ICOM IC 705 WITH ALEXLOOP - ULTIMATE PORTABLE HAM RADIO?!!

[@Sky1]

My first Alex loop contact I worked someone in Texas from North Carolina while sitting on the couch with a Yaesu ft817

[@Real.ale-amigos]

Great to see you back on amateur radio again.

[@naetuir]

I had never seen an Alex Loop before! I've seen some loops like that, but I really like their presentation and bagging. I'm going to have to go see if I can find one. Thanks for the video!

[@chrisnmichelle0218]

Now I have to go back and see if I can find your ham videos! General class for years now

[@andykirby]

Nice, they are right back at the beginning, my very first uploads!

[@knoxieman]

Lovely seeing the radio stuff along side the ebike vids of course, i have been looking at getting a loop for a while just cant bring myself in to paying the silly money they all want for them, great portable setup.

[@jess3779]

Nice one Andy like your vids yes very good information that special new loop using here yeah I might get to sell for them thanks for sharing yeah my call is M 6JNZ so we must’ve passed the test about the same time okay take all the best mate all the best mate catch you later

[@stevem7502]

Nice video Andy, I normally get frustrated with u-tubers that spent the first 15 minutes of a 17 minute video talking about nothing, this was great to the point and a lot of good information.

[@limitlesspotential9599]

I’m not even licensed yet and I want this !! Great set up. ( I think)

[@briangroh444]

I have an IC-705 on the way. It was great to see this real world experience and the Alexloop in use. I'm always trying to bring down my set-up time because I usually get caught up spending 20 minutes rigging the antenna! Thanks for posting this. KC6WCT

[@craigmatheny9099]

Thank you for making this video. I have an Alex Loop and thought it would be a perfect match with a IC-705.

[@orbtastic2788]

Nice to see the mag loop portable. Loads of info online as to how to use and how they perform. I live by them. Do not be surprised as to how they perform. They are brilliant. Just make sure it is tuned properly using low power and then increase testing SWR as you go. Just remember, mag loops generate a shed load of Volts and Current either side of the tuning capacitor. 10 watts is a good place to go.

[@OH8STN]

Great video. Loving the 705 and my mid-drive efatty

[@2e0txe]

@8:40 A three element 40m yagi in the UK! He must have good neighbours! :)

[@rowdyron4111]

Such a great presentation. Thanks! Mag loops rock, I'm getting one.

[@Dave64track]

Great Ham radio and so compact with the alexloop thanks for sharing.

[@MattHill303]

I do like the look of the IC-705, I've an old FT-817 which is often my go to radio even operating from home so one of these should be right up my street.

[@skyscratcher8825]

Andy awesome you dive right in and get a QSO! iCom just sold another 705 and Santa is bringing an Alex-loop! Happy holidays from Ohio, 🇺🇸 !!!

[@MercuryGlide]

This is so cool, I'd love to get into ham radio!

[@cable1722]

Seriously, absolutely the best time to do it. I've passed my foundation exam and got my callsign last week. The Exam is £27.50 and you can get a decent starter, Baofeng, radio for £30. There are loads of clubs that offer fab support. Look on the RSGB website to find your local one and there's an online course run by Essex Ham which is absolutely brilliant. More than 2000 people have passed this year and there are loads of new folk on the air. I've had nothing but patience and encouragement from other operators. Message me if you've got any questions.

[@andykirby]

I agree, great time to get into the hobby especially with all the lockdown stuff going on. I've never heard the radio so busy! (Good thing) Essex ham is a great organisation👍

[@prspastor]

Hope you jump into the hobby. It is a lot of fun. Hope to work you on HF someday. Find a local club and they will help you out!

[@o00scorpion00o]

Nothing stopping you, great hobby.

[@briangroh444]

LOTS of directions to go with the hobby and thanks to the internet, it's not too hard to find out where there are regular nets being held so you can listen in to get the hang of things before you get your license to get on the air yourself. I'm just a few months into the hobby and I've had a great time and learned A LOT. I'm a history buff and a space enthusiast so learning radio really brought a lot to both of those interests.

[@raysolinski9517]

I had to stop watching the video, I started sweating when it was raining on that beautiful radio!

[@tropenband]

Great radio and antenna, now I know what to do this spring :)

[@FNUKSTER1366]

Awesome radio , I've an old yeasu 757 gx2 very behind the times lol

[@TristamMayes]

The awesome thing about your channel is all the really cool things you are into lol 😂 I was never into HAM but was massively into CB.

[@andykirby]

Cheers mate! Appreciate that! Hope you are well.

[@TristamMayes]

@@andykirby all good Andy, currently working in the Netherlands.

[@hamandshortwaveradioirelan4773]

Great demonstration of portable operating Andy. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@Walterz930]

Nice to see your going back because of your old radio vids that’s why I subbed now a fan of all

[@harjohn1568]

I really enjoyed this video and a thank you I'll keep watching great music

[@davequick3373]

Pretty awesome OM! I use kx2 QRP AND 41’ WIRE. Thanks for sharing and good luck with the nice radio 👍

[@michaelhambleton9760]

Nice video Andy , very informative

[@damian-g4lht]

Alex Loop on the beach with various Qrp radios, I've Worked the world KX2/3 705 and Youkits-817 etc

[@TKomoski]

Funny I did the same thing this summer with my spectrum analyzer "SA44B". I liked going to the airport and scan the waves, using a PC made it so much fun. Well that was cool and different *Cheers* *73*

[@somejackball]

literally portable! 👍😁

[@SLACKPLAN9]

I am considering getting the IC-705 this weekend

[@andykirby]

Do it... do it...

[@Zayne_24]

Is this good for a base station

Did you try to tune this antenna with SWR meter build in this radio?

[@huwkelvinmorgan3575]

Very cool video i always wanted a IC706 mk2G But now i see the IC705 well that is a very nice bit of kit .. from callsign mw5ufo (kelvin) 73's

[@JakeBullit123]

Nice setup. 73s are 21, 73 is best regards.

[@paulfallon181]

Good video Andy. Nice looking rig ,I was thinking of getting one myself but will wait a while as I got a new Elecraft kx3 about a year ago. For qrp portable I find cw the better mode but thats because I'm hooked on the cw. The loop did a good job for you even though it was in close proximity to the radio and best with a better height 73 de Paul

[@danielarnold4133]

Great video Andy, just received my 705 and been looking for a suitable portable antenna, after watching this video I think you've made up my mind. All the best matey and maybe hear you on the band sometime from M6NDF/ 2E0VMI

[@DNL1200GSA]

Hey Andy, good vid. I’ve watched a few times now. How would this antenna go connected to the AH705? Would you still need to tune via the Alex Loop control? Could be worth another update vid?

[@CampervanCookout]

I have a wonder wand wonderloop with mine and also a wide bander with my 705. With a wincamp bracket ultimate light setup. Alex look looks nicely made but the price puts me off from buying. Would love to see some more tests of this.

[@altypeRR]

I’d love a 705 but it’s outside of my budget. I’ve looked at the mag loop antennas before but never tried one. I’m currently only on 10m with a white stick vertical and on 2m with a homebrew slim Jim. Hopefully doing my intermediate next month so I can then run a bit more power. My callsign is M7MDY.

[@niniksuryani8294]

The best anten, for qso plus tuner swr

[@zjzozn]

I’ve played with a USB SDR, very cool 👍🤟

[@orbtastic2788]

That signal that scans your waterfall near the end of the vid is not someone tuning up it is a Ionosonde or Chirpsounder used to test propagation on the hf band.

[@andykirby]

Interesting thanks!

[@aerozg]

Perfect! Looks like a nice portable setup, just what i am looking for. What's the most distant contact you've made so far? Any luck?

[@stacksmasher]

Wait... you said its only tuned for recieve? What does that mean?

[@paulaubuchon2336]

Great video..I am searching for antenna I can use on my lanai,our HOA rules prohibit ANY out door antennas..

[@alexberry5118]

Great video really nice radio MM0OXX

[@Scif64]

Nice one Andy have you sorted out the 70cm 2m situation with the high swr? 73's

[@andykirby]

Hey mate! Nice to see you on here! It seems like a common issue with using portable antenna designed for handhelds, others have reported the same issue.. I guess the radio just wasn't designed for that... anyway I'm going to try using something with some coax. Catch you on the air soon👍

[@Scif64]

@@andykirby i like the alexloop and seems to do the job, but the narrow bandwidth is issue for me i guess but would be ideal for my location to at least get out on hf with the 705... 73's

[@SPDTDL]

Hi! Where did you buy the antenna from? Thanks!

[@andykirby]

Link in description

[@SPDTDL]

@@andykirby Oh yeah, i always forget to read descriptions. You still happy with it? Worth the 500 big ones?

[@lavi0019]

Thanks for nice Video with Alex-Loop and ic705 !!! 73 de DL1DUR, Joe

[@elanpaim33]

Hello Andy great info. Thank you btw where did you buy the scooter from please Voy 73 Ilan g0

[@andykirby]

Hi, thanks for the comment, the scooter is a Mercane Wide Wheel Pro, they sent me it for a review a while back, highly recommend it, two wheel drive with about 1000W, lots of power for hills etc👌

[@richardvickerstaff5985]

Great video. The IC 705 is on my wish list. 73 de M1ADT.

[@BillyNoMates1974]

Ham radio has always put me off as here in the UK its just filled with Italians running 1000 watts

[@andykirby]

Haha! Yeah you are mostly right but look in the right places you'll find some cool HAMS to talk to!

[@BillyNoMates1974]

@@andykirby I have settled for SDR radio using USB cards and a shortwave radio (full band coverage but no SSB). SDR radio works brilliantly connected to an android device but in my neck of the woods there is so much RF interference, its off putting Guess I need to hook up a decent antenna. Like another J-Pole

[@gizmospitfire5284]

Woaaaahhhhhhh! This is so cool

[@o00scorpion00o]

@@BillyNoMates1974 I use a Bonito megaloop FX great antenna but I live in a Quiet area free from QRM. But the bonito antennas output just the right amount of power for portable radios and SDR which can overload badly with ham style long wire antennas.

[@Thegeordiemonkey]

Better back in my youth on CB radio, would bore me to death now.

[@Whiskey6Radio]

What’s the battery life on the 705?

[@CampervanCookout]

Mine lasts 4 or 5 hours but can easily charge from a 12v battery or a usb battery bank.

[@Yt-gc9us]

Hey I’m thinking of buying the Kirbebike 1500W kit. Do you know if it is compatible with the Trek Marlin 5 2021? Love the content

[@andykirby]

Yes it should be no problem 😊

[@Yt-gc9us]

@@andykirby thank you! Also what battery would I need for that? I was thinking of a 48V 20Ah but don’t know if that’ll be overkill.

[@andykirby]

Ideally you need a 52V battery, the one we sell is a perfect match for the kit👍

[@mailmannb7970]

What distance will this radio reach out?

[@andykirby]

It depends on a lot of things, from a few miles to maybe 9000 miles if the conditions are good 😁

[@2000alexgrim]

Excellent video Andy , very clear explanation on the AlexLoop. HFpack is the way I have selected to operate for the last 50 years.PY1AHD ALEX

[@andykirby]

Thanks Alex, great product 👍 I'm honoured you commented on my video 😁

[@LEXPIX]

Nice portable setup. I have a very similar setup and scooter too. 73.

[@glenhoff1443]

Magloops, take a look at Chameleon F Loop 3.0

[@G-Cam1]

Cool bit of kit. We must have sat our licence around the same time? 1981ish? I used to be active way back when 6m was opened up and had a good few firsts, using my Icom ic505, between Scotland and a few other countries.. happy days. Funny how a lot of the comments are from amateurs who all have similar interests these days.. Most enjoyable content as always Thanks 73s GM6JEQ

[@sptvids]

I was thinking of getting my HAM licence and the lockdown stopped that idea, interesting video 👍

[@andykirby]

I think you can do it online now

[@orbtastic2788]

Definitely. Lots done online now. Search out for Essex Ham. They should be able to help you get your license. It should be pretty straight forward and it opens up the whole world. Even with 10watts.And no.... online gaming.., as said earlier is not the way to go. What happens if the internet goes down? And please guys... do not reply by saying... it cannot!!!

[@sptvids]

@@orbtastic2788 cheers orb, I was booked for a coarse in hampshire but it was cancelled. I did a quick search and found you have to go somewhere for the exam? Not sure how accurate that is though.

[@mikes6844]

@@sptvids all on line at the moment. Never a better time to give it a try. No practicals to contend with either. Be great to have you on the bands. Good look.

[@sptvids]

@@mikes6844 thanks Mike, yes, I've registered with Essex ham, so should start on 1st November 👍

[@neilbundle5112]

Excellent video. Thanks! I’ve just picked up an IC705 and run 2 commercial mag loops from home. This looks like the ultimate portable set up! Neil G4LRV

[@Pieh0]

I made a bluetooth tuner for the alex loop, great for tuning in the SWR perfectly :).

[@andykirby]

Wow awesome, any links? Videos?

[@Pieh0]

@@andykirby Only just finished it, but it's basically a copy of what RL5D did, just with a few changes that I wanted. Details are here github.com/M1SJE/Alexloop-tuner All the bits are available from Amazon, so it's a quick and easy thing to build :)

[@markdoyle8713]

Great job, thank you Kn4kax

[@LITTLEEXPERIMENTCHANNEL1]

Online gaming is the new communications method now.

[@-_Robert_-]

Can it transmit on AM clearly? ( I know that Yeasu 757 can't or it's difficult to understand person talking to Yaesu on AM)

[@andykirby]

That I don't know actually.havent tried it yet!

[@kolbeck69]

good stuff Andy , I am radio amatuer and e bike rider as well . nice andy loop lol . cheers for video :) kolbeck69

[@adrianthomas4660]

Damn I had no idea you were into radio .... 6.6mhz ssb there’s a group using the old Lancaster bomber band some from CB some HAM pirates of course. I started broadcasting aged 10 ... Looks a nice rig , still plenty of spaghetti I see lol

[@andykirby]

Nice! I'll have to check out 6.6, I also started out in radio aged about 10 on the CB! 73s

[@RobPetty622]

Need a third or fourth hand for an umbrella to keep the rain off the new toy! Thanks for the video. Rob/WA9RAD

[@andykirby]

Haha yes you are right! Good old England!

[@sp4wrf]

Andy, you are too close to the antenna. Magnetic Loop requires a distance from antenna since it eliminates high electromagnetic field.

[@andykirby]

Ah yes makes perfect sense, thanks.

[@milkncheese1]

I sadly can only afford a baofeng uv5riii. This set up is well over £1600 all in.. Nice bit of kit though and would be awesome mounted on the scooter handlebars.

[@mw0lge]

nice one Andy ! 73 :)

[@ciccioapocalittico4878]

Ciao da Italia

[@LoftechUK]

Might get one myself. Great reception and the broadcast is amazing but the Alexloop is way to expensive

[@andykirby]

Yeah i agree its expensive, its VERY good though so I think its one of these things where you do get what you pay for. It would be interesting to test the others.

[@o00scorpion00o]

Check out the loop made by OM0ET, www.sk-tech.sk/om0et/ Paul has a youtube channel.

[@ronkluyvevan6662]

nice radio..73

[@hl9gykorea679]

Unfortunately a QRP radio with a sub-optimal antenna is not ultimate in portable ham radio. I've owned mag-loop antennas and they work OK for their size, but not exceptionally well. Nonetheless, great video that demonstrates the portability of the antenna. And loop antennas do have great, low signal-to-noise ratio. You got me interested in re-looking the mag-loop antennas!

[@o00scorpion00o]

I make contacts on an MFJ-1820T whip and a 5 meter raised radial, it's not going to win contests or break pileups but I make contacts on it every time I use it. I also have the DL1DN whip, no radials, it uses human counterpoise, so I hold it as I walk around with my FT-818, there are 2 coils for different bands and you adjust the length of the whip for whatever band. It works. I can sit on a rock, on a tree stump or just out in the back yard and make contacts while holding the radio. Of course, you can also use a counterpoise system with the DL1DN whip. Sometimes a compromise antenna is no compromise when you're after easy and super fast setup and one that you can just walk around with. I can't imagine carrying a tripod with me everywhere for some antennas or EFHW and messing with trees or portable masts, all these are good for stationary purpose. I know my portable EFHW 49:1 will get out much better but that's a different antenna for a different purpose. Sometimes the more efficinet antenna is the compromise. I've had great success with MFJ's 935C Loop tuner and 4 watts and also the MFJ-9232 QRP loop tuner, on 17 and 10 you can make a very small portable loop and it works amazingly well, I have a couple of videos on my channel with the 2 tuners if you cant to check it out.

[@davidray4128]

Didn't realize you were a ham. Interesting radio. 73 . VE3WF

[@andykirby]

Greetings! And 73s

[@LSUKGaming]

okay sooooo noted this ham radio thing for a long time... u have my ears twitching... qustion is whats the idea of it all ? sorry to be a noob like but yea

[@andykirby]

Well the idea is to make contacts around the world just using radio (no internet) its been around since the dawn of time but modern developments in technology have moved things on a lot, its a pretty technical hobby with many different areas to explore but also pretty fun to talk to other like minded electronic nuts!

[@LSUKGaming]

ooow sound fun but running around on radio air waves sound tooo tecky for a guy like me lmao.. i will expect there be more videos soon ?

[@orbtastic2788]

@@LSUKGaming It is not too ‘tecky’. Go search loads of videos on yooootoob for ham radio. Lots of the tech that the interweb uses came from Ham radio...

[@LSUKGaming]

okay so more and more I watch more I’m getting interested guess it’s like CB days we needed a cb license etc etc but if say I buy all this kit and didn’t use the mic or transmitted anything do I need a license to listen to this guys from all over the place ? I live on the 12th floor flat so I’m guessing it’s how fair you can get with as little as possible race hobby kinda thing I’m guessing🤔???

[@aka_rook]

Alright Mike?

[@VK3FTOM]

Thank you for the great video 73 Tom vk3ftom

[@LITTLEEXPERIMENTCHANNEL1]

I purchased am/fm rigs last year, absolutely no one on anymore.

[@andykirby]

CB you mean?

[@LITTLEEXPERIMENTCHANNEL1]

@@andykirby citizens band apologies Andy. Useful for a Holocaust.

[@o00scorpion00o]

I think most CB'ers use USB, 27,555 I think is still the calling frequency, absolutely booming at times but Solar activity has been quiet for some time which doesn't help. Not sure a lot would use AM/FM now especially the die hard CB'er. Imagine the fun if everyone had CB in their cars all connected to one channel on the road, lots of People talking to People they never met before or may never talk to again. COuld be a lot of fun and could also be a very useful tool to warn others of Police checks or speed traps etc, many ways where CB in cars can be both useful and fun.

[@jonathanp906]

The lack of 4 M is controversial? I didn't even know 4M was a thing! (its not in the US)

[@catalinalb1722]

Looking forword for more Ham Radio stuff :) 73! DE1CTL :)

[@straightpride451]

That radio looks stupid on that tripod. Lol

[@patrickbonin137]

Lol Andy..you look like a 60's KGB agent....except they had peddless scooters..haha...oh can you run the scooter as a Tumble dryer clothes line and how many watts are you using.???... how's Olga in Moscow???Who cares what products you show off it's all good for me ..what's next a solar powered chip fryer...oh boy in you make me laugh...what about a Benny hill style ebike chase... .

[@sinuspl]

SDR radio, probably with an LCD display 😂

[@HamTechRadioScannerDrones]

m0fxb thanks i have a 705

[@andykirby]

Thanks! Saw your video a couple of days ago.. Nice! 👌

[@josemariatrueba4568]

A loop is OK for 100w but no good for qrp. You cannot use a loop and low power, not below 20MHz.

[@defendermods9420]

What the point in it? Not getting it Andy.

[@andykirby]

The point is using radio to make contacts with other radio enthusiasts around the world, no Internet, just using pure radio waves.

[@orbtastic2788]

Do not try and bend the spoon, that's impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth...there is no spoon. Then you will see it is not the spoon that bends, it is only yourself.

[@defendermods9420]

@@andykirby I see but you can dial random numbers on a phone and talk...but i suppose it the same with most hobbies say fly a model plane and land it as an example, or a game of football, what ever floats ya boat..

[@hedgehog5705]

A hard way to pick up kiss fm

[@nigelgriffin485]

I just think it's a lot of money for a bit of wire my buddypole is easy

[@terenceminder3413]

Absurd price.

[@MrMesospheric]

Fancy someone calling 'CQ 40 metres' when using the 40 m band! Nice video. No pretence, which is novel for this hobby. For newcomers, remember that the $400 'Premier' loop is, erm, some coax at £1.50 per metre, and a maybe £25 wide spaced capacitor (though you may find bidding goes silly on these on ebay, precisely because of how cheap you can make your own!)

[@solarfunction1847]

Local DX's not worth the money spent on the equipment.

[@andykirby]

Fair point if that's all you use it for but I have many uses for a powerful SDR transceiver.

[@geem4973]

I fail to see the point lol,the guy I bought my house from had massive antenna on the roof and was into radio. Love the ebike and music pal,but this is pants lol Like I said though love the music and ebike stuff Andy

[@andykirby]

Its not for everyone, its part of what I do and I doubt I would be where I am today if it wasn't for what I have learnt from radio.

[@geem4973]

Echo Charlie Zulu,12 inch papa,pepperoni Zulu echo garlic bread over

[@CarrieJaneWheatley]

Mid-roll adverts? Sorry, that's a vote down from me!

[@andykirby]

Gotta pay the bills im afraid, this is my job. Remember that you don't pay for the content on KZbin hopefully its worth just a few ads to allow us creators to be renumerated for our efforts??