I guess I was fortunate to find my 705 from Main Trading Company, in the used section, for just under $1000, although it was a used radio, it has been a good unit. One mod I highly recommend is install a USB-C board, as I seem to find better quality cables in USB-C over MicroUSB. I also have the AH-705 tuner, and have it setup with a Chamealeon MPAS setup, works well in that combo for HF. I also like the fact that they decided to use the same batteries as my ID52, as I have spares for both now.

My first HF rig,my consideration why I bought the 891 was the small form factor,the most affordable Japanese HF rig for the entry level given the budget I have compared to ICOM's 718. Some dislike the radio because it is MENU DRIVEN,because it is a compact radio not a full size rig with all the controls at hand.

Tracy - I have the F-Loop 3.0 and it works flawlessly with my IC-705. I was surprised by how well it worked with my QRP setup. It appears that your have the older F-loop 2.0 model by the images in your video. I cannot speak to the version 2.0 F-Loop since mine is a 3.0 and there are I am sure there are some differences between them. In the instructions for my 3.0 F-Loop it states to use the 7" coupling loop (and not the larger 8" loop) with the rigid aluminum radiator loop and to leave a 1/4" gap between the 2 loops. It appears in the video that you are using the correct smaller 7" loop, however in the video I cannot see if there is a gap between them. With using the coaxial loop, the coupling loop is insulated from the radiating loop by the coax jacket and the gap probably isn't as critical. I am wondering if the 2 aluminum loops were touching your case and this was causing incorrect coupling, maybe thats why it didn't tune up with any dips on the rigid loop but you did have dips on the coaxial loop... just a thought to consider maybe? I love your videos, hope you figure the issue out and its not an issue with the variable capacitor being damaged where you have to send it in for repair. Good luck, hope you figure it out! 73, Rod - KY4ROD

Use a VOM. check for shorts while rotating the cap.

If you achieved resonance with the 2-turn coaxial loop on 40M, but not with the single-turn aluminum loop, it is because the aluminum loop has insufficient inductance to resonate with the capacitor on 40M, even with the capacitor set to maximum. Open up the box and look at the capacitor to check for any blades being bent or missing. It would be interesting to know the lowest frequency you could achieve resonance with the solid loop. Also, upon opening the box, check the connections from the where the solid loop is attached to the capacitor terminals. Good luck. 73, Steve, AB2EW

Hey Tracy, what I did with my ham sticks I gave them to another ham and I use the yeasu atas and that took care of SWR problems

I also use the Domke wrap for my IC705 but I also invested in a Windcamp aluminum cage to protect the radio. Admittedly it does make the radio a little more bulky but the added bulk is worth it to protect my investment. I just got my 705 a few weeks ago and have already used it a couple of times to activate a local POTA park. Thanks for your honest feedback. 73

Previous owner probably dropped the tuning box on the knob which is directly connected to capacitor.

Very simple - if you've issue with a second hand LOOP antenna - the capacitors is damaged because tune the metal loop or the LMR-400 coax loop is very easy!

Thank You

Great thinking. I will be experimenting for sure

Now you have to do a vid where you crack that open

I've had mine for about 10 years. Never had an issue. But then again I bought it new and it has never seen more than 5 watts go through it. I've looked at the compensator, and that should get you 60.. Only issue I've had with the steel loop, was that the connections where not tight enough. Could be whom ever had it previously figures that with the compensator if it can handle 60 heck it should handle 100! Had a friend that bought one after seeing mine and liked it. But he hated tuning it so he added an auto tuner to it and would run 100 watts into it. Then one day he noticed that the plastic was melting. Took it apart and it was scorched. Were talking apocalyptic scorched. Said they here a piece of just. Then Told me how he set it up. Mine still works great. Love the Champollion. Would still like to try a few others on the market. as it isn't the easiest on to take portable in the woods due to the weight!

Looks to me like that aluminum loop simply does not have enough INDUCTANCE to resonate with the capacitor in the box. When you exchanged the single turn aluminum loop for a TWO TURN coax loop, you gained 4 times the inductance (the square of the number of turns) and also added a bit lossy resistance (coax braid). Together, these allowed the variable capacitor to resonate the "tank circuit" (loop and capacitor in parallel). In any case, despite achieving a low SWR, the loop will only give a very small efficiency at that band due to the loop size. It may be only 2-5% of the power going in that's actually being radiated. You'll still make contacts. That's been my experience. 73 OM

If it is the capacitor, the coax loop would not work either ???

Love me the Red Ensign. I fly mine every Dominion Day! de VE1GU.

It's certainly not the aluminium loop - that is a solid conductor, no breaks in it, except for the join at the top. There is very little that can go wrong with the loop. My guess is the jumper connection point inside the box where the loop makes contact with the capacitor. I bet there is a dry joint on the connection, and the weight of the aluminium loop puts pressure on that dry joint allowing it to lose connection to the capacitor. Open up the box, I'm sure you will find the issue

There is at least as much to learn from an unsuccessful trial or test as a successful one. You just have to put the time in on the back end whether it's mag-loops or moon rockets. I really enjoy your videos and always find something worth learning.

brilliant video as ever ! I'm thoroughly spoiled with the alexloop hampack, my word, that makes getting out, getting on the air, so easy - i now feel guiltry i've not been out since Ocotober 2024... I WILL CORRECT THIS ! a brilliant inspiration as ever :D

I love my 2E0ERO 6 band Magloop. They're amazing for a tiny antenna.

Watched on replay.. very enjoyable!

make the stinger longer kg6mn

20m hamstik and whip

I'd like to see it on 80 m.How come nobody does 80 m?I don't get it that's the only band i'm interrupted in

100% agree Tracy!

Welcome to the club.

Well I just learned what NOT to do hahaha!

It is all about antenna and propagation. If one or both stations have a poor antenna it will be a struggle. If band conditions are not good it will be a struggle. On New Year's Eve I worked a POTA activator in North Carolina on two bands from my home shack in Michigan while he was at the same park. On 20 meters I heard him at a 5-5 and he heard me at a 4-4 but about 15 minutes later on 15 meters I heard him at 10 over and he heard me at 20 over. I don't know how much power he was running or what his antenna set up was though. I have an 80 to 10 EFHW wire mounted horizontally between 25 to 30 feet in the air and I was running my G90 at the full 20 watts. I have made contacts with France, Spain, and Netherlands using an inverted V wire dipole for 20 meters while doing portable operations for POTA with my 20 watt radio. I have made contacts in Venezuela, St Lucia, and Martinique using a 10 meter mini shark stick mounted to the passenger side front fender of my truck and my G90. All of those contacts were voice on SSB.

I bought 8 ,4ft sections all aluminum military mast pole thats 32ft just wondering how it will be with a 18ft vertical cb antenna on it an how hard will it be to put uo by my self or mabe 2 of use ty

I use qrp all the time with my call, out there it's a jungle, try anything you can. Do you think other don't run more than legal to get through, it's a tough world out there, and it's only a hobby. No one gets killed, only your ego gets bruised.

Thank you for saying this Tracy - I get sick of people moaning about QRP. I don’t say QRP either or put it in my call sign. It’s dumb to do that.

Each to their own, as the saying goes. QRP is the jewel in the Amateur Radio crown IMO. I much prefer outdoor ops to sitting behind a desk anyway and QRP lends itself perfectly to lightweight portability. If anything, much more care is required in station setup and optimising your antenna and your operating skills with only a few watts to play with and for me, that's the whole appeal of QRP. Sure, it's annoying when you get wiped out by a high power station but the fact I can't dial in an extra 100/200W doesn't bother me one bit. 👍

Sometimes i yell out QRO after my call sign just to tick people off..😅 And then Spleeet Spleeet..

Wooo Hooo... Right on... Right on Brother Tracy ! ! !.. The QRP signal has to first "propagate to" the distant antenna for the QSO to even happen.. In addition, don't forget - QRP is also very Relaxing and Heart Healthy.. so I say, "Live Long and QRP" !!! LOL.. Thanks for sharing the fun and comical discussion.. Too Funny... k0klb

Tracy at .50 min that is correct! I often turn the power down on my xiegu g90 and call like you my call is mm0udi not mm0udi/qrp . Take it on the chin if you are not heard ,some you win some you don't, that's the whole point .

Who cooks for you?

Awesome 👍

Nice sporting approach, Tracy.

I agree, I run QRP all the time in the field with a 12v battery, I've made 4 watt QSOs with Sweden, Russia, Spain, Bulgaria with no repeats. The receiving station and the QRP station have to have well setup antennas. The antenna is 90% of your rig's operation. Let the "Negative Nancy's" drop deuces all they want on QRP. The joke's on them.

Nice point about the kilowatt stations. QRP operators get alot of flak but high power stations throwing their last three at the tail end is alot more frustrating IMO.

The live is to short for qrp

Good morning my friends Great job 73 from kb2uew

Your video help me thanks ❤❤73

I just bought 991 for POTA i planning have 2 battery with 30ah Working power max25w I think 2 battery it will be enough Thanks for video ❤ 73

❤tnx ❤

My 897 eeprom died. Called Yaesu for service and was told to purchase a used one on ebay and take that eeprom chip. They don't service it anymore and they HAVE NO PROGRAMMED EEPROM chips. I will NEVER purchase a Yaesu again. I'm switching to Icom.

Fair assessment. The only antenna is can fit in the attic is the diamond cp-5hs. I hope it performs.

LDG not fixing where the holes are drives me crazy. I know molding tools are expensive, but a bad design should be fixed.

These poles look very handy and sturdy. I have ordered some because they do not flex as much as the DX Commander type of poles and they are MUCH cheaper and tougher. I am a fabricator so I will do my guying attachments a bit differently. I will make a tri cornered plate that fits over the small end of one of those sections, drill a hole in each end of the 3 corners to attach ropes. For the rope tighteners, I will use an old Boy Scout method of using a 4 inch length of dowel with a hole drilled perpendicularly on each end that the rope can pass through (Boy Scouts made tent rope adjusters that way). I will pass the rope through one hole, then tie it to the other hole. This will allow me to slide the dowel up and down the rope to tighten it where it needs to be and simply let go of it. It will hold its adjustment due to friction. Fast and easy.