Wayne wrote of the IC-705: > It's an interesting radio for those who need built-in VHF/UHF. > > But there are major differences between the KX2/KX3 > and '705 for those doing lightweight outdoor operation: > > - KX3 is half the size and 33% lighter; KX2 is one-third > the size and weight > - KX3 has max power out of 15 W, KX2 12 W (vs. 10 W); > KX2 can put out 10 W on internal battery > - the KX3/KX2 LCD is very high contrast, easily readable > in bright sunlight > (I've seen the '7300 display in sunlight, and it's > almost completely washed out) > - both KX-line rigs have a built-in wide-range ATU (not > mentioned in the '705 brochure) > - both work with an attached keyer paddle > - both have far lower current drain (0.15-0.25 A > vs. estimated 0.8-1.0 amps) > - the '705s internal battery is only 2 AH/7.4 V = 14.8 WH; > the KX2's is 2.5 AH and 11 V = 27.5 WH, and the KX3 can be > used with 8x Lithium AA, 3A @ 12V = 36 WH
That massive power consumption of the IC-705 just by itself is the Kiss o'Death to all serious consideration as a backpack and SOTA radio. And...there is little doubt that it lacks the advanced exotic capability to do really really hard things like operate its iambic keyer in mode A. I've never found an Icom rep even at Dayton who could explain why that was impossible technology for Icom, other than blame it vaguely and stupidly on "the engineers". That's if I was lucky enough to find an Icom rep at Hamvention who even knew what I meant when I asked about "iambic mode A". The other IC-705 characteristic that is adverse to outdoor operation is its very dark color scheme. That makes it an effective heat sink for solar radiation...never a good thing unless operating in polar regions. :-) Unfortunately Icom is **not alone** with the gratuitous inclusion of such a harmful "feature" in a small radio. Mike / KK5F ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
