take it out of your pocket and hold it sideways like you're holding the 705
LOL
I love my 705
They are good hey
What’s the receiver like.....
Unbelievable actually.
Nice.............
Please do a stability test of it. It looks like a very good radio to drive a transverter and play on the microwave bands being portable, but if it drifts like the IC-9700........ i will be very disappointed
Thanks, I’ll keep this in mind for a future video soon
Stability should be fine
Since the stability is in the Reference of the Transverter
The IF rig “IC705” should be
fine
73
Mike
No inbuilt tuner... a big turn off. 7300 enough.
The audio from the 7300 is poor even compared to the ft-818, the 891 has great audio too and 100w.
The 705 is a brick compared to the 818, the 818 is very rugged.
Expect my 705 next week... 13 months after putting a deposit on one :)
Not too far away now! I saw the US shipment is currently in transit.
My 13 month wait is over as Gigaparts just shipped mine out to me today...... very excited I hope you will have yours soon also 73
@@PrecisionGroupYT Let us know what you think when it arrives
Will do Ham Radio DX !!!
I’m waiting for the updated version or a price drop.
I have an IC-705 and and an FT-817nd.
I love them both. My 705 isn't replacing my 817, they both have their pros and cons (although the 705 doesn't have many cons!)
And for the first time ever after over 15 years, the 817/818 finally has an actual competitor. (Sorry Elecraft owners, your radio is not able to cover the same bands and modes as these two. It's never been a true competitor to the 817/818 and now 705.) 😉
Glad to hear MostlyPostie! The 705 is really cool isn't it. Much larger screen than the 817/818. As I said in the video, the 817/818 isn't a bad radio, it's been a good rig for the past 15 years, but it's a little outdated now. Icom have steamed ahead with the tech.
@@HamRadioDX it's an interesting situation. The 817/818 is still a remarkable radio, especially given how long it has been around. For me, what makes the 705 so fun, and practical to use, is the LC-192 backpack. It is a true "grab and go" setup, and it even allows you to make contacts on your way to your summit, park, etc... There is a lot to like about it. 🙂
How is the stability of the 705? This does not have any reference input does it? I don't see any of the reviews mentioning drift problems.
@@fredrickk99 No reference input, haven't done drift or stability tests yet
@@fredrickk99 rumor has it that it is basically the same as the 9700 and 7300 for drift. So good for most things, but a GPS lock would be handy for some things.
It is perfect for SSB voice as is.
Jika kita suka....mengapa tidak
Way to much $$$
HF on 5W is an oxymoron.
Buy a real radio and turn the power down