Wayne et al: > On Sep 3, 2019, at 12:03 PM, Wayne Burdick <[email protected]> wrote: > > >> On Aug 31, 2019, at 3:25 PM, Charlie T <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> Well, it IS some significant competition, especially since the "PX3" is >> built-in eh? >> >> >> Charlie k3ICH >> > > 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 > > The other head-scratching design choice is the lack of any sort of tilt stand > for angled use. If you use it as shown on a desktop, with the display at 90 > degrees and no feet, it will be very hard to push buttons, and when you do, > the rig will slide backwards. If you place it on its back with the display > facing up, operation would be awkward in many field situations. Hand-held > operation also seems unlikely (something you can easily do with a KX2 or even > a KX3).
Another question is whether the IC-705 will support full duplex operation (e.g. UHF/VHF) that satellite operators need for working linear and FM satellites. I’m not aware of any current field radio that does UHF/VHF full duplex. Most satellite operators typically end up using two radios for linear satellite contacts which adds complexity and bulk. A second question is how it might work as a mobile rig. It isn’t clear from the photos I’ve seen whether there is a mounting arrangement that would work well in a vehicle. The fact that the new model is a ‘705’ suggests a connection to the IC-706, which works well as a mobile rig with an easy-to-mount control head and a base that provides 100 watts. One has to wonder if Icom will eventually provide for the IC-705 a 100 watt HF option or a UHF/VHF option as an external amplifier for mobile use. FWIW. Barry Baines, WD4ASW (Currently in Boston, MA) > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[email protected] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to [email protected] ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [email protected]
