Thanks for the series, Eric. Great stuff. Glad you went over the GPS, WiFi, and Bluetooth. There was one other thing I was keen to see though: USB. Would have been great to see this little guy used on 5 or 10 watts making an FT8 contact or sending/receiving an email via Winlink. There's so much packed into this thing, it's truly impressive! 73
Eric, I used my VS-3 with my ID-5100, you’ll love it. I also used my Galaxy S7 on BT with the ID-5100, you TX/RX photos, you see the GPS position of the other station. You’ll enjoy it. 73s!!! KN4UOT Eric
Like the 7300 it will become a best seller. The bar has now been raised as it’s a portable combination of their current HF/VHF/UHF SDR line up, so a lot of the development costs have been covered. No matter how you look at it Icom have packed a lot of radio(s) into a portable box and how portable it is I’m waiting to see. My very portable KX3 fully loaded for the HF bands, plus Filter, plus Battery Charging plus ATU options costs nearly as much. I would have to give this radio serious consideration, I’m a fan of QRP and the challenges it brings as I find there is always something I can work on 5 watts irrespective of conditions. Great set of reviews 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 73 de M0AZE Mike
I'd keep the Kz3 to be honest, I expect the 705 to have the same receiver as the 7300 and it's not great and the audio from the 7300 is harsh, it's got the harsh white noise most sdr's seem to suffer with except the Kx3 and the Kx3 has much better filters than the 7300 so I wouldn't expect the receiver in the 705 to be top noch as the 7300 because they packed a lot in so they have to compromise somewhere. Your Kx3 has all you will ever need for a ham operator, great quiet receiver, great filtering and 15-20 watts depending on year of manufacturer. Kx3 also has option for a tuner and while resonant antennas are great and all that, I've been kicking myself in the past because I brought a multiband EFHW and not been able to talk if a non resonant band became active. It would be good though to get your review on the 705 vs the Kx3 but there is no way if I had a Kx3 that I would sell it for a 705 in fact I would sell the 7300 and buy a Kx3 and even use that as a base rig than have either 705 and 7300 together. Granted the 705 is a cute toy with a screen and so many People seem to be mad for screens but a screen won't do anything to make you hear a station better. Elecraft do need to update the Kx3 though but I hope they don't add a waste of battery screen and just keep the same form factor but add a decent lithium battery, as a receiver though I don't think it really needs much improving but I unfortunately don't own one, a panadapter to connect an sdr would be better, let the buyer choose if they want sdr and waterfall or a proper radio that's decent to use and performs well.
o00scorpion00o I agree, my KX3 will have to be surgically removed. I rarely do VHF/UHF operation, power wise it’s about right. If it were built as solidly as say the FT817 it would be a something else. But it’s not and if it were would price themselves out of the market. Time will tell how the 705 does but I think they have shaken the market up. Keep safe.
For WLAN, we may able to connect the rig to smartphone in WiFI tether mode. So, the phome/tablet provides the IP, gateway and DNS setting.. Or, even easier .. bring along Wifi AP/Router with LTE broadband capability . :) I think wifi tether also can be enabled in GNU Linux/Windix/Mac laptop/PC too..
Eric: Thanks for doing the 705 series. I've been watching for this radio since late last year. Already signed up with Gigaparts. Best Regards, Don - KC3MBK
If the RS-BA1 software works the same as for the ic-7300 you will be able to have the scope on the desk top when working remote. The software is a bit clunky to get working.
Nice job! I’ve never gotten my 7300 to work with the ICOM RSASB1 software remotely either. Probably, as you say, a quirk with Comcast. The 705 is pretty cool. I have the 4100 and perhaps should have spent the bigger bucks on the 5100a! Oh well. I’m going to watch your other two 705 reviews.
Yes it's tricky to set up but not only that,. it's full of bugs and they never update it and I found myself constantly having to reboot the server laptop or the icom software but now as I no longer work shift I no longer use the 7300 remotely, in fact I use my FT-891 much more now, much better receiver and audio when listening via headphones. The remote software was what steered me for the 7300 in the first place and it was a mistake, the 7300 is a decent first rig but when I got to play with a TS-590 SG in a friends house I immediately heard the difference, great audio and great on commercial AM and SW bands, much better filters and buttons, they can't be underestimated, it has a built in panadapter so an SDR can be connected for best of both worlds, a traditional receiver with great ergonomics for waterfall on a big screen so I ordered a 590sg for myself and the 7300 is up for sale.
How is it possible to have a Bluetooth headset just layin around and not have the itch to tear into it right away ? Ya got better patience than I could ever have 😆
My man! Thanks for the videos. Down to earth and keeping it real! Just supported the cause on PayPal. Keep up the good work and stay safe down there in Florida! Regards, Jefcon-1 aka KZ3DEL.
Will it be possible to use IC-705 with a liner amplifier, e.g IC-PW1 for HF? I.e is the 5w / 10w output from 705 sufficient to be used with a linear amp? If that's possible you could use it like 7300 when at home, and take it with you when on a trip?
Yes with the IC705 there is ext amp control with the SEND/ALC side connector (control for keying/ptt of the amp and ALC output to limit over driving the amp) . Just connect the IC705's antenna output to the amp RF input and the amp control from the SEND/ALC). But need an amp that needs only 5-10W input. Many 100W amps on ebay.
For you QRP fans out there I see they have released the new icom 705 for about $1,300 dollars. But for about $450 dollars you can get a small lightweight QRP size Xiegu G90 transciever with internal antenna tuner that is so good it could probably tune up a head of lettuce, an antenna analyzer, a water fall, and up to 20 watts. However if you save up all your hard earned money, for and extra $850 more dollars you can actually get an icom 705 with no antenna tuner. ??? uh what did you say $850 dollars more of my hard earned money and NO ANTENNA TUNER. ??
Hi Eric and all. Question? Do you need a raspberry pie hot spot to run D-star on the Icom ic705 or can you just run it from the Wi-fi built into the radio. I have one pre ordered and looking forward to getting it now. Thanks.
It would have been cool to see the 705 being used for digital modes via WSJT-X running on a Raspberry Pi or a notebook. I would have also liked to have seen how it can be integrated with logging software but I understand that time is short and all of those capabilities may not be in it's software yet.
It's a cool toy but limited for real hams if you ask me. I think the 705 is just for people who like a nice screen and just make some contacts now and again, maybe they're more into listening. I would save a tonne of cash and just buy the Yaesu FT-891, it's got a better receiver then my IC-7300, better filters, doesn't overload with strong signals even with the preamp on on 80m and most of all it's got much better clean sounding good O'l analogue sound and 100 Watts. What struck me was how quiet the 891 is compared to the 7300, I do live in a quiet country location which might make this more noticeable but the best way I can describe the noise I hear in the 7300 is to disconnect the antenna and listen to the harsh hash sound, that harsh noise isn't there on the 891 and it's just so much nicer to listen to. So, I would expect the 705 to have that same harshness, the Xiegu G90 has it too, I think it's more down to the SDR tech. Most of the Portable multiband radios today with DSP suffer the same, the new breed of tecsun DSP radios, The XHDATA D-808 etc but my tecsun pl-680 has wonderfully sounding analogue audio and a very quiet receiver. So much for modern tech. Anyway,. I'm selling my 7300 and getting the TS-590sg, I got to use a friends 590sg and it's leaps and bounds better than the 7300.
I've been wanting to ask if y'all ever pick a spot on HF bands and try to contact all your youtube fans? can make it a challenge between all the other youtube people and y'all make a contest out of it you each have you're own channel and they must say a specific word of your choosing and you score a point losers buy winner a case of beer or something
Thanks for the video. But have I just spent an absolute fortune on a piece of junk that I can't even connect by old-school bluetooth to my phone (Samsung Note 10+) or my laptop (Dell Latitude 7280)... Am I missing something simple???... How do I even do a firmware update on the IC-705 ???.. So frustrating !!!...
@11:26. I cant get mine to pair with anything but the headset or the vs-3, not both at the same time. Has anyone gotten a headset (3rd party) to pair with the vs-3 as well (both at the same time). As of now, i can use my gaming bluetooth type headset with the radio, but have to key it with the micropohne. Would be great to use the vs-3 to key, and only key the radio. Fully wireless! Anyone?
Hi Eric I am new in the ham concept I love the info you give Really want the IC-705. I just bought my first setup off facebook marketplace really old school I like the old school stuff so much cooler. Hallirfacters ht-32b, Hallifacters receiver Model SX-101A, Gonset GSB-101 linerar mp model 3262, heathkit SSB transceiver model HW=18, HP Variable Phase Function Generator Model 203A, EIN Model 300LRF Power Amp, 2x Tektronix type 545a oscilloscopes on cart, Tektronix type 310A Oscilliscope. was this set up worth $325.00 advertised at $475.00. Seems if it all actually works could be a great system.
Sitting on the fence at the moment with the IC-705.... SDR’s are only really as good as the supporting software, if the software has no connectivity then it’s pointless.. decent iOS app or android app software should not be to difficult with Wifi and Bluetooth...
If you have that money to spend and this just my opinion, buy the KX3. It's a much better receiver than the 7300, quieter, much better filters and you can add the panadapter later on if you want. I would expect the KX3 to last a lot longer on battery too + it's got 15-20 Watts out which will make a difference + option of internal tuner but for this money you could have a KX3 with all the bells and whistles and it's probably going to be a much better radio than the 705 because it's most likely based on the 7300 which hasn't a great receiver and it's noisy even without an antenna connected, that audio I do not like. My 7300 is gathering dust and my FT-891 is a far better and much cheaper radio and sounds so good via headphones. If you are into radio and SSB I would say get a KX3, it's much older but a great performer that would work just as well as a base rig and can take portable. Fancy screens don't make a radio perform better and fancy screens won't allow you hear a signal better.
Hello just a question, what does the IC-705 currently cost here in 1200 € - 1500 € Germany? It can't be normal because I buy FT 3000 or bigger for that
Can someone who has an IC-705 confirm that the radio can receive the marine band, FRS and GMRS. Almost all previous Icons could. Loved my FT-818 but that was its shortcoming
*sigh* Really wish they would have taken this same idea, except not make it a damn QRP. Replace the 7100 face with this. Give us a new mobile all-band/all-mode already.
sadly, that ms... app still doesn't work. radio paired fine with vs3 headset and connects to my iphone. but when i tap the radio in the app it connects and then disconnects immediately saying that the radio isn't set up right. so two months later and it doesn't work. /guy (73 de kg5gt | wqpz784)
Eric, another great video on the IC-705. In this Japanese video at about 10:00 they mount the IC-705 on a small table top tripod: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-wus7Y4VJbCw.html . My Japanese is a bit wanting however the rest of the video is about making a PTT foot switch for the IC-705. I think the schematic that's shown would be worth holding onto. On another note can you hang onto the IC-705 long enough to do a video on the D-Star and hotspot capabilities?
Hi , I'm a targeted individual in the UK what I've noticed that there are many bluetooth devices in around my property, I take it that must be some sort of beacons around my property do have any information that may help our community ?