QRP Head 2 Head Episode 9: A contender emerges
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- Опубликовано: 13 мар 2024
- We know that the Elecraft KX2 is a great radio, but it has its flaws. Today we're going to put it up against its stiffest competition thus far. While there's no perfect field radio, I'm going to say that the ICOM IC-705 comes as close to it as any radio I've seen so far. While the form factor is a little bulky and awkward, the radio itself is absolutely outstanding! There's one major flaw in my opinion with the omission of a tuner, and a few minor gripes (like how much of a pain it is to switch from paddles to a straight key), but aside from that, this thing is an absolute joy to operate. Stick around and see how it fares against the KX2. Thanks for watching and 73!
Evan
K2EJT
www.buymeacoffee.com/k2ejt
Great overview and comparison Evan!
Ah yes. I love my 705. It’s such a great radio! It would be nice to have a tuner in it, but it sounds and operates so well.
Yeah, it's very difficult to beat. The sound quality, build quality, overall functionality, and the insane feature set make it a really compelling radio.
@@EvanK2EJT yup tuner but i can live with out it. Full duplex for Sats would have made it perfect.
Great Stuff Evan.
I had a Elecraft K2 that I bought 2nd hand on EBay in 2012 or 13. I was excited about the purchase, but disappointed by the audio on receive.
I ended up selling it and only keeping one HF Signal's QRP rig while keeping my license, but stepping out of amateur radio.
Radio astronomy & an interest in data coming from Ukraine got me interested again. I decided to buy a new QRP rig, but wanted it to have a panadapter. I looked at both the G90 and MCHF clone called the RS 918. I went with the RS 918 with included battery. I thought my RSP-1A was a good receiver. The RS 918 on receive & audio for receive puts the RSP-1A to shame. Very happy with it and would have it over the K2 any day.
Very good review Evan. I have been very impressed with Aaron's IC-705 audio & his Alex Loop antenna skirts around the need for a tuner often. I wonder if my MFJ Auto tune tuner that I use on my IC-718 will work on the IC-705? My interface cable goes to a 4 pin Molex so that would have to be remedied, but that auto tune worked great on my Packtenna 9:1 RFHW. Okay, Santa will be informed, I do 99% POTA so my SOTA radio is my Penntek TR-35 which is the size of my gloves shoved into my pocket. For that radio I use my ATU-10 tuner which is very tiny & works wonders on the 9:1 - I charge via the internal USB-C port once per year for a couple of hours.
Cheers, Davey --KU9L
I love my 705. Took it on a road trip to Western Montana. Threw a wire up in a tree and made several contacts relatively close to that region.
Nice video! Based on what I heard from you as well as others bought the IC705 recently, love it. Beyond the points you mentioned, I want to emphasize the connectivity: it can be controlled by Bluetooth but also Wifi. There’s free software, but if you have an Apple device the SDR-Control app is amazing. Audio, bandscope most features are accessible from my phone. I’ve made voice, ft8 and cw QSOs that way, no cables except the antenna.
I also have the zm2, you should try the SWR screen, just hold the paddle instead of stepping through the ‘bars’: it will transmit a constant signal for tuning, no need to switch to SK.
Yes. Cw qso from the phone required macros for sending. I promise it will not happen again 😉
I think Icom got it right as not everyone wants a tuner and so added lots of other features instead. If you want a tuner you can buy one or you may have one already you can use. The Elecraft gear has become unattainable in the UK for over a year now….dont know why.
Elecraft is unobtainable here in the US too, so I feel your pain lol. The wait time on most stuff is in months and even years depending on the order
Nice review as always Evan. I have them both. Like both. Wouldn't give up either. Other than digital modes however the 705 IMHO doesn't compete with the KX2 for several reasons. It has no internal tuner and it is just too big and heavy. If you are close enough to the activation site so you can carry more weight and "stuff" then why not just bring a 7300! or an 891? More flexibility on power plus a tuner on the 7300. The 705 is a wonderful little radio but it's sort of a "compromise radio". Too big for use as a truly all around portable QRP Radio and the absence of an internal tuner was a big miss by Icom. The form factor isn't what it could be when compared to other QRP Rigs like the KX2 or even the FT-818/817 It's too big to be an all around multi use portable (POTA; SOTA; IOTA) and not powerful enough in comparison to other rigs in smaller form factors like the 891. There's a lot to like about the 705 and it's an operational dream. No question about that. It doesn't stand out however (ex digital modes) in any one category however. For example...want ultra portable full featured with internal battery and tuner go with the KX2. Want ultra portable all weather... go with the LAB599 TX-500. Want small and 100w of power...go with the FT-891.... Want CW Only and ultra packable with an internal tuner... go with the KH1 (or KX1 but no tuner). The 705 is a nice radio and has a nice operational feel and killer display but if you pick a mission and say give me the winner it doesn't win in any of the categories in my opinion.
If I did it all again, and could only have three QRP radios, it would be an MTR3B, FX4-CR and an IC-705. I have way more (much to my wife’s disgust!) but these would be the three I’d keep, along with my Elecraft 100w amp. The 705 is just so nice to use, and very similar to the 7610 back in the shack. BTW, the tune signal issue goes away with either the iCom or Mat tuner, but you could always use a mic and FM with a manual tuner. Wish they’d make the Quick Menu customisable on the whole SDR range…..
Thank you for the great videos Evan....I love your content. I think between those two radios is easily the Icom from the basic standpoint that it is easily obtained. I do not know much about Elecraft and I would put LNR Precision in the same category. A radio is useless unless you can get one, which is normally the case with both of those companies while the Icoms & Yaeusu's of the world are easily accessible unless they are out of production. Sad that the US based companies are the ones with supply chain issues, but again I don't know what I don't know other than to say it is easy to get a Japanese or Chinese radio any day of the week. 73
I think it comes down to economies of scale. LNR and to a somewhat lesser extent Elecraft are VERY small companies compared to Yaesu and Icom. They're last on the list when vendors ship components because they're comparatively low volume. Unfortunately it is what it is, and I don't see it changing any time soon.
@@EvanK2EJT Thank you Evan, I see your point....I am and have been in manufacturing in the US since the late 1980s and can understand that to a degree, but maybe it more has to do with those companies desire to not grow their business and are content with their place in this space. Some companies, such as Wolf River Coils are two guys from what I can tell and they seem to be in stock with everything....at least that's been my experience. Given I do POTA and not SOTA, and I don't have to haul my equipment very far, I choose to go with the FT-710, certainly not a QRP radio but it also can be simply by turning down the power. Having said that I do with I could obtain a Mountain Topper, but since they are hard to get, I am leaning towards a tr usdx, easily obtainable and I hear it's a great rig for the price. 73
@@jimbragg8909 The LNR Precision team is four people total. Remember, the WRC guys are using PVC and some wire and aluminum stock. They don't have to worry about chip or electronic component availability. LNR was limiting it to 25 radios a month, as that's what they could make. They have a new 3 band radio coming out soon, so that's why there are no radios currently available. Elecraft has had component issues for a long time. I think they also end up biting off more than they can chew, and get way far behind. I don't know that for sure, but that's the feeling I get
I was very curious about your take on these two radios. I have both and I agree. The 705 is better in every aspect except ATU, QSK, battery live and size/weight. Since I bought the begali adventure I’m using the KX2 more often. There’s room for both in our hearts.
PS.: buy the SDR control for iPAD if you want to do digital with the 705.
73
How about internal battery operating time on 705 vs KX2? How is current draw on receive compared to KX2?
Battery time depends on which battery I'm running (I have both) and how much power I'm running. I don't know about the current draw. It'd be tough to measure with that battery setup. Normally I'd throw an Amp clamp around the battery wire. Can't do that on the 705. The bar graphs will show current draw, but it's not really a number so it's not super precise.
Hey Evan, another great comparison. I'm not surprised that they are both great radios and that there really isn't a clear winner and it is really due to the use case. With that said, using your terminology from the other videos, if you could only have one radio, which would it be? Do you give up some of the functionality for portability, or do you carry a brick for the full feature set? Just curious to your thoughts. I recently purchased the TX-500 so I am going to be able to buy an expensive radio anytime soon. Thanks for the great videos!
If push came to shove, and I could only keep one, it'd probably be the KX2. It fits my operating style better.
People mention the build quality of the KX2, but if it was as delicate as people say they are, wouldn't there be an endless supply of broken KX2's on ebay? Am I missing something obvious? Wayne, during a presentation on the design of the KX2, mentioned that some military folks have actually jumped out of airplanes with a KX2 as a backup. I do understand why people say it seems delicate, I just haven't seen a lot of evidence supporting the observation.
I have seen quite a few encoder failures, etc. The case and knobs are also pretty cheap. I'm not saying it's a badly built radio, but if you compare a KX2 side by side with an IC-705 it's absolutely no contest which one is built better.
@@EvanK2EJT fair enough. I own both (and a kh1), so I’m not advocating for either. I want all the radios. It’s just that I’ve heard that complaint so much, I’d expect to see more repair videos with KX2’s.
@@AG7SM I agree with you. The so called fragile nature of the KX2 is way overstated. The thing people tend to forget or ignore about the KX2 is that it is so small that it is very easy to stow and to protect in a backpack or other bag/case. It's not a LAB599 TX-500 but then again it's a way more compact all around radio that doesn't even need a mic, or an external battery, or an external tuner etc.
In my opinion, it’s not that it’s fragile, it’s that the knobs are wobbly, there are crevices in the case that expose the circuit boards to the elements, the plexiglass is rough cut and doesn’t even sit flat on the case, etc. It’s not fragile, the quality is just not great. I have owned 2 different KX2s and they were both the same. All that said…the KX2 operates great and is a great radio! But for the cost, you’d think the fit and finish would be nearly perfect. :)
I will always keep my KX2 it does most of everything and it is very small. Now I travel lots and for carryon and a back pack the KX2 is the only option for radio to also listen shortwave.
Yeah, it's a very hard to beat package for sure. If I could only keep a single radio, it'd be the KX2, even with its shortcomings.
Why won't the 705 work on shortwave?
@@user-zy4cq6vo3q What do you mean? You can listen to shortwave radio on it, and transmit on all of the amateur bands from 160-70cm (with the exception of 1.25m)
@@EvanK2EJT I'm just questioning thuff comment which said kx2 is only radio that can receive shortwave. I thought it was a dumb comment and wanted him to explain it
Great video just one question. What automatic antenna tuner would you get ?
I personally bought an ATU-10. It's inexpensive, works really well, and interface directly with the 705. You definitely can't go wrong with an Elecraft T1 (if you can find one). There are several other automatic tuners that work well with the 705 also. I also have an Emtech ZM-2 which works great with the radio, and it's a Z match tuner so it requires no batteries. Not an automatic tuner, but definitely works well.
Why does it have all that iron bolted to it? Did you get it used? Nice vid!
I bought the radio used. That cage protects the radio when I use it in the field. If I'm using it here in the shack I run it naked.
I think antenna tuners for QRP radios are silly. At 5-10w only resonant antennas make sense anyway. Cool radio, but keeping my tx-500. 😀
The only time I really worry about it is if I'm running a super compromised antenna like my Elecraft AX1 or AX2, or if I want to be able to band hop to work DX easier. Aside from that, I generally agree that resonant antennas are the way to go.
Like most things a tuner or no tuner depends on how you plan to use the radio.
How readable is the screen in sunlight?
It's quite readable on both radios. I will say the KX2 is markedly better in direct sunlight though.
Would be great if Icom would let you select Iambic mode.
Yeah, it's odd that they don't. That being said, the vast majority of my radios don't. When I learned, I learned on Iambic A. When I started buying field radios, almost all of them solely used Iambic B, so I had to relearn how to send.
@@EvanK2EJT its definitely different. Though Ive started using my picokeyer with it. Handy little unit.
To me, the IC705 is so big and heavy you might as well get a mobile or small base radio and turn it down. The radio is too big. Too heavy.
I felt that way too and said I'd never buy one because of the size of it. A couple years later, curiosity got the best of me. Turns out it's actually not that big. Since it has the battery attached to the radio, all you need is the 705, an antenna, and a key (or mic heh) and you're ready to roll. If you go with something like an EFHW, all of that fits into a 10"x6" bag easy. No way you can get an 891, 991, 7300, etc. in that small of a space. Plus an 891 and a 10Ah battery weighs several times more than the 705 with it's attached battery pack. A couple years ago I would have agreed with you 100%, once I tried one, my opinion changed. It's bigger than other QRP radios, yes. But it has 10x the features of even an FT-891. Alright enough of a fanboy rant LOL. 73 my friend!
I thought the same thing..... Until I bought one. It's nowhere near as big, heavy, and cumbersome, as I thought it would be. Now, it's not as compact as the KX2 (or a lot of my other field radios for that matter), but for what it is it's really not that bad.