Icom IC 705 Review: The Ultimate Transceiver?
The icom ic-705 is a versatile and portable all-mode transceiver that lets you operate on both hf and vhf bands. With a compact size and user-friendly interface, it is perfect for outdoor activities and portable operations.
The icom ic-705 is a highly anticipated radio offering from icom that is designed for portable field operations across hf, vhf, and uhf bands. It packs an array of features, including d-star, gps, bluetooth, and wlan capabilities, into a small and lightweight package.
This radio can also be controlled remotely via an android or ios app. The ic-705 has a vibrant touchscreen display that makes navigating menus and operating the device an effortless experience. Moreover, it is powered by a rechargeable battery that allows you to operate the device for extended periods of time off the grid. The ic-705 is an excellent addition to any operator’s station, especially for those who enjoy portable and outdoor activities.
Key Features Of The Icom Ic 705
The icom ic 705 is a popular portable radio that has won the hearts of many hams and radio enthusiasts. It’s a versatile all-in-one package that offers a lot of features and functionalities that will suit the needs of both advanced and beginner users.
In this review, we will focus on the key features of the icom ic 705 that make it stand out in the market.
High-Quality Display And User Interface
One of the key features of the icom ic 705 is its high-quality 4. 3-inch tft color touchscreen display. The display provides users with clear and intuitive graphics, making it easy to navigate through the menus and settings. The user interface is also simple and easy to operate, allowing both amateur and professional operators to access the radio’s functions without any difficulty.
In addition to the touchscreen display, the icom ic 705 also has a multifunctional encoder that can be used to navigate through the menus and settings. This feature comes in handy when wearing gloves, and it’s also ideal for those who prefer using traditional knobs instead of touchscreens.
Excellent Portability And Battery Life
The icom ic 705 is a highly portable radio that allows you to operate on both hf and vhf/uhf bands on the go. It weighs only 2. 2 pounds, making it easy to carry around during your outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, and field operations.
Additionally, the icom ic 705 comes with a long-lasting battery that can last up to 5 hours of continuous operation on a single charge. The radio also allows you to operate while charging, which is a handy feature.
Wide Frequency Coverage And Modes
The icom ic 705 offers a wide frequency coverage, ranging from 0. 5 mhz to 148 mhz (hf/vhf) and 430 mhz to 450 mhz (uhf). It also supports various modes, such as usb, lsb, cw, am, fm, rtty, and d-star, making it an ideal radio for digital communications.
Powerful Dsp And Noise Reduction
The icom ic 705 has a powerful digital signal processor (dsp) that provides users with clearer and stronger signals during weak-signal and interference-prone conditions. The radio also supports noise reduction options, such as noise blanker and noise reduction, which helps to minimize background noise and improve the audio quality.
Built-In Gps And Bluetooth
The icom ic 705 comes with built-in gps and bluetooth capabilities, enabling users to access multiple features, including location tracking, on the move. The gps feature is useful for field operations, such as hiking and backpacking, while the bluetooth feature allows for wireless communications with other devices.
Overall, the icom ic 705 is a well-designed and equipped radio that offers a wide range of features and functionalities in a portable and compact package. Its high-quality display, user-friendly interface, wide frequency coverage, powerful dsp, and built-in gps and bluetooth features make it an ideal radio for both amateur and professional operators.
Design And Build Quality
Sleek And Modern Design
The icom ic-705 boasts a sleek and modern design that is perfect for radio enthusiasts. Its aesthetic appeal is eye-catching and can be easily noticed. One of the great things about this design is that it features a clean and minimalistic layout that is easy to navigate.
This radio is designed for portability, so it’s not bulky or cumbersome to use. It can easily fit in a backpack or be carried with one hand.
Rugged And Durable Materials
The icom ic-705 is constructed from rugged and durable materials, providing it with excellent resistance to wear and tear. The chassis is made of durable plastics with a metal frame that surrounds the radio for added protection. Its compact form factor contributes to its durability by reducing the likelihood of mishandling.
This radio can withstand both high and low temperatures, making it ideal for outdoor use.
Compact Size And Light Weight
The icom ic-705 is smaller and much lighter in weight than many other radios in its class, making it the perfect portable radio for outdoor activities such as hiking or camping. The small size of the radio makes it easy to pack and carry, with dimensions that measure 5.
5 x 2. 8 x 9 inches and a weight of only 2. 2 pounds. Its compact size and light weight make it an excellent choice for those who prefer a smaller radio option.
Easy To Use And Comfortable To Hold
The icom ic-705 was designed with ease of use in mind, ensuring that even those who may not be technically savvy can still use it without difficulty. The buttons and knobs are intuitively placed for smooth operation, making switching between modes and functions a breeze.
Additionally, the radio is comfortable to hold, with a well-constructed grip that reduces fatigue and strain on your hand during extended use. The icom ic-705 provides a plug-and-play radio experience, with no additional software or drivers needed to use the radio, so you can get started using it right out of the box.
Performance Review
When it comes to transceivers, there are few as versatile and feature-packed as the icom ic-705. This radio is designed to be your all-in-one solution, capable of handling any task thrown at it with ease. In this performance review, we’ll take a closer look at some of the key features that make the ic-705 such an impressive piece of equipment.
Signal And Audio Quality
The signal and audio quality of the ic-705 is top-notch. This radio features a built-in speaker that produces clear, high-quality sound, making it easy to hear and understand transmissions even in noisy environments. Additionally, the radio features a number of digital signal processing (dsp) filters that help to eliminate unwanted noise and interference, ensuring that you can hear every word clearly.
- Dsp filters eliminate unwanted noise and interference
- Built-in speaker produces clear, high-quality sound
Sensitivity And Selectivity
The ic-705 also boasts impressive sensitivity and selectivity. This radio can pull in even weak signals, allowing you to communicate with other radio operators who might be out of range for other transceivers. Additionally, the radio features a number of different bandpass filters that help to further improve selectivity and ensure that you can hear and understand the transmissions you’re looking for.
- Impressive sensitivity allows communication with operators out of range for other transceivers
- Multiple bandpass filters improve selectivity and reduce interference
Noise Reduction And Filtering
The ic-705 features a number of advanced noise reduction and filtering options that make it easy to isolate and eliminate unwanted noise and interference. This radio features a built-in noise reduction circuit that helps to reduce background noise, as well as a noise blanker that helps to eliminate pulse-type noise from ignition systems and other sources.
Additionally, the radio features a number of different dsp filters that can be used to further reduce noise and interference.
- Built-in noise reduction circuit reduces background noise
- Noise blanker eliminates pulse-type noise from ignition systems and other sources
Power Output And Battery Life
When it comes to power output and battery life, the ic-705 is no slouch. This radio is capable of outputting up to 10 watts of power, allowing you to transmit over long distances and in difficult conditions. Additionally, the radio features a long-lasting battery that can provide up to 5 hours of continuous use on a single charge.
- Output up to 10 watts of power
- Battery provides up to 5 hours of continuous use on a single charge
Comparison With Other Transceivers
Comparing the ic-705 to other transceivers on the market, it’s clear that this radio is in a league of its own. With its impressive sensitivity, selectivity, and filtering options, the ic-705 is capable of pulling in weak signals and eliminating interference that other radios may struggle with.
Additionally, the radio’s built-in noise reduction circuit and noise blanker help to reduce background noise and improve overall audio quality, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality transceiver.
- Impressive sensitivity, selectivity, and filtering options set the ic-705 apart from other radios
- Built-in noise reduction circuit and noise blanker help to improve audio quality and decrease background noise
Pros And Cons Of The Icom Ic 705
Icom ic 705 review: pros and cons of the icom ic 705
Searching for a portable and versatile radio? The icom ic 705 might be the perfect fit for your needs. Here are some of the top advantages and drawbacks of this radio:
Advantages
Portability
One of the most significant advantages of icom ic 705 is its portability. This radio is lightweight, compact, and easy to carry around. Its size makes it an ideal option for those who are always on-the-go.
Battery Life
The icom ic 705 runs on a li-ion battery—with a capacity of 2000mah—that gives you up to 5 hours of usage time. Its long battery life is well-suited for those who want to use the radio for an extended period.
Wide Frequency Coverage
Another advantage of the icom ic 705 is its wide frequency coverage range. It covers amateur radio bands, as well as some commercial hf bands, vhf and uhf frequency bands. Its wide coverage option makes it an excellent choice for those looking to work in different frequency ranges.
Drawbacks
Price
The icom ic 705 does not come cheap. Its premium quality and functionality make it expensive for many users. While you can find other radios on the market for a lower price, the device’s multi-function features make it a reliable, long-term investment.
Size Limitations
The compact size of the icom ic 705 is a significant advantage, but its diminutive stature poses some limitations. For instance, it doesn’t have room for some essential accessories and components such as an easily replaceable battery.
Lack Of Internal Tuner
While the icom ic 705 has its own set of built-in features, the internal tuner is not one of them. The need for an external tuner when conducting radio communication can be a significant obstacle for some users.
The icom ic 705 is a versatile, high-quality, and portable radio that offers a broad range of features. While it may not be perfect, its long list of advantages outweighs the few drawbacks. It’s an excellent option for those who prioritize portability, battery life, and frequency coverage.
However, the device’s price point, size limitations, and lack of internal tuner might discourage some potential buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions On Icom Ic 705 Review
What Is The Icom Ic-705 And What Are Its Features?
The icom ic-705 is a portable radio with a touch screen interface. It includes hf, vhf, and uhf band coverage, built-in gps, bluetooth, and wi-fi, all packed into a compact and lightweight design.
What Are The Advantages Of The Icom Ic-705 Over Other Radios?
The primary advantages of the icom ic-705 are its portability, versatility, and advanced features. It allows you to operate on multiple bands and modes, making it great for both short-range and long-range communication.
Can The Icom Ic-705 Be Used For Digital Modes?
Yes, the icom ic-705 can be used for digital modes such as rtty, psk31, and ft8. It supports usb audio input/output and has a built-in sound card, making it easy to operate digital modes with a computer.
Is The Icom Ic-705 Easy To Use For Beginners?
Yes, the icom ic-705 is designed with beginners in mind. It has a simplified interface and intuitive touch screen operation. The radio also includes helpful features such as built-in swr meter and speech compressor.
What Is The Battery Life Of The Icom Ic-705?
The icom ic-705 can operate for up to 5 hours on a fully charged battery. It also includes a variety of power-saving options to extend battery life, such as a standby mode and auto power-off function.
Can The Icom Ic-705 Be Used For Emergency Communication?
Yes, the icom ic-705 can be used for emergency communication. Its portable design makes it easy to transport to an emergency location, and its multiple bands and modes make it versatile for different communication needs.
Conclusion
The icom ic 705 is truly a remarkable piece of technology, an all-around ham radio transceiver that delivers excellent performance and value for money. Whether you’re a seasoned ham operator or a beginner, this device can meet your expectations and needs.
With its compact size, portability, and easy-to-use interface, you can take it with you wherever you go, be it on a hike, camping trip, or dxpedition. It has the power to operate on multiple bands and modes, making it a versatile option for any ham radio enthusiast.
Plus, its built-in gps and bluetooth technology provide added convenience and connectivity. Overall, the icom ic 705 has exceeded expectations and has stood out among its competitors. Its advanced features, intuitive design, and impressive functionality make it an exceptional option for anyone in the ham radio community.
