Pair The ICOM IC - 705 Transceiver With The XPA125B Amplifier To Get 100 Watts From Your QRP Rig

Get 100 watts from your ICOM IC-705. I'll demonstrate how to connect, set up, and operate the IC-705 QRP Transceiver with the XPA125B Amplifier, using a resonant antenna.
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Pair The ICOM IC - 705 Transceiver With The XPA125B Amplifier To Get 100 Watts From Your QRP Rig
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#IC705 #XPA125B #HamRadio
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[@glock35ipsc]

Radio Dan is a local ham and a member of our radio club. Good guy, and a WEALTH of knowledge. I have one of his buffers for my KX2 to the XPA125B.

[@HOAHamRadio]

He certainly is a wealth of knowledge. His buffer made my decision to hook an amplifier to my IC-705 an easy one. I key up with no fear!

[@DaninVirginia]

Outstanding comprehensive review, thanks for your hard work!

[@HOAHamRadio]

It was my please. This one was for me, as I've wanted to pair these two together from the start. I tried to answer all the questions I had before taking the plunge.

[@Surge1045]

Great video!!! Thank you for taking the time. It is exactly what I was looking for.

[@HOAHamRadio]

This was one of my earliest videos, but one I shared because I hadn't seen anyone provide the necessary detail to help others.

[@dxvenezuela-yy5rvc]

Hello Sir. THX for this excellent video. It is the little push that I needed to buy the XPA11125B for my IC-705. You've got a new subscriber now! Greetings from Caracas, Venezuela. 73...

[@HOAHamRadio]

Glad you found this helpful; welcome to the channel.

[@VE2FGJ]

Great detailed explanations and setup, thank you! 73

[@HOAHamRadio]

Thanks for the feedback VE2FGJ; that was my goal.

[@jonmcadams5401]

Very informative and clear video! I'm looking forward to your upcoming video comparing how a G90 & XPA125B combination work when using the XPA125B internal ATU compared with using an external manual ATU when using a non resonant end-fed antenna. I've had problems using the XPA125B internal ATU with my G90.

[@HOAHamRadio]

Jon, just replied via FB. I'm working on video 2 now for the IC-705 / XPA125B pairing with a non-resonant antenna; hopefully will post in about a week.

[@jonmcadams5401]

@@HOAHamRadio Thanks! I'm using the XPA125B & G90 with a 71' end fed non resonant sloper antenna, 9:1 unun, 50' RG8x, two 15' counterpoises, with a common mode choke at the XPA125B. I'm having issues getting the XPA125B ATU to work with this antenna setup, so I'm very interested in your tests and will appreciate hearing details of the end-fed antenna setup you'll be using.

[@brycemickler]

Excellent video. Thank you!

[@HOAHamRadio]

Thanks Bryce. IC-705 is my emergency radio, the Amp gives me extra watts if needed.

[@chuckyzzz]

Great video

[@HOAHamRadio]

Appreciate the positive feedback; always try to produce useful and helpful content.

[@bradleyjohnson452]

Interesting video. Definitely something to look into. BTW, the audio was all over the place.

[@HOAHamRadio]

Thanks for letting me know about the audio. It’s taken me a bit to hone the skills with the equipment and software.

[@Marco_IK2CHZ]

Hello. I have an IC-705 and a XPA125B, I think it's the parfect match on the market. I found your video just perfect! I'm agree with your statements. We have an OM who makes a good PTT switch box and with others OM we are thinking to make a CAT control for automatic band switching. Many thanks! 73, Marco IK2CHZ - K2CHZ

[@HOAHamRadio]

I appreciate the positive feedback. I'd be interested in knowing more about the switch box / cat control you mention. [e-mail]

[@neilgodfreybartley3143]

Thanks

[@HOAHamRadio]

Thanks a ton Neil Godfrey Bartley! Appreciate the support for the channel, and thanks for watching.

[@BlueCubAdventures]

Have you tried out the tuner?

[@litzdog911]

Excellent! Perfect step-by-step instructions. Looking forward to your non-resonant antenna video with this pairing. Just one question .... I mostly operate FT8 digital. Given FT8's higher duty cycle, do you think there would be any issues with this pairing operating FT8 at ~100W? Happy New Year! - de K7LTZ

[@HOAHamRadio]

Thanks for the positive feedback Jim. Unfortunately, I don't operate digital modes so I can't provide an informed opinion on running FT8 with the XPA125B. Definitely something I want to add to my skillset down the road. Hopefully someone else sees the comment and offers a response.

[@M9A1MAN]

Brother, I LOVE your videos. I just got a 705 and ordered this amp/tuner. Has it still been working ok?

[@HOAHamRadio]

It does work for me. Occasionally, people have issues. I'd put it through its paces up front just to confirm everything is working, and if not, back to the distributor. I mention this only because the knowledge base is MUCH larger. I started a Facebook group a few years ago, and it now has over 500 members; most of them praise this AMP. Here is the link if you think it may help: facebook.com/groups/xpa125b

[@jayzee1968]

Thank you, for the review! Am looking to get an amp for my 705 as I agree w all the reasons you pointed out. If had to get an amplifier for your 705 today, would you still get this X125? Or would go for some other alternative available as of today? Thanks in advance.

[@HOAHamRadio]

Based on my experience with my XPA125B, it would still be my choice. I have a Facebook group where 800 people generally feel the same....feel free to drop by and ask a larger group -- facebook.com/groups/xpa125b/

[@anthonyspina4093]

Is the RB-I necessary? I saw a different cable on ebay that interfaces as well with out an extra box and power requirements.

[@HOAHamRadio]

Anthony, it's opinion / personal preference. You can drive it direct with a cable without the relay. Some people drive it direct with the cable, others try to add extra protection for the IC-705 with a keying buffer relay. Since my videos would be viewed as a recommendation, I am erring on the side of caution.

[@sparky5273]

@@HOAHamRadio what’s the risk exactly? How can the amp damage the radio when using a straight cable? Thanks!

[@HOAHamRadio]

@@sparky5273 First, I'm trusting a few hams smarter than me who suggested a keying buffer. Second, page 13 of the IC-705 Basic Manual references possible damage to the radio and suggests a "switching diode" when using an amplifier.

[@willieb6529]

why didn't you use the amp's built-in tuner? it is one of the amp's selling points! the amp works well with the Elad FDM Duo using a simple stereo patch cable and the PTT Con jack on the CE-19

[@HOAHamRadio]

Willie, working my options on this for Part 2 of this series...don't have everything sorted out just yet.

[@Captcasper7]

How did you do that The Ce 19 does not power up when connected to the duo????

[@willieb6529]

@@Captcasper7 the ce-19 does not require power... auto band-switching will not work though (elad doesn't talk to amp)

[@Captcasper7]

@@willieb6529 I can’t get the amp to see the Elad full stop, if I use the Ptt jack into a 6 pin din into the amp it works but switches off the connection to FDM SW2 software.

[@HamTechRadioScannerDrones]

Thanks Bob I may get one will u get a X6100?

[@HOAHamRadio]

Andreas, I'm enjoying all your vids on the X6100. By the time my budget lets me get one, I'm hoping many of the bugs will be worked out and features operational.

[@HamTechRadioScannerDrones]

@@HOAHamRadio Hi Thanks loads Happy New year

[@manuelsamaniego7779]

Hi everyone, I'm looking for an ICOM IC - 705 Transceiver, can someone help me with recommendations of stores in the New Jersey area or surroundings, refurbished would be an option for me to make a gift to a newbie

[@vu3mes]

Hi I am planning to connect my 705 with the xpa 125. I have already done the C charging Alc upgrade board mod for the 705. Can I connect the 705 directly without the buffer? Thanks

[@HOAHamRadio]

I have not investigated this option, so unfortunately, I can't offer a trustworthy opinion at this point.

[@kurt53641]

How did you connect the power cord of the relay buffer interface? I’m trying to put mine together in order to connect to a battery.

[@HOAHamRadio]

Send me an email to [e-mail] and I can send you some pics to try to explain it.

[@kurt53641]

@@HOAHamRadio can I use a USB 2.0 Type A Male to DC 5.5 x 2.1mm DC 5V

[@HOAHamRadio]

You should use the connector which came with the RB-1 buffer, and then a Power Pole on the other end to connect to a battery or Power Pole distribution block.

[@kurt53641]

@@HOAHamRadio what size clamp do I use for the power poll

[@HOAHamRadio]

You would use the smallest power pole size, the one for 15 amps

[@kurt53641]

What is your pier connector connected to specifically. Have if trouble trying to figure out what power source will this amplifier plug into

[@HOAHamRadio]

Are you asking how to run power to the XPA125B?

[@kurt53641]

@@HOAHamRadio yes. I’m really new at this

[@HOAHamRadio]

No worries! Ham gear generally runs on DC, so when at home, we use power supplies than plug into AC wall outlets but give us DC for our radios and amplifiers etc; for operating my equipment at home I use the MFJ-4230MVP which I purchased from DX Engineering. The MFJ-4230MVP has two sets of Power Pole plugs (search KZbin for ham radio power pole plugs) in the back, which allow you to run two pieces of equipment. In the case of this video, the IC-705 and the XPA125B. In my case, my MFJ-4230MVP is in a cabinet an difficult to get to, so I run an "extension" wire from the back of my MFJ-4230MVP to a power pole distribution block like this one that is easily accesible on my desk top to plug into as needed; www.amazon.com/Chunzehui-Connector-Splitter-Distributor-Output/dp/B074QMRBPB/ref=sr_1_5?crid=FBRO613V3XO0&keywords=power+pole+distribution+block&qid=1642218249&sprefix=power+pole+d%2Caps%2C99&sr=8-5 When you are portable, away from home and AC outlets, we run our radios on battery power. I will have a new video posted by end of day tomorrow, Saturday giving the basics of that. It is a lot to take in; I learned by watching LOTS of KZbin.

[@kurt53641]

@@HOAHamRadio you are awesome!

[@HOAHamRadio]

Just wanted to make sure you saw the battery / solar video -- this is what you would do if you were going remote, i.e., away from a wall outlet. kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWq4aoCKiq2kbLM

[@Schollergrott]

Where can I get the RadioDan RBI Keyer Interface in Europe?

[@HOAHamRadio]

His eBay store is US based, I don't know if he does international shipping. Here is his email address if you want to reach out directly [e-mail]

[@josebrivera1716]

Thanks for the video. But I have to wonder. If people want to use 100 watts, they would be better off just buying an Icom 7300. And they would save a lot of money buying the IC-7300 over the more expensive IC-705 let alone the extra money spent on the amplifier.

[@HOAHamRadio]

Jose, valid and great question. I cover the QRP + Amplifier question in great detail in this video starting at the 8:20 mark: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpDVaYiinr2qfrc

[@keving5211]

I am looking at this solution but as I operate from around the house via SDR Control for Icom on an iPad and mac, I really wish we had a band switching option. I saw a posting that said a guy had made an interface that will auto band switch and key the amp via Bluetooth from the IC-701 and only an RF connection to the radio. If anyone knows of either a commercial solution to auto band change, I am down for it. I believe the solution was posted by KA5WAM but I don't have his email.

[@HOAHamRadio]

Thanks for watching Kevin. Sounds like you've got some great ideas; hope you can catch up with KA5WAM.

[@willieb6529]

ha! talked w/Leon almost 20 years ago...

[@HOAHamRadio]

The QSO lasted much longer, but I had to edit it down for the video....some people get annoyed when too many QSO's or too long are included. He was a pleasure to speak with and his signal was one of the best of the day on 20.

[@willieb6529]

when i chatted with him he was using a 718... maybe still is!

[@2A1C1downURnext]

OMG It would take 4 days to take down my bench and antennas, and about a week to put it back together again. 7 rigs, 8 antennas. Sheesh.

[@HOAHamRadio]

I hear you Drew, if you are gonna use this equipment dual purpose, you better set up your station to accommodate.

[@willieb6529]

you can get the buffer for $44 online and build your own cables

[@HOAHamRadio]

Willie, certainly an option as you point out. With my limited available time (full time job, family, ham way of life, and now KZbin channel, sometimes I have to go for convenience and speed.

[@jimdarrough1732]

So I take it that the XPA-125B will not auto band change. That's too bad, but certainly not a deal breaker by any means. How about using it with a diplexer to split off the UHF/VHF to a different antenna/amp setup? Have you tried that yet? 73 Jim KI7AY

[@HOAHamRadio]

It will auto band change only when connected to a Xiegu radio only. Have not tried it with a diplexer.

[@willieb6529]

oh, and the rbi-1 runs off 9V battery for /p

[@Echo_Hotel]

Why do you say “CQ 20”?

[@HOAHamRadio]

When I want to test; I could say multiple things, like "KD4BMG testing, no response required", or something like that. Saying "CQ 20", CQ meaning I'm looking for a response, on 20 meters, is just a natural way to say something to activate the radio and amplifier, with language people expect to hear on the radio.

[@Echo_Hotel]

@@HOAHamRadio ah I’ve only been a technician for about a year. I’m almost never listening on 20. I just can’t remember hearing it beside people on KZbin. I’m also mostly on CW.. But still I try to get some listening time on other modes. Thank you so much for your response!

[@HOAHamRadio]

@@Echo_Hotel DUDE! A Tech going right to CW, you rock!

[@echo-hotel]

You never explained why you are actually using a device with your ALC…

[@echo-hotel]

Damage, right… But Why?

[@HOAHamRadio]

It is recommended by some people, smarter than me. If you check 13-3 of the basic manual, ICOM basically admits there is a risk here, and recommends the use of a switching diode. Some people operate amplifiers with a direct cable to the IC-705; not me, I use a relay buffer.

[@jameshinman9548]

That amp is grossly over priced

[@HOAHamRadio]

James, I'm always interested in finding the best options out there for the limited dollars so many hams have available. Do you have a suggestion for an alternate 100 watt amp with tuner that is more budget friendly for me to investigate? I'd love to review that for the channel subscribers.

[@thormusique]

Another wonderfully detailed video! Thanks so much for this, I really appreciate it. Cheers!

[@HOAHamRadio]

Thanks for the kind reply. It was really important to me to find an amp that worked well with the 705.