I've used my #IC705 as my main #hamRadio rig for some five years now. Time for a detailed report of my experiences.
Spoiler: Mostly good, but there are a few things I'm missing: USB-C jack, easy CW side tone audio level adjust, 5 GHz WiFi, USB-access to the SD card, open source firmware.
If the "detailed" of "detailed report" does not scare you (as in: fairly long), be welcome to https://dj3ei.famsik.de/blog/posts/2025/ic-705/ .
@jelle I really like my 705, using it is fun on a bun (as the kids don't say). #AmateurRadio #IC705 #Hashtag
Life isn't too short for QRP.
Today I went for 10W WWFF activation which turned into 5W activation as I forgot the battery lead home for my IC-705.
Of course I could have thrown a tantrum but I just laughed and thought "well this is going to be now different" (changes are good for humans)
I snatched over 30 QSOs on only CW with 5W, middle of day of scorching summer.
I would say not bad at all!
QRP is not dead! :D
Problems using my #IC705 radio together with my computer, the two connected via CAT via USB.
I use the rig's controls to change frequency. Often, frequency sync is lost: Changes of the frequency are apparently no longer communicated to the computer.
I use CAT-controlled Morsecode transmission heavily. That and other commands, including frequency changes from the compuyer, continue to work.
I've seen this problem with different setups, but all using hamlib.
Others seen this also?
From the picture i've ssen before (and from the Yaesu Manual) the #FTX1F was looking a bit smaler than the #IC705. But it looks like the dimensions in the Yaesu datasheet are without the battery. So basicly both radios are quite equal in size (esp. depth).
Future HF Portable Fun Project (Step 1): Fasten HF antenna base to Rush 24 backpack using Diamond HRKS UHF mount and Comet AD-35M UHF to 3/8-24 adapter. Used 2 thin-ties (0.5 x 8 inches) to attach mount. Still need to route coax and add a detachable dangle counterpoise wire. Planning fixed site setup, 20-6 meters (single band at a time) coverage with CHA SS-17 telescoping whip. Also supports VHF/UHF on-the-go with Diamond NR-770 UHF antenna. Outside setup tests next… #HamRadio #IC705
I recently measured #IC705 transmit power 🧵. But I did not dive into output power's dependency on supply voltage. Jürgen DF3PM kindly made me aware of results by George, M1GEO. George found out that (unsurprisingly), output power drops as supply voltage is decreased from 13 V to 12 V or less.
Interestingly and somewhat surprising, output power is stable as supply voltage is increased to 14, 15, or 16 V, though efficiency drops.
https://www.george-smart.co.uk/2024/07/measuring-the-icom-ic-705-rf-power-vs-dc-input-voltage/
Thanks, Jürgen and George!
What is the #IC705's transmit power?
I recently did a bunch of measurements.
Takeaways:
With the power knob at 0%, output can still be as much as 100 mW.
When using the "max power" setting, actual power delivered is always a little lower.
Output power mildly dependent on which band you transmit.
To achieve 5 W output, I'll set "max power" to 10 W and the percentage to 61%.
More details: https://dj3ei.famsik.de/blog/posts/2025/ic-705_pwr/
#Sonate-2 satellite images received on #sstv .
Quite good reception despite only 500mW satellite transmitter.
#rig: #ic705 , 5-el yagi
Tracking and doppler correction with #look4sat.
Transmision schedule: https://www.informatik.uni-wuerzburg.de/raumfahrttechnik/projekte/aktive/sonate-2/information-fuer-funkamateure/
#sat
🇬🇧 Receiving sstv from Fram2 space mission (EN subtitles) 🇵🇱 Odbiór sstv z misji kosmicznej Fram2
https://video.citizen4.eu/videos/watch/b1c56fa9-32ea-439c-aa9b-ddbdd7242cc9
Successful reception of #sstv from #fram2 mission this morning :-). As requested, I am not showing the received pictures before the #fram2ham contest is over: https://fram2ham.com .
#ic705 #look4sat
ISS 2m/70cm transponder reception test with simple vertical antenna
https://video.citizen4.eu/videos/watch/758e370d-fd7f-4eae-873f-817f3d3614e1
Braved the storm this afternoon to do some 24GHz (12.5mm wavelength) #MicrowaveRadio #AmateurRadio.
One contact made with Pete G1DFL over a 24KM path on #SSB and #DStar. 59+20dB both ways.
#Icom #IC705 IF and #Wavelab based transverter & 1.5w PA into a 30cm Andrew dish.
1.5w x 34.4dBi = 4131w ERP!
Rain has stopped for a while, so put a wire antenna up and having a listen around the bands… #HamRadio #HamR #AmateurRadio #AmateurFunk #Icom #IC705 #QRP #AH705 #Shortwave #VanLife #RVLife #Camping
I think it was more effort to get the image on the radio than it was designing the QSL card! #ic705
For #hamRadio fans of #js8, it is #js8QsoParty time again!
https://js8call.groups.io/g/main/viewevent?repeatid=12902&eventid=1597224&calstart=2024-06-08
Problem encountered: After finally upgrading from Debian Bullseye to Debian Bookworm, the old #IC705 sound card string I had used became unreliable; I had to switch.
Highlight thus far was reading a message that some nice person in Florida, USA left for me on their system some time last November. This felt a bit like finding a message in a bottle on a beach specifically written for me!
More fun later today! 😄
I grabbed one of these for my #ic705 from Amazon in the UK. Thanks @oh8hub for the tip!
https://mastodon.radio/@oh8hub/111620156368683104
It happened to me with my #IC705, after some digimode stuff on shortwave, that I switched to 2m for our weekly local friendly FM ragchew session - and there was complaint about my carrier with no modulation when I tried to transmit. Turned out the rig still expected "data", not analog input from the microphone.
You are being bitten by this if the mode displays FM-D, or some other XXX-D. If so, touch that mode long, and then hit "data" to toggle it away.
Several times now, my #IC705 has refused to modulate using the microphone. PTT works but no audio. Tried different mic, same thing. However, I can work SSB just fine using SDR-Control with the audio coming from my iPhone. Comes good after a while for no apparent reason. Wonder if anyone else has seen this?
