Why You Should NOT Buy an Icom IC-705! - Icom IC-705 News

I have a Icom 7200 that was second hand. 😀

Get a full power better quality rig for the same money....!

Yea Glad Some One Made This Video..I got A Budy i talk to on the radio That is fixing to buy his first good/new radio & he said some one told him the 705 But He is a New Ham & just Did not Know But We Got Him On The Right Path Now..Yaesu ft-991 or FTDX 10 Or The Icom IC-7300..He Has got them 3 on his short list..Just Trying to Find The Best Deal !

It seems so simple that these are tools for can be a really fancy hammer but if you're looking at a screw it just isn't the proper thing to get. Nice video clear and concise

Thanks for the video.

I agree, still I like the portability and all the functionality for a physically small size radio. Plus, it has a removable battery. I got a Xiegu X6100 and I'm very happy with it, I'm thinking I may get an Icom IC-705 and I guarantee I will use it the most. I also plan to go to a HAM swap meet to find a large full size base station HF transceiver. In my neighborhood, I'm very content with an HT. The IC-705 makes me very comfortable to use with solar and external batteries, living off grid.

I said I wouldn't buy it but I just bought the 705, should have it by the weekend or early next week.

I bought the 818 around 5 months ago lol, if the 705 is good I will sell the 818, I do like the 818, it's got really good audio and it's very rugged. Been having fun with a DL1DN whip and a MFJ-1820T whip, when conditions are good QRP works even with compromised antennas as long as the other station has a good antenna and they are loud with you they should hear you.

Connected to my base antenna a 8010 49:1 does make a big difference.

I'm also having fun QRP with a MFJ-935C loop tuner and their 9232 qrp tuner and 5 watts.

Clickbait 😉

Thanks!

Great review. I have had my license since 1965. I think your advice about QRP is great for new hams. However, I think that people should not under estimate the power of 10 watts. I have had very good luck talking around the world with ten watts with the right antenna. js'g

I love QRP 🤩

Thanks for the breakdown on the 705, much appreciated.

Some important points here in this video regarding understanding one’s POU (philosophy of use) or USE CASE. Whichever term floats the boat is fine - but - it’s important to understand the features required for the task(s) at hand. As a newbie I see a few potential POU’s… 1) handheld QRP VHF/UHF for near field communications probably between family and friends 2) FULL POWER (is there a Qxx code for that? 🤔) HF/VHF/UHF mobile rig for in the car 3) QRP lightweight HF/VHF/UHF portable for POTA/SOTA/manpack/hiking etc. 4) FULL POWER HF/VHF/UHF for a base rig. Not sure yet if I need digital modes for all of these POU’s. Some overlap here too on POU’s so I will probably need to compromise to keep the cashflow under control and to not distress the Chief Executive Officer too much. 😂

Yeah the 891 would be a good choice yeah Jason thank you you helped me make up my mind

Jason I think the 705 might be a better choice for me

Great video! I'm on the way, (march 2023) to buy a 705 for field operation...
Is thanks to ham radio passion, that back in the 1987 I started learning English and today a can watch an American video and understanding all about hi hi hi I mean: QSO after QSO I learn English 😅
I get my WAS on march 1992...🎉
73s de Mario IK1LBL

I'm liking the 705 waterfall technology but not the 10 watt x ing power output. But the 705 can be modified for CB bands as well.
The 7100 is a more versatile unit in its form factor. Divorced so the head is easily placed within handy reach without the bulky main radio unit. So what's the best solution? Wait for the 7100 to be upgraded with a colour waterfall screen? Or buy the 705 and a amplifier? They both will need a signal strength tuning meter as well .
I know you did this video 2 years ago so maybe ICOM has an upgraded version of the 7100 in production.
But only time will tell.
Thanks for your videos.
I'm in learn mode and I'm trying to absorb as much as I can.
I have already brought a Kenwood nx5800 k2 and am looking to buy a nx5300 abp5 or abp6 intrenslicly safe MIL SPEC handheld for $1300.00 CDN .n/c the battery & charger. That's another $320.00 CDN.But if there's a way of getting a tri band mobile unit for both base and mobile, then that's what I feel is best overall.

Well, it was click bait! You should have toned that one down a lot! Anyway, I have the 7100 and the 705. They are very good radios for their respective purposes.... QRP sucks... or QRP is very difficult! So, if I want long distant reliable communications, I go with Allstarlink. Or just use my phone. I took the IC-705 out in the field for a ham communications event... 5w into an X50 (VHF) was perfect! The IC-705 was designed for ADVANCED HAMS, not the latest no-code appliance operators that want to plug in and talk to Timbuktu!

Excellent presentation!

Sorry friends, Jason is 100% correct on this one…

Why does someone chose QRP? Because its backpackable and thats it or because they enjoy the challenge of making low power contacts when high power backpackable tools are also available? I am confused why qrp is qrp. Why not pack an 891 all mode with 100 watts and call it a day why would someone chose a low power unit on purpose. But i also notice the lab599 elecraft etc are all extremly rugged and 10 watts max. If yaesu can make a packable 100 watt unit why are the alternatives such low power? So confused on power

I would like to see the IC7100 updated, IC7110 or what ever they want to call it. The IC 7100 could use some small upgrades. Color screen, Water Fall, Better Digital interface, and Tuner. That would make it about puefect for in my truck. I am sure that there are some other things but, that is what I am thinking now. I know that will add some to the cost but, that is about all I can find wrong with the IC7100 for moble use. Love my IC7300 at home. JUst would like some of that in the IC7100. Just my 2 cents worth. 73 W4DES

I don’t understand the appeal of a QRP radio. The 891 is just as portable and you could power down if you wanted to. The appeal of the 705 drives me nuts.

FLEXing on us poor hams

What about the IC 905

QRP aside, When you pass your first licence here in the UK you can't transmit higher power than 10W anyway. I do have the 7300 though (I just set the TX power to 10w).

In the center of the screen, vertically, at the far right side, I see it, yes, I SEE IT!. Yes, a marvelous radio, a superb radio! Never been a better transceiver! Mine's the "B" model. I also recently acquired an FTV-650, and am currently collecting stuff to make a ground-plane.

Get both 7300 and 705. You welcome.

Hard to find but for a manpack I like the Yaesu 857D but they are not made anymore.

Great advice! Honestly QRP is what got me into HAM. I'm a backpacker/outdoor enthusiast first but found my interest in HAM with SOTA. So, I totally prefer the 705 as a main rig since I do not operate out of a shack.

QRP is for people who have can deploy super efficient antennas

I think the headline of video is wrong.. You should NOT to buy a IC-705 if you don't like /P operations or QRP. 705 is a good radio if you are use it for QRP or /P operations

👍👍

Why not get a 100 watt rig and if you want to do QRP, turn the RF power down? I agree with Jason. Seems like a smarter thing to have the 100 watts if you need it.

Title: "Why You Should NOT Buy an Icom IC-705"
Opening line: "Should you be considering an IC-705 for an HF radio? Maybe yes, maybe no— find out today"

Totally agree. This is an incredible QRP rig. However, here is a caveat to this video. As a QRP rig by design, it’s incredibly efficient for "off grid" use. If your shack is designed as an off grid resource running on solar generation it makes sense as a base station with a PA-500 etc. (good luck getting one, 15 month wait)

I have a Yeasu FT 817 for HF, ic 705 is a Radio when You are in the Field,

I am in the UK and just taking my Foundation level test, so I am just starting to look at what to buy for my first set up. This video has been very useful, thank you. You have shown me how important it is to check ALL the specifications before deciding. There is a lot of contradictory information around and I know that finally we each have to make our own decision, but I think the tone of this video feels right. Subscribed ! Pete on the England/Scotland border.

I also hold the opinion that the first radio must necessarily be 100W. The realization that you need a QRP radio should come by itself. For example, my first radio was FT-891 - a wonderful device, I can't say anything bad about it. But now I don't have a home shack, I work exclusively in the fields with a backpack. Considering that I work >90% of the time in CW, it made absolutely no sense for me to carry such a weight on myself. And I switched to QRP radio already knowing what it is, how to work with it, how to set up and use resonant antennas and being able to navigate the air. A beginner will only be disappointed that no one hears him. To put it quite simply - do not worry, novice friends, you will buy your IC-705, just a little later)

Redundant. Verbose.

Why You Should NOT Buy an Icom IC-905… new video coming soon 😂

Thank you so much for the insight...this video is a confirmation for me to move forward with the y.891. Appreciate you.

Where can them hats be purchased?

Hi, Jason, I already have ftdx10 and ft-891 - what would you buy for a complete set in my case - one more Yeasy ( 818nd ) QRP for a complete set or Icom 705 ?

comparatively a Yaesu FT-991A is considered an all-band "shack-in-a-box" (160m--70c) radio and will do 100w on HF CW & SSB. GREAT video! Thanks!!! 73

I’m about to buy an ID-52 or an IC-705.
I live in a condo first floor of two stories, with a three story building next door, and a very strict HOA. I will be using the radio I choose from local high points nearby. I don’t own a car. First ham radio.
Suggestions?

I am loving my 705! Spain, Bulgaria, Italy x2, N Ireland, Scotland, Russia, Canada and some States on 5 watts on the stock battery and an end fed 28' wire to a 49:1 unun and 20' of rg-58 from NY in 2 nights. Antenna radiating NE (for Europe) to SW. Everyone has their opinion. Five watts works. The antenna is the most important thing. I like to operate from outside though but a rooftop antenna similar to mine will let you WORK THE WORLD! Ignore the nay-sayers.

Good advice. I have a lot of respect for people who work QRP - :) ,,, I lack the patience to operate on that low of power.

Right!