ICOM AH-705 AUTO ATU IN DEPTH REVIEW

[@halledwardb]

I'm going to order this tommrow. My kids just got their 705 today. So proud on my 11 yr old General, and My 15 yr old 13wpm CW General. Both daughters have done great, and are excited. Awesome review. Thank you.

[@watersstanton]

Well done to all. 73 Peter

[@KG-xf9ew]

On your review, I purchased the AH-705 for my IC-705. Even though the HRO guy tried to sell me another version. Everything you've said here is 1000% TRUE. This thing would tune a cucumber. I even set up a dipole buddistick of all sizes and it tuned every frequency I tried. Stick with the Icom AH-705. Worth the money.

[@DebsPhotography]

Finally managed to set up my 7 meter long end fed random wire today attached to the AH705 and its working like a dream come true 😊😊

[@watersstanton]

Enjoy it

[@musicM0VESme]

It was expensive but I'm very happy with AH-705 performance. Mine came with a PL-259 to Binding Post adapter to attach a random wire. I use Energizer Lithium AA batteries in mine. They last longer and have less chance of leaking like alkaline batteries do.

[@paulsengupta971]

I have an LDG IT-100 tuner for my IC-706. One day I had the antenna completely disconnected, all I had was about an 8m length of coax, and even that was wound through a choke. I accidentally hit the "tune" button...and it matched my open end of coax! :-o

[@gregmihran8616]

LOL Paul, yep I've done the same thing by accident, too. So what does that really tell us? Well, just because we've matched our radio to an antenna system doesn't mean that we have an efficient radiator. 73 KJ6ER

[@billdillon8139]

Thank you so much for your in-depth review of the AH-705. Amazing. Been thinking about getting one and I think you've convinced me.

[@1337flite]

Been looking forward to this particular video, a lot - I'm just about to order my first rig this week and my big question at the moment is do I really need a tuner and if I do, should I get the MAT-705 or the AH-705? This video has pretty much solidified my thoughts and confirmed my choices. Just got my Australian Foundation License which has a 10W PEP limit. Due to this limit and the fact I'm interested in portable operation I've pretty much decided on the IC-705. I live in a townhouse with a block that is 4.5 or 5 meters wide so a tower or even a mast like a DX Commander would be difficult or impossible to guy, so being able ot use a short end fed wire antenna is very attractive. On paper the MAT-705 looks better its smaller and has about 16,000 more memory locations, although it doen't mention weather/dust resistance. Of course paper does not tell you how well it works. I've seen 2 examples on KZbin where MAT-705 users have not been able to match an antenna - and on one of them they did match it on their Elecraft tuner (the T1, I think). Right now I'm leaning toward the AH-705 despite the price and size difference. I do wish the tuner control and the RF output were on the same side too, but maybe a right angle adapter for both might help, then you can have the cables "meet in the middle" as it were, without too much strain. I'm a total newby ham - but I do have experience manpacking radios and using them in the field from a couple of years in the military. I'm happy that Icom have given us a smaller overall radio, with what appears to be a very high performance - matching unit separate. You get the smallest radio possible when you know you have resonate antenna, but if you need a matching unit you can add one - and one that appears to be magic. Thanks very much Peter - you've sold me. And thanks for all your other videos, I really learn a lot and enjoy them.

[@fishnutjackson6295]

I've been looking for a video that plays with the buddipole and the tuner and I'm so glad you did this test this is exactly what I was looking for sir!

[@watersstanton]

Glad I could help!

[@jordanclarke2996]

Thanks for the video Peter, I have the AH-705 now. It did tune up ok on a 20m length of wire but I have since tried a 7m and 17.2m bit of wire. The 7m did not get out as well on 40m as the 20m but I have not yet compared the 17.2 to the 20m length (20m being a halfwave)

[@watersstanton]

Thanks for the info.

[@jfa1117]

Really enjoy your videos, Peter. They are very good. I have an AH-4 and it also works great as others have noted. Keep the videos coming. Joe. W3MD

[@watersstanton]

Thanks, will do!

[@fabiomuzzi7047]

I have an AH-4 tuner from Icom and I use it with a 12 m long vertical fishing rod. It tunes 6 to 80 metres, and with a loading coil it tunes 160 too, even if officially the AH-4 does NOT tune 160 metres at all. It allows me to run 90 W in digital modes and it just works, no issues. It seems that this AH-705 is worth buying, if you, like me, are fine with using tuners and cannot use better antenna solutions.

[@watersstanton]

Many thanks for the info. 73 Peter

[@qrptedmac]

I received and hooked up the AH-705. And it’s as amazing as you stated. I have a couple wire antennas in my backyard and they normally don’t tune up all that well. But the AH-705 just flat lined them or 1.2 to 1. It isn’t the smallest atu on the market but it’s probably the best. Thx for the vid.

[@watersstanton]

Hi Ted. Glad the video helped. 73 Peter.

[@Taylor7668US]

Thank you for your video can’t wait to get my tuner in the mail wanted to find out what I am getting

[@mrvdbos]

Nice informative review, thank you!

[@watersstanton]

Glad it was helpful!

[@T-Hogie]

I just picked up a 705 a couple of weeks ago to use for portable operation. I've been considering an ATU and am torn between the AH-705, the MAT-705 and the Elecraft T-1. Another fellow compared the Elecraft to the MAT and found certain situations where the MAT would not match an end fed long wire but the Elecraft did just fine. The MAT specs a range of 5 Ohms to 1500 Ohms. That quite a ragne. The Elecraft says up to 10:1. I reckon that would mean 5 Ohms to 500 Ohms. The ICOM I cannot find either an impedance or an SWR range. The ICOM seems to work well though. I imagine it has to do more re-tuning in the sense of all the relay chatter rather than just being able to jump immediately for a revisited frequency. I think the ICOM with its water resistance and mast clamp might be better for random length inverted V antennas that I think I'd use in portable operation. I do like your simple doublet antenna. That would suit me as well. Oh. What to do? What to do? Thanks for the review.

[@watersstanton]

The MAT is not nearly as good as the other two. Both are brilliant.

[@lpark8]

Excellent review - love that you pushed it, looking for its limits 🙏😎

[@joeblow8593]

Thanks for the review, I just subbed. Like most others, I believe Icom should have included the ATU in the 705. Having said that, Icom should have made it for 100 watts and not limited it to just 10 watts so hams could have used it with a variety of radios of all power outputs. That kind of limits what you can do with this tuner. I do like the fact that you can run it on common alkaline AA batteries and not on some internal rechargeable battery. At $359 U.S., I think it's overpriced because of it's 10 watt limitation.

[@watersstanton]

Yes I agree, particularly regarding the 100W version. 73 Peter

[@stevecolby6505]

@@watersstanton Isn't a 100W version of the AH705 effectively an Icom AH4 with internal batteries added? Might make a good video......Also I'd love to see a video on loop antennas with the AH705. How small of a loop can you use and still get 6-80M or 6-40M?

[@C4H6As]

Should be controlled by bluetooth. Why an additiional cable when BT is available?

[@antycyponek2706]

you will be sent to fema reeducation camp for making outrageous innovating no brainer suggestions that make sense. back in the line amateur !!

[@chrismarren9308]

Antycyponek yes Bluetooth would make for better connections,but in the real world Bluetooth is notoriously hard to connect in some applications! And also would have heavy battery drain, DOH

[@tangoseal1]

I love how excited you always get in your presentations! Great energy!!! Hailing from America -KK4YDR

[@watersstanton]

Many thanks Eric. Take Care. Peter

[@bubbly754]

Thanks. To be fair the ATU isn't as expensive as I first thought. Just a thought, are we sure the ATU doesn't have a 50ohm resistor in it! :)

[@watersstanton]

If it did you would not hear it tuning - think about it. 73 Peter.

[@bubbly754]

@@watersstantonSorry just being facetious, it looks like it is a fine tuner. Judging by the board layout inside it would probably be too much of a squeeze to pack it into the rig itself. The trade-off with wide matching.... 73

[@markramsay6399]

I wonder if its the same electronics as found in the ICOM 7300 ?? Nice video:)

[@Lastaii]

I don't understand what Icom are aiming for here. The thing is *huge*, they expect you to drag that along with your mobile QRP station? Really happy I splashed out on an Elecraft T1 for my 705 -it's 1/4 the size and £50 less. Sure it won't tune up a damp stick on 80m, but it's fine with the random lengths of wire I use :)

[@watersstanton]

Thanks for sharing. 73 Peter

[@NamasenITN]

Not sure whether "receiving" alone is an adequate and precise indication of correct operation of an antenna (with adapted impedance).

[@IberiaDX]

I have a question… Which would be the maximum length for the control cable to pair an ICOM IC-705 and coupler AH-705 to keep them fully operational? Thank you for your channel and videos!!

[@markramsay6399]

Just watched this great video a second time. This tuner is clearly more versatile than that fitted to my 7300 (a great radio). Although this tuner is designed for portable use and I specific portable radio, seems to me this would do a good job as a homebase tuner? Agree? What else does this as well at this price point ?

[@fabiomuzzi7047]

For your 7300 consider getting the Icom AH-4. I use it and it works fine for my vertical 12 metres long fishing rod.

[@qrptedmac]

I just don’t get why Icom couldn’t have made it smaller. Elecraft, The Mat 705 all can work with the 705. PS: I bought a IC 705 and ordered today, the AH-705. So thx again for your review.

[@watersstanton]

The MAT-705 will not match such a wide range of imoedances.

[@qrptedmac]

@@watersstanton True. Thx for the vid.

[@vladtepes481]

A very informative presentation.

[@vk2ycj]

Hello Peter, an exceptional video as always. I'm sold ! The best place for an ATU is always at the antenna feedpoint so a portable ATU like that has great advantages in reducing the coax feeder losses and allowing you to run longer coax feeds. The open wire feeder example on your doublet was brilliant and regardless of whether you use a 1:1 balun or a 4:1 balun it would be an advantage to add a common mode choke (choke balun) on the 50 ohm terminal of the open wire balun to completely decouple it. What kind of propeller is that on your wall ? 73, Jamie VK2YCJ

[@watersstanton]

Hi Jamie, thanks for that. The prop is a half size replica but I have lost the label. Sorry! 73 Peter.

[@markturner7748]

Isn’t the AH-4 more or less the 100W version you wondered about? My AH-4 works wonders tuning a wire running inside my hedge against a ground rod.

[@watersstanton]

Yes you could be right if it has the same ability. 73 Peter

[@disingenuously]

@@watersstanton yes the AH-4 is great it will match pretty much any length of wire on any band.

[@joedidit3233]

The bottom of my AH-705 says to never use rechargeables even going as far as capitalizing NEVER to make their point. Also it says to only use Alkalines. You said that it works fine with rechargeables. I'm wondering if it's because with two rechargeables, you're only putting out two and a half volts to the tuner and it needs the required three volts to work properly, and by using rechargeables it would be like always using run down batteries? Since they were so adamant about stressing that you don't use rechargeables, is it possible that the unit might over time incur some permanent damage by running it consistently at a lower than required voltage? Since they made their point twice, once in the instructions, and again on the bottom of the tuner.

[@Musiciansheaven]

Great video. For the ladder line connection, why can't you just connect 1 leg of the ladder line to the center of the PL259 and the other leg to the ground lug? Wouldn't that get you a balanced connection? I've used my ICOM AH 4 for years doing this exact thing. I have a 160 meter full wave loop fed with ladder line, if connect 1 leg of the ladder line to 1 post of the AH4 and spread the ladder line such that I can connect the other leg to the bottom ground lug and for many years tune that 160 loop on all bands including 6 meters with a lot of contacts under my belt. The AH-705 looks to be similar to the AH-4 100 watt tuner design. Is my hunch correct in your opinion?

[@watersstanton]

It is rather like connecting ladder line to coax cable. It is not an ideal methos because coax is unbalanced, but it works with limitations.

[@jeff-73]

The 705 is a qrp rig. They didn't include a tuner to tailer to folks who want light, and decide on using / making resonant antennas. The MaT-705 is amazing. Skip the name brand, and put that money you save towards a better antenna so you don't have to waste power in the first place.

[@FrankRomerophoto]

Great overall review. I noticed that you didn't talk about SSB, would you think a random wire would have at least 6 dBi or more? I've noticed on the iC705 most of the time you are the noise floor and having an efficient antenna, would be a great asset.

[@watersstanton]

Frank I don't fully understand your question. Are you talking about dBi gain? If so, then what is the reference antenna? Generally speaking, random wires rarely perform better than a dipole unless very much longe.

[@DAVIDGREGORYKERR]

What about taking a leaf out of (SK) W5JGV's book and use one of the large trees as an Antenna for 630 Meters which might be of use if you are a HOA member.

[@watersstanton]

Hopefully it won’t damage the tree.

[@basshorseman998]

Thanks Peter

[@watersstanton]

You are very welcome.

[@HamRadioN0CKL]

I use mine with EFHW all the time with excellent results. What are they talking about?

[@watersstanton]

Thanks for sharing.

[@VK7AM]

Hello Peter. Many thanks for a very excellent preview. Question for you? Could I use the LDG AT-100ProII Auto tuner instead of the Icom? I am a cheap scape from way back and it would cut the cost of my purchase of the IC-705 Cheers Alan GM3MHD/VK7AM

[@watersstanton]

Yes you can!

[@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt]

Oooooh.. It's less expensive than I initially guessed.

[@billdillon8139]

Tuning and radiating are two different things. How does a 5 meter wire or 60 foot wire radiate once matched to the transceiver thru the ATU?

[@watersstanton]

Radiation level is determined by power fed to the antenna, and a matching unit can play a big part in this. Substitute “match” for “tune” and your question is answered.

[@Scif64]

This is useful and confusing at the same time. I want an atu and the tests you done might just of persuaded me to get one for wires and veritcal ham sticks i currently use. 73

[@watersstanton]

Thanks. 73 Peter.

[@roypinkney4432]

Have you tested the Mat-705 tuner with the Icom -705, it’s 1/2 the price of the AH-705 thanks ve2uy

[@watersstanton]

There is a bit of a question mark on that tuner. i am abiut to publish a review on the new LDG IC-705 model. Watch it - I think you will be impressed. 73 Peter.

[@gordonbingham4093]

How do you think this would function set up in the shack tuning an antenna at bottom of garden via coax run?

[@watersstanton]

It would function like any other tuner. The best way to use this is directly at the antenna. 73 Peter.

[@Scif64]

Hi Peter. would it perform better behind a 9:1 transformer or even a 49:1 i wonder?

[@watersstanton]

No. The AH-705 dies the same job but with slightly better efficiency. 73 Peter

[@electrolytics]

Thanks alot.

[@watersstanton]

Many thanks.

[@frankwc0o]

If you already have a functioning end fed half wave antenna, would you be able to squeeze any more dB's?

[@watersstanton]

In a word NO. But with this ATU yiu can match random lengths. 73 Peter.

[@frankwc0o]

@@watersstanton I figured as much. Thanks.

[@mikeclark4847]

With AH-705, if I carry 30 meters for a radiator, what counterpoise length would you use?

[@watersstanton]

Counterpoise is normally a quarter wave but not suoer crtical.

[@W9HJBill]

I wonder how radios like the G90 and Elecraft manage to fit an ATU that can tune a wet noodle inside? Don't get me wrong, I love my IC-705, but it is lower power, expensive, and doesn't do nearly a good a job as a tuner from LDG. Let's face it, Icom wanted to get another $350 on top of $1300 for the IC-705, when companies are selling radios WITH a tuner for under $600. Heck, you can get the LDG Z-100Plus/IC-705 which will tune anything (and handle 125 watts, so you can hook it up to your base station or an amplifier for your IC-705) and only costs $150, less than HALF the price of the AH-705. Good video though.

[@W9HJBill]

Also, how many contacts did you make on 80M with a 1.5M whip? I can tune a dummy load up pretty well to 1:1 but it doesn't mean that when I transmit anyone outside of my back yard will hear me. Just saying.

[@forgetyourlife]

@@W9HJBill exactly. half truths abound.

[@watersstanton]

I made the point in the video that with a short whip you would only work the guy disn the road. Howev4, the point was to demonstrate the extreme reactance / impedance challenges it can cope with. 73 Peter

[@danny_mixmandan_james]

I wonder how this performs against the internal tuner on the 7500?

[@watersstanton]

Whar is 7500?

[@danny_mixmandan_james]

@@watersstanton i meant 7300

[@terrynichols3040]

Isn't the AH-4 a 100w verison of thsi?

[@watersstanton]

Probably. 73 Peter

[@MrScotchpie]

I have the Elecraft T1 and the MAT 705. Just comparing size is a no brainer. I don't think I'll be buying this (edit: I know I won't be buying this). Just look at the size!

[@bruhzooka]

It needs its own backpack. Backpack for the IC-705 and a frontpack for the AH-705. Gonna pick up a lot of chix that way!!!!

[@AliReza-zx8km]

Nice..........

[@johnk8091]

Well.....Hello Peter

[@watersstanton]

Hi John. Good to hear from you. 73 Peter

[@eliekadi_OD5KU_KU5OD]

LDG Z100Plus is almost 1/3 of the price and will handle 100w and can be used with other radios AH705 is too much priced

[@CarNRadio1]

For 1500€ price tag for radio this should be included.

[@lenbaddeley957]

You can use a Icom AT4 or an Alinco EDX2 with the IC705, the control lines are the same, but you need to supply an external 12v to the ATU. OK with the Alinco EDX2 it will not cover six meters but of will operate with as little as 5 watts. It is also worth looking at the N7DDC ATU 100 kit or ready built version. I have both the N7DDC atu and the Alinco EDX2. The N7DDC will handle 100 and the EDX 2 200 watts. The AH-705 along with the Mat-705 is very overpriced and can only be use with a QRP radio. I will not be buying one anytime soon, if I am in the field with a 705 or a 817, I will be using my home-made, QRP tuner that cost just £20 to make, and will tune almost a piece of wet string!. Put your cheque book away, get out the junk box and start building, and save you money. An ATU is not "Rocket Science", that's what a real radio amateur would do. G8LXI

[@sk8crk]

EFRW not EFHW

[@brian.7966]

100 w version now that would be a different kettle of fish.

[@machoneboard]

You just lost a sale due to Brexit. I tried to order from your site but it would not give me the option of the country I live in(one of Britain’s closest neighbours). Sorry, but I needed the item before commuting due covid. Just thought you should know. I did telephone the shop but nobody could help.

[@alan4441]

They don’t ship outside the UK anymore apart from a few commonwealth countries and the USA. I placed an order with Nevada radio a few months back and they cancelled my order. Better off buying from within the EU now.

[@machoneboard]

@@alan4441 I don’t know, if they can survive that way that is up to them, but for a communications retailer you would think there would be an enthusiasm for the international. Next up, border restricted frequencies.

[@alan4441]

@@machoneboard Agree with you 💯 %

[@neilbundle5112]

Thanks Peter - another fab video ! Neil. G4LRV

[@watersstanton]

Very welcome Neil. 73 Peter.