Icom IC-705 new QRP SDR HF-70cm backpack rig (pre-release info)

[VK3BA]

G'day Folks,

Icom's new IC-705 all mode SDR HF-70cm radio with TX 10W (10W on ext pwr and 5W on batt pwr), batt pack, etc. Might be an interesting option as an IF rig for uWave work, perhaps as an alternative to an FT817/8 or KX series radio. Looks like it's slated for release next year.

https://icomuk.co.uk/files/icom/PDF/new ... amfair.pdf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RW6xiLAoyc

https://icomuk.co.uk/Icom-IC-705-and-IC ... 19/2/1982/

Cheers,

[VK3QI]

Nik,

I'd be holding off on any judgements until the rig actually sees the light of day sometime in 2020.

Not an auspicious start, when it is advertised as an SDR HF-70cm rig (until you read the fine print, where it says that 50, 144 and 432 are actually Hetrodyne conversion down to below 25 Mhz).

Also there are no details about how the rig will key any external devices safely (like microwave transverters, ATUs and external amplifiers).

Cheers

Peter VK3QI

[VK4GHZ]

Curiously, the IC-9700 is true SDR up to and including the 70cm band.
As we know, 23cm is down-converted to UHF.

So why isn't the IC-705 true SDR on all bands?
Icom has the technology.

We can only assume this is a cost-cutting exercise utilising lower cost DSP hardware so the 705's price point is kept down.
It would be hard to compete with the FT-818 otherwise.

I doubt the IC-705 will become a popular microwave IF rig, (as popular as the 817 is), for the simple reason:
the form factor is wrong!

The 705 would spend most of it's time facing upwards towards the sky, and the screen may then become difficult to read.
Time will tell.

Yaesu need to pull their fingers out, and start releasing new SDR models if they want to stay in the race.
And, Kenwood, who?

[VK3QI]

Adam,

Spot on regarding the proposed IC-705.

I have a couple of 817ND units for various 24 and 47 Ghz transverters and by far the best thing that can be done for an 817 is to add DSP in the form of the BHI units. I have already added the TCXO units.

I have often wondered why the 818 upgrade didn't include DSP, given that the FT100 and subsequent small mobile rigs did have it.

As for the form factor and touch screen, I guess Icom has to produce something that differentiates it from the Yaesu.

Time will tell just what it can do. There is a good picture of the proposed side panel layout at:

https://qrpblog.com/2019/08/icom-ic-705 ... announced/

Cheers

Peter VK3QI

[VK4GHZ]

I have often wondered why the 818 upgrade didn't include DSP, given that the FT100 and subsequent small mobile rigs did have it.

Peter, I think the FT-818 was purely an "update" in terms of maintaining manufacturability.
ie; replacing components that have been flagged as on "end-of-life".
Remember that the FT-817 was launched in 2004, and probably on the drawing board back in 2002.


But yes, a true SDR inside an FT-817/8 chassis would be great.
I can do without a large touchscreen, as that's quite a critical and vulnerable part you don't want to accidentally damage out in the field.

[VK7HH]

For those that missed it, here is a snippet of the discussion last night on the IC-705.