Icom: IC-905

[AK9R]

Oh, it was my understanding that they all did SSB?

The IC-7300, IC-9700, and IC-905 all do SSB, but they cover different frequency bands and at different power levels.

IC-7300: Covers HF frequencies in the 160 to 6 meter bands, 100 watts output
IC-9700: Covers VHF/UHF frequencies in the 2 meter, 70 centimeter, and 23 centimeter bands at 100, 75, and 10 watts respectively
IC-905: Covers VHF/UHF frequencies in the 2m, 70cm, 23cm, 13cm, and 6cm bands (3cm optional) at power output ranging from 10 to 2 watts depending on band

My gut feeling is that while 2m and 70cm may be useful in Alaska, most activity on those bands would be on FM and you can buy radios that covers those bands in FM mode with more power at a lower price than the IC-905.

 

[pcunite]

This style of radio is what I've been hoping for. I want the RF unit, far away from my office in an optimal location, so I can remote control everything from my desk. Running Fiber (very cheap now) to this style of remote equipment makes electrical and RF concerns in the shack just go away. What AnyTone did with their BT01 control is another indicator that there is where the market is going. Can't wait!

 

[pcunite]

Something in the same style of application, is the BT-85 bluetooth wireless speaker mic for the Yaeus FTM-300. Put the radio away, and remote control them.

 

[N4DJC]

Something in the same style of application, is the BT-85 bluetooth wireless speaker mic for the Yaeus FTM-300. Put the radio away, and remote control them.

i imagine the SDR Control App for Icom will eventually support the 905.

 

[N4DJC]

$3499.95 at HRO

 

[AK9R]

Still not available. "Out Of Stock - Delivery Will Be Delayed!"

 

[G7RUX]

i imagine the SDR Control App for Icom will eventually support the 905.

Indeed, although what I would like to do is to fit the RF unit in a high location and use our internal network to run back to the control head on my desk. Icom cannot tell me at the moment if this is a possible use case.

 

[belvdr]

Indeed, although what I would like to do is to fit the RF unit in a high location and use our internal network to run back to the control head on my desk. Icom cannot tell me at the moment if this is a possible use case.

I'm curious what the LAN connector is on the RF module. Looking at a picture of the bottom side of the RF module, it's a round connector. Guessing it's not built for outdoor mounting, and converting it might introduce future connectivity issues. The typical F-F RJ45 connectors are known to fail at the worst possible time.

 

[G7RUX]

The unit I saw at the rally at the weekend has a glanded cable on the RF unit.

 

[belvdr]

The unit I saw at the rally at the weekend has a glanded cable on the RF unit.

That leads one to believe it might be outdoor friendly, or at least resistant. Were you able to see the connector up close?

 

[G7RUX]

That leads one to believe it might be outdoor friendly, or at least resistant. Were you able to see the connector up close?

Oh it's definitely suitable for use outside, with an adaptor to RJ45 at the head unit end.

 

[AK9R]

Keep in mind that the IC-905 control head, aka Controller, does not generate RF (at least, not intentionally). It's just a control head. The RF circuitry is in the RF Module. The RF Module gets control signals and power over the "LAN cable". The RF Module is intended to be mounted on your tower near your antennas so that the coaxial cabling is short. In addition, there is the optional CX-10G Transverter that can be wired to the RF Module for operation on 10 GHz.

10 watts on 144/430/1200 MHz, 2 watts on 2400/5600 MHz, and 0.5 watts on 10 GHz with the transverter.

 

[G7RUX]

Keep in mind that the IC-905 control head, aka Controller, does not generate RF (at least, not intentionally). It's just a control head. The RF circuitry is in the RF Module. The RF Module gets control signals and power over the "LAN cable". The RF Module is intended to be mounted on your tower near your antennas so that the coaxial cabling is short. In addition, there is the optional CX-10G Transverter that can be wired to the RF Module for operation on 10 GHz.

10 watts on 144/430/1200 MHz, 2 watts on 2400/5600 MHz, and 0.5 watts on 10 GHz with the transverter.

Absolutely so. However it is not clear at this time whether the RF unit needs to be directly connected to the controller or if it could be remotely mounted and controlled via a network switch.

 

[AK9R]

However it is not clear at this time whether the RF unit needs to be directly connected to the controller or if it could be remotely mounted and controlled via a network switch.

I'm not jumping to the conclusion that the "LAN Cable" (Icom's words, not mine) is an Ethernet connection. IOW, I don't think you will be able to connect either the Controller or the RF Module to your home network and see either one get an IP address. We shall see.

 

[G7RUX]

I'm not jumping to the conclusion that the "LAN Cable" (Icom's words, not mine) is an Ethernet connection. IOW, I don't think you will be able to connect either the Controller or the RF Module to your home network and see either one get an IP address. We shall see.

Well, this is the question I have asked since they originally said it was "ordinary ethernet with compliant PoE" so it should be possible but this has not yet been confirmed. I'm not going to pop that sort of money on one if I cannot do that to be honest.

 

[belvdr]

Well, this is the question I have asked since they originally said it was "ordinary ethernet with compliant PoE" so it should be possible but this has not yet been confirmed. I'm not going to pop that sort of money on one if I cannot do that to be honest.

Agreed, and what PoE standard? There are a few.

 

[G7RUX]

Agreed, and what PoE standard? There are a few.

There are but provided they comply with the main 802-based ones then I can deal with any of those.

 

[belvdr]

There are but provided they comply with the main 802-based ones then I can deal with any of those.

Some may not know that though. If you need high wattage then you can’t use just any PoE switch. It will be interesting to hear what they say.

 

[palmerjrusa]

Just got an alert from Gigaparts, they have the IC-905 in stock and ready to ship.

 

[prcguy]

So $3,499.95 for the transceiver, $999.95 for the 10GHz module and you need antennas so the three recommended run $349.95 each for a grand total of $5,549.75. I think I'll pass for the moment on a 905. Not because its expensive but because its stupid expensive.