Never had or seen the ID-50a, so hard to comment. I do know the receiver seems to be better in comparison to the IC-705. Seem to have more noise rejection. The audio is more pleasant and clean when comparing to ic-705 in my setup. I recall reading, that the id-52plus has a feature not found in the others, but can't remember what is was, as I read this before buyiing it. Something to search for? As for price, it like getting a speeding ticket, hurts at first, but then it all forgoten later. Just a tax... LOL. It does make a great gift to someone you like.
Some interesting things you can do with 1000 memory channels & 2500 Repeater List Channel with 500 FM Radio Channels. Plus setting for RS-MS3i Bluetooth, CIV and Terminal mode settings.
I can't drop the ball they need to come up with a software just like blue DV connects the allow us to use Bluetooth terminal mode easily, with the Kenwood D75A,
With the IC-705, you can use terminal mode with no software required using wifi or usb connected to my router for direct internet connection. With the ID-52 Plus you can do so with Bluetooth or USB, however a piece of software is required for the ID-52 at this time. It did not have the option to enter the IP domain number like the IC-705 I am impressed with the receiver and audio quality of the ID-52 Plus Anniversary unit. Way better than the IC-705. Doozy is currently the best software however it only Windows. It proves you don't need hotspot devices. Maybe one day we can see a mac version? Better yet, perhaps Icom will update their software to give those features. Perhaps competion from Kenwood would move them to do so. The RS-MS3i does the same as BlueDV from what I see online. It works great, but direct to a DStar repeater is my preferences. When on base I can use terminal mode for DSTAR with the IC-705, but if you have a local DStar repeater that is link accross Canada. Wow that great, just enough traffic to enjoy the chat, listen, even learn new ham stuff. For monitoring, DV is nice, you don't have the hash/noise of FM receiver. Depending on hotspot device and/or quality of internet connection, audio can be robotic or donald duck.
I know with the iphone 12 v18.3, more so with the Macbook Pro v15.2 it more fooling around to get it to work, but works. Occasionaly I get a message failure to communicate. Must be some ios bluetooth security or it expects or support only some bluetooth versions. Something apple and icom should be able to fix. Fortunately, I use the ipad ios 17 for DStar & alway work instantly and no fooling around to get it working. Haven't seen any bugs or failure with it so far. Getting great audio quality reports with the ID-52A Plus, The ic705 is great too, but some have commented the id-52 was a little better. With the IC-705, I can use Terminal mode without the software, as it has option of either usb or wifi. I use wifi only with it. With the RS-MS3i, it show if connection was sucessful, or if a transmission was a failure or not, and the connection info. That doesn't show on the IC-705. Pro and cons I guess. i have a video plan for DStar, got comment about some not able to hear DStar but see the carrier. Some hear it, but can not be heard. No audio at all. Even when using two radios simplex. I think I figured out what was their issues, causing it. Wrong settings and programming. Will demo it and easy to correct.
FYI: I updated the Mac OS and ios, tested using RS-MS3i on my macbook pro, worked perfect with the id-52plus. Haven't test the ic-705 yet. Worked flawlessly. i in the process of creating a video on what many of the issue that would stop you successfully using it. We now have access to a dstar repeater, so able to test a few other things.
@@SimplyOffGridLife I’m up to date with iOS 18.2.1 but still not making it. The iPhone will recognize the radio and show connected. Everything appears to be right but ends up being not connected and the only option is to forget the device. A step by step video would be great. I would think that ICOM would have developed something more solid with Apple…
From this video you can see the many things that would cause you to fail to use. My iphone is 18.3, Mac 15.3, my old ipad is 17.7.4 Go through all the settings and sequence as per this video. Did you enable port 4000 on the router. There should be info in one of the manuals telling you this. If you connect bluetooth, but can't get out, I would suspect your router is not forwarding/talking. Set up would vary with router and however your internet is setup.
@ I’m using my iPhone’s Internet for my hotspot (not my home’s internet). So, I haven’t changed any router setting for the home internet. My 705 is setup to receive internet from my home and I need to add the iPhone.
Love mine ❤
nice . I am still debating between the ID-52A PLUS & the ID-50A
Never had or seen the ID-50a, so hard to comment. I do know the receiver seems to be better in comparison to the IC-705. Seem to have more noise rejection. The audio is more pleasant and clean when comparing to ic-705 in my setup.
I recall reading, that the id-52plus has a feature not found in the others, but can't remember what is was, as I read this before buyiing it. Something to search for?
As for price, it like getting a speeding ticket, hurts at first, but then it all forgoten later. Just a tax... LOL. It does make a great gift to someone you like.
Some interesting things you can do with 1000 memory channels & 2500 Repeater List Channel with 500 FM Radio Channels. Plus setting for RS-MS3i Bluetooth, CIV and Terminal mode settings.
I can't drop the ball they need to come up with a software just like blue DV connects the allow us to use Bluetooth terminal mode easily, with the Kenwood D75A,
With the IC-705, you can use terminal mode with no software required using wifi or usb connected to my router for direct internet connection.
With the ID-52 Plus you can do so with Bluetooth or USB, however a piece of software is required for the ID-52 at this time. It did not have the option to enter the IP domain number like the IC-705
I am impressed with the receiver and audio quality of the ID-52 Plus Anniversary unit. Way better than the IC-705.
Doozy is currently the best software however it only Windows. It proves you don't need hotspot devices. Maybe one day we can see a mac version?
Better yet, perhaps Icom will update their software to give those features. Perhaps competion from Kenwood would move them to do so.
The RS-MS3i does the same as BlueDV from what I see online. It works great, but direct to a DStar repeater is my preferences.
When on base I can use terminal mode for DSTAR with the IC-705, but if you have a local DStar repeater that is link accross Canada. Wow that great, just enough traffic to enjoy the chat, listen, even learn new ham stuff.
For monitoring, DV is nice, you don't have the hash/noise of FM receiver. Depending on hotspot device and/or quality of internet connection, audio can be robotic or donald duck.
Ugh…still not working (Bluetooth/iPone app).
I know with the iphone 12 v18.3, more so with the Macbook Pro v15.2 it more fooling around to get it to work, but works. Occasionaly I get a message failure to communicate.
Must be some ios bluetooth security or it expects or support only some bluetooth versions. Something apple and icom should be able to fix.
Fortunately, I use the ipad ios 17 for DStar & alway work instantly and no fooling around to get it working. Haven't seen any bugs or failure with it so far.
Getting great audio quality reports with the ID-52A Plus, The ic705 is great too, but some have commented the id-52 was a little better.
With the IC-705, I can use Terminal mode without the software, as it has option of either usb or wifi. I use wifi only with it. With the RS-MS3i, it show if connection was sucessful, or if a transmission was a failure or not, and the connection info. That doesn't show on the IC-705. Pro and cons I guess.
i have a video plan for DStar, got comment about some not able to hear DStar but see the carrier. Some hear it, but can not be heard. No audio at all. Even when using two radios simplex. I think I figured out what was their issues, causing it. Wrong settings and programming. Will demo it and easy to correct.
FYI: I updated the Mac OS and ios, tested using RS-MS3i on my macbook pro, worked perfect with the id-52plus. Haven't test the ic-705 yet. Worked flawlessly. i in the process of creating a video on what many of the issue that would stop you successfully using it. We now have access to a dstar repeater, so able to test a few other things.
@@SimplyOffGridLife I’m up to date with iOS 18.2.1 but still not making it. The iPhone will recognize the radio and show connected. Everything appears to be right but ends up being not connected and the only option is to forget the device. A step by step video would be great. I would think that ICOM would have developed something more solid with Apple…
From this video you can see the many things that would cause you to fail to use. My iphone is 18.3, Mac 15.3, my old ipad is 17.7.4
Go through all the settings and sequence as per this video.
Did you enable port 4000 on the router. There should be info in one of the manuals telling you this. If you connect bluetooth, but can't get out, I would suspect your router is not forwarding/talking. Set up would vary with router and however your internet is setup.
@ I’m using my iPhone’s Internet for my hotspot (not my home’s internet). So, I haven’t changed any router setting for the home internet. My 705 is setup to receive internet from my home and I need to add the iPhone.