ICOM IC-705

Hello Operators.
Earlier this month Icom introduced the Icom IC-705 at the Tokyo ham fair. The Icom ic-705 is an HF VHF UHF ALL-Mode QRP rig competing directly with rigs like Elecraft KX2, KX3, and the antiquated Yaesu FT-818.
in this video we'll talk about the expectations of modern field radio operators, and what they want or need from a modern field radio, like the ic 705. We'll also start planning a go kit, based on the IC 705, in preparation of its 2020 release.

The New Icom IC-705 HF/50Mhz/144Mhz/430Mhz SDR is as close to the perfect QRP radio as we've seen coming from commercial amateur radio manufacturers in nearly a decade. Will the Icom 705 completely kill Yaesu FT-818 sales? Well Elecraft finally be forced into updating the KX2 and KX3 for the Ham radio data mode operator?

The QRP portable ham radio world has just shifted squarely towards Icom!

73
Julian oh8stn

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[bahathir_]

Hi.

I have IC-7300 and most of the time, bing controlled by Raspberry Pi 3B+ . To save power, we can decrease LCD's brightness. The default is 50% is bright, but currently I set it to 10%.. Yes, 10% brightness is good enough for in-door or night operations. THen I set the screen blank as fast as possible, so it will turn off the LCD screen. Since I controlling the rig using Rpi, the LCD screen still off, until I touch any buttons/dials or VFO knob.



Second suggestions, is to use earphones, IEMs or headphones which are using less power than the built-in speaker.


It seem that the IC-705 has WiFi/WLAN feature, and we may able to remotely operate the rig wirelessly..


From what I found, IC-705 may be on sale (in Japan), on March 2020.. :)


Looking forward your future video on IC-705.


Thank you,
Bahathir 9W2GNU, 73.

[G-slinger]

Simply stated, I trust your reviews and I trust very little of what is said on the internet. I'm already elbows deep in Icom transceivers so this is easy, but brand loyalty only goes so far.

Icom is however clearly leading the industry, but we are very fortunate to have so many increadible choices from so many manufacturers.

Until the sun spot cycle improves propagation, weak signal work on digital modes with QRP only makes sense. Having a pan adapter/band scope built-in is now the defacto standard, but I still turn mine off and just listen.

Remember, It's training as much as it is fun !

[theoldhobbit]

This radio is estimated to hit the retail market at about £1000 and that is way out of my price range and to be fair I am more than happy with my 817 and 857D for portable use. I have built my system to work on solar and lightweight lipo batteries all of which can easily be carried, I have better things things to spend £1000 on. I only use resonant homebrew antennas so I have never used a tuner and can build one very quickly out of any little bit of wire. This really is a lovely looking radio and has stuff on the screen that some will find very useful, but my little 817 can get me to the USA, Europe and even Australia on 5w with some patience. Thank you so much for your review and as always is very well balanced and informative.

[WBERJ]

Thanks for reviewing the IC-705. Your pragmatism and refusal to regurgitate the manufacturer's marketing is quite refreshing and welcome!

I agree with you, the IC-705 is a game changer.

[rossbassette]

Julian,
When this rig comes out, Your are definitely the go-to reviewer we will be waiting for. I just hope Icom sees fit to adding a built-in antenna tuner

[keithgordonkksg]

Bravo, Julian! The 705 has the trifecta: A readable screen, USB charging and elimination of the rat's nest of interface wires. Add the Elecraft T1 tuner, solar panels and battery that we're probably carrying already and it's my next radio. (Maybe someone will develop at 1500 w linear amplifier the size of a deck of cards in the next year and we'll all be happy.) Thanks, always, for your excellent videos.

[mdouble]

Your evaluation of this new rig is, I feel, entirely appropriate it's upside potential. I think ICOM is now the leader in the field of QRP rigs. I entirely agree that the emergence of digital QRP is one reason why this radio has included features which clearly support this kind of operation. Likewise, the ability to charge from a USB port seems like the ICOM folks have been watching your channel and noted your innovations and creative solutions. They've taken all that in and made it a part of their new design.

[Lurker]

What amazes me about the FT-818 is how its not all that different from my 817. Even tho its considered a new radio. Icom feels modern. That is coming from someone like myself who prefers Yaesu. I also like that this radio is a SDR too.

[GeorgeLampere]

You gave a great review on the radio, so inspiring that I want to get one. I like that you always clarify your reviews by putting them into context. It makes it so much easier to evaluate. Nice job, keep up the good work.

[TalonsKrafts]

There is an iPad app available and a Mac app that can be used to remote control and use FT8 on the IC-705. This is one of the reasons I am seriously looking to get one of these radios in the new year. The points you raise in your video are very much why I am considering this rig.

[outbackeddie]

I love the portability factor. This would be a great rig to have in my RV. Thanks for your comments and perspective.

[thuff]

My current favorite radio is the kx2. But I agree with you having a builtin sound card is a must for any QRP radio. Too bad Elecraft did not take advantageous the kx2s architecture to have a sound card builtin. All the pieces for it are there. Bravo Icom. Thank you for this video it was worth watching.

[ChipLohman]

Some compliments and a "Bravo Zulu" for your content. As a retired Marine, I appreciate your fieldcraft skills. As a retired journalist, I respect your articulate, well-researched reports. If I were another blogger and saw your work, I might simply refer people to you rather than settle for second place!

73, Chip/NN4U

[joeframo]

Hello from Atlanta, Georgia. You did such a great presentation on the IC 105. I have the Yaesu Ft. 818 I am not happy with it. I don't know why Yaesu made another radio like this. But the Icom is ideal. Thank you for sharing this video. A big feather in your hat

[SamuraiShippo]

I am waiting for this radio myself. I was going to do a KX3 but seeing this blew me out of the water. I am defiantly saving my pennies for this one

[karma]

I understand the reasoning about having a external auto tuner but have found the elecraft t1 auto tuner perfect for using in the field and will use it to partner with the icom 705 when I get it

[Robert-jteo]

Julian, as always you knocked the review out of the park. I have been looking at the IC-705 since early summer and yes most reviews are all the same, just rearranged in content. After 30 years of ham radio I am still learning. I plan on buying the IC-705 and running dipoles for the bands I am interested in there for NO TUNER NEEDED. As always Julian GREAT REVIEW, very informative. Keep up the Good Work.
From Kansas, USA.

[WHJBill]

I love my Xiegu G90 with 20 watts (all the time) using a 12Ah LiFePO4 battery and a 10-80M HWEF antenna. Since the G90 has an antenna tuner, I don't have to worry about setting up the antenna (which is resonant) in "less than ideal" field conditions which will effect even a resonant antenna. Not having a tuner is the biggest "pass" in my eyes. Granted it's an external battery, but I can do 20 watts ALL the time for upwards of 6 hours (before I put my portable solar charger). And everything (including fishing line and sling shot and battery monitor, fits into a tiny go pack that is only 12" x 9.5" x 6". Also, with EVERYTHING, my go kit, including the G90 and battery, comes in at $810. I would be surprised if 705 comes in at less than $1000 just for the radio.

[paularmstrong]

As always some great questions. As someone who is slowly getting back to the hobby, one of the things that I've found frustrating is the lack of a good field/portable radio that doesn't require a lot of add-ons.

[texasfrontiersman]

The Icom 705 battery form factor is horrific. I couldn't help but chuckle when you said you were going to buy/carry four batteries plus the battery box! LOL! Yaesu had the right idea with the FT-897 dual battery compartment run one while you charge the other plus 20 watts output! They didn't have the battery technology we do today but you have to admit is was a genius design in its day. Love the channel only time will tell on the Icom 705.