Icom: IC-905

[jwt873]

This is sure bold of Icom.. They should have a pretty good market in Europe. Amsat UK has a geostationary ham satellite in orbit. The uplink is 2.4 GHz and the downlink is 10 GHz Es’hail 2 / QO-100 This radio should be perfect for that.

Looks like I'll probably be getting one. I fell in with the local VHF/UHF geeks after I got my IC-9700 a few years back We have a fair bit of 10 GHz activity here and that's a band I don't have.. Just last Sunday, one of the local guys managed a 780 Mile 10 GHz tropo contact (From VE4 land to Kansas).

 

[GlobalNorth]

I''d love to get one, but there is very little VHF or > activity where I am. Still, depending on the price, I may indulge.

 

[N4DJC]

No mention of full duplex, if so satellite operation will not be the primary focus.

 

[bearcatrp]

With this coming out, maybe Icom will do another R8600 that goes to 10 Ghz.

 

[ShawnInPaso]

Of course no 220mhz. SMH

 

[AK9R]

The flyer that was being distributed at Tokyo Ham Fair.

 

[N4DJC]

Lot’s of innovation in this radio. The details will be interesting.

 

[N4DJC]

This is sure bold of Icom.. They should have a pretty good market in Europe. Amsat UK has a geostationary ham satellite in orbit. The uplink is 2.4 GHz and the downlink is 10 GHz Es’hail 2 / QO-100 This radio should be perfect for that.

Looks like I'll probably be getting one. I fell in with the local VHF/UHF geeks after I got my IC-9700 a few years back We have a fair bit of 10 GHz activity here and that's a band I don't have.. Just last Sunday, one of the local guys managed a 780 Mile 10 GHz tropo contact (From VE4 land to Kansas).

Looks, at least for now, that the 10 GHz transverter is fed by the 2.4 GHz output. QO-100 would not be possible unless the 10 GHz transverter has another 2.4 GHz connection, still unknown at this time.

 

[MTS2000des]

Of course no 220mhz. SMH

220 isn't used outside ITU region 2, so I can get why it was skipped.

 

[AK9R]

unless the 10 GHz transverter has another 2.4 GHz connection

I believe it does. I think it was in the official Icom video that I saw that the 10 GHz module has an in and an out for 2.4 GHz.

 

[bearcatrp]

When is Icom going to post this radio on its web site? Have Icom submitted the radio for FCC approval yet?

 

[AK9R]

When they're ready.

Not that I'm aware of.

I think Ray Novak from Icom said the radio is about a year away from retail sales.

 

[palmerjrusa]

When is Icom going to post this radio on its web site? Have Icom submitted the radio for FCC approval yet?

It's up now:

IC-905 VHF / UHF / SHF All Mode Portable - Features - Icom America

www.icomamerica.com

 

[KL5LD]

Hello all,

So, I have been eyeing this radio now for a little bit and I think it looks great. I have a tech license but am working on my General and I really want to "gift myself" lol when I pass the test I was thinking of buying the IC-905 as my first-time base station radio when it releases. I only have HTs and no home station set up yet.

So, my question would be this. Would this be good for a newb to get the IC-905 as a first-time base station? I was initially looking to get the IC-7300 or even the 9700 for my first base station. Would it be better for me to get something like 7300 or 9700 instead? I really want to get something new and something that I could really grow into as I learn more and more. I really like the features that the 905 has, but I don't want to drop that much money on a station that will be too difficult for somebody like me to fully understand or use its full potential.

I came across this video on YouTube about the release date and the price of the IC-905. How accurate do you think this video is? Do you all think it will cost this much and be released this year? Anyway, I'll leave it there. Thanks to all of you for all your help and encouragement and PMs from you guys, I really appreciate it and think you all are awesome!

ICOM IC-905 Estimated Pricing and Availability Revealed

 

[Hit_Factor]

So, my question would be this. Would this be good for a newb to get the IC-905 as a first-time base station?

No, it's not a base station. You will find QRP disappointing.

Stick with your IC-7300 plan and maybe a ID-5100. You can find both on the used market to save a few bucks.

 

[G7RUX]

It sort of is and isn't a base station radio, being a 705-style controller linked with a remote RF head. Power levels are not very high and although the losses should be very low (RF head close to antennas) you may find some difficulties with the amount of output available. The capability to operate on some of the low-microwave bands will be really good though, although you will need decent antennas.

 

[G7RUX]

The thing I'm really interested in is whether the IP connection between the controller and the RF head is configurable in the usual ways...if so this means I can have the controller at my desk and the RF head and antennas mounted up on a high site I control. This would be excellent if possible!

 

[hamstang]

Icom is the ONLY manufacturer doing ANYTHING innovative for VHF and above. I'll buy one.

Yaesu still very much in the mix, for HF at least.

 

[freqhopping]

So, my question would be this. Would this be good for a newb to get the IC-905 as a first-time base station? I was initially looking to get the IC-7300 or even the 9700 for my first base station. Would it be better for me to get something like 7300 or 9700 instead? I really want to get something new and something that I could really grow into as I learn more and more. I really like the features that the 905 has, but I don't want to drop that much money on a station that will be too difficult for somebody like me to fully understand or use its full potential.

The three really aren't even comparable. If you want HF capability get the 7300 or consider the newer and comparable Yaesu 710.

IC-905: In Alaska how likely is it that you ever talk to someone on the GHz bands? I'd think not so much. It certainly isn't common in populated places. It's a radio for a really small niche. And only 10w on VHF/UHF.


IC-9700: Do you want/need SSB on VHF/UHF? And do you really need 100w on 2m, 75w on UHF? Most people find much cheaper base/mobile of ~50w VHF/UHF to be plenty sufficient if they don't need SSB.

Also consider whether you want DMR or an Icom/Yaesu proprietary digital mode along with your base/mobile.

FWIW, I've been licensed a bit over a year, upgrade to AE about 7 months after first getting licensed. I had some HTs and a 7300 before getting licensed. I've add an Alinco DR MD-500 for home base+mobile VHF/UHF analog+DMR use and more recently a Yaesu FT-891 for portable/mobile HF.

 

[KL5LD]

The three really aren't even comparable. If you want HF capability get the 7300 or consider the newer and comparable Yaesu 710.

IC-905: In Alaska how likely is it that you ever talk to someone on the GHz bands? I'd think not so much. It certainly isn't common in populated places. It's a radio for a really small niche. And only 10w on VHF/UHF.


IC-9700: Do you want/need SSB on VHF/UHF? And do you really need 100w on 2m, 75w on UHF? Most people find much cheaper base/mobile of ~50w VHF/UHF to be plenty sufficient if they don't need SSB.

Also consider whether you want DMR or an Icom/Yaesu proprietary digital mode along with your base/mobile.

FWIW, I've been licensed a bit over a year, upgrade to AE about 7 months after first getting licensed. I had some HTs and a 7300 before getting licensed. I've add an Alinco DR MD-500 for home base+mobile VHF/UHF analog+DMR use and more recently a Yaesu FT-891 for portable/mobile HF.

Thank you all for the info, it is much appreciated!

Oh, it was my understanding that they all did SSB? Getting a radio that does SSB and playing around with over-the-horizon skip propagation via the ionosphere, which is something I learned a little about while taking a class that I thought was really really cool was something I really wanted to learn to do. I am also learning more about CW and want to start doing that as well. I just wasn't sure what to get exactly for all my needs or wants and wanted to make sure I was making the right purchase because, well, to be honest, I am not going to be getting another one in a looong time lol. Hopefully, I will have my general before purchase, but if not I can still play around on 10 meters with CW as well its my understanding that I can do CW on 15, 40, and 80 as well as a tech.

I really found ATV to be very cool and is something that I think will pick up more in the future and want to really start practicing with it and learning more about it so that was the reason for the 905. I know I am asking for the all-around perfect radio I do understand there will be some give and take and maybe I just need to stop wanting to do everything and focus on one thing lol.

I just find all this stuff so interesting and so much fun, I want to do it all and I start nerding out on all of this and get excited about it. So maybe I need to pull back a little. Anyway, I guess ill stop my bellyaching there lol. Thank you all again for all the info and help on this subject and please feel free to add anything else that I should be aware of or any other tips that could help me along my travels. You guys really are the best!