More IC-705 videos 👉ua-cam.com/play/PLSuX83ay4Ouh6SZIfe4vWMQQTUTQPfHfA.html Setup for WSJT-X and Digital Modes 👉 ua-cam.com/video/ZiAwIVDaSn8/v-deo.html
I have always found the best quality cables available for reasonable prices tend to come with mobile phones, I'm still using the Micro USB cables from my Nokia for instance and I think they may be older than my youngest child, he's 16. Similarly, I've always wondered what sort of person breaks USB ports, I've heard it so many times that they're 'fragile' but have *never* managed to break one on any piece of kit I own. I've repaired lots for other people though.
I have this done from the board supplied by Ben and connected to my Sailor marine amplifier. 4 watts from the 705 gives about 300 watts out peacefully.
Great explanation Hayden. Any doofus can follow your instructions.😊 Im surprised that a HAM had to fix flaws in one of Icom's iconic radios. Regardless, it a brilliant upgrade.👍
I agree Icom should've made this with a USB-C, but a decent cable from, say Anker, is a lot cheaper than a $85 board. I do see that the keying circuit is a higher amperage capacity, that would be advantageous to those running an external amp.
well the biggest problem is the micro USB connector (both the male and female ends) have really limited lifespans/connection counts. so eventually the port is just dead. USB-C seems to be more resilient in that regard. but i agree, $84 is a steep price. i still paid it… but its steep.
Looking at the pcb, I believe that is the case. You typically need a special chip for charging a battery and there isn’t any of that on the board. For 10 watts, it needs to get 12 Volts and probably needs it at a specific node in the circuit to work. If there is a 12 volt line on that usb pcb it is likely to be isolated from the line for the PA. I wish icom had a service manual for the 705 because then i could verify this stuff more accurately
Yeah a higher charging rate/power input via USB-C would be awesome. Run the 705 off a sufficiently sized power bank, which I mean I guess you can kinda do now if you use the internal battery, but not at 10W
Still surprises me that this radio and even the newer 52A don't have USB-C from the start. I really hate Mini connectors. They don't live up to prolonged daily (upside down insertion and fumbling for the alignment on the tiny socket) use before the edges of the socket start to bend.
The USB-C plug came out in 2014, if I see an item these days without that plug on it, it is a strong pass because damn get with the program on standards its been a decade.
I have a suggestion. I would take the url for this video and either write it on a piece of paper or print a QR-code of it and pop it in the bag with the old unit. Then, whoever wants to swap it back, or wants to know what the item is, can easily see by watching this video.
I always work on a towel to place a radio on. The towel will help with radio from sliding, damage and esp with if you drop a screw a towel will help preventing the little bastard from hop, skipping , then jumping off the table and on to the floor. Word to the wise; beware of static electricity, take no chances
The real benefit is that I no longer need my bulky micro usb cable wrapped around an ft240-43 toroid to do digital. It much easier to find usb c cables that are more resistant to RFI than with micro USB.
@@jolebole-yt I am fully aware of that. And yet the moment I use literally any of my USB C cables I don't experience any RFI issues. Why? Because USB C cables tend to be better made than micro USB
That’s a bit of a complicated question. It really depends on what you like to do. The 705 is great for digital modes and SSB when the band is crowded. The single cable solution and touchscreen give you that edge compared to the kx2. If you like doing cw and voice then the KX2 is totally fine (I never use my kx2 for digital) The vhf and uhf and just a nice bonus and I wouldn’t recommend getting the 705 if that’s the only part of it that interests you. Since you have the 7300 you would probably only benefit from the portability. Just my thoughts as an owner of both a 705 and a KX2
Do they actually use Philips screws or does it use a Japanese headed screw because if it does, I’d recommend getting a set of Japanese screwdrivers less damage to the screws
More importatn - two screws are M threaded and the rest are self tapping type - quite different! All ideally need JIS driver (NOT phillips or posidrive). Important if you wish to avoid damagng the screw haeds.
For the price Icom SHOULD have done this from the start. Its a shame that these companies skimp on good designs yet charge a lot for these radios. Kenwood skimped on the TS-590SG with surge suppressors on the USB line on the board. You can blow out the audio chip just by removing the USB cable. The damn board actually HAS markings for where they are supposed to install them but they never did. Mine blew and I had it repaired and they added the proper components to prevent this.
Prezzo molto alto 85 Dollari la sostituzione del Kit da farsi solo se si guasta quello originale , speriamo che la ICOM lo sostituisca con uno Tipo C , costa solo qualche centesimo in piu' di differenza .
It’s just a pity that the developer of this product understates the existing capacity of the ALC/SEND connection. Claiming that it is only rated at 30mA is totally incorrect. In the IC-705 Basic Manual it clearly states that the rating of the interface for driving a linear, transverters etc is 200mA. I hope the developer publishes a correction and apology to icom in due course. I have run a microwave transverter and a linear off the existing, unmodified connection without any issues. In the Basic Manual Icom include a recommendation for protecting the connection if an inductive load is present. Easy peasy. In ZL we have a 5 year warranty on icom-705s purchased from the local agent. Modifying the radio will probably void the warranty.
@@segrus Personally I disagree, I currently have made around 600 contacts with the X6100 and I find it to be an excellent radio for it's price. I agree that there are better radios but they are generally more than twice it's price when given the same specs. There was a time when people said that only American built radios were good and that the Japanese radios were cheap crap, it didn't end well for the Americans.
@@FreddyNietzsche. You just want to justify to yourself that you bought a bad cheap Chinese radio. But in your heart you still want a 705, that's why you're watching this video about it ;) The Chinese are just trying to cover up bad technology with all sorts of cheap tricks, like a tuner. Besides, you keep forgetting that the 705 has a VHF band.
You know? I'm now a retired, Old time, Audio and Broadcast Engineer. And I worked. For a couple of the most Legendary, American, Audio Equipment Manufacturers. And as a Top Engineer, myself. And spending 20 years with, NBC-TV News in Washington DC. Here is something I learned. While on the current owner of a, IC-705. I inherited from my late brother of 64 years of age. The title of this video is, FIX the 705 with this Simple Upgrade! Now wait just a moment. I don't think any of these radios need Fixing out-of-the-box. They need Fixing. When you do the wrong things. Then they blow up. Right. Exactly. That's what happens when you do the wrong things. And so this guy has purchased a fix. From a company. Making a fix. For other people who have blown up their radios. To prevent you from blowing them up again. Due to your ineptitude. But in my line of work. It's called. If it ain't broke? You don't fix it. This radio is not broken. This is one of the best radios going. As both competent and incompetent people like using them. And this is a modification for the Incompetent Faction. Sure! But? These things are not really made for, modifying much less actually fixing. Most everything is, computer, surface mounted, parts. And Amateurs, should stay away from that. Even Amateur Radio Operators, should stay away from that. If it's not broke? I know guys into, music recording. And they will purchase a piece of audio equipment. And immediately.. Start modifying it to make it better! Oh really? Yeah no. That is not making it better. That is purchasing a piece of gear you really didn't want. Because you can't afford the one you do want. And you are going to modify a piece of crap. To make it a better, piece of crap. Which is usually the case. But not 100% of the time. And you are taking a great risk here. With a $1400 radio. One wrong move. One miswire. And it is Kaput. And it will be your doing. No warranty will be honored. You're up the creek without a paddle antenna. This thing has a decent warranty. Why are you modifying it? Did you not want this radio? Did you want something better? I purchased what I want. It needs no modifications. Though modifications can be done. Thinking you are making it better. But in all reality? It is merely, different. It's only better to you. If it makes you $1 million. Otherwise? It's not better it's only different. How do you quantify, better? Better what? Better money? Or just stupid better sound? Where are your priorities, sir? Batteries or microphones? Can you talk into a battery? No you cannot! So what do I think of this battery upgrade? I think you got a bigger battery. Yup. RemyRAD
More IC-705 videos 👉ua-cam.com/play/PLSuX83ay4Ouh6SZIfe4vWMQQTUTQPfHfA.html
Setup for WSJT-X and Digital Modes 👉 ua-cam.com/video/ZiAwIVDaSn8/v-deo.html
Great walk-through put in for the next batch, certainly a must have for 705 owners.
Wow, no modification needed to the case to swap from micro usb to type C, awesome!
Correct, the opening in the case is just big enough for the USB-C port.
Your DIY videos are seriously helpful mate. Thanks for what you do.
Glad you like them! Thank you
Installed mine a week ago, took 5 min. Highly recommended.
Thanks for walking through that up grade for the icom 705. You made it so clear, what you had to do.
Thanks, glad that it was helpful!
I just installed this and it appears to work just fine so far.
Thanks for the upgrade video, Hayden. I just got a new IC 705 yesterday. 73!
I did see that Ranae on FB! Vern spoils you, have fun with it!
A $1500 radio nowdays should come default with USB-C. If Xiegu can do it, why not Icom.
I ordered and installed mine as soon as i saw their video for it, perfect mod.
Sweet as!
Just pre ordered one, this is the first I have heard of this, thanks.
Awesome!
Great 'How to". I ordered the usb-c kit and installed with no issues. Thanks a bunch.
Great to hear!
I have one on order. Can't wait to get this mod done.
Be awesome to charge with USB-C at 10,000 feet :)
The instructor is spot on great instruction
Thanks!
Mrs claus got me this board for Christmas, easy to install and works perfectly, highly recommended! 73
Awesome! Pretty simple to install
I am so surprised that icom hasn't jumped on this and offer it. This is gonna be my next purchase.
Be prepared to wait as the board is back ordered.
Why would they? They have multimillion dollar government contracts to worry about, we are just peasants 🤣
It would also require Icom to announce an upgraded model. Maybe they will and call it the IC-705+
Shhhh…they will charge additional $500 for the USB-C update
@@RSwrightMD I am just talking about the board...hell why not make a whole new radio that is modular
..ic-1000
I don't have a 705, but this is really awesome for those that do own one! USB-C all the things I say!
Thanks for the video Hayden. I will be looking at getting one for my IC-705 once i have saved up all my 5 & 10 cent pieces. 😃
That’s a lot of 5 and 10 cent pieces!
@@HamRadioDX I also saved 20c, 50c and $1 coins to get a 705, 7300 & 9700 🤣🤣🤣
I have always found the best quality cables available for reasonable prices tend to come with mobile phones, I'm still using the Micro USB cables from my Nokia for instance and I think they may be older than my youngest child, he's 16.
Similarly, I've always wondered what sort of person breaks USB ports, I've heard it so many times that they're 'fragile' but have *never* managed to break one on any piece of kit I own.
I've repaired lots for other people though.
I have this done from the board supplied by Ben and connected to my Sailor marine amplifier. 4 watts from the 705 gives about 300 watts out peacefully.
Great explanation Hayden. Any doofus can follow your instructions.😊
Im surprised that a HAM had to fix flaws in one of Icom's iconic radios. Regardless, it a brilliant upgrade.👍
Great upgrade! Its not really a flaw per say, its more I prefer USB-C
I agree Icom should've made this with a USB-C, but a decent cable from, say Anker, is a lot cheaper than a $85 board. I do see that the keying circuit is a higher amperage capacity, that would be advantageous to those running an external amp.
well the biggest problem is the micro USB connector (both the male and female ends) have really limited lifespans/connection counts. so eventually the port is just dead. USB-C seems to be more resilient in that regard.
but i agree, $84 is a steep price. i still paid it… but its steep.
very cool. Thanks.
Der, when placing the radio downwards on its face, rest the radio on a soft pad or towel!
I wonder why it doesn't support higher charge rates... Maybe the charging circuit is on another board. Would love USB-C powered 10w!
Looking at the pcb, I believe that is the case. You typically need a special chip for charging a battery and there isn’t any of that on the board. For 10 watts, it needs to get 12 Volts and probably needs it at a specific node in the circuit to work. If there is a 12 volt line on that usb pcb it is likely to be isolated from the line for the PA.
I wish icom had a service manual for the 705 because then i could verify this stuff more accurately
@@JonathanKayne mods.dk has a service manual, but their site is pretty impossible
Yeah a higher charging rate/power input via USB-C would be awesome. Run the 705 off a sufficiently sized power bank, which I mean I guess you can kinda do now if you use the internal battery, but not at 10W
Still surprises me that this radio and even the newer 52A don't have USB-C from the start. I really hate Mini connectors. They don't live up to prolonged daily (upside down insertion and fumbling for the alignment on the tiny socket) use before the edges of the socket start to bend.
The USB-C plug came out in 2014, if I see an item these days without that plug on it, it is a strong pass because damn get with the program on standards its been a decade.
I have a suggestion. I would take the url for this video and either write it on a piece of paper or print a QR-code of it and pop it in the bag with the old unit. Then, whoever wants to swap it back, or wants to know what the item is, can easily see by watching this video.
Great suggestion!
I always work on a towel to place a radio on. The towel will help with radio from sliding, damage and esp with if you drop a screw a towel will help preventing the little bastard from hop, skipping , then jumping off the table and on to the floor. Word to the wise; beware of static electricity, take no chances
Great video. Great idea. You gave great super simple instructions to follow.
Thanks for posting.
Barry, KU3X
Glad it was helpful! Hopefully some can implement the ideas in their clubs 👍
The real benefit is that I no longer need my bulky micro usb cable wrapped around an ft240-43 toroid to do digital. It much easier to find usb c cables that are more resistant to RFI than with micro USB.
USB-C is not RFI resistant. Its just a different USB protocol. RFI is all electrical. Protocols are software.
@@jolebole-yt I am fully aware of that. And yet the moment I use literally any of my USB C cables I don't experience any RFI issues. Why? Because USB C cables tend to be better made than micro USB
I have the 7300 and a KX2. I'm not big into VHF/UHF, do I need the 705 and if so, why?
That’s a bit of a complicated question. It really depends on what you like to do. The 705 is great for digital modes and SSB when the band is crowded. The single cable solution and touchscreen give you that edge compared to the kx2.
If you like doing cw and voice then the KX2 is totally fine (I never use my kx2 for digital)
The vhf and uhf and just a nice bonus and I wouldn’t recommend getting the 705 if that’s the only part of it that interests you.
Since you have the 7300 you would probably only benefit from the portability.
Just my thoughts as an owner of both a 705 and a KX2
interesting . where is it shipped from? To UK from the USA could double the cost with tax and duties Plus DHL et al charge a "handling" fee.
USA
Do they actually use Philips screws or does it use a Japanese headed screw because if it does, I’d recommend getting a set of Japanese screwdrivers less damage to the screws
Probably not a bad shout, but I didn't damage the screws with my Philips head.
I use Vessel is the way to go for JIS screws.
More importatn - two screws are M threaded and the rest are self tapping type - quite different! All ideally need JIS driver (NOT phillips or posidrive). Important if you wish to avoid damagng the screw haeds.
ICOM need to have USB C in the next Batch of these Radios, Most Laptops and Tablets hace USB C Connectors,
For the price Icom SHOULD have done this from the start. Its a shame that these companies skimp on good designs yet charge a lot for these radios. Kenwood skimped on the TS-590SG with surge suppressors on the USB line on the board. You can blow out the audio chip just by removing the USB cable. The damn board actually HAS markings for where they are supposed to install them but they never did. Mine blew and I had it repaired and they added the proper components to prevent this.
Do you have a preferred USB-c data cable that doesn’t produce RFI?
buy apples $100 Thunderbolt cable.
Prezzo molto alto 85 Dollari la sostituzione del Kit da farsi solo se si guasta quello originale , speriamo che la ICOM lo sostituisca con uno Tipo C , costa solo qualche centesimo in piu' di differenza .
It’s just a pity that the developer of this product understates the existing capacity of the ALC/SEND connection. Claiming that it is only rated at 30mA is totally incorrect.
In the IC-705 Basic Manual it clearly states that the rating of the interface for driving a linear, transverters etc is 200mA. I hope the developer publishes a correction and apology to icom in due course.
I have run a microwave transverter and a linear off the existing, unmodified connection without any issues. In the Basic Manual Icom include a recommendation for protecting the connection if an inductive load is present. Easy peasy.
In ZL we have a 5 year warranty on icom-705s purchased from the local agent. Modifying the radio will probably void the warranty.
The 705 needs an ATU to be honest...
A radio with that little power needs a good resonant antenna. A tuner will only attenuate the signal along with a bad antenna.
Xiegu x6100 will solve that at half the price
@@FreddyNietzsche. Xiegu it's a sad piece of crap. HF only, bad circuitry and terrible software. These transceivers are from different worlds.
@@segrus Personally I disagree, I currently have made around 600 contacts with the X6100 and I find it to be an excellent radio for it's price. I agree that there are better radios but they are generally more than twice it's price when given the same specs.
There was a time when people said that only American built radios were good and that the Japanese radios were cheap crap, it didn't end well for the Americans.
@@FreddyNietzsche. You just want to justify to yourself that you bought a bad cheap Chinese radio. But in your heart you still want a 705, that's why you're watching this video about it ;)
The Chinese are just trying to cover up bad technology with all sorts of cheap tricks, like a tuner. Besides, you keep forgetting that the 705 has a VHF band.
1390 € of RTX, if has this problem, Icom should be the one to call the 705s to make the improvement change.
A 705… the iPhone of Ham Radio. They will get USB-C after all the Androids had it for years
Needs a 20w upgrade as well.
Micro usb was designed to break planed obsolescence……..the greedy dollar has destroyed humanity 😂
I put my old board in a small bag, and tucked it back into the radio so it wouldn’t get lost!
Another problem
What's that?
You know? I'm now a retired, Old time, Audio and Broadcast Engineer. And I worked. For a couple of the most Legendary, American, Audio Equipment Manufacturers. And as a Top Engineer, myself. And spending 20 years with, NBC-TV News in Washington DC. Here is something I learned.
While on the current owner of a, IC-705. I inherited from my late brother of 64 years of age. The title of this video is, FIX the 705 with this Simple Upgrade!
Now wait just a moment. I don't think any of these radios need Fixing out-of-the-box. They need Fixing. When you do the wrong things. Then they blow up. Right. Exactly. That's what happens when you do the wrong things.
And so this guy has purchased a fix. From a company. Making a fix. For other people who have blown up their radios. To prevent you from blowing them up again. Due to your ineptitude.
But in my line of work. It's called. If it ain't broke? You don't fix it. This radio is not broken. This is one of the best radios going. As both competent and incompetent people like using them. And this is a modification for the Incompetent Faction. Sure! But?
These things are not really made for, modifying much less actually fixing. Most everything is, computer, surface mounted, parts. And Amateurs, should stay away from that. Even Amateur Radio Operators, should stay away from that. If it's not broke?
I know guys into, music recording. And they will purchase a piece of audio equipment. And immediately.. Start modifying it to make it better! Oh really?
Yeah no. That is not making it better. That is purchasing a piece of gear you really didn't want. Because you can't afford the one you do want. And you are going to modify a piece of crap. To make it a better, piece of crap. Which is usually the case. But not 100% of the time.
And you are taking a great risk here. With a $1400 radio. One wrong move. One miswire. And it is Kaput. And it will be your doing. No warranty will be honored. You're up the creek without a paddle antenna. This thing has a decent warranty. Why are you modifying it? Did you not want this radio? Did you want something better?
I purchased what I want. It needs no modifications. Though modifications can be done. Thinking you are making it better. But in all reality? It is merely, different. It's only better to you. If it makes you $1 million. Otherwise? It's not better it's only different. How do you quantify, better? Better what? Better money? Or just stupid better sound? Where are your priorities, sir? Batteries or microphones? Can you talk into a battery? No you cannot!
So what do I think of this battery upgrade? I think you got a bigger battery. Yup.
RemyRAD