BEST Ham Radio Upgrade For ICOM IC-705 (USB-C)!!!

You can now add USB-C and a stronger AMP Keying interface to the ICOM IC-705 shop.ihelpu.te...
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[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

UPDATE! After I got my morning coffee in my I cracked open the 705 and YES there is a small black tab for the ribbon cable on the back side of the connector as the stock one. Not sure why I didn’t see it live or that it came across poor on video. Either way, we’re good! 🎉

[@tinypenpen]

better late than never ;)

[@johnathanasiou9284]

Awesome Josh, so glad you sorted it out man. You mentioned you had an upcoming POTA on Friday & I wanted you to have a really great time, just like you give your viewers a really great time watching your videos. If anything, it proves your videos are as real as it gets & you actually do things live. I cannot thank you enough for showcasing this ultra cool 705 add on since I own this radio. Curious if u could do more videos on it, do u still use ferrites on USB-C cables. Next time you see Ray at Icom, please let him know as so many would love Icom to adopt this mod officially!

[@ericlevine420]

Awesome Josh Ordered one Too 😎

[@conorturton]

Just installed mine. It's very small, half the width of the stock one, so it's easy to miss especially against a dark coloured PCB.

[@nwcanuck5069]

Go back and lock that ribbon cable in. You pushed it in but forgot to push the tab down to hold it in place. Cheers

[@kleinbiker1]

Apparently it doesn’t have one.

[@agates9383]

he addressed that it doesnt have one

[@nwcanuck5069]

It's on the opposite side compared to the origional board as the mfg video points out...anyway whatever. The earth still spins.

[@aa3konthego]

​@@nwcanuck5069sometimes I have my doubts!

[@Eric10179]

Ya I went and watch their installation video and the new board totally has a lock on it, just in a different spot compared to the original one. I hope it doesn’t fall out/come loose for Josh! 😬

[@mikesradiorepair]

FYI. That is a flat flex cable and the connector it goes into is commonly known as a "cable tray". The black piece is the cable tray latch or lock. Mike KC3OSD

[@robmccray6360]

When you left the old board in the radio, I had a flashback of times I've heard about surgeons leaving their tools in patient's cavities after sewing them back up.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

100%!

[@k6usy]

Just got mine today, took 5 min to install. So far so good.

[@johnathanasiou9284]

Hey Josh, Rewatched just now as I was WFH earlier when you had gone live & had a crazy day at work. I can see what others are on about as it appears you forgot to latch the flat flex cable on the new circuit board & it's not locked in place. Unscrew the new circuit board, use your fingernail to slide the black slide clip away like you did when u pulled the existing interface board from the small flat flex cable. If u unlock the connector, you'll find the flat flex slides in much more. Slide the black part of the connector to lock the flat flex back in again. Have a 705 & curious if u still need to run ferrites with USB-C cables. Will save up for it 100% & surprised Icom didn't cut a deal with the maker as it's a top idea!

[@chublez]

These Japanese manufacturers still put dvi video out on stuff. They're cheap and don't care about us. I don't know any hams buying $1k+ gear that wouldn't pay the last few bucks for modern connectors but these companies know we can't get good radios from anyone else so constantly cheap out on em.

[@johnathanasiou9284]

@@chublez i hope you never repair modern Asian electronics consumer goods for a living because every design rule our college lecturers told us not to break, these manufacturers do it in spades like putting hot components near electrolytics & are on an entirely new level of dodgy. Sure, the japanese ham radio manufacturers aren't 1980s wandel & goltermann, but my budget just can't afford milspec gear or a collins 51-s1 or a pro grade FCC monitiring mega budget radios & IMO they're pretty good quality for the price point when compared to other asian manufacturers. The fact that TV studios buy Sony gear by the truckload speaks volumes. Of course, you can always homebrew with a NE602!

[@johnathanasiou9284]

I'll buy japanese made ham gear anyday. Have a 705 & FRG7 & the smoothness on the tuning dial is so good & would buy Icom in a heartbeat. Great rigs, great build quality & they're popular for good reason as Japan makes awesome tech stuff, even old video games were japanese design

[@cullumscott1]

That ribbon cable doesn’t look locked in. Try sliding the black piece out a little from the connector vs flipping it up, then pushing it back in once the ribbon cable is inserted.

[@carstenherrmann9222]

How awesome is that! Ham radio manufacturers are imho too conservative concerning connectors. You can even still buy new transceivers with DVI and real physical RS232 interfaces.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thank you!!

[@LJH08Ralith]

finally did mine. works great so far. will put the original back in case.... but so far so good. worth it to have unified cabling across devices.

[@k9kj]

I ordered mine a couple months ago and it just got here yesterday!! Great upgrade!

[@w3tua]

I installed this board a few weeks ago and it was super easy. It gives me peace-of-mind when keying my Juma 100-watt amplifier and lets me reduce the amount of cables I carry since it has the USB-C plug. 73 DE WA5RR

[@brettvk4bde]

pre-order done thanks josh 😁😜

[@AD6DMDennis]

Great. I already thought the 705 was perfect as is, but now I have to want something for it, get on a waitlist, and then take it apart. THANKS JOSH.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Good call!

[@vu3mes]

I did the upgrade with the board replacement. Placed the order two months back and I can peacefully connect my 705 to the sailor marine amplifier.

[@robertmeyer4744]

That great . have a friend with the 705. he sent me link to this video. he is using foot switch for the amp now. also to key the radio using head set mic. fun with portable. have 2 hands to use PC/radio . what using now is a micro USB to USB C adapter in the 705. that only converts the port. and using a USB C 12V trigger cable to charge/run radio . had to put snap ferrite on cords . easy to install. great video. 73's

[@chrisgaeth]

I wasn't going to do it until you posted this and explained the keying for the amp. I just got a Micro PA50+. I put my order in and now I need a keying cable.

[@troyclancy406]

How is this upgrade and PA50+ working out for you?

[@chrisgaeth]

@@troyclancy406 Excellent. The card swap was easy. I ended up not going the keying cable route since the PA50+ senses quickly.

[@levisorenson7873]

Just taaaaap it in. When I saw the old one in there falling out....I was like, ohhh no, I am never going to attempt this....hahaha

[@seanwieland9763]

1:35 hold up, micro-USB is a flimsy garbage connector and I’m glad to be rid of it! Mini-USB was better than micro-USB even. Good riddance to bad rubbish! I’m a USB-C hardliner. Everything needs to be USB-C now.

[@chublez]

I literally haven't been willing to pay $1300 for a 705 for this reason. Guess this board fixes that. Sweet, I guess. Shame icom cand simply revise it....

[@KC1RT-RickT67]

Just performed the ‘surgery’… You weren’t kidding on the thread lock for the top/bottom screws! 😳 All went well👍😉😁

[@LB6QJ]

Okay, you told that the black latch is not there, but it is there. it is a presfit latch on the back of the connector. I work in the IT i have seen that typoe of latch before. in a 70% sure it is there.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It was on the stock board. Didn’t see on the new one. But I will check it again.

[@Nimbus495]

Does the RT programming software & data programs like FlDigi & Vara still work after the change out?

[@angelscomputers]

While I will like to have USB-C I never had any problem keying my Xiegu Amp from the 705 so I don’t know what “problem” we are talking about. I went and purchased the right cable that goes from the ALC to the Amp so perhaps that’s the problem some people look like have?

[@conorturton]

Basically some amps, especially 12V amps, draw more than the 200mA that the keying port is capable of supporting.

[@direhavok8732]

Woo Hoo I just got 1. Thanx!!!

[@thebnbaldwin]

I pre-ordered the board, got it, and installed it last week. So easy a caveman can do it!

[@LanceVK6LK_AussieHam]

Went to buy, but bugger me at $55 AUD shipping to Australia it's a hard pass. Pity. (UPDATE) I couldn’t resist, I purchased the board and wrote a comment on their YT channel about how expensive international shipping was for a small pcb board and they adjusted the price and sent me a refund. Impressive service. Thank you

[@johnathanasiou9284]

Lance, it's the sacrifice we sadly make as VK hams. Shipping companies must love VK hams 😂

[@davidm.wilson3736]

Josh, I thought it looked like you did not close the latch over the tape. You might check it off camera. Dw

[@W1BXI]

I feel validated that you referred to the long screws as "long boys" 😂😂😂 i say this all the time.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Yessir

[@nathanharig]

Now I'm starting to think selling my FT-991a base and G90 POTA rig and just going with a 705+amp setup with this mod

[@OttoDestruct]

The lack of a clean/simple way to connect the IC-705 to an external amplifier was one thing stopping me from getting it. I don't own a radio and can't see ONLY having a QRP rig. This could make it a do-everything option.

[@vu3mes]

The best setup for home base with an amp and portable when required. I get 300 watts from. 10 watts drive.

[@sooleyt]

What is the black connector where the grounding plate goes on the other side of the radio?

[@seanwieland9763]

a wild Josh appears!!! And a USB-C upgrade too! 🔥

[@lblerg]

I think the black latch swings backwards on the upgrade. Just doing mine now.

[@ManuelPinner]

Now icon needs to come out with the IC 705 plus with the c connector,

[@LifeAtTerminalVelocity]

Well that is on order now.

[@angelscomputers]

where did you got the ground tumb screw? thats great, another thing I dont get why Icom didnt thought about it when making a "portable" radio (no tools!!!)

[@k6usy]

I was streaming the Central CA Bozo net at the time but this is interesting to watch after the fact.

[@dennisfrederick751]

How is the USB interference with the USB-C installed now ?

[@VE9ASN]

Can't wait to open mine from Mrs Claus! 73

[@vu3mes]

Thanks very much for the information. I was thinking about buying a Radiodan amplifier buffer unit for keying a sailor marine amplifier. I understand with this mod I will be able to use a simple rca/3.5mm cable to do that. Can you please confirm that. With 7300 I am using a simple rca cable to key the amplifier right now.

[@froby_flingit]

Pre-order you get it for around $67 so it's a super deal right now.

[@MorgHoag]

Has anyone noticed that this upgrade helps any on cutting down on the USB RFI issue ? TIA

[@DonzLockz]

Not a bad piece of kit. Micro USB should be banned on all new equipment.👍

[@Cali6construction9]

question on the give away.. you said only one entry, do you mean only one entry per secret word or are you just using secret words to help track which episodes people are watching? cause I have multiple secret words

[@osculant]

Straight from the top of the form: “One entry per person”

[@screebo21]

Still a great upgrade. I have mine coming. John KO6FPL

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Wonderful upgrade! Cheers!

[@screebo21]

Update: New board installed with no surprises! Good light, glasses if you wear them and steady hands. I was done in 15 minutes. All systems are still go go go

[@W7LDT]

I’m not positive but it looked like you did not lock the ribbon cable to the new board before reattaching it.

[@ibuildsheds5654]

How awesome is this!

[@regularguy519]

Ordered

[@tsgambill]

Theodore Gambill. New to ham. Im in a nursing home

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thanks for joining us on the air!

[@randyab9go188]

Mine is on order. For what i will need to pay for the amp relay adaptor i can upgrade to USB-C? No brainer!! Micro USB is the worst of all USB connectors for durability. I also have a Xiegu 125. One less thing to carry around not needing to worry about an external amp interface!!!

[@thekhakihat3233]

Does this usb-c port give you the ability to deliver 12v (PD)? If so, can you run the 705 at 10w? That would be cool. 73 - AA4K

[@k6usy]

No, it does not support USB-C PD. The board only pulls 5v at 1 amp if the charger supports it. If you want 12v you can get USB-C to barrel connector cables with PD chips that negotiate 12v. The problem is most battery banks do not support 12v power delivery, in those cases you will most likely get 9v. I have been able to get 12v out of some power banks but I still wouldn’t transmit off them as most battery banks will not supply enough amps. My 12v solution is a LiFePO4 batter with anderson connectors and an anderson to barrel adapter that fits the 705, Gigaparts sells both.

[@Eric10179]

Cool video! I did go and watch their installation video and it looks like the new board does have a lock on it, it’s just in a different spot, might want to open it up and double check 😬. Side note Josh, is there a particular reason your giveaway is just for the US? Was wondering if it would be difficult to include Canada in your giveaways!? I’m sure there’s a good reason just curious as to what it might be? Thanks!

[@jimedwards9310]

sweet shades :)

[@lancesudberry209]

What about the new esp32 CC computer for 29$ loRa capable?

[@BaronVonJace]

Is that the LTT screwdriver?

[@BaronVonJace]

Had I watched the video for another few minutes I would have gotten my answer.

[@magnitudematrix2653]

We need to make a SDR for CD-ROM bay in a laptop.

[@MarcMcClure]

Josh, people in the medical profession get in a lot of trouble for leaving instruments inside the patient...you lucked out!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Lmao. I’d never make it as surgeon.

[@gliderrider]

Get down on it!

[@toddrodgers908]

How do I inter the giveaway? Thanks

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Link in description.

[@Bluecollarham]

I don't understand why you had to reestablish your comm port numbers. I did the same upgrade and I didn't have to touch my comm ports at all.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Ok 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@Bluecollarham]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse sorry if my comment came across as smug, text sucks at times… what caused your computer to assign the 705 a different port number?

[@leroymay8156]

I would love to seethe stream, but youtube klocks me because I use ad blocker. Would you consider mirroring your videos on Odysee?

[@2025_Is_Going_To_Be_Great]

Too bad this doesn't fix the RFI issue. It would be nice to be able to use a normal USB cable instead of the bulky USB/toroid core setup I have now.

[@conorturton]

The RFI issue isn't to do with the radio, it's to do with the poor EMC in your computer or the lack of a decent RF ground with the antenna.

[@freestylekyle]

Nice screw driver

[@Tad.Dugdale]

There is defninately a black piece to hold that down.

[@pthithic]

Am I old fashioned or shouldn't you have an anti-static wristband or something while you're in the guts of that radio?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

In some situations, yes. Go watch the Electroboom channel on ESD sensitivity.

[@MrAlanmcd]

you didn't re-clamp the ribbon

[@todd3983]

Getdown

[@CripSkillz]

My discord is not cordin yo

[@paulmitchell4421]

now if only icom added a vertical (portrait) display mode option in software update... a human could operate it while holding it vertically in a hand like every other ht ever...

[@Simple__Man]

They could call it the TikTok update. Then they'd need to put a PTT on the bottom of the radio. Thankfully, neither are likely to happen.

[@aaronhope8366]

I simply don't understand why every usb port hasn't simply transitioned to usbc at this point.

[@OttoDestruct]

I'm guessing there are *oodles* of micro-USB ports and plugs in dusty warehouses that manufacturers are still drawing on to save a nickle a unit. Drives me nuts. I refuse to buy anything with micro-USB, though I might make an exception for the 705 and eat the cost of the upgrade from Day 0.

[@lancesudberry209]

Wow that bigger then 1st car phone 😂

[@mtmjeepin2347]

Get down

[@mtmjeepin2347]

Getdown

[@stevegillespie1858]

No secret word?

[@jimbrown5331]

Getdown

[@billyboice9482]

Hello

[@Dontcopit]

Don’t ever do surgery Josh LMAO

[@TXLorenzo]

While you got the box open, you should dive in, crack some diodes and release the Kracken.

[@seanwieland9763]

4:50 adult content 😜

[@DavidFisk-q8d]

What with glasses dude...hi

[@Farinazion]

Shame on Icom

[@aaroncoats7264]

Sorry I have to disagree. Micro-USB SUCKS!!!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Nah, we agree micro sucks. Mini is fine, usb-c is king.

[@davidalan2469]

Wiha Picosoft screwdrivers are the best.

[@lancesudberry209]

Need LC for Ham 🫤

[@charlesbutlerjr2577]

Sitting Here Watching Replay.....LOLOL. When Board Fell Out and Your Description Of Your Feeling!!! LOL Thank You For All You Do!!!! KO6ABQ. I made my FIRST 10 Meter Contact IN JAPAN!!!!! Radioditty QT60 and Homemade Endfed Vertical!!!!! Studying for General Now. Purchased The Lifetime Plan on Ham Radio Prep!!!! I Like It Alot!!! Blessings All and 73

[@Ammed_KN6STX]

Ordered