W
hat do you get when you mix
the Icom IC-7300 (160- to 6-
meter transceiver) with the IC9700 (VHF / UHF / 1.2-GHz transceiver) and package it for the QRP operator
“on the go?” The IC-705, of course! The
IC-705 (
Photo A
) is Icom’s newest lowpower radio and has turned the head of
nearly every QRP operator in the world
since its release in 2020. Its base station performance, coupled with an array
of features, has even drawn the attention of some QRO operators. As a dedicated QRP operator since the early
1990s who has used a variety of QRP
transceivers over the years, I was
delighted when I learned Icom was
sending me an IC-705 to review. After
using the radio for a couple of months
and taking it on several field excursions,
I will cover many of this transceiver’s
features, discuss its performance, and
of course, my likes and dislikes.
Basic Features and Layout
The IC-705 is an all-mode portable HF,
VHF, and UHF transceiver that covers
160 through 6 meters, plus 144 and 430
MHz. To say it is a complete shack in a
box is an understatement as it also contains a variety of features such as GPS
and Bluetooth®technology that is not
seen in other QRP transceivers. The
receiver covers 30 kHz through 200
MHz, and 400 to 470 MHz, which provides complete coverage of the shortwave, AM, and FM broadcast bands,
and air bands, in addition to the ham
bands. The receiver uses an RF directsampling system that directly converts
RF signals to digital data which is read
by a signal processor. This technology
simplifies circuit construction (fewer
components and stages in the circuit)
which helps reduce internal noise that
masks weak signals. The transmitter is
capable of 10 watts output on all bands
and modes (except AM) when connected to a 13.8-volt DC supply and 5watts output when using the supplied
BP-272 battery pack. Maximum AM
output is either 2.5 watts or 1.25 watts,
depending on the power source.
Those who are familiar with the IC7300 or IC-9700 will have a short learning curve in mastering the menu structure of the IC-705 as the menus are
nearly identical except for a few additions [i.e., GPS, Bluetooth®, and wireless LAN (WiFi)]. The front of the radio
(
Photo A
) has a similar layout to the IC-
7300 / IC-9700 and contains the same
4.3-inch color touch-screen display that
Icom’s newest multimode HF / VHF / UHF QRP portable transceiver has
caught the attention of low-power and portable operating enthusiasts
alike (as well work-high-power-from-home hams impressed by its
many features). QRP Editor KA8SMA took the radio to the field to put
it through its paces.
CQ Reviews:
ICOM IC-705 HF/VHF/UHF QRP
Portable Transceiver
BY R. SCOTT ROUGHT,* KA8SMA
* QRP Editor, CQ
Email:
<ka8sma@cq-amateur-radio.com>
Photo A. The IC-705 — A miniature IC-7300!
Take It To The Field Special:
12
•
CQ
•
June 2022 Visit Our Web Site
is the main focal point of each of these radios. Many of the IC705’s settings and functions (i.e. band of operation, mode, filters, etc.) are displayed on and accessed by the touch screen.
The screen can also be set up to show several visual aids such
as SWR, S-meter, band scope / waterfall, etc. The transceiver has a total of four knobs including a Digital Passband Tuning
(PBT) control that helps reject interference, a volume / RF gain
/ squelch control, Multi-Function control (adjusts menu values
such as power output), and the main dial for changing operating frequency. Three push buttons (keys) to the left side of
the touch screen control power (on/off), VOX-break-in settings, and memories / call channels. A power indicator (LED)
is also present. To the right of the touch screen are keys that
control receiver and transmitter incremental tuning (RIT / XIT),
a transmit frequency check key (XFC) which, when pressed,
monitors the transmit frequency, a memo pad key (MPD) for
temporarily memorizing a frequency (such as a pileup for a
DX station) that you may want to return to later, and a scan
key that, when pressed, triggers the receiver to scan a preselected set of frequencies. On the far-right side of the front
panel is a built-in speaker.
Below the touch screen is a menu activation key, a Function
key that controls several settings (AGC, notch, noise blank,
split operation, speech compressor, etc.), a key for displaying the Mini Scope (waterfall), a Quick key for accessing
select menu settings, and an Exit key for easily exiting a
menu. Although the menu structure is not difficult to learn,
newcomers to the IC-705 will appreciate the Exit key until
they have mastered the menus.
I could prepare an entire standalone article on just the IC705’s menu settings; however, the Basic Manual which is
supplied with the radio does a good job of describing all the
menu settings and the radio’s bells and whistles. An
Advanced Manual is available as a downloadable .pdf from
Icom’s website <https://tinyurl.com/5n953bw8>.
Like several other QRP transceivers, there are jacks / connectors on both the left and right sides of the radio (
Photo B
).
On the right side are the external DC power jack (13.8-volt
DC), an ALC output jack (for a non-Icom linear amplifier), a
CW key jack (3.5-millimeter stereo plug) for connecting a
straight key, paddle or an external electronic keyer, and a
micro-USB (Type B) port for connecting the radio to an external power source or another USB device. The left side of the
radio includes a 50-ohm BNC antenna connector, the input
for the supplied HM-243 speaker / microphone (3.5-millimeter speaker and 2.5-millimeter mic jacks), a ground terminal,
and a slot for installing a microSD card. The microSD card is
useful for saving data such as the transceiver’s settings,
audio for the voice transmit function, repeater listings, etc.
The underside of the radio (
Photo C
) has four screw holes
and one 1/4-inch diameter screw hole to accept a variety of
third-party mounts including stands, tripods, and mounting
brackets. The backside of the radio (
Photo D
) is where the
battery pack (BP-272) attaches. The battery pack provides
2,000 mAh of power at 7.4-volt DC and can remain attached
at all times, even whenanexternal13.8-voltDC power source
is connected. A display showing battery status is shown on
the touch screen when the radio is first turned on. The icon
showing battery status is located near the upper left corner
of the touch screen when the radio is on. Touching the battery icon on the screen displays the voltage for both the battery pack and an external power source, if connected.
Charging the battery pack is as simple as attaching a USB
cable to the radio’s USB port (3-hour charge time) or connecting the radio to a DC power supply with the supplied
power cord (2-hour charge time).
The IC-705 weighs 2.4 pounds (with the BP-272 battery
pack attached) measures 7.9 inches in length, 3.3 inches in
height, and is 3.2 inches deep. Four rubber feet (cushions)
that attach to the bottom of the radio prevent it from sliding
when placed on a flat surface are supplied.
General Setup for CW and SSB Operation
The IC-705 comes “ready to operate” out of the box with few,
if any, adjustments that need to be made. CW settings such
as keyer speed (adjustable from 6 to 48 words per minute),
audio pitch, and side tone are adjusted by pressing the Multifunction knob, touching the display to choose the setting, and
rotating the Multi-function knob to the desired value.
Choosing semi break-in or full break-in keying is done by
pressing the break-in / VOX key to the left of the touch display and selecting the mode of choice. If you select semi
break-in keying and hold the key in for one second a display
will appear on the touch screen to adjust the desired keying
delay. Full break-in keying immediately returns to receive
after keying.
Other keyer settings such as paddle polarity, key type
(straight, bug, or paddle), dot / dash ratio, among others, can
be made by pressing the Menu button below the touch
screen, touching the keyer icon and choosing the edit icon
on the right side of the screen. There are also eight programmable keyer memories that can be setup for contesting
or a message of your choice.
Like CW, SSB adjustments are made by using the Multifunction knob in concert with a touch screen menu. Mic gain
adjustments and speech compressor settings are simple to
make. A monitor function which enables you to monitor and
adjust your transmit audio to its clearest output is also available. I played a bit with this feature but found the factory
default setting provided the clearest audio.
The receiver’s three selectable IF filters (FIL 1, FIL 2, and
FIL 3) are shown in the upper left corner of the touch screen.
Touching the filter icon selects between the three settings.
Touching the icon for one second allows you to reset the fil-
Photo B. The right and left sides of the radio contain multiple jacks for the mic, key, external power, etc. Note rubber
plugs that seal the jacks when not in use.
www.cq-amateur-radio.com June 2022•CQ
•
13
Loading...