Icom IC-705 Why is this Radio Unique?

45+ yrs in Amateur Radio. Never thought I’d enjoy QRP as much as I did. Getting the 705 really opened my eyes to another exciting facet of our wonderful hobby.

I have the IC 7300 and the IC 705 and love them both for what they are made for. The IC 705 is just one of the most capable radios every made, period.

Hard to believe I've had my 705 for almost a year. Good to watch the review and be reminded of the features I've since forgot about (I haven't programmed the V/UHF repeaters yet.). Two additional learnings: The radio can be charged with the USB cable, albeit slowly. Second, like the IC 7300, zero power is not really no power. It's 50 mW and that's enough for a CW QSO as I found out when I as my "zero power" CW CQ received an unexpected reply. If you've a EFHW or random wire handy, it's fun to use on your deck or a picnic table in a park. The AH-705 also works well as a tuner. We've come a long way since the venerable FT-817 was introduced just over 20 years ago.

Great video. I used to use a Xiegu G90 for portable ops, but once the 705 came out and a friend showed me, I had to get one for myself. It's a great rig all by itself for POTA/SOTA, but since I also have a Xiegu XPA-125A 100 watt amplifier for HF, this basically can be used as a main rig. In fact, I recently sold my IC-7300, which used to be my main rig until I splurged and got a Yaesu FTdx-101MP (which really is in a totally different class), and now my IC-705 and XPA-125B not only can be taken into the field but also serve as my backup rig in case the 101MP has an issue (which it hasn't'). One of the complaints that some people have about the 705 is that it has no internal tuner, but there are a number of solutions. For POTA/SOTA, a small tuner from Elecraft works wonders. Alternatively, since the XPA-125B amplifier has a very good tuner built in, if you use it, not only do you get upwards of 100 watts, you also have a very capable tuner too.

I love my 705 and 7610. I have been waiting a long time for a QRP rig like the 705.

Another excellent review, Bob. I value your views and have used them as a base for purchases in the past and will no doubt do again in the future. Very balanced and worth noting I have found. Thanks.

Very good and thorough review, Bob. (As always.) I’m about to take mine out of the box, along with the AH-705. You’ve give a good Quick Start guide!

I’ve had my 705 since they were available and loved watching your review of the 705! Thanks 73 K4BBC

Bob, That was the best review of the IC 705 I have seen so far. It was very informative and you pointed out two things I did not know. One......stand alone hot spot. Neat feature. Two, the battery. First off I think the standard battery is a joke. For how much current the radio draws on receive, it draws way too much power off of the little battery. I give Icom a thumbs down on the standard battery. But, I did not know they make a bigger battery. That would be the first thing I would get. I wish you would have addressed the CW features more. I change CW speed on the fly. Some hams send back at either a slower speed or I need to send a fast exchange. The last thing I want to do is go through numerous menus to change the speed. So the question is, "Is it easy to change the CW speed on the fly?" Again, thanks for posting such a great video. Your video made me revisit the possibility of getting one. The battery was a big issue for me and the lack of a built in ATU is yet another deal breaker. BUT.....since I only use resonant antenna, the lack of an ATU may not be such a big deal. Barry G. Kery, KU3X/QRP

Reallly would have liked to see a built in ATU. Elecraft did it with the KX2; no reason ICOM couldn't have put one inside. Very nice review. Much appreciated.

I hooked the AH-705 up to mine and it’s a powerful portable rig.

Bob, Thank-You! You’ve nailed it, as always. Like all of your reviews, you back-up what you say with facts. No fluff, no fat- just the facts…. You, Sir, are the Platinum Standard, and have NO equals. All the Best to You and Yours!

Thanks for the review! I just picked up the 705 at HRO in norcal while visiting family. It's my first HF rig and so far super impressed and overwhelmed with the features. And can't wait to get back home to the hills of Colorado to play with it. And maybe actually learn CW. 73s KE0OQS

I thought your video was excellent thank you for taking us through a tour on the 705 really nice radio I guess it's really good for the price point it offers a lot of features and a lot of bands thank you again for this great video you're awesome 👍

This radio is amazingly great HAM radio tool. Another piece of Japanese engineering art.

Excellent Review Bob. I ordered one and the matching Icom tuner after seeing you review

ICOM all day, I have the 7610 and the 9700, I need no more from features and functionality. From HF to Satellites (including QO-100) I am covered all bands and all modes, with the exception of 70MHz (4M). If I was going portable, I would have the 705, as part of my radio gear. Yaesu completely missed a trick, they brought out the ft818, completely lacking imagination. Excellent channel Rob, de Ei2iP

Bob, you've said something I've not heard others say, but which I've also wondered. Rather than buying a 7300/9700 and adding various technologies (gps, etc.), why not buy a 705 and add the simple pa and atu? Wonder what others think about the idea.

nice review. Watching as I get my 705 this afternoon! 73 de M5PM 🇬🇧 Patrick I actually traded in my ic7610 for this because I think the probability is just terrific and I don't really use the home base station that much

No auto tuner!! No bueno....I own the ICOM 7300 and at 72 it will probably be my last hf rig. With that said, IMO the 7300 receiver is average and noisy compared to my Elecraft KX3 or my old ICOM 746pro which I no longer own. So, if the 705 is a 7300 shrunk down, I'll keep my KX3 for field work and enjoy the internal tuner and live without the band scope. As always, great video Bob.....keep them coming /k6sdw