Icom: IC-705: New QRP rig from Icom in the works

[prcguy]

I've had my 705 loaned to a friend for the last 3 days and he loves it. He operates most every day from a hill in town using a 40-10m EFHW or a custom version that only covers 17 and 20m. He usually uses a Kenwood TS-480 feeding a 500w SGC amplifier in his truck or an Icom 7300 barefoot in another vehicle. In the past he has made comments like life is too short for QRP and who would waste their time with low power.

For the last few days he's been running my 705 barefoot at 10 watts or less and is having a blast and getting great signal and audio reports all across the country. He doesn't want to give the radio back. I'll let him run until maybe Monday then I'll have to track him down and confiscate the radio.

That sucks. Dam rodents. Will be waiting for your review. Am having a blast using mine. Still have allot to learn but so far so good.

 

[bearcatrp]

Good luck getting it back. May not be easy. Its a fantastic radio.

 

[K9DWB]

hey there's an almost new ICOM IC-705 for sale, some guy in a truck has it...

 

[prcguy]

Looks like Rob Sherwood has the 705 data on his website now. The IC-705 is about 32 radios down in narrow spaced dynamic range pecking order from the current top of the heap Yaesu FTdx-101D. Its about eight radios below the IC-7300 but better than the Elecraft KX2, Yaesu FTdx-3000, Lab599 TX500 and many other popular radios. And I still don't have mine back yet.

Receiver Test Data

Julian OH8STN has a good video out that mentions some digital capability of the 705 that I was unaware of like single USB connection for audio and rig control, etc.

 

[cmdrwill]

Way Kool.
And a very good video.

 

[EricCottrell]

Hello,

Great video from OH8STN. I did not realize that the GPS can output through the USB and some of the other features he mentions.

73 Eric

 

[prcguy]

I downloaded the free programming software for the 705 and what a nice easy thing to use. Its very intuitive and I just loaded up about 100 frequencies in several different groups with alpha tags, etc. Its refreshing to see software that is actually fun to use rather than something to dred and avoid. Thanks Icom!

 

[wa8pyr]

I downloaded the free programming software for the 705 and what a nice easy thing to use. Its very intuitive and I just loaded up about 100 frequencies in several different groups with alpha tags, etc. Its refreshing to see software that is actually fun to use rather than something to dred and avoid. Thanks Icom!

Did the same myself; pretty good for free software.

I loaded in a selection of local repeaters, the WWV frequencies, and the bottom end of each short-wave band; jump to that memory and do the M>V thing, and I'm in the SW band ready to surf. Did the same on my IC7300 and R8600 in the home shack.

Loving this radio so far; works a treat with the EFHW antenna @prcguy convinced me to build.

 

[K9DWB]

@prcguy, Is that the standard Icom style program or is it a new style more like a format similar to RT Systems? I have RT Systems for my Yaesu FT3D, no Icoms yet. Am just curious about what the 705 program style is most like. TIA for comments, and enjoy your IC-705 and hopefully you got it back.

 

[prcguy]

Finally got my radio back after turning down a bunch of cash and trade offers. I can't recall using other Icom programming software but have used some from many other mfrs with varying levels of satisfaction and disgust. I am also not a fan of RT Systems with their high prices and sometimes proprietary cables.

The Icom software reminds me of Chirp and it is easy to use and flawless so far. I would post some screen shots but would rather keep my frequency lists private. In the software you have areas for alpha tags, frequencies, easy repeater offsets, PL, DPL, scan list tags, etc. It all makes sense and is laid out in a way that is easy to understand and fast to fill out.

You also have all the global parameters you can program at power up including wireless lot in. I've used many programs in the past that were frustrating and did not allow certain things to be entered or changed and so far the 705 program has allowed me to enter everything I want. Its refreshing to keep discovering things about the new radio that are all positive.

@prcguy, Is that the standard Icom style program or is it a new style more like a format similar to RT Systems? I have RT Systems for my Yaesu FT3D, no Icoms yet. Am just curious about what the 705 program style is most like. TIA for comments, and enjoy your IC-705 and hopefully you got it back.

 

[K9DWB]

Good info. Thanks for the explanation @prcguy.

 

[vagrant]

@K9DWB The software is free. Give it a whirl.

CS-705 | Firmware / Software | Support | Icom Inc.

Icom,Global,Land Mobile,Marine,Aviation,Amateur,Receivers,Satellite,LTE,WLAN,IP,Digital,Analog,Radio,Network,D-STAR

www.icomjapan.com

 

[K9DWB]

Thanks for the link. I will take a look at it.

The software may be free but the radio is not. Icom was one of the brands on the wish list. Maybe I collect an Icom at some point. The IC-705 looks very nice, capable. I don't see myself as QRP guy but you never know. I've got FT991A dust in my eye now though.

 

[K9DWB]

I was able to see the program. It does look nice at that.

 

[N4GIX]

Slightly off-topic but still related. The one-cable system is also used on the IC-7300, which is one reason why I invested in it. After watching Julian OH8STN's video, I've convinced myself to begin saving up for one!

 

[palmerjrusa]

Heads up:

The Icom LC-192 backpack for the IC-705 is selling for $119.95 at Gigaparts, $50 dollars lower than a few days ago and just too late to save me $50 = mine arrived a few days ago.

 

[Hit_Factor]

There are several mfrs of portable loops and Alpha would be on the bottom of my list. My personal experience with Alpha Antennas is the materials used and the designs are inferior ...

I received a IC-AL-705 yesterday.

The 3 way (T) for the inner loop broke into 2 pieces seconds after removing from the bag. The vendor said my experience was the second report of a broken 3 way this week. Not very encouraging since this was just released.

2 of 4 screws in the base of the matching box are cross threaded.

So far SWR, is not acceptable, I'll work with it more after the replacement 3 way arrives from Amazon.

I had high hopes for this based on the Icom and Alpha partnership.

 

[prcguy]

See if its not too late to trade it in for a different brand of loop. I don't have any recommendations since I don't use transmitting loops but when comparing Alpha Antennas to Chameleon, it appears that Chameleon is of much higher quality and has more smarts behind it.

What I can recommend is an End Fed Half Wave from vendors like PAR for a small low power lightweight version, or MyAntennas for one that covers more bands but is a little larger and heavier. These will easily outperform a small loop if you have a tree or something to hang them on.

I received a IC-AL-705 yesterday.

The 3 way (T) for the inner loop broke into 2 pieces seconds after removing from the bag. The vendor said my experience was the second report of a broken 3 way this week. Not very encouraging since this was just released.

2 of 4 screws in the base of the matching box are cross threaded.

So far SWR, is not acceptable, I'll work with it more after the replacement 3 way arrives from Amazon.

I had high hopes for this based on the Icom and Alpha partnership.

 

[vagrant]

I have the Chameleon F-Loop and an end fed half wave. (Most of you know the following, but for those that don't) The loop is directional and easily sits atop a decent camera tripod making it quick to deploy/takedown and height above ground is not an issue. The end fed is more efficient and covers more than one band, or even within the same band without tuning. Still, height above ground is essential to achieve good performance and it is a "fixed" bi-directional so to speak. I feel that more tools in the toolbox is a good thing as operating environments change. If one plans on operating at 40 or 80 meters, an end fed with the proper length of wire will really show the difference.

I did one thing to help my Chameleon loop and that was switching to 10 feet of LDF4-50A coaxial cable. The LDF4-50A has a larger diameter solid outer copper shield versus whatever braid in the supplied coax. The overall diameter is slightly larger as well. I also added adapters from N to PL-259 and had to short them out for the LDF4-50A to work properly as a loop.

The Chameleon does require it's own little bag and the supplied coax will fit into the bag. The LDF4-50 not so much, but it will coil down to a manageable smaller diameter without damaging it and I just velcro it to the Chameleon bag.

I like having both as the beach and desert are rather slim on trees. Still, the wire is preferred when able. I also use Dunestar bandpass filters on the TX/RX antenna. This allows a receiver on the other antenna to not be bothered if outside the filtered band.

Oh...one more critical point is the amount of power each antenna will handle. As this is for the Icom 705, the Chameleon will handle the 10 watt output fine. Depending on the transformer the end fed will handle much more.

 

[vagrant]

Update: After additional testing, my Chameleon coax upgrade only helps on 15, 17 and 20 meters and not enough to bother with the LDF4-50A coaxial cable. I went back to the regular cable that came with it. It was worth experimenting.