Icom IC-705 1st Field Test - Canada Winter Contest

[@alzeNL]

Thanks!

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you very much! 73 from VE3TWM.

[@KI4ASK]

Good to see you taking your new 705 into the field Tracy. I use my 705 in the Icom backpack (and sometimes take it out and use it on a camera tripod stand). I think the reason for having the speaker mic configuration is for manpack portable operations. Sometimes I’ll take a hike with the 705 in the pack and I can attach the speaker mic to a shoulder strap and use the radio while hiking - especially when I want to use VHF/UHF while hiking up to a summit for a SOTA activation. I haven’t noticed the speaker rattling issue, but we don’t typically have as cold weather down here in Atlanta. I did deploy the 705 once on a snow covered Appalachian summit, but didn’t notice the issue then either. It’s a fun radio and I’m constantly learning things about it. 73

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Nice to hear from you, Joe! Thank you for sharing your practical experience, I have much to learn about the 705 and every tip helps. 73 from VE3TWM.

[@paulward4068]

I armored up my 705 with a Peovi cage and Side KX screen cover. I also have a windcamp RC-2 bracket that allows me to keep a 90 degree BNC adapter permanently mounted. I use either a signal stick (with a counterpoise pigtail mounted to the ground plug), or a roll up j-pole for VHF/UHF, and an EFHW for HF. I have a large maxpedition water bottle bag to carry everything, along with coax, stakes, guy ring/lines, and a small mast.

[@chuckp3739]

Thank you for the wonderful video. The wrap is a great idea for added rig safety.

[@hamradioqrp-k0klb]

Thanks for sharing your adventure Tracy... The speaker Mic comes in very handy and works great when I'm Pedestrian Mobile and the radio is in the LC192 backpack on my back.. I think that's probably one of the main reasons they did it.. Always fun to see your videos.. Keep up the great work ! ! ... k0klb

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Hi Kevin, always nice to hear from you. I never even thought of the backpack operator. Great point! Take care, my friend.

[@MikeN2MAK]

Thanks for the shout out! Like you, I prefer the internal speaker to the speaker mic. I think they opted for the speaker mic because of the special backpack and the ability to control the radio from a smartphone. I haven't noticed any rattling, but it might just be because I haven't turned it up enough. I'm looking forward to hearing about your experience with the battery. If it's good, i might need to get one.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Good points, Mike!

[@alexjh47]

Never plugged the speaker portion of the speaker/mic into my radio, to me it doesn't make sense to use it when the radio has a front panel speaker. However, I often plug headphones into the speaker jack, which makes it very useful.

[@ferny107fg]

I have the x6100 dial in and I’m thinking very hard in adding this to my collection just for the Dstar /ssb 2 /70 feature. Icom 50 handheld or a 705?

[@aw7425]

Using Bose BT ear buds with noise canceling. Sound is isolated and amazing. Thanks and 73

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thanks for the tip! 73 from VE3TWM.

[@alzeNL]

Another great video ! Enjoyed seeing you using the IC-705 and how well it done on QRP power with a well setup antenna. I for one do not use the speaker function in the microphone, I've always used the in-built one but alot of my POTA activations are data modes only but am doing more telephony. I shall look out for your observations on my 705 to compare. For storage/transportation of the 705 I've got either the official icom bag which has the built in antenna stand, which is excellent build quality, or the all purpose bag that comes with Alexpack Hamloop antenna. I like both these bags as they ar decent backpacks, how ever I wish the Icom one came with a waterproof type covering and the Alexloop bag zip-pulls are pretty malliuable, i.e. not strong ! I put my 705 on a small tripod stand, I find that helps me keep it off tables/surfaces that are grubby (slighty dirty), I think that has been a good investment. I dont put any chinese batteries in my radios after a bad experience with a chinese battery with my Kenwood TH-D7, thankfully no damage, but smoke coming out the battery didnt inspire me ! I use a good size golf-buggy battery which has never run out. The voice repeat function really drains the battery, so the tripod and an external battery would be the next two things I would get for your 705. I'm hoping to go out PoTA tomorrow (3/3/24), as ever inspired to get out, and get on the air :) 73 2E0FWE

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for sharing how you do it. Great tips. You've got me rethinking the tripod as I like the idea of protecting the bottom of the rig. Also scary to hear about the Chinese battery (why am I not surprised, though). 73 from VE3TWM!

[@Upnorthof48]

I love my IC705, but I’m afraid to take it in the woods, truck maybe. Nice vid!

[@luzbel4469]

Why do you have afraid? Is not good for woods o trucks? Thanks

[@OregonDX]

Apart from what sounds like speaker over modulation, the filtering and audio overall is impressive. In my opinion

[@pedrocatalan9814]

Very nice video Tracy. I too am disappointed with the audio that comes out of the speaker mic on the 705. I have not experienced the same rattling from that internal speaker on the 705 that you are. Additionally, I do try and wear headphones when working so as not to disturb other park users that much, although they do wonder why I am talking to myself in the park.. I do absolutely love this rig though! Will be travelling from Vancouver to Hawaii soon, and looking forward to getting on the air from paradise. Enjoying the Canadian content. Keep up the great work!

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for your comment! That's going to be a memorable trip.

[@kd5you1]

I think California drew the short straw when it comes to the snow season. 73 KD5YOU

[@w3tua]

Great video! I don't like the speaker mic either but most of my operation is CW and data/digital. Where the IC-705 really shines is with its built-in wireless/Bluetooth. I use the SDR Control app on my iPad to work all modes wirelessly. I've heard that a hardwired USB connection introduces noise so I don't experience that with the way I use it. 73 DE WA5RR

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Nice, thank you for sharing your experience! 73 from VE3TWM.

[@gregsmith5110]

I was a bit shocked to hear you sold your 897 and 891. I'll keep tuning in to see how you're adapting to the Icom interface and if you have any regrets. I'm mostly a Yaesu guy, but I have also been tempted to consider the IC-705. I hope it works out for you in the end. On a side note: I wanted to give you a heads up that I think you are using the Domke wrap incorrectly. The fuzzy microfibre side should be on the inside. This also prevents the radio from being scratched by the hook side of the velcro.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thanks for the tip about the domke wrap. I pondered that very thing when I first got it as it does not come with instructions. I watched a few YT vids and they indicated the smooth side was the inside. I'm going to do some more research!

[@EdLeonard47]

I've found the Heil Sound HTH Series HTHD-I Boom Mic Headset for ICOM with 2-pin connector works well with my IC-705. 73 N9EDL

[@kd5you1]

I like using my Heil HTH headset with my Icom HT's and it works really well. RIP Bob Heil. 73 KD5YOU

[@pmate95]

I'm using a Dörr action bag. The 705 fits well in it and I can pack the dipole's wire into another part of the bag. I agree, that the sound quality is not the best (although it is much better than the Xiegu's). I have a few old radios and hooked the audio from the 705 into one because it's much better to listen. (I'm mainly SWLing with it yet because I don't have much opportunity to get a place for an antenna at home.) The best thing for me is the ease of the connectivity to the radio. It has Bluetooth, wifi, USB, so I can control it without any hassle.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for sharing what works for you!

[@wadepatton2433]

While I do hate to depend on an internal speaker (and rarely do), I must agree with you that a radio with that price tag should have an adequate on-board speaker. They probably get away with it because so many ops will be using headsets or external speakers as per their normal.

[@barrykery1175]

Great video. Glad you are still active in ham radio and posting. Do you have a link for the wrap? Barry, KU3X

[@barrykery1175]

PS....I agree on the speaker mic. It's a joke. The speaker in it is trash.Barry

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you, Barry! Look for Domke F-34L 19-Inch Protective Wrap -Gray on Amazon.

[@garywheeler2055]

New subscriber from Trenton Ont, Not a ham yet but working that way.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for the sub! Good luck with getting your ticket and looking forward to our first QSO.

[@jwlemke]

What size is that Domke wrap? 15" or 19"? Just curious..

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

19"

[@1crazynordlander]

I never hook up the speaker connection to the microphone on my IC-705. The speaker in the microphone is worthless. The microphone is good.

[@DK5ONV]

Good Job, Tracy. 💯👍

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you, UG!

[@Philip-KA4KOE]

If you are happy then that is all you need. The wraps are.great. Which auto tuner are you using?

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Hi Philip! LDG Z817.

[@k2cjbradio]

Love the hat! Maybe an external speaker? I use the MFJ on my 817 and it works great. 73 de K2CJB

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thanks, Chris! An external speaker might be the answer. 73 from VE3TWM!

[@KM4ACK]

I never use the speaker in the mic. Only the one in the radio.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Hi, Jason! Makes sense to me.

[@Mikesorrento3344]

I hear Trudeau wants an electron tax. Keep the QSO’s brief!

[@tormakris]

Thanks

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you very much and 73 from VE3TWM!

[@wadepatton2433]

Every test I've seen (testing current/voltage and drain/charge times) has shown ALL the no-name CC stuff to be inferior, often far inferior to name-branded stuff. These tests were of replacement tool packs and conducted by Project Farm channel. Someone-possibly same guy, tested rechargeable batteries of the cylindrical 1.5v type and found all CC brands to really be "lagging" in performance. Net effect--not worth the money even though the name brand stuff can be ridiculously high. We have machines at work that take 300 and 500 dollar batteries. There are knock offs for the 300$ jobbies, but they don't last as long and we no longer buy them. I'm not buying knock off batteries because of these tests. The CC batteries often didn't come close to matching the performance they claimed. Good luck with yours.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Very interesting comment! Thank you.

[@JohnTarbox]

In a pinch, sticking the IC-705 in a toque (watch cap) gives it some padding and protection for transportation. DE WA1KLI

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Interesting. No static issues?

[@KC1PSK]

I would like that radio but that 10 Watts is just not enough. Too much work to get through the pile up.

[@wadepatton2433]

That's what QRP life is about. It's about making it work no matter how difficult. The challenge is half the appeal. CW gives a lot of punch to 10w.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Moving to QRP involves modifying one's thinking and expectations. Also, there are an awful lot of people out there dissing QRP without ever having done it correctly. Listen to them and you'll miss out on an important aspect of our hobby.

[@wadepatton2433]

@@OutdoorsOnTheAirWhat some might learn is that CW dramatically expands the footprint of QRP, but then CW takes a bit of skills learning, and not everyone is going go to so much trouble.

[@johnk8091]

I have not found the speaker in my IC-705 to rattle. But then I guess I have not turned the volume up loud enough. You mentioned that due to a noisy environment you turned it up. In a noisy environment I would wear a pair of good headphones . The speaker in my 705 it a thousand times better than the one in my Elecraft KX-3. If you want to hear a really bad rattling speaker then try that one by Elecraft.....and that is in a KX-3 that cost me USD 3,000 with the options !!!

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for this information!